Page 134 of Savage Surrender

“Mason’s still working on it. Winston says his street is clear and wants an update when we’re ten minutes out.”

“Tell him it’ll be about twenty,” Freddie says, still watching the traffic behind us.

I sink deeper against Freddie and let the steady movement of his hand stroking my skin lull me through the remaining miles.

Winston is waiting outside when we arrive.

He has one crutch planted beneath his arm and his other hand braced against the porch rail.

Megan barely gets the car into park before I open the door.

“B, slow⁠—”

I run right to Winston. He catches me with both arms and a curse, staggering one step into the rail as his crutch clatters onto the porch.

“Jesus Christ, B.”

“I forgot how fragile you are. Sorry.”

He shifts his weight and holds me tighter instead of letting go.

“I missed you.”

“Obviously.”

I roll my eyes and he pulls back enough to look at me, his warm brown eyes moving over my face. His fingers find my jaw and angle me toward the light.

“Look at me. Follow my finger.”

“I’m totally fine.”

His thumb pulls down my lower eyelid. Behind him, Clara comes out the open door with one hand beneath the slight curve of her stomach. Freddie picks up Winston’s crutch and leans it against the railing.

Winston checks my pupils, makes me take two deep breaths, then folds me back into a hug.

“Where’s Dad?”

Freddie hands him the crutch when he releases me, and Winston fits it under his arm.

“Still in custody. I’ve got two attorneys working on it, but Montgomery’s accusation and Dad’s threat are complicating things.” Winston looks past me toward the car. “We need to get that moved to the backyard before someone sees it. Matt!”

Matt appears in the doorway before Winston finishes shouting his name. Megan tosses him the keys, and after a quick hello, he moves the car around back.

“Mom must be losing her mind.”

“She isn’t taking the separation well—or any of this, really.” Winston glances toward the street, then gestures us inside. “I talked to her earlier. She’s been calling the jail nonstop, but I told her to stay put and keep the door locked.”

“You left her alone?”

“You think I wanted to? I asked her to come here until he’s home, but she refused.” His mouth pulls tight.

“That sounds like her.”

Once we’re all inside, Clara hugs me hard, and soothing lavender surrounds us.

“Sit down for me. I want to listen to your lungs.” Clara steers me to the couch and opens her leather bag.

“I’m fine, Clare Bear.”