Convincing Lina: A Bachelor of Shell Cove Novel (The Bachelors of Shell Cove Romance Book 2) (36 page)

The night wind blew warm air, thick with moisture across Gideon’s face, but fear ripped through him like an arctic blast. Crouched low into the shadows, he and his brothers followed as Troy led them to a private dock along the Saint Dasius River. Crickets’ chirps and frog croaks rang out in competition as if preparing themselves for the blood that would be spilled if any harm had come to Lina. The slap of whitecap waves held a steady cadence over the squawk of an occasional bird.
 

Estrella had betrayed them all. And Moon, a madman had handed Lina over to a killer. His brothers were at his side. Gideon placed a call to Bishop in case there was more trouble. He didn’t want anything to happen to his father or future mother-in-law.
 

 
His father agreed to stay behind to protect Bernadean. Troy was certain she wasn’t out of danger. If her yelling about being kept in the dark about her own daughter was a precursor to the rest of her conversation, his father had his work cut out for him.
 

According to the news report, Sky had been wounded during a police shoot out with local law enforcement. An injured man was a deadly man. And Lina was at his mercy. Fear coursed through his veins and he prayed that he reached her in time. Killers didn’t want to die, but he knew from experience they would take as many people with them into death if backed into a corner.

“Troy are you sure we are at the correct pier? Lina is running out of time,” Gideon whispered.
 

“Look to your left, about fifty yards.” Gideon glanced in the general direction. Other than a late model luxury sport utility vehicle that looked vaguely familiar, he didn’t recognize anything indicating that Lina was being held in this location.
 

“That’s Moon’s Range Rover. And smell the rotten stench in the air.” Anxious to get to Lina, Gideon hadn’t noticed how foul the air was at this end of the pier. “Moon’s family has worked for Sky’s since before he was born. His loyalty is legendary. Trust me, Lina is here.”
 

The Marine in Gideon couldn’t be contained. He turned to his brothers, “Put every man down hard. We won’t have a second chance,” he ground out.
 

“Wait, we need Sky alive, he’s the key to…” Gideon interrupted Troy, he was done listening. “Everyone in position, signal when you are ready.”
 

Gideon stayed in a low crouch as he approached the tree line adjacent to the pier. Gideon waited till his eyes adjusted to the darkness and the outline of a yacht with low lights came into view. A tall, dark figure came to stand along the railing. Gideon could make out a man’s facial features when a second appeared at the stern of the yacht. With stealth like precision, Gideon unsheathed the hunting knife from his leg strap.
 

He could take out the first man, but without knowing if his brothers were in position, the second man was free to alert others to their presence.
 

Gideon hit the ground as the swish of an arrow’s release hit his ear. He felt the swoosh of air for a split second as it flew over his shoulder, then lodged in the chest of the man farthest from his location. Without a second thought, he gripped the handle of his blade and hurled it for the last known position of his target. The weight of the bodies, hitting the water sounded loud in the night, but Phoenix’s nuthatch bird call rang out loud and true. His brothers would secure the crew and search for Janna. He would find Lina. He would bring his woman home this time.

Pain shot through Lina’s forearm as Sky incrementally constricted his grip until she winced in pain. Those blue eyes flashed with lightning before a smile split his lips. He was pleased with her reaction. Lina fisted her hands around the rope and forced a blank expression.
 

“Take the Princess to my cabin.” Lina saw Moon’s jaw tightened, but he moved in her direction. The look in Moon’s eye’s as he surveyed her body had goosebumps breaking out on her skin. Her heart raced at the thought of lying in wait for Sky’s arrival. He wasn’t the type of man you wanted to find yourself alone with in an elevator.
 

“Come with me.” Moon reached for her arm, but she jerked away from him.
 

“I can walk.”
 

Sky grabbed her face, digging his fingers into the flesh under her chin. It was difficult to breath and the pain intensified, as he pressed deeper into the soft tissue at her neck.
 

“You should know, I like my women pliable during playtime. I can drug you now, then Moon can carry you to my bed. The second option, you tell me where to locate Troy and I let you say goodbye to your little girlfriend, and then I drug you. It’s your choice.” Estrella’s warning rang in her ears. No “too stupid, to live” moments allowed. She had to think smarter to survive. She couldn’t risk Janna.
 

“Where are you taking me?” She said a silent prayer that someone would step onto the deck and help her.
 

“You will stay with me, Princess, but Janna is too old for one of my houses. She’ll take a late night swim before we sail for the coast of South America.”

“You’re going to kill her.”

“I would never kill your friend, Princess. That would be a poor start to our relationship.” Lina released a sigh of relief. “The sharks will kill her.” Lina’s heart stopped. “As we speak, chum is being released into the water.” He smiled at her then. “We can’t have pesky body parts floating up on the beach? This way, there’s plenty of hungry fishes at the table.”

“Estrella is right. You are a monster.”
 

Sky jerked her up suddenly bringing her face close enough to inhale his sickly sweet scent. He pulled on her hard enough to have her yelp in pain. Moon looked menacing, but Sky’s eyes held pure evil. She recognized the sweet stench of Galaxy users. The guy was addicted to his own product.

“After a few hits of my Galaxy in your system, I’ll be your God,” he snarled. “Take her away.” Who would have guessed Moon was a safer choice than this lunatic?

Moon grabbed the rope securing her wrist and led Lina to the open door. That’s when she noticed a card control pad mounted where a key lock should be. Moon led her through the door, then turned to close the door behind her. He pulled a digital key card over a control box concealed by a panel and she heard a lock engage. She wouldn’t be able to exit the lower cabin without a key card. She watched Moon with a wary gaze as he slid the key into his left front pocket and smiled at her. Moon pushed her against the wall, molding his bulky frame into her front.

“You made me proud, my Lina. You are a quick study.” He grabbed her hair, pulling her closer to him.
 

“Get off of me,” she bellowed. Her bound hands were between them and she pushed at his chest. The man was solid as a boulder.

“Shh, my Lina.” His Lina? Oh my God, no. “I will never let him hurt you. You belong to me.”
 

“You’re crazy,” Lina twisted and pushed at him. “I don’t belong to you.” His face darkened and menace filled his eyes.

“Don’t ever call me crazy.” He gripped her arms hard and she groaned in pain. “I saw you,” he spat. He squeezed her arms, till his nails dug into her flesh. She bit her lip, refusing to cry out and give him pleasure from her pain. Lust shone in his eyes as he studied her.
 

“I watched him climb in the bathtub with you. You would’ve screwed him if I hadn’t come that night.” His lips parted, teeth bared in rage, for a moment he looked like he would tear her throat out. Instead, Moon leaned in close, covering her mouth with his, he forced his tongue deep into her mouth. His tongue was thick and heavy in her mouth. He tasted of beer and stale spices and she had to battle her gag reflex as he probed her mouth.
 

At the feel of his erection pressing into her groin, a wave of terror crashed into every cell in her body. She was going to be sick. Her knees buckled, and he tightened his hold on her. Unable to bear the pain she tore her mouth away from his bruising onslaught.
 

“Ouch, you’re hurting me.”
 

He stared at her as if her words confused him, but his hands loosened their grip on her arms. The instinct to survive kicked in. She needed a new approach. Her heart dropped to her feet, but she schooled her features into one of submission. “I’m sorry I upset you, Moon. I didn’t want his attention. He came after me.” Gideon please forgive me for this.
 

“Apology accepted, my Lina.” Smiling he released his grip on her arm. Groaning she rolled her right shoulder as blood rushed into her abused flesh and the pain dissipated.
 

He moved in closer stroking her hair, then his hand tunneled into the hairs at her nape and his hold tightened. It took every ounce of psychiatric training she’d ever received to remain still. “I have a place set up for you and me. The bedroom is decorated in purple, just the way you like it, except I added white roses, so you will think of me.” She’d maintained eye contact until he mentioned the roses. Not wanting to lose the connection, she forced her rapid beating heart to slow down.

“I thought Sky…all the roses were a gift from you?” His face lit with pleasure.
 

“Yes, I knew you liked them because you are a romantic, like me. I remember the look on your face when I sent them to your mother.” The breath froze in her chest.

“What did you say?”

“I was just a boy back then, but I knew your father.” A piercing scream filled her head. No, she didn’t want to hear anymore.
 

“I am so sorry you had to lose him my Lina, but Sky doesn’t tolerate betrayal.”

“What did you do to him?”

“I spared him the torture Sky had planned. Lincoln was always kind to me. I returned that kindness.” Calm filled his words as fire filled her belly. He would pay, they all would.

“Your kindness was to murder him,” she railed at him.

“Lina, please don’t yell. We are getting to know one another. With time, you will learn that if you do what I ask, I am both generous and merciful. Even now, I am reconsidering the severity of your punishment.” Punishment? What was he talking about? He released her hair, and beefy arms surrounded her.
 

“Please, don’t.” She hated the tremors in her voice, hated that this man had taken her father away. Hated that her mother was right to shield her from this ugliness.

“You’re shivering, my Lina.” A single tear slid down her face and a sob broke when Moon wiped it away.
 

“You are grieving for your loss. We share this moment together, my Lina.” She would rather die. Gideon, please come for me. You promised.

Chapter 24

Sky entered the cabin and stood over Lina. Refusing to cower in his presence she straightened her spine. She looked up at him. She would not fail, this was the moment of culmination when all she’d learned about taking care of herself would be needed to save her life. Because no one would keep her from Gideon. She loved him and she would see him again.
 

“The look in your eyes says you’re ready for me.” He reached into his pocket and withdrew a syringe filled with clear liquid. With her eyes, Lina tracked the syringe, until Sky placed it on the bedside table next to his key card.
 

Trying not to panic, at the thought of Sky touching her, Lina spouted the first thing that came to mind. “Let me clean your wound, so you don’t get blood all over me.”