Page 75 of Trapped and Tackled

“Daddy,” Leni says, moving closer to me and lacing our hands together. “I’m an adult. I don’t need your permission to date?—”

“My house, my rules,” he growls.

Vicki shakes her head.

“Fine!” Leni throws a hand in the air. “I’ll just move in with Talon then.”

Shit. My thoughts scatter and nerves zip through my chest as the situation deteriorates. I keep a firm grip on Leni’s hand though. Because the one thing I’m not losing today is her.

“Coach,” I say, holding his eyes. “I respect you more than any other man I know. I’m not saying this as a fleeting thing. You know me, and I hope you know my character. I’ve never had a serious relationship before.”

“Trust me, I know,” he interjects.

Vicki stands beside him and places a warning touch on his forearm. “Keep going, Talon,” she says, not unkindly.

“Leni’s it for me, sir. I didn’t expect this to happen, but it did and I’m not asking for your blessing, either. I’m telling you, man to man, because I admire the hell out of you. I’m falling for Leni.”

“It’s been one weekend,” he seethes, holding up a finger.

“It’s been brewing longer than that,” I admit.

“You just got out of a relationship,” he accuses his daughter. “Is this…a rebound?” He gestures between us.

Damn. That fucking hurt.

“Friedrich!” Vicki hisses.

“What?” He glares at her. Then, back at me. “No, no. I don’t accept this. Leni, get up to your room. Talon, get the hell out of my house.” Then he stalks from the room. The back door slams closed a moment later, and I wince.

“He’ll calm down,” Vicki says by way of apology.

Beside me, Leni rolls her eyes but, like her mother, doesn’t seem to take her father’s reaction seriously.

“Come on, I’ll walk you out.” She tugs on my arm.

I stand beside her, bewildered and unsure what the next step is.

“Talon,” Vicki says as I walk past.

I pause to look at her over my shoulder.

She offers me a genuine smile. “Thanks for taking care of my baby girl.”

“You’re welcome,” I say sincerely. “I’ll never not look out for Leni.”

She regards me for a long moment before nodding.

Leni leads me to her front porch. When the door closes behind us, she heaves out a sigh. “Well, that went about as well as I expected.”

I snort. “You don’t seem distraught over it though.”

“Nah.” She shrugs. “Dad will come around. He just processes things…slower than Mom.”

I shake my head and wrap an arm around her waist. She rests her head on my shoulder.

“Can I take you to dinner tomorrow night, Leni?”

She gazes up at me. “I love how optimistic you are, Talon.”

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