Trapped and Tackled (Knoxville Coyotes Football #3)

14. Talon

Chapter 14

Talon

“Two bedrooms,” I say, holding up two fingers.

The woman behind the counter of the small, lakefront inn peers at me suspiciously over her glasses. “It’s August.”

I know. Please have a room available.

“Um, yes, ma’am,” I reply, shifting my weight and hitching our weekender bags higher on my shoulder.

Maybe she thinks Leni is my sister? Or a friend.

The woman sighs heavily. She must be close to sixty and the lines in her expression say she’s seen it all. And right now, she doesn’t love what she’s seeing.

Damn. We just need a room.

If I wasn’t so worried about Leni, fucking furious over Toby’s outburst, and downright exhausted, I’d chuckle at the way the woman is sizing me up. Instead, I’m praying she slides two sets of keys across the desk so I can make sure Leni’s okay and tuck her in for the night.

“We’ve only got one room,” she says finally. “And it’s the best one.” She squints at her computer screen, her eyebrows lifting. “The cost is?—”

Beside me, Leni’s shoulders slump and she sways. Poor girl is dead on her feet now that the adrenaline has worn off. She’s about to crash, hard. Maybe it’s better we’re in one room so I can keep an eye on her.

“We’ll take it.” I slide my credit card across the counter before she can rattle off the price. The only thing I care about right now is making sure Leni is okay.

The woman peers at me again, a frown settling in the corners of her mouth.

For fuck’s sake. I fight the urge to roll my eyes. I have no idea what thoughts are running through her mind. I just hope she doesn’t recognize me—or Leni—and make this more of a thing than it is.

She harrumphs, runs my card, and hands me a set of keys.

“Thanks,” I say, adjusting the bags again. Then, I press a hand to Leni’s back, guiding her in the direction of the rooms. “Come on, Len.” I feel the woman’s eyes, her burning curiosity, between my shoulder blades until we turn the corner.

“We’re in room sixteen,” I say. Leni doesn’t bother responding.

I locate our room, jam the key into the door, and hold it open for Leni.

She enters before me, walks straight to the bed, and sits on the edge. A breath later, she slumps over, resting on her side and curling into herself.

Damn. I am out of my element here.

Dropping the bags to the floor, I kneel at her side, and push some of her beautiful golden hair out of her eyes. “Hey,” I say softly.

Leni blinks and I watch as recognition flickers across her face. “Talon.”

“Tell me what you need, baby.” My concern is through the fucking roof and all I want is to make her feel safe. Protect her so nothing—and no one—can touch her.

“I’m so tired,” she whispers.

I stroke her hair. “I know.”

Hearing the vile things that spewed from Toby’s mouth was enough to set my blood boiling. But when he lifted a hand to Leni, I saw fucking red. I fought through the huddle of people who blocked the doorway, just glimpsing Leni and her blonde hair above the mass of bodies.

And it was the way she shrunk, the way she raised her arms to protect herself, the fear that flashed across her expression, that kicked me in the chest. That caused bile to churn in my stomach.

The silhouette of my mother on the bathroom floor.

The memory came unbidden. It flashed through my mind—clearer than it had any right to be—and in my gut, I knew.

Toby wasn’t the first fuckhead to raise a hand to my girl. In the moment, that’s how I thought of Leni. That’s how I saw her.

And right now, I feel the same.

I won’t let anyone hurt a goddamn strand of hair on her head.

But what the fuck happened? Was it the ex—Craig? Is that why she left New York? Or was it someone else—an isolated incident she hasn’t been able to speak about?

I want to know every-fucking-thing. But first, I want Leni to know that she’s safe. That I’m here. That I’ll do whatever the hell she needs.

I reach into my bag and pull out a plastic bottle of water I swiped on my way out of the lake house. “Here, Len. Have some water.” I uncap the bottle and hold it to her lips.

She blinks again, her eyes holding mine.

I grip the back of her head and lift it gently. Then, I pour a mouthful of water into her mouth and watch as she sips it. Swallows. Blinks again. “Thank you, Talon. For being here. I—I’m sorry.” She sounds so dejected. So…fucking sad. Lost. Nothing like the girl from Coach’s stories. Nothing like the woman who whooped my ass in a swimming race. Or the unknowing seductress who cooked dinner for me.

I brush my fingertips over her cheek and lean closer. Resting my forehead to hers, I close my eyes. “Baby, you have nothing to be sorry for.”

“I do, Talon,” she argues. “I have so many things to apologize for. So many mistakes. So many missed opportunities.”

“Tell me what you need. Right now, Leni.” I can’t do nothing. I need to help her. Be here for her. And I have no clue how.

The sounds of my mother’s tears, so fucking long ago, echo. Fresh in my mind. What the hell is happening?

My expression twists and tears—tears I haven’t cried in decades—burn the backs of my eyelids.

Someone hurt my girl. The same way someone hurt my mother.

And then, she lost everything. But I won’t let that happen to Leni. I won’t stand for it.

“I want to shower.” She shivers slightly under my touch, and I realize she’s cold. Damn, her adrenaline must have plunged. “And put on something warm. And get in bed.”

“Okay.” I breathe out a sigh of relief. I can do that. “Let’s do that.” I help her sit up. Keeping one hand anchored to her thigh, I squeeze gently. “I’ll go run the water.”

She nods and swipes her tongue across her dry bottom lip.

I leave her for a moment, just to flip on the bathroom lights, turn on the showerhead, and make sure the dial is pointed to hot water. I check to see that she has shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. I shake out a towel and hang it on the hook next to the shower, place down a bathmat for when she’s done, and move the robe from the back of the door to the top of the vanity.

When I reenter the bedroom, Leni is sitting right where I left her.

Her teeth are chattering now, her eyes nearly closed.

“Come on, Leni,” I murmur, stepping in between her legs and bending down. I hook my fingers beneath the hem of her shirt, holding her eyes. “Can I help you?”

In response, she lifts her arms, and I peel the shirt off her frame, discarding it on the bed beside her.

“You got this,” I say, to the both of us, as I wrap one arm around her lower back and help her stand. Then, I’m kneeling in front of her, popping the button on her jean shorts, and working them down her thighs.

She’s clad in a matching light pink bra and thong set. But other than seeing the color, I don’t look. I don’t check her out. I keep my focus purely on her well-being. I help her into the bathroom and pull back the shower curtain.

Steam fills the room, turning the mirror hazy.

A sigh of relief falls from Leni’s lips. She glances at me over her shoulder. “Will you stay? Wait for me?”

“I’ll be right here,” I promise.

She nods. “I’m going to…” She trails off, gesturing toward her chest.

“Right.” I turn around, giving her a few moments of privacy. When I hear the curtain close, I plop down on the closed toilet seat and wait for Leni to shower.

Her pink underwear and bra are on the floor, and I pick them up, moving them to the vanity next to the robe.

I don’t want to put her on the spot, but I want to know what the hell happened tonight. “You okay?” I check in.

“Yes,” she replies, her voice stronger than it was a few minutes ago. “I’m almost done.”

“Take your time.” I wait until she turns the water off.

She pops her head out of the shower and reaches for the towel. Her eyes find mine and a sheepish expression fans across her face. “Thanks for staying with me.”

“I’m here for whatever you need,” I tell her truthfully.

She ducks back into the shower and a moment later, pushes the curtain open.

The towel is wrapped around her body, one edge tucked into the space between her breasts to keep from falling open. It’s short, hitting her mid-thigh. Her blonde hair is darker from the water, falling down her back and clinging to her shoulder blades. Rivulets of water stream down her neck, drip from the ends of her hair, pool into the terrycloth of the towel.

Fuck. I avert my gaze. The last thing I should do is check Leni out. Especially after everything she’s been through tonight.

I clear my throat and gesture toward the robe. “I’ll step out.”

“I’ll only be a minute.”

I exit the bathroom and suck in a lungful of air. Between the steam, the image of Leni wrapped in a fucking towel, and the high emotions of the last hour, I need a second to pull my shit together.

Raking a hand through my hair, I use this time to pull a pair of sleep shorts and a tank top from my bag. I need to rinse off before I sleep but I want to make sure Leni is settled first.

She steps into the room a moment later, wrapped in the big, fluffy robe.

“You hungry?” I ask.

She shakes her head and yawns. “More tired than anything.”

“Right.”

She gestures toward the bathroom. “You want to shower?”

“Yeah.” I grab a pair of clean boxers from my bag and roll them up along with my pajamas. “You get into bed. I’ll crash on the floor and?—”

“What?” Leni shakes her head. “Talon, that’s ridiculous. It’s a king-size bed. It’s big enough for both of us.”

I shake my head. “I don’t want to make you uncomfortable. You had a rough night and?—”

“Please,” she cuts me off, stepping closer and placing a tentative hand on my arm. “I feel safe with you, Talon. You’ve never not made me feel safe.”

Her words are both a fucking kick to the chest and a healing salve to old wounds all at once.

“Leni…” My voice is tight. So are my fucking balls. I can’t sleep beside her when I feel this unsteady.

Angry as fuck over Toby. Worried as hell over her. And so damn curious about what the hell happened in New York.

“Please, Talon,” she pleads, her blue eyes bright with unshed tears. “Go shower,” she murmurs.

Sighing, I do as she asks. I don’t know if I’m capable of not giving into her. From day one, she’s been the only woman who’s had such a pull over me. Her innocence and her sweetness, at complete odds with the hardness that molded me, have been irresistible.

I take an extra beat in the shower to give her some time to settle into bed and give myself a fucking mental pep talk.

I won’t cross any goddamn lines. I’ll ensure Leni feels comfortable and safe. I’ll be a goddamn gentleman.

Toweling off, I glare at myself in the mirror, mentally swearing to do right by my girl. To hunt down the fucker who first put hands on her and to make sure Toby never lifts a hand in anger against a woman again.

Then, I dress into my pajamas, step into the bedroom, and pray that Leni is asleep.

Her even breathing, followed by a soft snore that pierces the air, assures me she is. I let out a sigh of relief and move to the other side of the bed. I pause for a beat, leaning over to study her in sleep.

She looks like an angel. Her damp hair spreads across the pillow—a halo of dark gold. Long eyelashes, two shades darker than her hair, make half-moons on her high cheekbones. Her full lips are pursed into a rosebud, the tiniest space between them.

She’s rolled onto her side, her hands tucked together under her chin, the white duvet pulled up to her shoulders.

“Sunny Leni,” I murmur, stroking a hand over her hair. “Sleep well, baby.”

Then, I climb into bed beside her, careful to keep space between us, and drop into sleep.

It’s nearly four in the morning when she begins to cry out.

“No, no,” the whimper falls from her lips, distress lining her face.

“Leni,” I murmur, shifting closer and propping myself up on an elbow. “Shh, you’re okay.”

“Don’t hurt me! Stop it! You’re hurting me.” She throws her hands up to protect her face and my stomach twists in anguish.

“Baby, you’re safe. Shh,” I try to reassure her, wrapping my arms around her and pulling her closer.

I cradle her head, my palm holding her cheek. The moment her other cheek rests against my chest, her whimpers ease. She snuggles deeper, her eyelids flutter twice, and a sigh falls from her lips.

“Sunny Leni, you’re okay, baby. I got you. I won’t let anyone hurt you again.” I press my lips to the crown of her head, murmuring the sentiments repeatedly as her breathing evens out once more.

She wraps her arms more firmly around me as I continue to soothe her. My voice is calm and quiet. My mind whirls but I don’t know what to make of anything. Do I tell Coach? Do I ask Marlowe for more information?

How do I help my Sunny Leni find her sunshine again? The confidence her father always praised and the spark I’ve witnessed in a handful of moments.

Dragging myself up to rest against the headboard, I settle Leni’s frame more firmly over mine. I brush my fingers across her cheek, drag them through her hair, and watch her as she rests. She must be exhausted.

I’m wide awake, my thoughts all over the place.

On the nightstand, Leni’s phone buzzes with an incoming text message. I note the screen light before turning my attention back to her.

But then, another text appears. And another.

Is it Coach? Is he worried?

Or Marlowe? Is she in trouble?

When her phone buzzes again, I reach for it.

Leni sleeps soundly and while I’m not crazy about reading her messages, I’m also getting fucking worried.

I pick up her phone.

Lincoln: Hey! I miss you!

Lincoln: I know you’re going through some things but I’m not going to let you avoid me forever, Len. I love you and you’re my sister. Call me, please.

Keller: Marlowe and I made it home. She’s passed out and I’m about to fall asleep too. Thanks for everything tonight, Leni. And thank Talon for me.

Keller: I’ll check in with you tomorrow. Night.

I breathe out a sigh of relief and am about to place her phone back down when another message appears.

This time, my blood runs cold.

Craig: You can’t stay away forever, Leni. I think about you all the time. About what I’m gonna do when I get my hands on you again.

Craig: Our friends are starting to wonder what happened and you know how I detest lying.

Craig: You better come back, Leni. Even if I have to drag you back myself.

Craig: I’m not letting you leave me, baby. You know we belong together.

Craig: You know you’re mine. You understand that, right?

Craig: Because I love you, Leni. And I don’t know what I’ll do if you don’t come home to me.

Craig: I don’t know what I’m capable of. I don’t say that to scare you, baby.

Craig: I say it because I love you. I’ll always love you.

Craig: And I’m coming to bring you home, sweet Leni.

Craig: I’m coming for you.

Rage consumes me as I read each message. My vision blurs as anger strums in my veins and horror pounds in my temples.

I clench Leni’s phone harder.

That motherfucker.

The ex-boyfriend.

How dare he put his hands on her. How dare he threaten her. How dare he even fucking message her.

I gaze down at the sleeping angel in my arms and know that I’m done for.

I’ll cross every line and blow up my entire fucking career to keep her safe. Because the way I feel about her, hell, I don’t know what it is but it’s something.

And for the first time in a long time, it—she—is the only thing that matters.