Free Caught in the Undertow (Hawaiian Crush #6) by E. L. Todd Page B

and saw Casey. “Oh hi.” He wasn’t expecting to see her.
    “How are you?”
    “Good,” he said. “I’m just watching the game with my friends.” That was his polite way of getting rid of her. He didn’t want her to be abused or beaten, but he didn’t want a friendship with her outside the gym. He already had plenty of friends and a wife.
    She stared at him for a long time. “Thank you for training me. I was so nervous. I’ve never done that before.”
    “I’m just doing my job,” he said.
    “Have you been doing it long?”
    Coen felt Henry stare at him, watching his every move. He was irritated that Henry felt the need to keep an eye on him. “For a few years.” He rested his left hand on the table so she would realize he was married.
    She nodded. “Were you—ever scared?”
    “Scared of what?” he asked.
    “Of someone hurting you…”
    “No,” he said. “Why?”
    “Why are you a self-defense instructor?”
    Coen would never tell anyone besides Sydney. “It’s just a passion. I like helping other people.”
    “Well, I appreciate all the help.”
    “You’re very welcome,” he said. “It was nice seeing you.” He dismissed her and waited for her to leave.
    She didn’t move. She stared past his shoulder and her eyes widened.
    “What?” he asked.
    “Nothing,” she said quickly. She looked at the television.
    “I should get back to my friends.” He dismissed her again.
    “Oh…okay.” She slid off the chair then walked away.
    Henry was staring at him. “Who was that?”
    “A client,” Coen snapped.
    Henry turned away and looked at the TV.
    Coen watched Casey return to a table with her friends. She seemed sad, like his rejection had stung her. He didn’t care if she was hurt. He practically waved his marital status in her face. When a man approached their table, large and beefy, Coen watched how Casey cowered. His shoulders tense and her lips lost their smile. Her eyes were hollow and empty. Her friends didn’t seem to notice the change in body language. The man gripped her by the arm, yanking her from the chair. Coen felt his heart accelerate.
    The man dragged her out of the restaurant. Her friends didn’t seem to think anything was odd.
    Coen sat there, trying to figure out what to do. It wasn’t his problem but he couldn’t do nothing. “Shit.” He pushed his beer away and walked off. His friends turned and watched him go.
    Coen opened the door and walked into the parking lot. When he heard the sound of yelling, he immediately moved toward the noise.
    “You said you were staying home tonight,” the man said as he pinned her against the door of ha truck.
    Casey was shaking. “You said you were staying home tonight too, but here you are.”
    “I’m a man!” He shook her. “I can do whatever I want.”
    “So can I!”
    He slapped her across the face. “Don’t talk to me like that.”
    Coen ran and pushed him to the ground. His anger burst from his body, giving him adrenaline and strength. “Touch her and I’ll kill you.”
    The man got to his feet then glared at Coen.
    “Leave,” he said.
    “I suggest you leave, boy.”
    Coen kept his ground. “Touch her again, and I’ll make you pay. A man’s strength comes from his protection of others, not his abuse. Leave her alone.”
    “Who the fuck is this guy?” he demanded, looking at her. “You’ve been cheating?”
    “No,” she said quickly.
    The man pushed Coen. “Get out of here.”
    Coen grabbed him by the arm then kicked him in the stomach and the groin before the man could react.
    He fell to the ground.
    “I warned you,” Coen said. “Now go and leave her alone.”
    The man stood up and stared Coen down. “You’re lucky I don’t have my knife.”
    “I wish you did so I could stab you,” Coen said calmly.
    He threw a punch, but Coen blocked it and returned wit h his own strike.
    “I’m a professional fighter. I suggest you walk away.”
    “Fucking asshole,” the man mumbled. The guy stumbled