Toby writhed, but whimpered and quit when he realized he was only making it worse. Zane wasn't giving him an inch.
Shaking her head, she crossed to Zane. Still unmoving, Zane granted Freya a sly grin.
Leaving him to stand guard over his prisoner, she turned to check on Sienna. Craig and Susan were now at the foot of the stairs together, arm in arm and watching their son’s every movement, both a little red-eyed.
Freya stopped a few feet from Sienna. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. What about you?” Sienna winced as she took a deep breath and motioned to Freya’s arm, the hand-shaped bruise already starting to shine.
“I’m okay.” She wanted to wrap her arms around the overly calm woman and tell her it was okay to stomp and scream and maybe even kick her lousy husband.
“Do you have someplace you can go?”
She nodded. “Yeah. I have a few friends that have been offering.”
“Good. If you need anything, don’t be a stranger.”
Despite the bruised eye that was rapidly spreading to her entire cheek, Sienna smiled and nodded.
A cluster of police cars filed in. The officers took in the scene as they stepped out of their cars.
Zane nodded from his post, “All clear.”
Chief Larson came straight to Sienna. “Are you okay?” he asked while the other officers ran toward Zane and Toby.
She nodded. “I’m fine.”
More lights flashed down the driveway. Jonah rested his hands on his hips, “I’m glad. I’ll let the paramedics check you out. Then, would you mind chatting with me about what happened?”
“Yes. I know I should have listened sooner, I just…”
“Don’t worry about it. It’s over now. Right?”
She nodded, “I’m done.”
He gave Sienna a polite nod, then to Freya, “I’d heard you were back in town. This is your grandpa’s old place, right?”
“Yeah, I’m staying in the apartment over the garage.” Why did she say that? She was living in the house, for the moment.
He nodded to Zane, “Friend of yours?”
She smiled, “Yes. Zane is a SEAL buddy of Asher’s.”
He grinned. “These guys are handy to have around.” Trotting toward Zane, Jonah threw out his hand to introduce himself now that Zane’s hands were free, Toby in cuffs and being escorted to one of the police cars. Zane was so calm, so at ease despite everything that had happened. She was nauseous from the adrenaline letting down, but Zane looked like this was an easy stroll in the park.
The ambulance pulled in and Sienna said to Freya, “Thanks again. Really. Your husband, he’s a good guy. Those are hard to find.”
“I know. Look, you take care of yourself, okay?”
“I will. Please, come on over to Larissa’s sometime for some pie. My treat this time.” She crossed the driveway, her spine straight and her head held high, despite her hand gripping her ribs and the hitch in every step as she approached the paramedics that were already heading her way.
One of the police officers was talking with Susan and Craig, Jonah still chatted with Zane, and the others were already stuffing Toby into the squad car, one paramedic strolling over to check on him. Freya stuffed her hands in her pockets, her focus homing in on Zane. He was warming up, a full smile on his face when she reached his side.
As she neared, he stepped close and wrapped his arm around her, tucking her against him. “No, uh, thanks though. Asher already tried to convince me to join you guys. Not interested.”
Jonah laughed with him, “Worth a shot.”
Freya melted into Zane’s side as her adrenaline plummeted. Her legs about crumpled beneath her. This may be routine for him, but the fear of losing him was entirely new to her.