Finding Kenna (SEAL Team Hawaii #3)(18)

“Because I shoved him?” Kenna asked in confusion.

“No. Because I was afraid of what he’d do in retaliation,” Marshall told her.

Kenna licked her lips. “I’d like there to be an us,” she blurted.

“Good.” Then Marshall slowly dropped his arms from around her and took a step backward. “Go do your thing.”

“You aren’t leaving yet, are you?” Kenna couldn’t help but ask.

“No. We’ll stick around. Need to give the cops my statement, as do the other guys, and I’m sure Elodie and Lexie will want to throw in their two cents as well. I’ll be here for a while.”

“Okay. I’ll talk to you in a bit.”

Marshall nodded.

It was harder than it should’ve been for Kenna to head for the kitchen, where she’d seen Jag leading Carly. It was safe to say that she was definitely “into” Marshall. Time would tell where things between them might go, but for the first time in a long time, she was definitely looking forward to getting to know a man.





Chapter Five





Aleck glanced at his watch. Ten forty-seven. In some ways, the night seemed to have gone by extremely slowly, but in actuality, he’d been there less than four hours. His emotions had definitely been on a roller coaster during that time. Anticipation, excitement, contentment, confusion, horror, relief…he’d felt all of those and more in the span of four hours.

He had to hand it to Kenna. She seemed to bounce back from what had happened fairly quickly. But he supposed she had to. She smiled and laughed with the people at her tables and acted like the professional she was.

Watching her, Aleck realized once more how unfair he’d been. He really had wondered if her parents were all right with her being “only” a waitress. It wasn’t until she’d pointed out how rude his question was, without actually coming out and saying those exact words, that he’d realized he’d fucked up.

Luckily, Kenna seemed to have forgiven him. It was crazy how relieved he was. He’d only met her…today? Had it truly only been this morning that she’d jumped on top of him in the water? She had such an engaging personality, and the chemistry they shared made it seem like he’d known her for much longer.

He’d been impressed how well she’d dealt with that asshole Shawn. He hadn’t realized what was happening until Jag said something and stood up. When he saw Kenna trying to pry Shawn’s hands off of her friend—and then push him—he’d almost had a heart attack.

It was obvious Shawn hadn’t taken Kenna’s actions well, and by the look on his face, Aleck thought he was getting ready to shove her back. All sorts of awful scenarios had run through his head as he rushed across the bar.

“Hey.”

One word, that was all it took for Aleck to snap out of his own head and focus on her.

He and Jag had been waiting by the front of the restaurant for Carly and Kenna. Midas and Mustang had taken their women home a few minutes earlier.

“Hi,” Aleck returned, eyeing Kenna carefully. She looked okay. Tired, but not freaked out. Which was a relief.

“Thank you both for walking us to my car,” Kenna told them.

“No way in hell we were going to let you head off into a dark parking garage after what happened,” Aleck told her honestly.

She narrowed her eyes. “Let?” Kenna asked.

Aleck sighed.

“You guys have your conversation, we’ll head to the car,” Carly said with a tired smile.

It was a testament to her resiliency that Carly also seemed to be all right. She headed toward the street with Jag at her side. His friend had been fairly quiet after he’d made sure Carly was okay. Jag wasn’t the most talkative man, but he’d been even less chatty for the last hour or so.

“I suppose I should say that came out wrong…” Aleck started.

“But it didn’t, did it?” Kenna said.

“No,” he said. “Look. I’m not saying you aren’t perfectly capable of taking care of yourself. But the fact remains that I’m stronger than you. As is that Shawn asshole. He’s a typical bully. Backs off when confronted by someone his own size, someone stronger, but has no problem manhandling you or Carly. I’m well aware we just met, and that you’ve been taking care of yourself for years. But when I saw that asshole glaring at you, all I could think of was making sure he didn’t get the chance to do anything.

“I’m not the kind of person who can simply turn my back on someone who needs help. So yeah, I wasn’t going to let you and Carly walk through a dark parking garage to your car when we don’t know where that asshole is.”

“He’s probably still at the police station,” Kenna said.

“Maybe. Maybe not.” Aleck’s voice lowered. “I’m not trying to be controlling here. I swear.”

Kenna eyed him for a moment, then nodded. “I know. I’m sorry. I’m being unreasonable. I’m actually grateful you and your friend are here. Paulo or Justin usually walk me to my car after work, but having you here is…”

Aleck raised an eyebrow when she didn’t finish her thought. “Is?” he asked.

“Nice.”

“Come on,” he said, gesturing ahead of him. “I’m sure you’re exhausted.”