Convincing Lina: A Bachelor of Shell Cove Novel (The Bachelors of Shell Cove Romance Book 2)

by Siera London

  “Bishop?” Resting her head against his firm chest she let the tears flow. Her fingers curled into the fabric of his shirt, she pulled at the material trying to pull herself together. Seeing him here, changed everything.

  “I’m fine, baby girl.” If he was back in therapy his words weren’t true. Bishop had been an active duty Marine during Operation Enduring Freedom. His time in Afghanistan had changed him. He’d seen too much and done too much to stay alive. Knowing that he was now Gideon’s patient, spoke volumes to what he’d experienced in the conflict. She’d read enough medical records on their patients’ nightmares, thoughts of violence, escalating over minor offenses.

  “Keep your tears for someone important.” Loosening her hold around his waist, she tilted her head back, raising her eyes to meet his.

  “You’re important to me,” she said before dropping her head to his shoulder.

  “Thanks, baby girl,” he said planting a kiss on the top of her head. The soft strokes he delivered to her back did little to soothe her.

  “What are you doing here?” she asked, her face now buried in his shirt. Maybe, she was overreacting. Gideon was a Marine. Hoping Bishop and Gideon were battle buddies was probably asking too much of the universe. She sniffled, and the stroking to her back increased.

  “Doc and I met through the WWI program at Queens Bay Naval Treatment facility.” Fledgling hope blossomed in her gut. Bishop wasn’t Gideon’s patient. “Some heavy stuff is going down in my police precinct because of the increase in Galaxy drug activity and missing persons reporting.”

  “But why are you here? Meeting with Gideon in private?” It was unprofessional to use Gideon’s given name with a patient, but her thoughts were scattered. “The crime scenes triggered memories from my time in Afghanistan.”

  That’s when Lina noticed Gideon stood stalk still in the door to his office. He watched her and Bishop. He looked downright menacing.

  “Gideon,” Lina called his name. He turned his steely gaze to her and she saw the storm clouds brewing in his eyes.

  “When did you start working in this clinic with Doc? The last time we talked you worked on the inpatient unit.” She should’ve never left the unit.

  “How do you two know each other?” Gideon’s tone sounded accusatory. What was the matter with him?

  “Gideon is everything okay?” He couldn’t think she was involved with another man. She spent her days and evenings with him. Granted he hadn’t stayed with her since that first date, but he knew her.

  “Bishop is my…” She looked at Bishop then, questioning if she should disclose their relationship before he was ready.

  “What is he to you?” Even Bishop pivoted on his heel to look in Gideon’s direction. Gideon’s voice was low pitched, feral.

  “It’s okay to tell him.”

  “Tell me what?”

  “Bishop…he’s my brother.” Their relationship was fragile and she would do anything in her power to protect the budding kinship with her father’s firstborn.

  “No.” That single syllable word spoke volumes to their immediate dilemma. It was unethical to become involved with your patient’s sister. “You don’t have the same last name.” Judging by the furrow between Gideon’s brows his statement was more of a question.

  “Lincoln James and my mother were married for less than two years. When my mother remarried she gave me the Cardar family name.” Bishop’s jaw was tight and Lina knew it cost him to disclose that information in her presence. It still bothered him that he didn’t have a choice in keeping his father’s last name. She didn’t know Bishop well. Their kinship had been strained most of her adult life. Her father, Lincoln and Bishop’s mother had ended their marriage long before Lina was born. With her father gone, and her mother rarely acknowledging his existence, Lina didn’t learn of her brother until she had prodded her mother for information regarding her heritage.

  “Why does it matter? Your job shouldn’t be in jeopardy because I’m a drop in patient of Doc Rice.” If only it were as simple as Bishop presented it.

  Lina straightened her spine and proceeded to do what she did best. Make everybody happy. “I’m proud of you for recognizing you needed help and for seeking out Dr. Rice. He’s one of the best at what he does.” She could feel the heat seeping out of her body. The cold settled into her limbs. She wanted to go home. Lina watched as Bishop looked from her to Gideon.

  “You both look as if my coming here is worse than a six shooter in a combat zone.”

  “I see finding humor in any situation is a family trait,” Gideon offered.

  “What are you not telling me?” Bishop directed his question at Gideon. Typical, Marines questioned Marines.

  “Lina and I are dating.” He’d said the “d” word.

  “We must have decided that while I was sleeping.” Gideon didn’t take his eyes off her when he spoke. Lina refused to look away. Dating had never come up in their conversations, their time together was a natural progression they both accepted, but never validated with a label. She wouldn’t sacrifice her family, for a man. Family came first. She didn’t know how much Bishop would allow their budding kinship to flourish, but she was sure it would last longer than one of her relationships.

  “Bishop, I’ll call you in the morning with a plan for moving forward.”

  “Sure thing, Doc.” Lina wouldn’t look at him. Too afraid that she would change her mind, if she met his eyes. Bishop pulled free of her embrace.

  “Walk me to the elevator, lil sis.”

  “Sure.”

  Lina’s voice a whisper in the room, had the affect of a cymbal in her head. She couldn’t continue dating Gideon if Bishop was his patient. There were other psychiatrists in Shell Cove, but none that were veteran Marines. Lina knew after witnessing one of Gideon’s nightmares that he struggled with his own demons from combat. She understood that Gideon could help veterans suffering from combat fatigue and post-traumatic stress disorder beyond the average mental health professional. He’d walked in their shoes, literally. He survived pain and loss. His body bore the scars of his sacrifice.

  “Sis, you need to leave the Doc alone.” Shocked was the only word to surface in her head.

  “You’re the patient, and you think the doctor is crazy?”

  “You don’t know him like I do.”

  “I’m the one dating the man.” For all of five seconds, but hey, he’d been the one to let the cat out of the bag.

  “And I’m the one that knows what drives a Marine. How his mind ticks. As in ticking time bomb. We all are.”

  “Well, we’re not going to see each other anymore.”

  “Doc said you were dating.”

  “And what did I just say?”

  “Marines have a short half-life. If he says you are with him, I’d take him at his word.”

  “He’s not a Marine anymore.”

  “Once a Marine, always a Marine. Never forget.” That was the problem. She couldn’t forget Gideon. Not now.

  The dresser hit the floor with a crash, sending the etched purple vase filled with two dozen white roses careening to the floor. A special order for their first night together. Glass shards, framed photos, and perfume bottles skittered across the carpeted floor. Where was she? For over an hour, he waited patiently in her bedroom. Tonight belonged to him. He never took anything from the boss, but Lina was his prize for faithful service. He earned her.

  “My Lina.” He roared, rage tearing a chasm inside him like a caged animal clawing for freedom. She was with him. Images of the man touching her that first night, flooded his mind.

  He spun, grabbing the bedside lamp, he yanked the cord from the wall. He hurled the bulbous glass base at the wall art, watching as they both shattered. Debris rained down, joining the soppy mess on the floor. She would pay for ignoring him. He would make them both pay, for every touch. For making him watch.

  She’s mine.

  He pulled at his hair, gripping his head as he stormed in the bathroom. The counter t
op was organized with containers of various sizes. Things to make her beautiful. Beauty she gave to another man. With a furious swipe of his bulky arm everything on the counter took flight. The sound of glass hitting the tiled-floor fueled his rage. Sweet fragrance filled his nostrils and he remembered Lina’s dark almond shaped eyes the first time he’d seen her. He glanced down eyeing the glass waste bin, he picked it up, measuring the weight. Seeing his reflection in the mirror, hair standing on end, eyes wild, he hurled the object at his image. He didn’t flinch when small cuts burned on the exposed skin of his face and arms.

  Lina was unfaithful.

  He turned and strode into the bedroom. Reaching into his back pocket he pulled out his blade.

  Gideon waited until he heard the ding, signaling that the elevator had started its descent before he moved in Lina’s direction. Whatever Bishop Cardar, now Bishop Cardar James had told Lina he knew it involved her ending what they had found in each other. She stood, staring at the closed elevator doors, no doubt contemplating how to give him his walking papers.

  “Lina, I’m not giving you up.” The fire in her eyes, at his words, made his heart soar, then the reality of their situation brought it crashing to the searing, hot Florida pavement.

  “You’re not. I’m walking away.”

  Lina grabbed her purse, and moved toward the elevators. “Man fast, remember?”

  “And I recall telling you, not on my watch. I’m hot on your trail, sweetness. Expect me tonight.”

  Lina stepped in the elevator when it arrived and kept her eyes trained above his shoulder until the doors closed. Gideon returned to his office, logged off his computer and grabbed his keys. Lina was not walking away from him. He wouldn’t survive it.

  Something bad had happened at Lina’s condominium. Gideon arrived at Lina’s complex to find the service road partially blocked by three police vehicles. Blue lights bounced off his windshield then lost their vibrancy amid the dense forestry.

  He pressed the brake pedal, slowing to a near crawl, snaking his way through the haphazardly parked cars. The road was clear of pedestrian traffic. An ambulance was parked in the center of the parking lot, both rear doors opened away from his field of view. Assessing the scene Gideon concluded the police had parked on the road leading to the complex to leave the ambulance a clear path out of the parking lot. What the heck was going on?

  His heart pounded in his chest. He needed to find Lina. She would’ve arrived home within the past fifteen minutes. Had this scene happened since she arrived or had she been greeted by flashing sirens? Pulling his car in front of an abandoned squad car, he killed the engine, pocketed the keys, and set out on foot.

  Lina’s condo came into view. Two men dressed in dark blue pants with short sleeved shirts were wheeling a gurney out of Lina’s floor door. His heart sped up. He ran toward the building yelling her name.

  “Lina!” Had Lina been hurt? Fear and rage swelled with the force of a crashing wave. First he had to know what happened to Lina. Then someone’s family would need a priest and a black suit. Seeing Lina’s metallic purple Camaro, parked underneath her building in its designated parking space, ratcheted up his fear for her safety.

  Approaching the gurney, Gideon was floored to see a bruised, bloody, but conscious Estrella.

  “I tried to stop…him.” Gideon scrubbed one hand over his face at the sight before him. Vivid purple bruises covered Estrella’s face. Her left eye was swollen shut.

  “Mo…man came,” she panted. As she talked fresh blood coated her teeth. Gideon took a breath, reining in his fury. What kind of animal would beat a woman?

  “Danger, get away.” Estrella’s skin had an ashen blue hue and wheezy sounds followed each syllable as she spoke. Her words were non-sensical. Each breath seemed to drain her strength.

  “Estrella, save your energy. Don’t talk. You need medical attention and I’ll get Lina someplace safe.” The effort to nod her head siphoned her remaining energy. Gideon turned his attention to the paramedic when her eyes slid closed. “She’s a friend. Were there signs beyond a physical assault?”

  “She was fully clothed when we arrived.” Gideon nodded his head in acknowledgement. He needed to lay eyes on Lina. A man capable of hurting another person like this, would do more than physical harm if given the opportunity.

  “Lina?” Gideon shouldered his way toward her, making steady progress through the crowd of onlookers.

  “Gideon, I’m here.” The fear in Lina’s eyes unleashed buried memories of another woman who’d depended on him to have her back. Seeing her quelled the storm brewing inside him, but that’s where the calm ended. On slow approach, he noticed the fine tremble to her lower lip and he wanted to gather her in his arms and erase all her hurts. Reaching for her, he tightened his arms around her. Peering over her shoulder, her condo looked like a bomb had been detonated at center mass. The glass doors were smashed. All the artwork was broken or dumped in the center of the living area. Slash marks covered the soft cushions.

  “You okay sweetness?” Her tremors vibrated through his chest causing anger to coil in his veins like a cobra ready to strike. When he found the man responsible for putting that fear in Lina’s eyes Gideon would make him pay.

  “No.” He searched her for injuries. Her exotic scent blanketed him and he held her tighter. Breathing her in soothed the beast in him wanting to break free. The one ready to hunt the man foolish enough to target Lina. How far would he go to protect her? He’d kill to protect his woman. And Lina was his. He would take her home. There would be no compromise on this. He needed to keep her safe. Everything in him said she was his to protect. Capturing her chin between his thumb and forefinger, he raised her head until their eyes met.

  “You were hurt?” The sadness in her eyes was so foreign for the vibrant, confident woman he knew.

  “I wasn’t, but Estrella…they are telling me I can’t go with her to the hospital. Why is this happening to me?” His jaw tightened. A roar sounded in his head. She asked questions he wished he could answer.

  “Sweetness,” he said cupping her delicate features in his big hands.

  “Who are you?” Gideon felt the arms around his neck tense. He lowered his hands, but kept a possessive hand on Lina’s waist. He heard her inhale a deep breath before she turned to face the officer. She often did that deep breathing thing when she was stressed.

  “He’s my,” she glanced over her shoulder in his direction, “I meant he’s…Gideon what are you to me?” He’d never seen her so lost.

  “I’m all hers,” he heard himself say. “What happened here?”

  “Beachcombers called us,” the uniformed officer offered. He was past his prime, with a thick waist, a ruddy complexion and a dirty brown comb over that failed to conceal the baldness.

  “Did anyone see anything?”

  “Nothing much that I can tell. Appears there was a break-in. The neighbor heard the disturbance. The neighbor went to investigate and was physically assaulted by the perpetrator.”

  “When I arrived she was lying on the kitchen floor, beaten and barely conscious.” Lina’s voice shook worse than before as she described Estrella’s condition. Tremors raked her body as she spoke but she didn’t seem to notice.

  “Did you notice anyone, a car, anything large or small Lina that could be important?” Looking at him, she shook her head no and Gideon recognized the emotion. Guilt.

  She would’ve looked away, but he held her shoulders steady.

  “What happened here isn’t your fault.”

  “Isn’t it?” Her voice climbed higher. “That beating Estrella took was meant for me.” A panicked expression crossed her face before she schooled her features into a fragile mask.

  “You don’t know that,” he said in a firm voice. The self-reliant woman in her balked at his tone, the terrified little girl was relieved he was there and she didn’t have to face the big, bad wolf stalking her alone.

  “He’s right, ma’am. There is no way to know how the perso
n or people who did this would have reacted to your presence.”

  “I don’t want to hear anymore. I’m going with Estrella to the hospital.”

  “We’ll follow behind the ambulance, then you are coming home with me.”

  Chapter 12

  Shocked and scared witless. The roses, the vandalism, nothing made sense in Lina’s world. Not wanting to completely crumble, she stared ahead as Gideon drove in silence. The warmth of his large fingers curling over her hand, nearly undid her. She’d never been great at accepting help from other people, especially men, now Gideon’s touch was the only thing keeping her together. She was an independent woman capable of taking care of herself, but she didn’t know how to protect herself from the monster that nearly beat her friend unconscious.

  “I need to call my mom.” Her hand shook as she pulled her purse up between her feet where they rested on the floorboard of the car. Rifling through the depths of her tote bag, not seeing the phone only served to heighten her anxiety. Not finding it, her breathing rate increased, she felt like she was suffocating, panicked. She wanted to scream.

  “Can you lower the window, please? I need some air.” Gideon briefly glanced in her direction and what he saw must have alarmed him, because he hit the right signal light and pulled over onto the shoulder of the highway. The passenger window lowered and humid air rushed into the car.

  “Lina, breathe,” Gideon’s voice was firm and directive. The tone a drill sergeant would use with a grunt, she realized. His face was closer to hers, but she couldn’t see any details of his face. The sound of tires against the asphalt intensified, and each vibration penetrated her body, and settled in her chest until she felt as though she was coming apart at the seams.

  “I’m trying.” She felt his hand tightening on hers, but it did nothing to alleviate the pressure in her chest.

  “Look at me.” The mental images of the blood stained roses, and slashed furniture, the broken glasses slammed into her mental strongholds. Near toppling her defenses. Someone wanted to scare her. It was working. “Look at me, now.” Holding her left hand securely in his grip, he cradled her cheek in his large palm angling her face toward him.