Page 68 of Trapped and Tackled

“What happened?”

“He…” She stops and her shoulders shake.

“It’s okay, baby.” I place a reassuring hand on her knee.

She shakes her head again, whether to refute my words or clear her mind, I don’t know. “He choked me. Left marks on my collarbone. And the next morning, I called my mom.”

“Fuck, my sunshine,” I say, feeling sick. I tug her closer, hoping it’s okay. Thank God she comes willingly, and I wrap her in my arms, hugging her against my chest. “Leni, I’m so fucking sorry.”

“Don’t be. It’s my?—”

“Don’t say it,” I warn. “Don’t say it’s your fault.”

“I should have left, Talon. I should have left him weeks before I did. I just kept thinking if I could…be better, change…it would be fine. But instead, it kept getting worse.”

“How long did you stay?”

“Almost two years,” she whispers.

I close my eyes, feeling the blood drain from my face. Fuck. I don’t want to press her too hard, but I can’t stop the awful thoughts that roll around my mind. “Was he violent from the start?”

Leni shudders in my arms. “It started after six months. It was a slow build—he became increasingly controlling. A comment one day, a moment of anger weeks later.” She shakes her head. “I know how it sounds, Talon, but when you’re in it…there are things you choose not to see. Or admit to yourself.”

She breaks my fucking heart. I lock down my emotions so I don’t scare her. More than anything, I want Leni to know she can confide in me. Kissing the top of her head, I murmur, “You’re safe now, Leni. You’re here. Home.”

“I know,” she sobs. “Marlowe said the same thing.”

“So, you talked to Marlowe?” The thought is mildly reassuring. It means she’s starting to come to terms with things. She’s beginning to confide in others.

“Yeah. Something similar recently happened in her family and…” She shakes her head. “She’s my best friend. We were both keeping secrets, but it was me who put all the distance between us. I did the same with Mom and Dad. With Lincoln.”

I blow out an exhale. “Your family and friends love you, Leni. More than anything in the world. They will understand. We’re all on your side. But we gotta protect you, babe. I need to keep you safe.”

She nods, her eyes holding mine even as more tears fall. “I feel safe when I’m with you, Talon. Right from the beginning.”

I brush away more tears. “I’m glad. It would kill me if you didn’t because Len, more than anything, I want to protect you. The way I feel about you… I’ve never felt this way before.”

“Ever?”

I shake my head. “Last night, when I saw you throw your hands up to avoid Toby’s fist, it was like a fucking wake-up call. I remembered my mom. I mean, I was only a kid and still, that image, that memory, lingers. I’ve never stood by when a man, any fucking man, got rough with a woman. But last night… Leni, I could have fucking killed him.”

“I’m sorry I put you in that position,” she murmurs, sounding horrified.

“No, baby. Don’t you see? You mean so much to me. I’d do anything for you. And these feelings, the intensity of them, it’s new for me. I’m blurring every goddamn line and, Len, I don’t care. I care about you and your safety. Your happiness. I don’t want you to carry around shame or guilt or whatever. I want you to find your sunshine again and I want to help you do it.”

Leni sucks in a breath and then she leans forward and presses her mouth to mine.

Chapter 17

Leni

I taste Talon’s surprise as I kiss him. I know I’m throwing a lot at him but God, do I want—no need—this man to remind me that I’m not broken.

I am worthy. I am enough.

And his words—God, those words saved a part of my soul.

I’m blurring every goddamn line and, Len, I don’t care. I care about you and your safety. Your happiness. I don’t want you to carry around shame or guilt or whatever. I want you to find your sunshine again and I want to help you do it.

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