Incineration (Heart of Stone) (33 page)

His face swan before me as I heard Beth introduce him to me
and I saw the blood drain from his face as he saw me.

My knees jerked as my hands started to sweat and I started
to pant, blood surged through my veins and every single hair on my body stood
on end. “Ava?” Courtney panicked, highly aware of the signals of when my rage
surfaced.

I growled loudly, literally growled like a fucking wolf. My
eyes glazed over and my shoulders heaved “Oh Shit” I heard Courtney cry as
everybody’s eyes snapped to me “Ava please babe, calm down” she begged as she
looked between me and Dean.

I couldn’t remove my eyes from his face as I slowly saw him
back off and I took a step towards him, there was no way I was letting him go
again

 “OH NO YOU DON’T” I screamed as I charged for him, pure
white fury propelling me into him and knocking him to the ground as I heard
Courtney desperately trying to get through to me “Somebody grab her, she’ll
fucking kill him” she screamed as I heard other peoples shouts. I lashed out
and punched him in the face “YOU FUCKING BASTARD!!” I yelled as I landed
another forceful fist into his face. His nose splattered and sprayed me with
blood and I grabbed his hair and slammed his head down as I continued to scream
and rage at him.

Somebody’s arms circled my waist, desperately trying to pull
me off but my wrath made it impossible as I pummelled him, my fist smashing
repeatedly into his face “I’M GONNA FUCKING KILL YOU!” I roared as I scratched
and spat at him.

“Shit! she’s too strong” I heard Kade shout from behind me
“I need some help here!” he screamed and I felt another pair of hands grab at
me and pull me back “Someone call Mason” I heard Nate shout but I had zoned out
and all I could concentrate on was killing this man before me.

As I was pulled away I broke free and landed some hard kicks
into his ribs and stomach as he curled up defensively “Shit Ava, calm down”
Nate cried as he tried to grab me again but I reached down and hovered over the
pitiful sight of a coward “This one’s for Katie you bastard” I roared and
kicked him straight in the mouth, his lips and teeth exploded and he gave out a
high pitched squeal

“Holy Crap!” Kade yelled and tackled me to the ground,
straddling me from behind “Get fucking off me!” I bellowed and struggled
underneath him “Get off me Kade!” I screamed “Ava, calm down sweetheart…calm
down” he lay completely over the top of me, trapping me securely under him as
his hand swept my hair away from my sweaty cheek.

I was laid flat out on my stomach with my face pushed to the
side on the ground as Kade held me down with his entire frame, his head resting
on mine “Hush Ava” he soothed as he continued to stroke my hair back,
rhythmically and tenderly “Ssshhh” he soothed as I struggled to breathe and
calm down “Let me go Kade…please” I begged now sobbing with a need to end this
bastard.

Kade let out a heart-breaking sigh at my plea “Ava, calm
down” he whispered as he continued to hold me down “But I need to finish him” I
sobbed as the adrenaline was bottoming out “For Katie” I begged but he refused
to move “I can’t let you go Ava” he said softly, my pleas and sobs tearing at
him “Ssshhh Ava” he rasped as I wept and screamed and tried to crawl out from
under him, my fingers clawing desperately into the ground “Jesus Ava, stop” he
choked out but I sobbed and begged and scratched and clawed but I couldn’t move
“Please Kade” I beseeched, my heart breaking at my inability to revenge Katie’s
death “Katie” I screamed and cried “Katie”

I whimpered as I felt Kades weight lift from me and somebody
lifting me up and cradling me.

 “Baby…I’m here, Ava” Masons broken voice reached my senses
and I looked up at him. His eyes begged at me, the love and distress in them
floored me “Katie” I whimpered as I tried to tell him with my eyes and he
frowned “What?” he froze as he took a quick glance over at the beaten man,
curled into a foetal position and he narrowed his eyes.

My haze was starting to clear and I could make out Nate and
Kade crouched down in front of us “Baby? Is that him?” Mason asked calmly and
gently “Yes” I sobbed and I sensed him freeze and the snarl that left his
throat made my blood freeze “Mason?” Nate asked cautiously. “Take her and phone
Sam and Greg” he ordered to Kade as he shifted me across to Kades lap and he
stood and very slowly stalked over to Dean.

As Mason loomed over him I heard a whimper from Dean and
Mason cocked his head, regarding him as though he was prey. He crouched down in
front of him, his forearms resting on his powerful thighs “Do you know who she
is?” he asked, an eerie calm to his voice that made me shudder and Kades arms
tightened round me. Dean gulped but didn’t reply “I SAID DO YOU KNOW WHO SHE
IS?” he thundered and Dean nodded rapidly and Mason nodded “Then you know why
you are laid here…like this” he sneered and Dean nodded again “Mmmm, well that
woman happens to be the woman I love. You cross her and unfortunately for you
that means you cross me” Mason stated frankly “I love Ava very much and that
means I want to help her get revenge for her friends excruciating death. A
death so fucking horrific, that it has plagued her nightmares for 5 fucking
years. Do you understand what that means?” he asked serenely, rolling his head
around his neck.

 Dean whimpered again and Masons hand shot out and grabbed a
fist full of his hair, dragging his face close to Masons “It means your day
just got very very bad” he spat and threw him back down as Sam and Greg
appeared beside him “Find somewhere for him. Ava will deal with him” he
informed them.

They nodded, lifted Dean and carried him away as Mason came
back to me and crouched in front of me “Ava?” he tipped his head and I nodded,
still sat on Kades lap with Courtney at my side, holding my hand “You sure?” he
asked bluntly, not defining the question but I understood every word “Yes” I
replied frankly and he nodded and stood, holding his hand out to me.

I hesitated, staring at his hand, knowing if I did this then
mine and Masons’ relationship would never be the same again. My hand reached
out to his and as I placed it into his he wrapped his long fingers around mine
and pulled me up, slamming me against his body and hugging me tightly “You’re
nearly there baby” he whispered “It’s nearly over Ava” I nodded slowly and then
lifted my head “I need to speak with Beth” I said and he frowned but nodded his
head.

I pulled away and looked into the group of stunned party
goers “I’m so sorry for spoiling your party Liv” I swallowed heavily but she
walked over to me and grabbed my hand “Ava, it’s okay” she said softly and
pulled me to one side “I don’t know what this is about Ava but can I tell you
something?” she said and I nodded “I had been abused by my ex-husband for
several years before I finally took the courage and ended it. We even hired
Masons friend to find him last year but unfortunately it wasn’t me that took
his life but believe me, I would have done it and I would have smiled happily
while I did it, so I’m not going to judge you. We all have different stories
Ava, just make sure yours ends the way you want it too, okay. Sometimes all life
deals you is shit, you just have to learn to accept the hand you’re given and
win…and fucking win good” I looked at her stunned, her words penetrating my
soul and giving me courage to do this.

I sucked my lips between my teeth “I need to…for my
friend…for myself” I said slowly and she nodded “I need to talk to Beth” I told
her and she nodded “Wait here” she said and walked over to Beth, whispered
something in her ear and Beth looked over at me then nodded.

She walked over to me and frowned “I don’t know him very
well Ava but it’s obvious he…he isn’t a very nice guy if it warrants that much
hurt, anger and rage” she said quietly and I took her hand “Do you love him?” I
asked frankly and she shook her head “We only had a couple of dates, you know”

I nodded “I needed to be sure” I sighed “What…what did he
do?” she asked cautiously and my eyes shot to hers “it’s just…well…I slept with
him and Erm…” she seemed to be struggling and I squeezed her hand “if I had
known he was…he was…well I wouldn’t have, you know.” she stuttered

“Beth” I shook my head slightly “I don’t know you very well
but I am well aware that you don’t intentionally sleep with rapists and
murderers” I felt the need to be honest with her, otherwise her imagination
would forever haunt her “Oh Jesus. I’m so sorry” she breathed and I shook my
head again “Your friend, the Katie you were screaming for?” she asked and I
sighed “He raped me and…set fire to my friend…she died” I choked out and she
immediately hugged me close “Oh my God, I’m so sorry Ava” she whispered “You
need to end your nightmares” she breathed and I pulled back and regarded her
“Thank you” I said softly and she smiled and nodded, took my hand and led me
back to Mason who was talking rapidly on his phone.

As soon as he saw me approach he ended the call and took my
hand, sweeping his finger across my jaw and his eyes held mine “Ready?” he
asked and I nodded and raised my eyes to the sky as a calm enveloped me, a
chapter of my life was coming to an end and I knew right there and then that I
needed Mason by my side “You won’t leave me?” I asked him quietly and he cupped
my cheek “No baby, I’ll be with you every step, okay?” he promised and I smiled
and nodded “Thank you” I whispered as he led me to his car and as I climbed in
and sat down, he appeared beside me, crouched down so low I was surprised his
knees didn’t snap “Ava, I…I…” he stuttered but I shook my head “Not now Mason”
he nodded “Later though? Please” he practically begged and I nodded. He exhaled
heavily and ran his thumb over my bottom lip “Thank you” he whispered and
placed a gentle kiss on my forehead.

Turning to the window I spotted Kades pale face watching me;
the distress, longing and admiration blazed from his eyes but as we pulled away
he pulled two fingers to his temple and saluted me with a wink, raising a small
smile from my lips.

I closed my eyes and forced myself into my zone as we pulled
away from Nates house and made our way towards a deserted warehouse, somewhere
in the back of beyond, somewhere I would never return to after today but somewhere
I would never forget.

I walked into the warehouse 20 minutes later and I swear, as
I held the gun to his head I saw Katie smiling at me from behind him.

I shot him with a single bullet to the head and then turned
and walked out, never looking back and feeling nothing but numbness. It was the
only thing that helped me through it; the detachment and Masons hand in mine,
grasping me firmly as I pulled the trigger.

As I exited the building the door swung closed behind us and
the gun slipped from my hand, clattering loudly on the floor as I finally
gasped a full breath. Mason lifted me up and placed me gently in the back seat
of the car as Sam drove us home.

I was silent throughout the journey, my hand securely imprisoned
in Masons as he cradled me in his lap, frequently placing soft kisses on my
forehead and whispering words of love.

I was still disengaged from reality as we pulled up at
Mason’s house and he carried me in, laid me on the bed and removed my boots.

He walked into the bathroom and pre-warmed the shower for me
and then came back and crouched in front of me, stroking my hair “Baby” he said
softly “The shower is ready, I’m going to leave you to it…I presume…well I…” he
sighed and looked away “I take it you want to be alone” he finally said and my
eyes swept to his but I still didn’t speak. His agonised expression caused me
to nod slowly at him, I desperately wanted his arms around me, comforting and
loving me but I was still too numb so I just nodded and he smiled gently “I
love you Ava” he whispered against my head as he kissed me and left the room.

I slowly rose from the bed, dragged my feet across the floor
and entered the shower cubicle, fully clothed. I stood under the torrent of
water, watching it streak pink with the blood from my clothes and I tipped my
head to study it. It swirled into pretty patterns, whirling round my feet and
down the drain, into the sewers, down to the depths of hell and back to its
host.

My green dress was covered in his remains and I suddenly had
an overwhelming urge to peel it away from me, the thought that a part of him
was touching me had me scrambling and ripping it off, shredding it between my
fingers in the desperation to get it off me. I eventually removed it and threw
it across the bathroom, doing the same with my underwear as my emotions were
slowly returning.

I turned the shower to cold, the need for a stimulant to
wake me from the zone and its icy current powered into me, scratching at my
pores and nerve endings and bringing my body back to life.

closing my eyes I leant my head back, the freezing water now
pouring over my face whilst I slid to the floor and huddled my knees up as
Katie’s happy smile settled in my head, her cheeky laugh and her beautiful face
brought the first wave of sobs and the vision of her waving as she disappeared into
the background brought the first tremors surging through my body and her final
words of thank you in my ears brought the first torrent of screams; screams of
release and finality.

Mason appeared suddenly and collapsed down on the floor with
me, huddling me close. He reached over and increased the temperature as he held
me and we sat, clinging to each other on the floor, in the shower for a long
time as my body drained away all the torture, pain and horror of that night,
ultimately liberating me and at long last laying Katie to rest.

I tilted my head back and looked at Mason’s heartbroken
face; his utter love, devotion and regret evident on his tight features “When
was the last time you used coke?” I asked openly and he sighed “Yesterday” he
said without hesitation and I searched his eyes for the truth and nodded,
thankful for his open honesty.