Heart of Conviction: Nathan (Conviction Series Book 1)

by Aly Nichole

  Mick growled. “Fucker, I’ll show you a real doctor.”

  “And down the line, my sister Julie and her two partners.” Julie looked younger than me, with a gorgeous skin tone that matched Ira and Nathan. But her hair was something else. I couldn’t describe the color, and the curls were loose and thick. One partner was a young guy with lots of piercings and tattoos. The other was a woman with a punk nineties look.

  “And the troubled twins. They needed more spotlight, Mase and Maddi.” Masen was on one side of the table wearing his tv show shirt that matched Hailey’s. I wondered if they did it on purpose. Maddison was in a crop top and stylish Capri pants.

  “And last but not least, our Lilly Pad.” Lillian’s hair was not as bright red as her siblings, and she had her mom’s hazel eyes. You could tell she was barely twenty. Her face pinched up.

  “Everyone, this is Sadie.”

  I placed my hand on my belly. My hand twitched. I wanted to hide behind Nathan. But I gave a small wave instead. “Hi.”

  I felt his hot breath on my neck. “See? No judgment.”

  My body warmed, and my underwear dampened. His hands squeezed my sides while leading me to a seat at the table.

  “It’s okay if I shock you, but I’m just a man, too.” Masen winked at me.

  Nathan tossed a spoon at Masen, hitting him square in the chest.

  “Ouch, I’m telling.” Masen rubbed the spot on his chest. The twinkle in his eye told me this was a regular occurrence between them.

  “Don’t tell me shit. I want to have my drink in peace.” Liam sat down at the head of the table, eyeing all his kids. “Not a damn word.” His forefinger waved at all of us.

  I snickered as Nathan, and his siblings made snide remarks under their breath.

  “Liam, little ears are joining us.” Danella hissed, setting a pot down in the middle of the table.

  Liam smirked at his wife. “I’ll tone it down. Sorry, sweetheart.”

  Danella shook her head, leaving the room.

  “Boys, help your mom get food to the table.” Liam barked, eyeing Danella’s retreating form.

  I heard the scraping of the chairs. Nathan’s heat left, and I watched all the guys follow Danella to the kitchen.

  “God, it’s always a turn-on seeing my man having to set the table.” Sam wiggled her brows at me.

  Liam gave a disgusting grunt. “You are as bad as Nate, Sam.”

  She shrugged, picking up her wine glass.

  Soon the food was on the table, and the kids joined. Chattering happened all over the table. I sat and listened to the banter between all of them and how they made me part of the conversation. I felt part of this large happy family. Is this what a typical family atmosphere was supposed to be?

  “Have you picked a name?” Danella asked me.

  “I haven’t thought about it.” My shoulder slumped. I slacked in more than picking a name. I needed a crib and clothes. Oh man, I needed everything, and there were maybe seven weeks or less before he showed up. I felt my heart pick up and sweat bead up under my lip.

  “I’m sure it will come to you.” Her words did nothing to ease the panic.

  I gave her a small smile and hoped she wouldn’t see the terror I felt. I couldn't believe I had bought anything.

  Nathan’s hands rested on my shoulders, and he kneaded them gently, his breath hot against my neck.

  “Don’t worry. We will get everything before little man arrives.”

  My body relaxed under his heavy hands. I tilted my head, peering at his face. Nathan’s lips pulled up.

  “All right, who wants their ass schooled on the court?” He squeezed my shoulders and taunted his brothers.

  The noise level grew as the guys razzed each other.

  “Yes,” Sam clapped her hands together gleefully. “I needed a good show.” Sam eagerly grabbed her drink and took my hand, dragging me behind her.

  If I thought the front of the house was breathtaking, it had nothing on the backyard.

  The yard went on for miles, if I had to guess, but it wasn’t empty. There was a large pool decked out with a slide and dive board. They had a jungle gym, trampoline, and a full-size basketball court. Off to the side was a modest size house. Maybe a guest or pool house.

  “Wow.”

  “Yeah, when Ira first brought me here, it overwhelmed me too.” Her eyes scanned around. She looked thoughtful. “I guess over the years, I just got used to it.”

  I heard the men, and I couldn’t stop my jaw from popping open when I watched them. They were all shirtless and some had changed into some athletic shorts.

  “Yes, ugh, I live for summers so that they can be shirtless and sweaty.” Sam giggled with glee as she sat down in a lounger.

  I plopped down next to her.

  Nathan stretched his arms and his abs flexed. My eyes popped out, forgetting where we were. My breathing shallow out, and he continued to flex, and the ball passed to him. The veins in his thick arms bulged out.

  I heard the kids playing on the equipment. But my eyes would not stray from the eye candy in front of me.

  “Looking good out there, Mr. V!” Sam catcalled.

  Liam winked over at us and my face flamed. This freaking family.

  “Stop hitting on my dad, Red! You’re giving me the creeps!” Nathan yelled.

  “You’re jealous he has the hot Daddy vices you would kill for!” Sam hollered back.

  All the men gagged, and Liam’s chin went to his chest.

  “Samantha Valentine, don’t you ruin my kinky time. I want to call him Daddy later.” Danella cackled, joining us with her glass of something.

  I laughed with Sam, and more gagging sounds came from the court.

  “The girls have left. They didn’t want to deal with our ogling.” Danella sighed.

  “I think Maddi had a lot of stuff to complete as well,” Sam added.

  “Has my son been treating you okay?” Danella asked.

  If only she knew how amazing he had been to me. He saved me, and he made me and my daughter feel like his entire world. “Yes, he’s been perfect.”

  She hummed, and her face looked thoughtful. “Nathan, in all his bravado and attitude, is a good man who loves fiercely.”

  “We just started dating.” I tried to laugh, but it got stuck in my throat. Love? He couldn't love me already, could he?

  “Oh, I know, but when you know, you know,” Danella stated simply.

  Sam hummed in agreement.

  My eyes zeroed in on Nathan. His skin glistened in the sun. He had his head back, laughing with his dad. I wondered, did I know?

  Today was a good day. Hailey was playing with Beck and Lia on the swings, and I sat with Sam and Katie.

  "So where have you been hiding?" Sam's brow raised slightly at her friend.

  Katie was gorgeous, a real girl next door with brown curly hair and blue eyes. She had a noticeable scar just above her right eye, but her body was a perfect hourglass.

  She rolled her eyes. "Stop being dramatic. I see you every day at work and midweek brunches with Mom."

  "You missed Wyatt’s send off dinner and Sadie’s introduction to the family. You're avoiding a certain Valentine."

  Oh, I wondered if this was what Nathan talked about the other night. I was only half-listening to him because I was making a list of everything I needed.

  "Mickey?" I blurted. Whoops.

  Katie's face pinked. "What, who told you that?" She closed her eyes as her lips flattened. "Ugh, never mind, I'm sure Nathan had all kinds of opinions."

  Sam rolled her eyes. "Stop avoiding Sunday diners and bring your fiance."

  Katie itched her nose with her middle finger. "Did you only ask me here to give me shit?"

  Sam pulled out a notebook and a pen. "No, you were the only one with a damn near-empty schedule to help me throw together a baby shower."

  My brows pulled down. "Baby shower for who?" My pulse raced. She couldn't mean me.

  "For you! I wanted to surprise you, bu
t Nathan said I should ask you. He said you might not appreciate it if I planned one without your input." Sam answered.

  I blinked and blinked again. They were planning something for me. "You don't have to." That was my automatic response. But deep inside, I wanted it. I wanted a baby shower. I never had one with Hailey, I had no real friends, and my parents were out of my life.

  Sam waved me off. "Please, you're family now, and we have to celebrate the newest baby. Mom would be disappointed if we didn't."

  My heart squeezed, and my eyes welled. "Thank you," I rasped and tilted my head up. I refused to let the tears fall.

  Sam patted my arm. "It's okay to cry, you're prego and dealing with my best friend. It's okay to cry."

  I barked out a laugh. "What ideas do you have?"

  Sam launched into all her ideas, and Katie started sifting through them to pick more realistic ones. I saw how much they worked together. Sam would start a thought and Katie would finish it.

  "Hey, can I take Hailey for a sleepover tonight? I figured you could relax, get some sleep." Sam shrugged her one shoulder.

  I felt my eyes water again, and my throat tightened. "If you don't mind." It was weird to have someone want to take Hailey for the night.

  Sam waved her hand dismissively. "Not at all. She's an angel, and I'm hoping she'll rub off on my little demon spawns."

  I helped Sam pack things up with good plans for my baby shower in a couple of weeks. I hoped I didn't pop before the shower.

  I watched Sam leave with the kids and Katie followed suit. I smiled. Things were looking good. My life was not perfect, but I thought if I let Nathan in and told him how I felt.

  I sighed. It was time to tell him.

  I walked to my car and I wasn't paying attention to my surroundings when I was shoved against my car. I let out a small scream, and my stomach smashed against my door. The pressure on my abdomen had tears falling down my cheeks.

  Smoke and beer wafted in my nose. My stomach turned, and I gagged into the stranger's hand.

  "Hey darling, we need to have a brief chat."

  I sobbed against Trey's palm. No, this wasn't happening.

  "You need to quiet down, or I'm going to make you." He hissed in my ear.

  I nodded against his hand. I would do what he asked so I could protect my baby. Thank god Sam had Hailey. She didn't need to witness whatever was about to happen.

  "Good girl, we're going to take a little drive somewhere and talk."

  Trey gripped my upper arm so hard I knew there would be finger size bruises left behind. He shoved me into the back of my car.

  My car sputtered to life, and I watched the world go by through the window. I should have known he wouldn't give me up.

  I stared at him from the back seat. He looked like he put a fork in a light socket and held on. His beard was splotchy across his jaw, and the smell coming off him was turning my stomach in the wrong way.

  "Do you know how hard it's been to get near you?" Trey sneered at me.

  Did he want to answer that? Probably not. I pressed my lips together and looked down at my belly.

  He growled, "You fucking left and never came back to your apartment. Then I hear you moved into some fancy place that your sugar daddy got for you." His hand smacked the steering wheel. "I just wanted a friendly conversation about our child, but you had to go involve these fucking Valentines. Did you know that lawyer you got never lost a fucking case, he's some kind of law guru or some shit?" He ranted.

  I didn't think he was talking to me, more at me. I pressed my lips together, not letting a wisp of air through.

  "That's my child you're carrying. You confirmed it the last time I chatted with you. And if you think some fancy fucking lawyer is going to keep it away from—" He chucked.

  A tingle spread across my spine, and the hairs on the back of my neck raised. The air was so thick I had to stop myself from clawing at my chest to breathe.

  "Trey, please, I promise we can talk but not like this." I pleaded.

  He kept quiet and pulled into a parking lot of a crappy apartment building.

  "You have two options: you come up with me nice and quiet, or I drag you by your hair."

  Neither option thrilled me, and I knew no one in this neighborhood gave two craps about a man dragging a pregnant woman by the hair. I had to protect myself and my baby. "I'll be quiet."

  "Excellent choice." He climbed out of my car and opened the door for me.

  I wiggled out and almost fell on my face, climbing out. Trey's eyes were on my stomach. I wondered what he thought.

  Trey grabbed my arm and dragged me with him. The apartment was just a block from my old one. It did not surprise me Trey was close to me. We passed a few people, but they turned away, pretending they didn't see me. Trey roughly pushed me through the halls of the building to an ugly pea green door.

  He shoved it open. "Honey, looked who I dragged in."

  Bound to a chair sat Zac. He had a fat lip and black eye, but his eyes looked clear. Zac looked sober despite the bruising and ripped clothing. Or maybe I hoped he was.

  Zac glared at Trey, his lips smashed together.

  Trey forced me into a chair, and the force nearly knocked the air out of my lungs. My hands went to my cheeks and wiped away the fresh tears. My eyes scanned my surroundings. The apartment itself was bare, with just a few chairs and a couch. It smelled of mold and dust.

  "What do you want, Trey?" My broken voice gave away my fear. I wanted to be strong and curse and fight my way out. But instead, I was clutching the edges of the chair with the metal biting at my skin.

  "I want what all fathers want." Trey leered at me. His eyes looked darker, sinister.

  My body tensed. I had to think of a way out of this. I should have texted someone, letting them know. God, Nathan was at the hospital for a shift.

  My eyes moved to Zac, and it was in slow motion. My breath caught, my stomach dropped, and it froze my body in the chair as the scene played out in front of me.

  Zac lifted himself up and slammed into Trey, knocking them both down. The chair broke on impact, freeing Zac. He swung his body around, removing the chair pieces from his legs, and released his hands. Zac kicked Trey a few times.

  Zac's eyes were wild, and he scrambled over to me and grabbed my hand. "Come on!" He shouted, pulling me along with him.

  It was all surreal. I was in the passenger seat of my car, and Zac got in the driver's seat, and he peeled out of the parking lot.

  My heart was beating so hard I thought it would burst out of my chest. God, oh god. "Zac."

  He was turning the wheel as his eyes scanned everything we passed. "We're okay, we're okay."

  Tears streamed down my face, and I didn't care. "Zac, what the hell is going on?" I needed my phone. I had to call Nahan, Ira, and the cops. God, my mind was going a million miles a minute.

  "He's nuts, Sadie." He shook his head and continued to drive.

  I looked around, confused about where we were. "You need to take me home or the hospital." I patted my pockets and then looked around my car. Where the hell was my phone?

  "I need to make sure we weren't followed, and I'll take you to your place."

  My brows pulled down. "Zac, Trey was bleeding on the floor. We're safe."

  Zac's face drained of color, and the car slowed down. "Oh god."

  I touched his shoulder. "Take me home, please, Zac."

  "Okay," He took a deep breath and nodded his head. "Okay."

  I continued my search for my phone. Where the heck did I put it?

  "Sadie!" Zac screeched, and the car lurched sideways.

  My eyes closed. I felt myself free fall, and the loud crunching and banging echoed in my ears. It felt like the car would never stop flipping, and the screaming was so loud.

  I loved Sade, my angel. She was everything I looked for. And I knew deep in my heart she wasn’t a replacement.

  A tablet flashed in front of my face. “What the—” I growled at my college and supposed f
riend, Matt.

  “You looked zoned out there and thought I would help you out.” He laughed, waving the tablet in my face again.

  I snatched it away and looked around. No one that would tattle on me. “Stop fucking waving shit in my face.”

  He snorted. “I’m glad your attitude is still intact.”

  Fucker, he had calmed down a bit about Sade being my patient. I wanted to be at her place now instead of here at the hospital. But a patient went into labor, and then a colleague asked if I could cover for them.

  Sade was meeting up with Red and Kate. She didn’t know it was to plan her baby shower. I had already made two big purchases. Sade couldn’t get mad because they were baby shower gifts.

  “Don’t you have patients or a nurse to go harass?” I grunted. I looked through my files, hoping I had something to do.

  “Thank you again for seeing me.”

  My head jerked up to the sound of Dr. Idiot, Gails. He stood next to one of the hospital board members.

  Gails, god, the sight of him had my veins burning. I patted Matt on the shoulder and walked my happy ass over toward them.

  “Well, looky here. Are you finding a new place to fuck patients up?” I was going to lose my privileges here. Did I care? I should, considering Sade had to come here.

  Gails was an old bald white man with a spare tire around the middle. He gave out the creepy white guy vibe.

  Samson, the board member, seemed shocked at what I had said.

  Gails narrowed his eyes. “Young man, you need to remember your place and be professional. I understand you might not be used to the idea, considering—”

  I watched his eyes take me in. I knew what he was implying, and it wasn’t because of my family. It wasn’t the first time this fucker commented about my skin color.

  “Considering what?” I crossed my arms and flexed. I knew how it made me look, but I didn’t care. This fucker fucked up Sade’s prenatal care, and who knew how many others got the same treatment.

  He turned his back to me, and Samson widened his eyes at the interaction between Gails and me.

  No matter how much the older generation hated me and what I stood for, I was a moneymaker for the hospital.