Heart of Conviction: Nathan (Conviction Series Book 1)

by Aly Nichole

  Wyatt had a special place in my heart. He was just a baby when it happened. And I grabbed on to him to fill the void that had taken up in my heart.

  “Hey, you think I could sit in on some ultrasounds?” Wyatt asked.

  I shrugged, “I’ll ask my patients if they are comfortable with it. I don’t see a problem.” Most of my patients gushed at my little brother and were more than happy to let him play doctor with the ultrasound machine. I shouldn’t be surprised, he was a good-looking teen.

  “I think I might need you to come in once a week. Or my patients may leave me.” I joked.

  He laughed. “I’m the best looking one of the bunch, so it’s no surprise.”

  I smacked his stomach. “Arrogant little shit.”

  The day was dragging ass. I knew I spent the day yesterday with Sadie, but I craved seeing her again.

  I texted to remind her about her appointment since we forgot to talk about it the day before. I hoped that whatever her awkwardness was last night wouldn’t roll over into today.

  “Why are we still here?” Wyatt was fiddling around with my newest ultrasound machine.

  “Don’t fuck that up, it cost me a fucking small fortune to get,” I warned him before he took another bolt out. “And I have one more patient to see and she can only come at six.”

  Wyatt turned and faced me, his eyes swept over me.

  “I make late appointments all the time,” I argued. But I knew how I sounded and how it looked. None of my staff was here, and I had never made an appointment this late before.

  I ignored his accusational stare and focused on my paperwork.

  After several minutes, I growled. “Stop.”

  “I didn’t say anything.” Wyatt’s tone was neutral and too much like Dad.

  I snorted, shuffling papers around. “Didn’t have to. You gave me a Valentine stare. Stop, she’s a friend, and can’t afford to miss work for all these appointments.”

  Before he said anything, I heard Sadie’s voice call out my name from the waiting room.

  I walked out with Wyatt on my heels.

  Sadie was in her black tight shirt with her restaurant logo and black Capri leggings. Her hair pulled into a tight bun. One hand placed on her lower back and the other was on her stomach, absentmindedly rubbing in circles. Hailey was bouncing on her tippy toes, waving at me.

  I smiled, waving back. “Hello, ladies, how are you today?”

  Sadie gave me a relaxed smile. “It was long, and all I heard since last night was how amazing Doctor Nate was.”

  “I am pretty awesome.” I put my hand out for Hailey to give a high five. She giggled and smacked it with enthusiasm.

  Sadie rolled her eyes. “Humble. You’re so humble, Nathan.”

  I heard a throat clearing. I turned to Wyatt, who was watching the interaction with a brow raised and his lips smashed together.

  I placed my hand on Sadie’s lower back. Her back stiffed just slightly before relaxing into my hand. “Hey, Sadie, and Miss Hailey. This is my baby brother. He wanted to hang out with me today. Is that okay with you?”

  Sadie’s eyes took in Wyatt, and her eyes softened wistfully. “Of course.”

  Hailey shied away, hiding partially behind her mom, and gave a little wave.

  Wyatt waved back, and the corners of his lips pulled up.

  I gave Sadie a nudge and steered her to the room I had set up for her. “Wyatt has been in charge of conducting the ultrasounds for most of the day. If you are comfortable, I was going to let him do yours.”

  “I’m okay with that.” She turned to Wyatt, who was already messing with the ultrasound. “Are you wanting to be a doctor?”

  Wyatt tilted his head, “I don’t know. But I find the medical tech fascinating, and I thought maybe if I worked with it, it could give me a feel of what I could improve.”

  Her eyes widened. “Oh, wow.”

  My chest puffed out. “My little brother is a humbled genius. He leaves for MIT in August.”

  Sadie’s eyes popped out as they scanned over him again.

  I watched him help Sadie to the table and recited everything he was doing.

  Hailey was watching videos on my phone next to me as Wyatt took pictures.

  He completely focused on what he was doing. I couldn’t help but let pride swell inside me. I knew he wouldn’t follow in my footsteps, but it was humbling how much he learned by watching me.

  Wyatt turned to me, his brows pulled down. “Hey, Nate, you noticed this murmur, right?”

  I beamed. “Yes, I caught it a few weeks ago. We are monitoring it, so make sure you record it and get some images, making sure it stays benign.”

  He turned back to the screen, and he kept his laser focus on what I had asked of him.

  My eyes strayed to Sadie. She had her eyes closed and a small smile played on her kissable lips. Fuck, she was stunning.

  “Okay, I got everything.” Wyatt’s voice broke me from her spell.

  I walked over and helped Sadie sit up and handed her some wipes to clean herself.

  “All right. Now, are you feeling any pain or anything abnormal since I saw you?” I asked, unable to keep from smiling.

  She rolled her eyes and pulled her shirt down over her bump. “No, not since you saw me yesterday.”

  I felt Wyatt burning a hole in the side of my face.

  “Good, now you are entering the last trimester. I’m going to want to see you every other week. So not this Friday, but next. And if six works best for you, I’ll keep it the same.”

  Sadie tilted her head, and she closed her eyes. “Yes.”

  “Good.” I cleared my throat and tapped a few things into my tablet, not meeting her eyes. “Now, are you and Hailey free Saturday for ice cream and park time? I have access to a pool. It’s supposed to be warm. I could take you guys swimming.” I hoped my voice didn’t give away my desperation. I needed to spend more time with her and Hailey.

  She chewed on her lip. “Maybe ice cream, and we could go to the park.”

  My heart thumped against my chest and I smiled. “Awesome. I will text you when I’m on my way tomorrow.”

  She twisted her shirt and stared at me. “I guess it won’t be a problem. Just make sure you text so I can come down.”

  I nodded, “Of course, and text me when you make it home please.”

  “Okay, Nathan.” Sadie’s voice was soft as she agreed.

  I forgot Wyatt was in the office as I watched Sadie and her daughter leave.

  “I think you have a massive crush on her.” His voice made me jump.

  My hand went to the back of my neck. “Yeah.”

  “I’m almost there, Angel.-N.”

  My stomach fluttered at the name. I pressed the phone to my chest—this man.

  “Hailey, Nathan is almost here,” I called my daughter.

  I grabbed my purse and walked over to my window and looked down. I looked to see if any of Trey’s goons were staking out the apartments again. They had been around every day for the last week or so. The goons leered at me. I quickly wore the biggest shirts and changed in the car. I had to cover my belly at all costs.

  “I can’t wait. I’m so excited. Do you think Nathan will play with me again at the park?” She skipped past me to the door.

  I smiled and pushed away the pressure crushing my chest. “I’m sure he will. He did last time, didn’t he?”

  Hailey nodded excitedly. “Then let’s go!” She grabbed my hand and pulled me to the door.

  I couldn’t help but catch my daughter’s enthusiasm and giggled with her out of the apartment and outside. My eyes scanned, looking for Nathan’s car.

  The stench of stale cigarettes and mold invaded my nose. “Hey Sadie, letting yourself go, I see.”

  I turned and saw one of Trey’s thugs. He was tall,bulky, and bald with blackened teeth.

  I backed up and grabbed onto Hailey. I wanted to run far away. “It happens when you’re depressed.”

  The guy snorted. “Where’s you
r brother hiding at?”

  I choked back a growl. This was beyond frustrating. I honestly hadn’t seen Zac since he was in my apartment. “I have no idea where he’s at.”

  He took a hit of his cigarette and blew the smoke in my face.

  I coughed as he laughed. “But that’s not what I hear. I heard he left after we did the other day.”

  I stepped back. “If Zac was here, he wasn’t with me. He could have been in any other apartment.” I could hear the weakness in my voice.

  “Angel.”

  My head turned and saw Nathan. He was walking up to me with his sight set on the thug crowding me. Nathan was wearing a dark shirt clinging to his chest, outlining every muscle.

  “Nathan,” I choked out his name. Thank god. I quickly tugged Hailey with me, leaving Trey’s man behind.

  Nathan was at my side and pulled me to his side. His lips went to my ear. “Are you okay? Do I need to kick someone’s ass?”

  “No, let’s just go.” I kept walking to his car and saw Wyatt in the back seat. I waved as I sat Hailey in the booster seat.

  Nathan watched me from the corner of his eye. I knew he probably had questions, but I couldn’t answer them. I couldn’t drag him into this.

  “I’m so excited!” Hailey squealed from the back.

  Nathan turned his head back to the front. “Me too, princess. I hoped you don’t mind Wyatt tagging along.”

  “Not at all.” I smiled.

  “Our dad was not done making our mom feel better.” Nathan snorted, looking back at his brother.

  Wyatt’s cheeks flamed. “How was I supposed to know?”

  Nathan barked out a laugh. “I warned you!”

  I shook my head, lost in what they were talking about.

  “Sorry, but my brother suggested my mom might be menopausal and ran to my house when the tears started. When he tried to go home today, he caught my mom and dad in the middle of...” He wiggled his eyebrows at me.

  My head fell back laughing. “Oh, the horror.” I laughed and couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like to have parents who love each other so much after all that time. To still get caught in the moment.

  “I’m traumatized.” Wyatt whined.

  “Welcome to the club. I’m pretty sure I walked in on them when you were conceived.” Nathan’s body shuttered.

  I giggled harder, picturing a young Nathan walking in on his parents.

  The giggling continued while we ate ice cream. Wyatt and Nathan told stories of their family and the wild things they had done.

  My thoughts wandered as I rubbed my belly. We were at the park now, and the scene in front of me had my heart full.

  Nathan ran around with Hailey playing tag. She was laughing and running in zig-zag patterns. I was keeping the tears at bay. I hated myself for her losing out on having a healthy male figure in her life.

  “Get me, get me.” Hailey yelled at Nathan as she ran under some stairs.

  Wyatt collapsed next to me on the bench, out of breath. “I don’t have little kid energy.”

  I snickered at the boy. Wyatt was tall and thin. His hair was a few shades darker than his dads but his green eyes were very much Liam’s. The way Wyatt held himself, he seemed older than his age.

  “My brother likes you.” He blurted.

  My mouth popped open from his blunt statement. No wonder his mom needed some TLC from their dad. How was I supposed to respond to this information? My body shifted away from him, and I picked at my fingernails. Why was he telling me? I couldn’t think. There was no way Nathan could have those kinds of feelings for someone like me.

  “It’s hard for him to like anyone.” Wyatt murmured.

  I looked up at him, and he was watching Nathan and my daughter play.

  My leg bounced up and down. I swallowed and tried to keep my voice from cracking. “He’s a great guy. I’ve enjoyed spending time with him.”

  Nathan threw Hailey over his shoulder and walked to where we were sitting. “I think we need food. How about I treat everyone?”

  I pursed my lips and narrowed my eyes at the bulky man. “Nathan, you have already got us ice cream. I couldn’t ask you to pay for another meal.” My stomach tightened at the thought of more money spent on us.

  Nathan tilted his head with the corner of his lips pulling up. “Nothing fancy. We could golden arch it.”

  I chewed on my lip. “I don’t know.”

  “Mommy, please, I want some nuggets and a shake.” Hailey’s big eyes rounded, her bottom lip pulled down.

  I snorted at my daughter’s antics. I looked up to Nathan, who gave the same puppy look. “That’s not fair.”

  Nathan’s smile sent shivers down my spine. “I never promised to play fair.”

  Why did it sound like he was insinuating something else? “I guess if it isn’t any trouble for you.”

  “For my two favorite ladies. Never.” Nathan winked and grabbed my hand to help me up.

  Wyatt snorted. “Don’t let Mom hear you say that.”

  Nathan was looking at me while he rolled his eyes. With our hands clasped together, we walked to the car. My thumb rubbed up on down his. It felt warm, comforting, and wanted. My eyes couldn’t stop staring at the contrast between them. Nathan’s hands dwarf mine, and his darker skin made mine look pasty white.

  My eyes flickered back up, and my body jumped a little with the intense look Nathan was giving me.

  “We’re here!” Hailey squealed from the back.

  The excitement coming from my daughter broke whatever spell I was under. “Let’s eat.”

  “Thank you for today. Hailey.” I looked back to where she slumped over. “She doesn’t get out a lot. I feel like she is missing so much sometimes.”

  Nathan tilted his head before he took my hand and squeezed it. “My mom used to worry about that a lot. But Hailey has you, and she’ll always remember what you do for her.” His lips pulled up. “You are such a wonderful mom, she’s not going to miss anything.”

  I looked at his face. He had this faraway look. “Is that what you remember?”

  His eyes cleared and he looked at me with a sad smile. “I remember being a little shit and giving my mom grey hair and heart attacks.” Nathan sighed. “I also remember heartache. But my younger siblings all remember the good stuff.”

  My eyes studied him as he took the keys out, and I couldn't help wonder what his heartache was. I knew he was done talking about it. Not wanting to push him, I focused on something else. “So you gave your mom trouble?”

  Nathan laughed. “Oh, I was a horrible teen. I snuck out. I had lots of sex. Drank.”

  I blanched. “What, no way.”

  “Yea. But enough about me, let’s get you guys inside.” He opened the door before I could argue.

  I looked around, hoping no one was there. My heart thumped against my chest as my eyes swept the parking lot and up to the door. There was no one I could see that would cause problems. Thank goodness.

  Nathan walked us up to my apartment. He looked around at everything. I saw his nose scrunch a few times and my stomach dropped. “It’s all I can afford right now.”

  Nathan’s brows pulled down. “I’m not judging.”

  “You had a disgusted look.” I murmured and looked down at my shoes.

  “That wasn’t judgment. My mom raised my brother and me two floors up.”

  My eyes flew to his. “Really?”

  “The only reason she moved out was because of my dad.”

  I was speechless and had so many questions, but none would come out.

  Nathan tapped on my door. “Door looks intact.” He sat Hailey down and waltzed into the apartment, not looking back to see if we were following.

  Unable to grasp that this man lived in this building so many years ago, I went back to his statement. “I have a hard time believing you were a bad boy.” I leaned against my door frame.

  He smirked. “Because I’m a doctor?”

  I looked him up and down. “Yes, and you
always dress to impress.”

  He scratched his face. “Yeah, comes with the whole doctor thing plus my family.”

  I scrunched my nose “Your family?” I questioned. I didn’t know who his family was and why it would matter that he dressed up because of it.

  “Valentine.”

  I chewed on my lip and stared at him, confused. “Um, okay?”

  His head fell back, and he barked out a laugh. “Jesus. You have no idea who my family is.”

  My cheeks heated. “Should I?”

  He pulled me close to him. “I’m not trying to embarrass you. It’s just nice meeting someone who has no idea. It’s rare.”

  The name, Valentine swished around in my head. It sounded familiar. Then, random news articles and TV shows popped up, and my eyes bugged out as I pushed away from him.

  “No. You can’t be that Valentine.”

  His hand rubbed the back of his neck.

  I think back to when he was having lunch with that silver fox. “Oh, my god, I served lunch to Liam Valentine.” My hand went to my mouth. “Nathan.”

  Nathan looked sheepish. “Yeah, that’s my dad.”

  I couldn’t help but look at Nathan more closely. His darkened skin and bright amber eyes. He had at least fifty pounds on Liam.

  “He’s not my biological dad. It’s a long story, but he is my dad in every way that counts.” His smile tightened.

  I reached and touched his arm and realized he might have noticed I was comparing him to Liam. “That’s all that matters.” I thought about his smile and teasing he did to Nathan that day. “He always seemed cold in his interviews. He and your mom—” My eyes widened again, think about his family. “Oh Jesus, your mom is Danella Valentine, the woman behind the Center.”

  “Yeah, my dad is great. He just hates people. Well, people that aren’t family, anyway.”

  “Nathan.” My whole view of him changed. Nathan wasn't just a doctor. He was part of a powerful family. Liam Valentine was the founder of Valentine INC. He had his hands in everything. He married Danella Valentine, who created The Valentine Center, a godsend to poor people. Then there were Valentine’s kids. All of them were beyond successful. I knew he was out of my league, but this was different. Nathan was in an unattainable league.