Page 87 of Trapped and Tackled

Wait.

What?

I gape at Mom. Sound comes rushing back, exploding in my eardrums like bombs. I shake from the accusation, my fingers trembling as they bunch the fabric of my gown.

“It’s okay. You don’t have to be afraid. I’m here,” Mom continues, reaching for my trembling, unsteady hands.

I close my eyes as another shudder wracks through my body.

They have the wrong man.

“Mom,” I whimper, trying to clear my throat.

“Where is she?” Dad growls, bursting into the room and pushing past Keller. “I got here as fast as I could.”

Marlowe jumps to her feet, leaving the space next to me vacant for Dad. She joins her cousin by the door and the two of them try to give us as much privacy as possible while ensuring random people don’t enter.

“What the fuck happened, Leni?” Dad’s voice booms.

“Shh! Don’t yell at her!” Mom shouts.

Regret washes over Dad’s face as he yanks at his hair, clearly at a loss over what to do.

He strides back and forth in front of the coffee table for a few beats, similar to Keller a few minutes ago.

“It’s Craig,” I admit on a whisper.

Dad stops and glares at me. Mom stiffens beside me. Marlowe breathes a sigh of relief.

“What’s Craig?” Dad asks. “I spoke to the Chief of Police. Craig’s okay, by the way. Talon could have really?—”

“Craig hit me,” I cut him off, needing him to know the truth. “Threatened me. Hurt me.” My voice grows stronger with each admission.

I look up and meet Dad’s bewildered expression.

“I didn’t know how to tell you. But for weeks, months, Craig controlled me. Threw a bottle of scotch against the wall in a fit of rage. Choked me.” I reach for my collarbone. “That’s why I left New York.” I look at Mom, tears welling in my eyes. “That’s why I came home.”

“Oh, Leni.” Mom wraps an arm around my shoulders, pulling me closer. “Oh, God. You’re okay, sweet girl. Everything’s okay.”

“He’s been sending me text messages since I came home. I was too scared to block him. And I felt safe here because of Dad and-and Talon.” My voice breaks on his name. “I thought Craig’s messages would give me insight into his thoughts. A warning if he ever came to Knoxville. But…he showed up.”

Mom hugs me harder as I sob. The numbness is thawing, and my cries come out in large, loud gasps. Mom holds me as I fall apart, and it feels infinitely easier knowing I can rely on her to piece me back together.

When my wails subside into whimpers, I chance a look at Dad.

He looks like someone just tore his heart out. His eyes bleed with regret, his mouth twisted in shame.

“He put his hands on you,” he murmurs.

I nod.

“That’s why Talon…”

“Yeah,” I confirm. “Talon knows. Everything,” I add, hating the betrayal that sparks in my dad’s eyes at my admission that I confided in my new boyfriend before him.

“Are you okay?” he asks instead.

Mom’s arms tighten around me.

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