Page 85 of Set me Free

She blinked, looking at me like I was crazy. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me," I bit out. "Why the fuck would you come into my room like that? You knew exactly what you were doing."

She feigned innocence, pressing the ice pack harder to her face. "Are you seriously mad at me? She attacked me, Creed! And you’re asking me what my problem is?"

"You set that shit up," I accused, stepping closer. "You wanted her to react, and she did. You got what you wanted and deserved."

"Oh well," she said with a nonchalant shrug. "Now it’s out in the open. Now we can stop pretending."

My blood ran hot, eyes narrowed in her direction.

"Pretending what?"

She lifted her chin. "That we’re not meant to be together."

That was the final fucking straw.

I let out a humorless laugh, shaking my head. "You really think Imma be with you now?"

She crossed her arms. "Where else you gonna go? Serenity ain’t coming back."

That sentence made something snap inside me. I stepped closer, lowering my voice. "I will never fuck with you again," I said, my tone deadly cold. Her eyes widened in shock. "Get the fuck outta my crib," I said, my voice sharp, unrelenting.

Gianna’s mouth fell open in shock.

"Creed," my mama interrupted, stepping in. "Calm down. This is a mess, yes, but you can’t only blame Gianna. You had a part in this too." I clenched my jaw, refusing to look at her. "Itwas disrespectful as hell," she continued. "Especially in a home you share with Serenity."

"You brought them here," I shot back, my voice tight.

"I didn’t tell you to fuck that girl though," my mama fired back.

Silence.

That shit shut me right up. Because she was right, this was all on me.

I swallowed my anger, my chest heavy. "Y’all need to leave."

Gianna’s head snapped up. "I’m not leaving without my son."

I exhaled sharply. "Gio’s still with me for the rest of the summer per our custody agreement. He’s staying here."

Gianna stood up, crossing her arms. "Then I’m staying too."

"You crazy as fuck if you think you are." I pulled out my phone and dialed Sheena, my assistant.

"Hey boss, what’s up?" her voice, always chipper, almost annoying in this moment.

"Book three flights back to Dallas," I ordered. "Tonight."

"Three?" Gianna’s face twisted in confusion.

"You, your mama, and mine," I said, my tone final.

She flipped out. "I’m not leaving without my son, Creed! And I damn sure don’t want Serenity around him after what she did tonight!"

I laughed bitterly. "And I don’t give a fuck what you want."

Her mouth fell open, but I was done talking. I stormed to my bedroom, slamming the door shut behind me.

---