Page 3 of Set me Free

I shot a look at Sienna, already knowing this was her idea.

"Unbelievable," I muttered before storming past them and out the door.

As we got into the waiting SUV, Sevyn slipped on a pair of shades, then smirked.

"Cheer up, buttercup. It’s New York, and we about to have a blast. Fuck what they talking about."

As soon aswe arrived at Van Nuys Airport, our Gulf-stream G650 was ready with it’s engines humming and the steps down. CJ, our longtime family security, was already talking to the pilots, making sure everything was set.

"You ready, Tootie?" Sevyn smirked as he grabbed my bags from the blacked-out Escalade our family’s driver had just pulled up in.

"Been ready," I shot back heading up the stairs to board the jet.

Inside, the cabin was all cream-colored leather, gold accents, and polished wood. A flight attendant greeted us with glasses of freshly squeezed orange juice and chilled lavender-scented towels for the flight. The moment I sank into one of the oversized seats, stretching my legs out, I sighed.

"This is so nice," I muttered, closing my eyes for a second.

Sevyn chuckled. "Ain’t it?"

I didn’t know why we were acting as if this was not our normal way of travel. Being a Bradshaw meant luxury surrounded us. My grandfather Leo Bradshaw Sr started Bradshaw Legacy Group in 1976. Originally Bradshaw Legacy Group started in the real estate business but soon developed into multiple entities under the company’s umbrella. My uncle Leo Jr and Auntie Aimee who were Ari’s parents ran Bradshaw Law and Associates. They were our family attorneys and in the courtroom they were some of the most ruthless individuals I’d ever known. But outside they were just Uncle LJ and Aunt Aimee. Sienna being the entertainment expertise in the family ran Bradshaw Luxe and Entertainment and Sevyn who was a trained chef ran Bradshaw Hospitality and Fine Dining.Through Sevyn’s culinary and business savvy genius, we owned and operated 20 of the top upscale restaurants throughout the country. My daddy was the head of it all. As a whole our family business was worth over 1 billion dollars, so no expense was spared in anything we did.

The flight was smooth as hell. Five hours, a catered brunch, a mid-flight nap, and a fresh fruit platter later, we touched down at Teterboro Airport in New Jersey.

As expected, the moment we stepped off the jet, CJ and another security team were already waiting, our black Cadillac Escalades idling on the tarmac.

"Tootie, you riding with me?" Sevyn asked, stretching his arms as he tossed our bags into the back of one of the SUVs.

"Duh. I ain’t about to ride with security like a damn kid."

CJ shook his head, but a smirk played at his lips as he opened the door for me. CJ had been with our family since before I was born, and he still saw me as a little girl. But at the end of the day, he was here to protect us, not dictate what we did.

The drive from Teterboro to Manhattan was always an experience. I had been to New York plenty of times, but there was something about driving into the city that always made me feel like I was stepping into something bigger than myself.

The moment we crossed into Manhattan, everything shifted, the streets buzzing with honking cabs, people walking fast, designer stores with their displays lit up like art exhibits, and the unmistakable energy that made New York feel alive.

I leaned my head against the window watching people weave in and out of yellow taxis, clutching shopping bags from Bergdorf’s, Chanel, and Bottega like they were accessories. The streets were lined with hot dog stands, food carts with fresh bagels, and massive billboards advertising Broadway shows and luxury brands.

"Damn, I missed this city," I murmured.

"Don’t gas it. You ain’t even lived here yet," Sevyn teased.

"Whatever."

The Escalades maneuvered through the Upper East Side, pulling up in front of our hotel, The Aman New York, a luxury five-star oasis in the heart of Manhattan.

"Finally," I sighed as a doorman rushed forward to open the car door for me.

The lobby was all gold accents, marble floors, and a soft candlelit glow.The kind of luxury that felt understated yet impossible to ignore. It smelled like white tea and fresh lilies, and the quiet hum of a grand piano played in the background.

"There she is!"

I turned just in time to see Arielle walking toward us, a designer duffle bag slung over her shoulder, her silky black hair swaying with each step she took.

"Bitch, you took forever!" I grinned, meeting her in a hug.

"Girl, I had class," she laughed, pulling back to look at me. "You look good. Jet lag ain’t got you looking crazy."

"I always look good," I smirked.

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