by E. L. Todd
“He attacked me first!” she said.
“Don’t lie to me,” he snapped.
“I’m not. I’m not a liar.” She couldn’t see his face, just Coen’s back, but she could imagine the sight of his features. The look was forever ingrained into her mind. Her mother rushed to Johnny and assessed his body. She seemed to be relieved he was okay as she helped him to his feet. She expected her mother to act this way, but actually seeing it knocked the wind out of her. There was never any chance that her mother would ever love her. Sydney meant nothing to her.
“If you hit him again, I won’t be so merciful,” Dan said, still trying to move around Coen.
“Then tell him to keep his hands off me,” Sydney said.
“My boy would do no such thing.”
“Then you don’t know him very well.”
Coen held up his hand. “Step away from my fiancé.”
Dan glared at him. “If it happens again, I won’t spare you either.”
Coen said nothing, but Sydney knew what he was thinking. He hoped her stepfather would throw a punch. He wanted nothing more than to kick his ass.
Dan walked back in the house, following behind Johnny. They talked inside for a long time before the house returned to quiet. Coen remained in front of her. The crickets sang in the night and a few bird calls could be heard. He finally turned around when he felt it was safe.
He grabbed her face. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.”
He looked at her body, examining every inch of her skin. “Are you sure?”
“Coen, I’m okay.”
“What the fuck happened?”
She didn’t want to tell him. It would make him insane. “I got a glass of water and we started to fight. One thing led to another until we wound up out here.”
“Did he hit you?”
“No.”
“Did you hit him?”
“Many times. I kicked him in the nuts twice.”
He breathed a sigh of relief. “I hope it hurts next time he has a boner.”
She felt horrible for lying to him but she didn’t know if she should tell him the truth. He had a knife pressed to his throat and he didn’t even know about it. What if he turned and left, leaving her all alone. She closed her eyes. She couldn’t believe how selfish she was. “I lied.”
“What?”
“That isn’t what happened.”
He waited for her to continue.
“He came into our bedroom and held a knife to your throat. If I didn’t do what he said, he was going to kill you.”
He stared at her for a long time, shock on his face. “We need to go to the police, Syd.”
“And say what? You were asleep the entire time then my mom and Dan caught me beating him. It’s just my word against his.”
He ran his fingers through his hair but said nothing.
“If you want to leave, I totally understand.” She looked at the dirt below her feet.
“I’m not going anywhere without you.”
“This isn’t fair to you.”
“You are my girl. I protect you. End of story.”
“I wouldn’t blame you if you left.”
“Shut up,” he snapped.
She flinched.
“I said I’m staying. Stop trying to convince me to go.”
“Okay.”
“Now let’s go back to bed.”
“You can sleep?”
“He won’t bother us again.” He grabbed her hand and helped her back inside the house. Johnny was sleeping beside his parents in the living room, under the protection of his father. Sydney couldn’t help rolling her eyes. Coen guided her back into the bedroom then shut the door behind them.
“He must have picked the lock,” he said. He grabbed her dresser then moved it in front of the door. He grabbed an umbrella then pinned it underneath the handle, making it impossible to turn even if the lock was picked. “He won’t be able to get through that.”
She finally felt safe.
“Now get to bed.”
She crawled under the covers then gave him room to lie down. He sat up against the headboard and ran his fingers through her hair.
“Aren’t you going to sleep?” she asked.
“No.”
“I can stay awake.”
“I’m not sleeping until they leave.”
16
The next day, Sydney and Coen took them sightseeing around the island, showing them the different beaches and attractions. Sydney wore a hat so no one would recognize her. She wasn’t just embarrassed of her family—she was ashamed.
Johnny stared at her whenever his father wasn’t looking, giving her a look of lust and hate mixed together. When Coen caught the look, he would make his own venom very clear. Sydney waited for Coen to strangle him but he never did.
Sydney didn’t even want to go with them but she had to drive. The idea of letting Dan drive her father’s Jeep was just unacceptable. And she wouldn’t let Coen offer his car instead. Even though he wanted to take care of her, this wasn’t his problem. She wouldn’t let him sacrifice everything.
They spent the afternoon trying to get along, listening to Dan chatter about various topics like he was actually knowledgeable about anything besides beer and porn. Her mother hardly spoke, seeming indifferent and completely dull. When she was with Sydney’s father, she never shut up. She talked happily as often as she would yell at her father. That relationship wasn’t healthy either but at least she had a personality. Sydney wondered if her mother was just as afraid of Dan as she was. Perhaps she was too scared to admit it.
They took them on the drive to Kailua, a tourist location with famous waterfalls and fruit stands that ran on the honor system. Her family had no respect for nature. They littered at every stop, throwing their empty soda cans on the side of the road and their trash on the grass. Sydney picked it up and threw it in the garbage. Littering was something that got under her skin. She hated it when people didn’t respect the land. Instead of arguing with them about it, she just bent over and took care of it herself. Coen watched her with a saddened expression.
He never left her side. If she had to use the bathroom, he stood outside the door like a watchdog. Whenever she went into the kitchen, he followed her like a stalker. There was never a time when she was alone. After having a knife held to her throat, she appreciated the protection. She tried to hide her fear but she was still shaken up about it.
She made dinner that night, which no one seemed to be impressed by, then cleaned up the kitchen. As always, Coen thanked her for cooking. They retired on the couch and watched television. Coen’s hand was on her thigh but he wasn’t watching the screen, his gaze constantly rotating to her three family members.
“Tattoos are a sin,” Dan said, eyeing the ink on his forearm. “Disgusting.”
Coen said nothing.
“How can you date this trash?” he said to Sydney.
“I ask Mom that all the time.”
“What did you say?”
“You heard me.” She stood up, Coen following her immediately.
The spit flew from Dan’s mouth when he spoke. “I’m tired of putting up with this disrespect. It’s bullshit! Bullshit!” He slammed his arm down then pointed his finger at her face. “We came all the way here to see you on Thanksgiving and this is how you treat us, you little bitch.”
“Don’t pull that shit with me,” she snapped. “You only came here for a free vacation. You got it so it’s time to leave. Get the fuck out.”
“You are about to get slapped,” he threatened.
“Fuck you, you white trash piece of shit. You talk about my fiancé like that again and I’ll punch you square in the mouth.”
He shook his head, his cheeks turning red.
“Do it, asshole! Hit me! What’s steadied your hand? Is it because I have a real man here that could beat you senseless with one arm, you fucking pussy?”
He became even angrier. Coen stood by her side, his arm
s tense. He waited for the right moment.
“Stop!”
They all turned to see her mom standing there, arms raised.
“Stop fighting,” she continued. “This has gone on long enough.”
Sydney was so shocked, her mouth dropped.
Dan turned, his ferocity directed at her. “Shut your mouth!”
“Please stop yelling at my daughter.”
Suddenly, Dan marched away from her and reached his bag. Sydney wasn’t sure what he was doing. It looked like he was leaving. She hoped he was.
“Don’t go,” her mother begged. “I’m sorry.”
When Dan stood up, he was holding a bat in his hands. Sydney felt her heart fall. Her stepfather raised the bat then aimed it for her mother’s head. She was so shocked, she couldn’t react. Her mouth was open but there were no words. He swung it at her mother but it never reached its mark.
Coen stepped in, getting in front of her mother just in time. The bat broke in half as it smashed into his chest, pieces of it flying through the air. He fell to the ground, his eyes closed and his hand over his chest. Her mother looked down at him, her hands covering her mouth.
Dan raised his boot to kick him.
Sydney charged him then pushed him away, sending him against the wall. Every move Coen taught her came back to her. She punched him in the nose then the chin and threw him on the ground. When Johnny came to his aid, she kicked him in the nuts, sending him to the ground.
“Don’t you touch my fiancé like that!” She punched Dan in the face again.
He scrambled to his feet then wiped the blood away. “I don’t need this!” He grabbed his bag then looked at Johnny. “Let’s go.”
Johnny finally rose to his feet, still cupping his balls, then grabbed his belongings. He stumbled behind his father as they headed to the front door.
Sydney rushed to Coen then lifted up his shirt, seeing a bruise form on his chest. The purple color told her how painful it was. Luckily, his sternum wasn’t broken and his ribs seemed to be intact. His muscled chest took most of the pain. Tears fell from her eyes as she looked at him. “Babe, are you okay?”
He nodded, his eyes still closed. “I’m fine. Just get rid of them.”
“Do you need to go to the hospital?”
“No,” he said through clenched teeth, fighting the pain. “I’ll be fine. Get rid of them.”
Dan came back into the room. He looked at her mother. “Come on!” His hands clenched at his sides, staring her down. Her green eyes lost their light as she looked at him. There was fear deep in their abyss. “I said come on.”
Sydney looked at her mother. “Stay here, Mom. You don’t have to go.”
She said nothing.
“We’ll go to the police and tell them everything that happened. They’ll go to jail and we’ll never have to see them again.”
She still stared at Dan.
Sydney reached for her hand, tears streaming down her face. “Mom, please. Don’t go to him. I can help you.”
“GET YOUR ASS OVER HERE!”
Her mom pulled her hand away.
“No!” Sydney yelled. “Don’t do this! He’s just going to keep hurting you. I can get you out.”
Her mom averted her gaze then grabbed her belongings, walking over to him. When she reached him, he slapped her across the face. “Good girl.”
Sydney jumped to her feet, dashing toward him with the intent of murder.
Her mom stepped in front of her, one hand covering her swollen cheek. She said nothing as she stared at Sydney, tears glistening in her eyes. Without saying another word, she turned around and followed Dan like an obedient dog, catching a cab back to the airport.
Sydney was glued to the floor, unable to move. Her mother went back to Dan—voluntarily. She had a way out but she didn’t want it. She wanted to stay with him. The tears kept pouring down as Sydney replayed all the events in her head. When she remembered Coen, lying on the floorboard, she went back to him with a pillow in hand. She tucked it under his head.
“I’m sorry,” she said as she kissed his cheeks. “I’m so sorry about this.”
“Baby, calm down.”
“We need to take you to the hospital.”
“It’s just a bruise.”
“You could have internal bleeding.”
“I don’t.”
“Are you a doctor?”
He placed her hand over his chest, staying away from the bruise. “Breathe with me.”
She swallowed her tears and did as he asked, following the relaxed pace of his expanding lungs. Within a minute, she felt calm.
Coen sat up with a groan then looked at her, checking her arms and neck. “Are you okay?”
She nodded.
“They are gone. You never have to see them again.”
Her lips trembled, the emotion taking over. “She wanted to go.”
His eyes sagged in despair. “I know.”
“Why?”
He said nothing for a long time. “Not everyone is as strong as you.”
“He’ll kill her.”
He sighed. “There’s nothing you can do for her. You gave her a way out but she didn’t take it. You can’t help someone who doesn’t want to be helped.”
She cried. “Should I tell the police?”
“I hate to say this, but it might get her in deeper. When they don’t have enough evidence to bring a case against Dan, he’ll probably hurt her even more.”
“Then what do I do?”
“Nothing, Syd. You already did everything you could.”
“I can’t believe you took that hit for her. You didn’t have to do that.”
He ran his fingers through her hair. “She’s a lady and she’s still your mother. I wouldn’t let anything happen to her.”
She wiped her tears away. “I’m so sorry.”
“I would do it again in a heartbeat—anything to spare you pain.”
“I don’t deserve you.”
“That’s completely untrue.”
She collapsed in his arms, crying to herself. “I’m so glad I have you.”
He kissed her forehead. “And I’m happy I have you.”
She closed her eyes and said nothing. All the drama that happened the past few days left her heart feeling black and frozen. She was glad she never told anyone about her family or where she came from. It was disturbing and embarrassing. Coen was the only person who really knew her like no one else. She also knew he was the first person to truly love her. He was such an amazing man and she didn’t know what she had done to deserve him. She counted her blessings. Not only was she alive, but her past was finally behind her. She had her new family now.
17
“Baby, I’m fine.”
She grabbed his shoulders and kept him pinned to the bed. “Just rest, okay?” The tears sprang from her eyes every time she looked at the huge mark covering his chest. It was a deeper shade of black and blue when they woke up the next morning.
“I’m fine—really,” he said as he looked at her.
“I’m so sorry,” she said for the hundredth time as tears ran down her face. She kissed his chest lightly. “I’m so sorry.” The ugly bruise was entirely her fault. It killed her to see him in so much pain. It was unacceptable. “I’ll get you some lunch. Please just stay there.”
He grabbed her arm and steadied it. “I’m going to be okay.”
She shook her head. “No, you won’t.”
He looked into her face. “I’m not a liar, Syd. It doesn’t hurt.”
“Yes, it does.”
He sighed. “It doesn’t hurt as much as it did yesterday. I don’t need to stay in bed. I don’t have the flu.”
“You still need to rest.”
“We rested all last night and this morning. I’m okay now.”
She took a deep breath. “I’m sorry. This is just so hard to see.”
He was quiet for a moment before he rose from the bed then grabbed a shirt from his drawer. He put it on so t
he horrific bruise wouldn’t be visible anymore. He returned to the bed and sat down. She pulled back the covers and waited for him to get in.
He shook his head. “I don’t need to lie down.”
“Please, Coen.”
The desperation in her eyes made him climb on the bed and move under the covers. “It’s just a bruise. It will heal and disappear like all the others.”
“The bat broke in half when it hit you.”
“What can I say? I’m like a concrete wall,” he said with a smile.
She didn’t laugh or hide the frown on her face.
“Please stop worrying,” he said with a sigh. “If anything, this is hurting me.”
“You shouldn’t have to deal with this.”
He looked at her, straight in the eye. “I would have taken a lot worse if I had to. This is nothing, Syd.”
She shook her head. “You shouldn’t have to.”
He grabbed her hand. “It’s over—they’re gone. Let’s just move on. Stop beating yourself up for what happened to me.”
She placed her fingers over his chest and glided them across the shirt, trying to make him relax. He leaned back on the pillow and ran his fingers through her hair, trying to dispel the tears on her face. She seemed to calm down after he covered himself with a shirt. The sight was too much for her.
He sat up to move out of bed but she pushed him back by the arms. “No.”
He glared at her. “I’m not staying on bed rest forever.” He sat up again but she pushed him back.
She pulled down the blankets then kneeled between his legs. As soon as he realized what she was doing, he stopped.
She grabbed the rim of his boxers and pulled them off, revealing his limp cock. After she tossed his underwear on the ground, it sprang to life, knowing exactly what was going to happen. His breath caught in his throat as he watched her. He wasn’t trying to get out of bed anymore. Sydney grabbed her shirt and pulled it from her body then unclasped her bra. Coen’s breathing only increased as he watched her.
“You don’t have to do this,” he said weakly. His voice was so quiet she almost didn’t hear him.
She bent down and licked the tip, making him gasp so loud it was almost a scream. She pulled away and looked into his face. “You want me to stop?”
