Nixon (Raleigh Raptor Book 1) Read online

  First, she checked the baby’s heartbeat with the doppler, and my own settled peacefully as I heard the steady whoosh-whoosh fill the room. I laced my fingers with Liberty’s and lifted the back of her hand for a kiss.

  Then the pictures started. The doc took measurements as our baby filled the screen in blotches of black and white. Just when I thought I’d guess a body part right, I’d be wrong. I thought a leg was an arm, and a head was an abdomen.

  “Do you want to know the sex?” the doc asked as a small smile spread across her face.

  Liberty and I locked eyes. Did we?

  “I do,” I admitted. How else was I going to prepare for everything we’d need?

  “I do, too,” she agreed, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

  We both turned to the doc, and Liberty’s grip on my hand tightened.

  “It’s a girl,” the doc announced, clicking away on the ultrasound machine.

  A girl. I sputtered a laugh of pure happiness. We were going to have a little girl. God, what if she was just as reckless as I had been…as I still was? What if she—

  “A girl!” Liberty beamed at me.

  Every worry vanished with her smile, and I kissed her soundly, uncaring that the doc was still taking pictures. It was firm, but chaste, and conveyed all the joy in my heart that I couldn’t find words for.

  “I hope she has your eyes.” I ran my fingers down Liberty’s cheek.

  “I hope she has your smile,” she answered, giving me one of her own. Then she gasped.

  “What?” Panic rose up. Had the doc hurt her?

  “You have thirty-five minutes to make your flight. Go!” She pushed at me.

  Fuck. “I’m not leaving you here.”

  “Oh, stop. I’ll call Heather. She works across the street. Now seriously, go. Our daughter needs her daddy to keep his job.” She yanked on my tie, pulling me into a quick kiss before shoving me away again. “Get out of here!”

  I kissed her again, quick, hard, and with a scandalous slide of my tongue before grinning at her. “I’ll call you from the road.”

  “Be careful!” she called out.

  “Always am,” I answered.

  Once I shut the door, I cut the calm act and broke into a sprint. I had a plane to catch. And as for everything else that had gone down in there? It was time we stop sweeping everything under the rug and deal with the very real things coming our way.

  You know, as soon as I got back.

  12

  Liberty

  The clear night sky twinkled with stars, the crisp October air kissing our cheeks as we walked the grounds of the Executive Mansion. The historical red-brick estate was nestled atop nine acres of lush greenery, the gardens offering a perfect place for the Raptors’ charity gala benefiting the Concussion Legacy Foundation. An expanse of hickory trees lined the property, and the smell of Carolina lupines and crested irises permeated the air as Nixon ushered us from group to group.

  I mentally patted myself on the back. I hadn’t made a fool of myself in front of the governor and his delightful wife. But the night was still young, so I didn’t count my chickens just yet. Instead, I did my best to stick close to Nixon, relishing the warmth and ease being in his presence created.

  “Love your dress,” Teagan said as Nixon thankfully stopped us near a constructed bar at the back of the gardens. Twinkle lights wove through the trees branches, and a string quartet played from a makeshift stage on the other side of the gardens. “You’re practically glowing.”

  I gave her a quick hug. “You’re stunning,” I said, eying her simple but elegant black dress. I’d considered going the same route, but the hunter green I’d selected hugged the new curves and bump I’d recently acquired.

  “Thank you,” she said, glancing away as she did any time I gave her a compliment. I scanned the area behind her, wondering where Roman was, or Rick. “How are you feeling?” she asked.

  “Fantastic,” I answered honestly. “Four months and we’ve made it to the second trimester which thankfully means a lot less morning sickness and a whole lot more energy.”

  “Really? That’s great news!”

  Nixon slid his hand over my lower back. “It’s true,” he said. “You have been much more…energetic.”

  Heat flushed over my skin as I teasingly glared up at him. I pinched the hard muscle on his bicep, not at all hidden by the immaculate black suit he wore. Teagan laughed softly, and I brought my attention back to her.

  “How are—”

  “Nixon!” Rick’s voice cut over mine as the burly man made his way over to us. The drink in his hand sloshed over the rim of his glass, and he quickly licked off the contents. “Bro, you donated a million? What, felt like making an example out of all of us or do you need a favor from the governor?”

  A million?

  Holy hell. I knew the man made an incredible living, but to be in the position to simply write a check for a million for charity had my head spinning.

  “Keep it down, man,” Nixon chided, his jaw flexing. “I didn’t want half of North Carolina to know that.”

  Rick shrugged, sliding an arm around Teagan’s shoulders without ever having actually looked at her. “Next time give the rest of us a heads-up.”

  “Why?” Nixon asked, his muscles tightening. “You rarely donate to any of the charities the Raptors sponsor each year.”

  Rick stilled, his eyes locking on Nixon’s. “What’s biting your ass?” He shook his head, a sloppy smile on his face as his eyes landed on me. “Or should I ask what’s not biting you.”

  I glared at him, my lips parting—

  “How many have you had, Rick?” Teagan asked, and Rick’s cocky smile shifted to pure ice as he withdrew his arm from around her and finally looked down at her.

  “Was I talking to you?” His words were low and calm, and I almost didn’t hear him despite him standing only a few feet away. Teagan’s eyes widened, but she quickly looked down and away.

  “Rick,” Nixon said, his tone pure warning. “Walk with me.” Nixon flashed me a look, and I nodded, assuring him I’d be all right.

  Rick rolled his eyes but followed Nixon as he navigated them around the edge of the gardens, stopping every so often at a new group of mingling people. Another party full of celebrities, political power-players, professional athletes, coaches, and so on.

  “He isn’t always like that,” Teagan said after a few quiet moments. She fiddled with the drink in her hand. “This season has been really hard on him. He’s under a lot of pressure…”

  And things will get better once he’s achieved x, y, z.

  I’d studied cases like hers hundreds of times—not that she was a client or a case—but I couldn’t always turn it off. Couldn’t always act like I didn’t see what others couldn’t. She may be happy with Rick, but it wasn’t exactly a healthy relationship.

  “I get it,” I said honestly, hoping that my Spidey sense was overreacting. Could be possible, especially with the pregnancy hormones. I could be overly protective of my new friend and simply cranky at anyone who threw shade her way. “It happens.” I shrugged. “But, you know, I’m here if you ever need to vent.”

  Teagan smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Thanks, Liberty,” she said. “I really appreciate it.” She sighed. “I like having you around. I’m glad Nixon is being good to you. I’d hate for him to run you off.” There was a lightness returning to her tone that helped set my nerves at ease.

  I don’t run from you.

  The promise we’d made each other echoed in my mind.

  “Not yet,” I teased, my eyes scanning the crowd. He stood between Roman and Rick. I’d found him like I’d always known where he was. The man wasn’t hard to miss with his incredible frame, dark hair, and penetrating gaze that had the ability to render me absolutely useless. “I do love his little family, though,” I said, smiling at the way he laughed at something Roman had said. “You and Roman and Hendrix,” I clarified in case she thought I was talking about Nathan.r />
  “Yeah,” she said. “It’s funny how the team is like a family, only more intense in some ways.”

  I nodded. “I guess you have to be when you all rely on each other on a daily basis.” I straightened as I watched a few blondes stroll up to the group of men, their smiles wide and laughs loud. One of them seemed vaguely familiar—a cheerleader?—and put her hand on Nixon’s arm.

  I resisted the urge to hiss. I’d been to more than my fair share of these public events now, and yet somehow, I still wasn’t used to the constant pawing for Nixon’s attention. God, it must be exhausting—the sport of hunting for a rich and famous partner to exploit.

  “Ugh,” a feminine groan snapped me out of my sizzling stare. A gorgeous young girl with fiery red hair tied back in a wonder woman braid strolled right between Teagan and me. She plucked the glass from Teagan’s hand and tossed back the contents. “These things are always the same.”

  “Savannah!” Teagan chided, but a genuine smile shaped her lips. “If your dad catches you drinking my drink he’ll kill me.”

  “Drank,” Savannah said, setting the now-empty glass on the bar.

  Teagan shook her head at the bartender’s silent question.

  “I’m almost twenty-one,” Savannah said as she leaned against the bar. Her black romper showed her mile-long legs which were capped off with some moto boots, studs lining their seams. Her eyes tracked someone across the greenery, and I followed her gaze to Hendrix Malone, one of Nixon’s best friends.

  Hendrix wore a suit of royal blue, no doubt to accentuate his crushing blue eyes. He’d kept his blond hair disheveled with that just-rolled-out-of-bed look, as if he needed to rebel against the clean lines of his immaculate suit. And that smile? Pure mischief as he walked through the gardens like he was on the prowl.

  Savannah tensed slightly when she caught me watching her, and then rolled her eyes. “It’s a curse,” she said. “Being surrounded by hot men constantly. You can’t look anywhere without spotting one.” The girl radiated strength and that I-don’t-give-a-fuck attitude.

  I instantly liked her.

  Teagan laughed, nudging her. “Please, no more sneaking drinks tonight? I’d rather not get an earful from Coach.”

  “He’d go after Rick first,” Savannah said, then shrugged. “Or maybe Roman. Either way, he adores you, so your murder accusations are completely off-base.”

  “You’re Coach Goodman’s daughter?” I asked.

  “The one and only,” she said, extending her hand. “And you must be the infamous Liberty Jones. The mythical unicorn capable of making our broody-ass quarterback smile for a change.”

  I raised my brows, my heart fluttering slightly at that declaration. “I suppose I am,” I chuckled as I shook her hand. “Nice to meet you.”

  “Same,” she said, glancing at Teagan as she returned to leaning against the bar. “It’ll be nice to have some fresh, decent blood in our little girl gang, yeah?”

  Teagan nodded. “Liberty is the real deal. Nothing fake about her.”

  “We can’t stand fake.” Savannah waved an arm at the blondes who were heading toward the bar we gathered around.

  The same ones who’d been all over Nixon and Roman and Rick not five seconds ago. Had they been sent to get drinks, or had the boys made an excuse to get away? I hated that I didn’t know for certain, because while Nixon and I had grown so close these past few weeks, we hadn’t had a label discussion. Hell, I was the one who had emphasized that us having sex didn’t mean anything.

  Out of fear.

  Yes, I’d been a coward. I didn’t want to explore the growing feelings for Nixon because I had no true way of knowing we’d work out in the end. We were from such different worlds and the idea of getting my heart crushed while trying to raise a baby? Not something I’d want to add to my memory book of baby’s first year.

  So, in all legally binding terms when it came to us, he was a free agent. Capable of dating, fucking, or pursuing whoever he wanted.

  My heart dropped into my stomach at the thought, and it was a battle to keep my spine straight as the girls stopped not in front of the bar, but in front of us.

  “You’re still tagging along with Daddy, Savannah? How cute.” The one in the middle—clearly the leader of the vapid gang—said. She wore a glittering white and gold fringe dress that barely cleared her perfect ass, with sparkling heels to match. She didn’t have a flaw on her body—even her hair had defied the soft breeze that had caused mine to frizz over the last hour.

  “Ah, Jackie Lynn,” Savannah said, and the name clicked in my head. She was, in fact, a Raptors cheerleader. The head one, if I remembered correctly. “I see you’re still husband-hunting. How long has the search been on…two years? You think you would have settled down by now.”

  Jackie Lynn tilted her chin up, her gaze narrowing on Savannah for a second before she dismissed her entirely and turned to look at me. “This one always jokes,” she said, pointing her thumb at Savannah. “I don’t believe we’ve met before.” Her eyes raked my body and paused over my stomach for a few seconds. I resisted the urge to smooth my hand over it protectively.

  One of the other blondes whispered something in Jackie Lynn’s ear, then turned to the bartender to order drinks.

  “Liberty,” I said, offering her the same appraisal she’d given me.

  Recognition clicked behind her eyes, but she pinched her brow together. “Liberty…” She let my name hang there.

  “Jones,” I answered.

  She shook her head. “I’m sorry I haven’t heard a peep about you,” she said with a sugar-sweet voice I knew all too well.

  I bit back a smile but elected to remain quiet.

  She popped a hand on her hip, surveying me. “You’re friends with Savannah and Teagan?”

  I arched a brow at Teagan, who rolled her eyes. I nodded at Jackie Lynn before taking a sip of my sparkling apple cider.

  Jackie Lynn’s cheeks tightened a bit at my lack of responses. “Well,” she said, a smile more fake than the bleach in her hair shaping her lips. “Let’s see it.”

  I tilted my head.

  “The ring!” she practically squealed as she reached for my left hand. Her smile faded into a pout when she saw my bare ring finger, and I quickly pulled my hand away. “Oh,” she said. “I just assumed with you being pregnant and all, you’d have one hell of a diamond to show off.”

  Savannah snorted. “What century are you living in, Jackie Lynn?”

  “Or maybe it’s because the father of your child doesn’t find you worth a ring,” she said, ignoring Savannah entirely.

  The words stung, but I grinned at her.

  She pursed her lips, shifting on those heels, her breaths increasing the longer I remained quiet. A few heartbeats longer, and she stepped into my personal space, lowering her voice. “Nixon has been the ungettable get for as long as I can remember,” she hissed. “And, honey, if he ever does decide to settle down, it won’t be with some no-name like you. He needs a woman who can shine in the spotlight next to him, and you just don’t fit that description. And I think it’s downright despicable that you’re trying to tie him down with a baby.”

  Anger sizzled hot through my blood at the implication, but I forced out a laugh.

  She startled, taking a step back as I met her gaze. “What’s funny?”

  “You are,” I said without hesitation, and I swore the chatter around us died down.

  “Excuse me?” she hissed.

  I set my apple cider on the bar, smiling at her with a hint of pity. “It’s funny,” I said, “what all you can learn when you remain quiet.” She tilted her head slightly, so I motioned to her. “True colors always present themselves when the person doesn’t get the reaction they’re looking for.” I laid my hand over my chest. “Hence, my silence to your little progression of an unwarranted tantrum only fueled you to spit the venom you so desperately tried to bury beneath sugar and passive aggression.” I stepped into her space now. “It’s sad, really,” I s
aid. “How insecurity presents itself—high pitches in the vocal cords, attacks on physical appearance, social status, etcetera.”

  “I’m not insecure!” she squeaked. Her friends reached for her, their eyes wide as they tried to pull her away from the scene she was causing.

  “And as for Nixon?” I said, ignoring her denial. “I’m not trying to tie him down with anything, but I sure as hell don’t mind it when he ties me down.” I bit my bottom lip, letting my hunger for Nixon show just a bit.

  “Damn!” Savannah laughed. “Ruthless, I love it.”

  Jackie Lynn scoffed, her eyes widening at something behind me. I didn’t turn around—I knew better than to show my back to a woman who’d gladly take the opening to stab it. She forced a sugary smile on her face before turning to her imploring friends and hurrying away.

  “That was…” Nixon’s voice rumbled behind me, and I whirled around.

  “Too much?” I asked, the rage leaking out of my body and turning to doubt. Had I crossed a line? Had my protective instincts led me to embarrassing Nixon?

  Nixon smirked, his dark eyes churning with heat. “Never,” he said, then glanced behind him at Teagan and Savannah. “Mind if I steal her?”

  “She’s her own woman,” Savannah said, waving us off. “You’d better ask her.”

  Teagan laughed but winked at me.

  I took his outstretched hand. “I’ll allow it,” I said, and let Nixon lead me away from the crowds of people.

  When we’d walked in silence for so long we were surrounded by nothing but the thick expanse of hickory trees, my chest started to tighten.

  “Nix,” I said, wary. “Am I in trouble?”

  He laughed softly but continued leading me down the cobblestone path that twisted deeper onto the property. “Why would you think that?”

  “Oh, I don’t know. Maybe it has to do with you leading me away from public on a property as old as time with no indication as to why. Also, I just totally got all territorial with that cheerleader back there, and I’m sure that wasn’t very attractive—”

  My words died when we rounded a cropping of trees to find a secluded little fountain flickering under the moonlight. Nixon guided us to one of three hand-carved wooden benches lining the fountain, settling me next to him.