21. Leni
Chapter 21
Leni
“Missed you,” I say the moment Talon walks through the door to his condo.
He grins and holds his arms open. “This is a nice surprise.”
“I’m glad I caught you.” I step into his embrace and kiss him hello.
His forehead wrinkles. “Today is…tea?”
“That was yesterday. Today is a luncheon.”
“And tomorrow is the big night.”
“Yes!” I snuggle deeper into his arms. “I’m really excited for this event. I just hope it all goes smoothly.”
“It’s going to be great.” Talon releases me and takes my hand to pull me deeper into his living room. “Sit with me for a minute. Catch me up.”
We lean back on the couch, turning toward each other. Between the start of football season and the approaching deb ball, I’ve barely seen him. We steal moments whenever we can and try to eat dinner together at least one night a week, but it’s been tough.
I may be on cloud nine in my personal life, but living under Dad’s roof hasn’t been a picnic. He oscillates between ignoring me and trying to pick a fight with me by making condescending, Talon-related comments.
At least, he was. Over the past few days, it seems like he’s starting to come around.
Raia told me that Dad threatened to freaking bench Talon for the first game, which was insane—the Coyotes don’t have another kicker.
The fact that Talon didn’t blink twice aggravated my father further, which Mom found amusing.
However, as the debutante ball approaches and Dad sees how supportive and helpful Talon’s been, his coldness toward Talon is beginning to thaw.
He asked me twice if Talon is attending the ball on Friday night. He even grunted, begrudgingly and with a modicum of respect, after the second time I confirmed Talon’s attendance.
That, coupled with the way Mom’s been singing Talon’s praises—he helped her garden last week—is forcing Dad to realize that Talon and me being together is for real.
This isn’t a rebellious phase on my part, and this isn’t Talon trying to pull one over on the Coach either.
“The events this week have been good. Adeline’s been enjoying everything. I don’t know what is going on with Marlowe’s family; to be honest, I don’t think she does either. But her mom didn’t show up to the Mother-Daughter tea yesterday.”
“Shit,” Talon whispers, his eyes widening.
“Adi was okay,” I rush to explain, placing a hand on his forearm. “Marlowe came instead.”
“That’s good.” Talon pulls me into his lap. “I missed you.”
“Me too.” I snuggle deeper. “Great game in Buffalo.”
I feel the curve of his smile against the back of my neck. “You tuned in?”
“I watch all the games.” I point to myself. “Coach’s daughter.”
Talon snorts. “Don’t remind me.”
I turn in his arms, straddle him, and kiss him hard.
“How much time do we have?” he asks, sliding his fingers though my hair and holding the back of my neck.
“Just enough,” I assure him, pressing my mouth back to his.
“Do you want to see my tuxedo first?” he asks, grinding against me.
“You got one?” I ask, surprised by his thoughtfulness. While there is a formal dress code, I didn’t want to pressure Talon into obtaining a tuxedo and make him feel uncomfortable.
“Wait ‘til you see me in it…” He trails kisses down my neck.
“I want to see.” I push against him gently, not wanting to end this moment but also curious to see him in his tuxedo.
He chuckles, drawing up the hem of my shirt. “I’ll surprise you, baby,” he replies, his eyes flashing. Then, he wastes no time, turning us so I’m lying on my back and he’s hovering over me. His eyes hold mine—deep and brimming with sincerity—and my heart beats a little faster.
“What is it?” I wonder.
He shakes his head once, a small smile playing over his lips. “I love you, Leni Strauss.” He admits it on an exhale before dipping his head and kissing me softly. “I love you so damn much.”
I draw in a sharp breath, my mind spinning. Wrapping my legs around Talon’s waist, I tug him closer. He falls on top of me and we both laugh.
I grasp his face between my hands and stare back at him. “Good. Because I love you, too.” Then, I kiss him hard.
And we make the most of the rest of our time together.
We come together eagerly. It’s intense and emotional. We give each other our hearts along with our bodies.
And even cloud nine can’t hold me back. With Talon’s words echoing in my mind, his kiss on my lips, and his love wrapping around me like a shield, I float even higher.
“She looks gorgeous,” I breathe out to Marlowe as Adi is announced.
The venue is perfect. The tables are evenly spaced around the dance floor with gold Chiavari chairs, flickering candles, and beautiful cream and peach peony floral arrangements. The setting is sun-kissed Tennessee at its finest and I love that I had the opportunity to be part of this day.
To witness Adeline, a girl I’ve known since her birth, the younger sister I never had, descend the stairs and meet her escort, the son of a family friend, brings a smile to my face.
“Her dress is gorgeous,” I murmur, admiring the white, A-line gown that fits Adi like a glove.
“Aunt Rose Marie bought it for her,” Marlowe explains.
I nod, realizing that Marlowe’s family issues are deeper than I understand. The fact that Marlowe’s parents would bail on this event—on something that is important to Adeline—highlights how low the McIntyre family has sunk.
I haven’t pressed Marlowe for information, but I hope she knows that she has me—and Keller and his family—to soften the hits that keep coming.
“Talon cleans up well,” Marlowe murmurs, lifting her chin to the side of the ballroom where Talon and Keller are standing.
Keller swirls his glass of red wine while Talon sips on a sparkling water. Regular season has started, and he’s boarding a plane to Kansas City tomorrow. The fact that he’s here tonight…well, even Dad can’t refute the fact that Talon is as invested in this relationship as I am. Especially since Dad had to bow out of attending tonight’s ball when a last-minute meeting came up.
I don’t blink as I check Talon out. Damn, does he wear a tuxedo well. One would never know he’s only dressed up a handful of times in his life. He rocks the look effortlessly—pure swagger. Plus, that bow tie is a classical touch that I can’t stop admiring.
When he notes my eyes on him, he lifts his drink in my direction and gives me a wink. I bite my bottom lip to keep from blowing him a kiss.
I love you, Leni. I love you so damn much.
It means a lot to me that Talon is here to support me. Celebrating this achievement with me, he’s fully invested in my success. I can’t wait to dance with him later.
I return my gaze to the top of the stairs as the next debutante is presented.
Jasmine begins her descent. Beside me, Marlowe shifts. Her hand wraps around my wrist and squeezes.
I glance at her. “What?—”
“Leni,” my best friend whispers, shock and concern blooming in her expression.
I follow her line of sight and feel like the floor bottoms out beneath me.
Craig is standing at the bar, casually holding a glass of scotch, and staring right at me. His eyes are piercing—dark and angry. His expression is carefully neutral, barely concealing the fury I know lurks beneath. His eyes cut to Talon before slamming back to mine. Betrayal washes across his expression, before morphing into anger.
He is livid. And he is here to make a scene.
My blood runs cold and the back of my neck prickles. My fight-or-flight response activates and I hate that the first thing I do is check for the exits.
My pulse skitters, my stomach twists in dread, and the taste of fear floods my mouth.
Craig smirks, knowing I’m scared. Liking that I’m scared. That I’m considering running.
Marlowe swears, garnering a look of disgust from a nearby guest. I’m too rattled to reprimand her. Her hand settles on my back, and I draw strength from her proximity.
Then, my gaze swings to Talon and he’s frowning at me, knowing that something is wrong. Fully aware that I’m about to spiral.
Shit, I need to get out of here. I need to diffuse the situation.
The next debutante is presented.
Craig places his scotch down and takes a menacing step in my direction.
How did I not see this coming? The only reason I didn’t block Craig weeks ago is so I would have a pulse on his mindset and yet…he’s managed to catch me off guard.
Oh, God, he’s going to cause a scene. He’s going to ruin this event and everything I worked for. He’s going to rattle my confidence and topple the life I’ve rebuilt this summer.
Talon’s neck snaps in Craig’s direction and he hands Keller his glass.
Surprise and confusion blanket Keller’s expression as Marlowe curls her body toward mine.
“We should move,” she says, keeping her voice low. Her arm links with mine and she grasps my hand. “We should?—”
“I’ve been looking everywhere for you, Leni,” Craig’s voice rings out. It’s loud and booming and causes nearby tables to turn in our direction.
Annoyance flickers through the crowd, frustrated by Craig’s interruption and blatant disregard for the presentations taking place. He always was a cocky bastard, putting himself before everything. Even decades of tradition.
“You didn’t come home, sweetheart,” he continues, reaching for my other wrist and tugging harshly. Marlowe’s fingers dig in and for a second, I feel like the middle of a tug-of-war. “And now I find you here, smiling so prettily for?—”
“Get your fucking hand off her.” Talon’s voice is low but edged in steel. It’s frigidly cold, and shivers run up my spine.
He’s glaring at Craig with a look I’ve never seen him wear before. It’s furious, calculated, and downright dangerous.
Craig chuckles, shrugging nonchalantly.
“Holy shit, he’s fucking deranged,” Marlowe murmurs, still plastered against my side.
Craig wraps his arm around me and grabs my ass. I flinch but don’t shake him off. I don’t move. I can’t. I’m frozen.
It’s as if I’ve vacated my body and am watching the scene unfold as a neutral, third-party bystander.
“Well, I never,” a nearby guest gasps, literally clutching her pearls.
If I wasn’t fighting off the cold numbness spreading through my limbs, I would laugh at how cliché it is. But I can’t laugh, or speak, or even move.
Talon doesn’t miss a beat. His arm darts out and smacks Craig’s hand away. Craig’s palm slips off my ass and Marlowe pulls me back a step.
Craig turns toward Talon, squaring up and grinning. He’s taunting him and before I can clue Talon in, Talon takes the bait and snaps. He catches Craig with a clean jab across the face before closing his hand around Craig’s throat.
Phantom pain blossoms along my collarbone but the longer I stare at Talon and Craig, the more it fades, until a healing touch—with the lightness of a feather—grazes along my throat in its wake.
Marlowe sucks in a breath. Keller’s face looms nearby. Silence pierces the ballroom—thunderingly loud to negate the complete quiet.
“You’ll never put another hand on her again,” Talon continues, unbothered by the hundred pairs of eyes gawking at him in horror. “I’ll fucking kill you before that happens.”
The scary thing is, he means it.
As Craig’s face turns red and he begins to sputter for air, some part of my mind wonders if he’s going to end him right here.
“Talon, ease up,” Keller warns.
That night at Toby’s lake house rolls though my mind. Talon with his hand around Toby’s neck. Keller trying to ease the tension.
Déjà vu hits me square in the face and the only thing I’m capable of doing is blinking. I blink.
Craig swats at Talon’s arm. Once. Twice.
And then, something breaks.
Nearby guests are on their feet. Men rush Talon, tackling him from behind. Still, he goes down swinging, managing to catch Craig across the face for a second time and once in the stomach.
I watch as Craig’s head snaps back. Blood flies from his nose and lip in slow motion, splattering a nearby debutante’s pristine white gown.
That stain will never come out.
I shake my head at my thought. But still, I don’t move. I can’t.
“Breathe.” Marlowe shakes my shoulder.
At her command, I suck in a gulp of oxygen.
“She’s in shock,” Marylee declares.
And then, Mom’s at my side. Her arm is around my waist, ushering me to the side of the room. Away from Talon.
Where’s Talon?
I crane my neck, trying to spot him.
“You don’t have to see this,” Marylee says.
But I do. I need him. He’s protecting me. He’s keeping me safe.
Talon’s pressed against the floor, the knee of a police officer digging into his back as he’s handcuffed.
He doesn’t resist arrest. He doesn’t say a word. Instead, his eyes find mine and I read the concern in his dark eyes.
He’s worried…for me.
Beside him, a paramedic checks out Craig. Oh no! They’re worrying about the wrong guy.
I open my mouth to scream but no sound comes out.
Instead, a small smirk turns the corners of Craig’s lips as he glances at me. See you soon , he mouths.
A shudder runs through me, locking down my limbs. I nearly collapse as my knees buckle.
“I got her.” Keller scoops me up and carries me from the room.
“She needs water.” Mom hurries beside us.
I’m taken to a private seating area in the venue. The floral arrangements in the space are the same as the centerpieces on the tables in the ballroom and it strikes me as odd how delicate they look. Sweet and pretty and fragile.
A blanket is wrapped around my shoulders. A water bottle and a teacup are set down on the table in front of me. Mom and Marlowe sit on the sofa on either side of me, bracketing me like book ends. Keller paces in front of the room, guarding the door like a caged lion. Time passes both quickly and slowly. In fact, I lose sense of it altogether as a heaviness cloaks the room and presses down on me.
“Adeline is with Jasmine’s family,” Keller tells Marlowe who lets out a sigh of relief.
“Leni, Leni, why didn’t you tell me?” Mom sobs into her hands. “Has he hurt you? Threatened you?”
I work a swallow. My throat is so dry, it feels cracked. But I need to come clean. I need to admit everything to Mom. I’ve waited too damn long.
“Why didn’t I see the signs?” Mom continues, blaming herself.
It’s not your fault! The thought yells in my mind but I can’t make myself say the words.
“Leni,” Mom says, staring straight at me. “How long has Talon been hurting you?”
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.
“I will be,” I manage to say truthfully. I blink back some tears.
Dad swears and straightens, brushing a hand over his head. He looks at Keller. “Can you get my girls home safely?”
“Of course,” Keller says.
“Where are you going?” Mom asks.
“Daddy, where’s Talon?” I wonder.
Dad shakes his head, looking miserable. “Talon’s in jail. And Craig is roaming fucking free.” His jaw tics. “But not for long.” He points at Mom and me. “I’ll see you at home.”
Mom nods. I cry at the thought of Talon being locked up in a jail cell.
As I drop my head to Mom’s shoulder and bury my face, the door slams closed.
“Freddy’s going to fix everything,” Marlowe declares.
And God, I hope she’s right.
But deep down, I don’t know if this can be fixed.
My inability to take Craig’s messages seriously, my inaction in filing a police report or even telling my parents, created this disaster.
I ruined the debutante ball.
I got Talon arrested.
And now—will the team drop him?
Have I ruined his career? Have I ruined us?