Page 6 of Gideon (Finding Home #3)

“I have every right,” the big man roars. “I employed him. Now, I can fucking sack him.”

Milo opens his mouth, but at that second the man in the bed stirs.

“Actually, I employed him,” he says coldly.

“Seeing as I am your boss.” He stares coolly at Frankie, who flushes.

His voice is cold but the richness of it, the clear precision of his speech, is instantly recognisable as someone who records many audiobooks.

It’s a gorgeous voice, and I’m sure I remember reading that an actress said she’d got wet listening to him reading the telephone book at a party.

I’m drawn back to the conversation as he continues talking icily.

“I presume I am still your employer, Frankie. You haven’t staged your coup yet, have you?

My brain and free will are still my own?

” Frankie nods. “Phew,” Gideon says acerbically.

“I don’t mind admitting that’s a huge relief.

I thought I was in a cult for a second.”

“What colour robes would you wear?” the white-blond man says and Gideon considers.

“I think blue. It makes my eyes pop and accentuates my all-round perfect appearance.”

“Gideon,” Frankie says imploringly. “Gid, I know what’s best for you. Trust Frankie.”

“I can’t trust anyone who has started to refer to themselves in the third person,” my boss says coolly.

“It’s far too reminiscent of Donald Trump.

” I hide my smile. He stares at Frankie coldly.

“As I still have my own free will and control of my bank balance, I’m going to look at this as one of your good decisions, Frankie.

You’ve hired me a nurse who appears to be very well qualified.

And now I employ both of you because Eli is staying as my nurse. Are we clear?”

“Crystal,” Frankie says sulkily.

Gideon closes his eyes, looking suddenly weary, and I spring into action.

“Okay,” I say cheerfully. I’m keeping my voice calm and even because of years of training, although my brain is teeming trying to work out what the dynamics in this room are.

However, one thing is clear. The man in the bed is the boss, and I’m now working for him.

“Okay,” I repeat and look at Frankie. “My patient is tired,” I say calmly. “Time for you to go.”

“Who the fuck are you talking to?” he blusters. “What gives you the right to tell me what to do in here?”

“My nursing degree,” I say cheerfully. “I didn’t get it by eating Pot Noodle and watching Neighbours , you know.

” I wink at him. “Well, not all of it anyway.” I point to the door.

“You can come back when he’s had a sleep.

He’ll be much happier then.” I usher him to the door and open it for him.

“But knock first,” I say happily and shut the door on him as he mouths expletives.

GIDEON

I watch open-mouthed as my new nurse shuts the door neatly in Frankie’s stunned face.

“Oh my God,” Milo breathes and Niall nods.

“Epic,” he says happily.

Eli turns and looks at us hesitantly. “I hope I didn’t overstep any boundaries.”

“You’d have to find Frankie’s boundaries first,” I say tiredly, closing my eyes. “I think they’re buried very deep under a mountain of hot air.” I sink into the pillows he plumped up for me.

I must have blacked out for a second because, when I open my eyes, the three of them are talking quietly.

“So, is that o-o-okay?” Milo stutters slightly. “Is a cruise a bit out of the ordinary?”

My new nurse shakes his head, smiling sunnily at my brother.

“Not at all, mate.” The Welsh in his voice is clear now.

He looks relaxed and laid-back, but I don’t miss those clever eyes of his that are looking around the room, lighting on the medical equipment and glancing down at the clipboard in his hand which I’m pretty sure contains my medical notes.

I think about intervening and letting my presence be felt as they are, after all, talking about me as though I’m a child or a dog that he’s been given custody of.

However, the pillows are so soft around me and my body seems to sink into the mattress.

It’s as if by his entering the room he brought calm and order and comfort, but all with a sunny disposition. I frown.

“A cruise will be fine,” he continues, putting the clipboard back on the bed with a snap. “It’s a good idea, actually.”

“And he’ll be okay?” I wince at the note of worry in my brother’s voice.

Eli smiles at him. “I’m sure he will. He needs to rest and not fret. Get some monitored exercise, lots of sleep and fresh air. The warm weather will help his lungs, and the fresh air at sea will be really beneficial.”

“And you’ve done this sort of thing before?”

“All the time,” he says reassuringly. “I’ve travelled all over the world to be with my patients. He’ll be safe with me, I promise.”

Milo relaxes visibly at the conviction in Eli’s voice, but then looks a bit hesitant. “He’s rather difficult,” he finally says in a low voice, and Niall snorts softly.

“That’s an understatement.”

“Okay, he can be very difficult,” Milo says in a rush. “He’s arrogant, always convinced he’s right, and hasn’t had anyone telling him what to do apart from Frankie for years.” Eli winces and Milo nods enthusiastically. “He’s grumpy, moody and–”

“A couple more and I could meet Snow White,” I say acidly. They all jump and I wave my hand. “Oh no, please do carry on talking about me like I’m the dog or senile. Why don’t we mention the fact that I bite my nails and can’t tolerate Pernod?”

Instead of reacting to my sarcasm, Milo nods earnestly. “He really can’t. It’s weird. Just a sniff of a bottle and he throws up.”

My new nurse’s mouth quirks and I huff irritably.

“Here’s what’s going to happen. Eli, can I call you Eli?

” He opens his mouth and I rush on, noticing that mouth quirk again.

“Never mind. The fact is that my brother is bound and determined that I embark on a cruise with a group of people whose average age is probably one hundred and four. As such, and regardless of my own wishes that obviously do not matter, I shall do as he wants. Now, Eli, although my brother is seemingly giving you the impression that you are in charge, it is very far from the truth. I am in fact your boss and as such you will do as I tell you. If I want to do something, I’ll bloody well do it because the only person who tells me what to do, is me.

Now, after that instruction, is there anything else you need to tell the newest member of my staff, Milo? ”

Milo nods and turns to Eli. “Keep him away from coke and twinks,” he says earnestly.

Eli blinks, and I shake my head. “Milo,” I sigh. “For fuck’s sake.” I’m trying to work up a head of steam over the fact that Milo just outed me to my nurse, but I can’t summon it today and the poor bloke looks so confused after everything that’s just gone on, he probably didn’t notice anyway.

Milo nods energetically at Eli and ignores me.

“I’m so sorry for this. We will, of course, double what Frankie is paying you, and to be honest, even that amount of money won’t cover dealing with him.

Still, will you be okay with all of this?

” He waves his hand in a dismissive fashion at me.

I glare at him and expand that to include Niall who is now laughing.

Eli considers me and for a wild second I remember the way he held me up, the strength in his arms and his scent.

He smells of coconut, bringing back memories of long days on sandy beaches under a hot sun.

The clean, sweet scent seems to encapsulate the best of summer, and it suits him as he looks like he’s just come in from surfing.

I blink and push it to the back of my mind and settle for glaring at Eli now as well.

For some reason he looks vastly amused, which would make my anger flare if I weren’t so tired. “No worries,” he says cheerfully. “My great-grandmother thought her dog was in charge of the house. He ate at the table with her and I had to ask his permission to go in the kitchen.”

“Oh my God,” I say, but Milo nods gloomily.

“You might be wishing for that before this cruise finishes,” he says in a very doom-laden tone of voice. “A dog at the table might be the least of your worries, knowing Gideon’s tastes. It’d certainly have more table manners than some of Gideon’s conquests.”