The NSC Boxset: Heart of Stone (103 page)

His head tipped back onto the sofa as I nibbled on his neck, riding him slowly. “Jesus Ava, you feel good.” I sped up, plunging faster and harder. “Fuck me, Baby,” he groaned as he lifted my hips and slammed me down on to him “Harder, Ava,” he growled.

I did as requested, riding him hard and fast. His hands slid round to cup my arse. “I need you to come Ava, now,” he snarled as he slipped his little finger into my bottom. I growled like a feral animal and smashed down on him, grinding against him as I took all of him.

“Yes!” he growled as we came together, gripping each other tightly, panting and groaning, just as there came a knock on the door.

“Fuck!” I moaned and went to slide off him.

“Wait,” he demanded as he ground his hips into me and I squeezed him dry. He kissed my nose and buttoned up my shirt and then lifted me off him and nodded.

I straightened my skirt and went to the door, taking a huge deep breath before I opened it.

“Hey, sweetheart” Kade greeted as I swung open the door.

“Hey.” I said softly, shifting sideways as he came in for a kiss.

I flicked my eyes to the room and he frowned. “Mason’s here,” I mouthed. He rolled his eyes but nodded. “Come in” I said and shrugged an apology at him.

We walked into the lounge to see Mason only just zipping himself up.

Crafty Mason, very crafty.

Kade took it all in. His eyes flicked to mine in question and then dropped to my neck. He closed his eyes in dismay as he saw Mason’s branding.
He cocked his head to one side and rubbed his temples. “Oh Ava.” He shook his head in pity.

I froze to the spot as Mason flew off the couch and pinned Kade against the wall within seconds.

“Shit, Mason,” I grumbled as I grabbed his arm.

His hand tightened around Kade’s neck. “You have a problem, Kade?” he snarled, his eyes raging and his jaw clenched so tightly I wondered if his teeth would crack.

Kade sighed heavily. “Why won’t you leave her be, Mason?”

I cringed. What the hell was he playing at? You just don’t anger Mason more when he has a grip on your neck!

Mason raised his eyebrows at him. “You have a problem with me and Ava being together?” He smirked as Kade winced against his hold.

“Mason, will you put him down!” I demanded but he ignored me as I had expected.

“You will fucking hurt her, Mason. How many fucking times do you have to break her heart?” Kade snapped.

Mason narrowed his eyes on him but then to my surprise he dropped him. Kade immediately rubbed his neck.

“I know you care for her Kade but she’s mine.”

Kade scoffed. “She not a fucking car Mason, she’s not an item to be fucking owned!” he yelled and my eyes widened.

“Kade please, you’re just making it worse,” I pleaded.

His gaze shot to me. “This is what you want, Ava? Someone who controls and dominates you until they take over your fucking life and grind you down?”

Mason snarled, pulled his fist back and slammed it forcefully into Kade’s face.

“For fucks sake Mason, stop it!” I screamed as Kade’s nose disintegrated, splattering Mason and me with blood but he grabbed Kade’s hair and brought his knee painfully into Kade’s stomach. I shot over, pulling at Mason’s arm.

Kade stood back up and I nearly screamed at him to stay down.

Just as Mason jerked his arm back to throw another punch I jumped in-between them. “Stop!” I yelled and clenched my eyes shut tightly as Mason’s fist came towards me.

I heard Mason’s sharp intake of breath. “FUCK AVA!!” he bellowed, “How fucking stupid!”

I peeked through my half closed eyes and took a deep breath.

“Kade, go!” I snapped. He glared at me. “Go!”

He shook his head at me. “He will hurt you Ava, I can promise you that.”

“For God’s sake Kade . . . GO!” I ordered and he huffed and left, slamming the door behind him.

I turned my attention to Mason. “Does it always come down to violence with you when somebody says something you don’t like?”

He cocked his head to the side and narrowed his eyes. “Why are you sticking up for him Ava?” he asked coldly and I scoffed.

“Don’t even go there, Mason” I warned and turned away but he snatched hold of my arm.

“Well?” he asked snidely.

“He is my friend and you’ve just fucking beat him up. What the hell do you expect Mason? And to be honest he has a fucking point doesn’t he,” I slammed, my rage taking over my brain and not filtering anything that was coming out of my mouth.

“What the fuck does that mean?”

“Well look at this afternoon, you do dominate and control me Mason, I mean ‘Don’t come’ what the hell was that?”

He turned away, raking his hands through his hair. “You said something I didn’t like.”

My eyes widened. “I said something you don’t like?” I was gobsmacked. “Kade just said something you don’t like so you pummelled him, how long before that’s me?”

His eyes widened. “I would never hurt you Ava, you know that.”

“What about this afternoon? Do you not think what you did to me at work today didn’t hurt me?”

“I just fucked you Ava, that’s all!” he barked. I reared back at the icy tone of his words.

“You just fucked me . . . Damn right you just fucked me because it sure as hell wasn’t love,” I snapped, shaking my head in despair. “Get out!” I demanded.

“No!” he refused, crossing his arms over his chest. My breaths were heavy with my rage.

“I asked you to get the fuck out!” I roared.

He winced. “What the hell is wrong with you?” he hissed. “Did you want to fuck Kade tonight and I spoiled your plans?”

My palm shot across his cheek and the sting shot through both of us. “GET THE FUCK OUT NOW!”

“Ava, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean that.” He grimaced but I shook my head and walked up the stairs.

“You either go now or I will phone the police.” I climbed the stairs without looking back.

“Ava, please, baby,” he begged but I carried on, determined not to let him see my tears.

As I opened my bedroom door I heard the front door close gently and I flaked on my bed, curled up and cried . . . once again!

* * *

The business trip was just what I needed. Nate was funny, considerate of my pregnancy and a good friend to be with.

We signed the contract by New Year’s Eve and enjoyed a celebratory drink that night at a party hosted by the hotel we were staying at. Kade wasn’t answering my calls and that hurt, I was saddened that he blamed me for what had happened but maybe it was for the best, to lay some things to rest for him where I was concerned.

We were all singing Auld Lang Syne, hands crossed and joined as the bells tolled when my phone vibrated from my bag hung on my hip.

I sighed as I saw Mason’s name on the display. I hadn’t contacted him after the Kade incident, he had rung a few times, texted numerous apologies but I hadn’t replied.

I jiggled my phone at Nate as he was talking to Liv on his to let him know I was taking the call out of the room.

“Hi,” I said quietly as I answered, strolling into the grounds at the rear of the hotel, stepping around amorous couples. He was silent but I heard his breathing. “Mason?”

“Avaaaa” he slurred and I sighed heavily.

“Are you okay?” I asked slowly.

He laughed bitterly. “Am I okay?”

I frowned. “Mason?”

“Well let’s see, shall we, Ava. I’m marrying a fucking whore in a few months, my lover has been fucking someone else and I really
REALLY
need to fuck you raw right this moment.”

My eyes grew and grew and tears welled. “Okay . . . Is that why you rang, to insult me?” I grated between clenched teeth.

“Huh? How can it be insulting if it’s true?” he garbled.

“So you think I’m fucking someone else?” I scoffed, my voice rising.

“Well aren’t you?” he dragged out slowly.

“Jesus Christ, Mason! What the hell is wrong with you? You know I’m not screwing Kade anymore.” I sighed, trying to calm myself down, plonking myself on a bench and holding my forehead in my hand.

“Well you’re not here are you?” he whined.

“What the hell? You know I’m in Belgium with Nate.” I implored tiredly, shaking my head in frustration.

“Are you fucking Nate too, Ava?” he laughed humourlessly.

“Okay Mason. Stop right now! What are you on?” He laughed. “Have you taken coke?” I closed my eyes in anticipation for the answer. I knew deep down that he was high, the stuff made him nasty and paranoid. “Well?” I urged.

“What has it got to do with you anyway, Ava? You don’t want me anymore.”

A tear dripped down my face. “Where are you Mason?” I asked but he just huffed.

“Why? You gonna come and fuck me, Ava? Wrap those sweet pussy lips round my cock and ride me into oblivion?”

He was really pissing me off now . . . Damn fucking cocaine! “Mason, please, I love you and I just want to know where you are. I’m worried about you.”

“I don’t fucking know, a club somewhere. Xanadu I think.”

I sighed in relief. “I’m going now Mason, we’ll talk when I get back. I love you.”

“You are coming back then?” he slurred and I rolled my eyes, irritation and exasperation coursing through me.

“Of course I’m coming back baby. I’ll be home the day after tomorrow and I expect you to come and love me.”

It was breaking my heart to hear him like this. I knew it wasn’t him talking but it was his head that believed everything he was saying. “I love you Ava. I miss you baby, please don’t leave me,” he choked out and my heart clenched for him.

“I love you too Mason, so much baby. I promise with all my heart that I won’t leave you. I can’t wait to see you,” I whispered and ended the call before my heart shattered.

Quickly scrolling my contacts I dialled Sam’s number. “Hey Ava, Happy New Year sweetheart,” he shouted happily over the din wherever he was.

“And you Sam, listen I need you to do me a favour.” I could hear others in the background and already hated myself for ruining his new year.

“What’s up?”

“Mason’s bad Sam, he’s high and drunk in Xanadu’s.”

“Shit!” he hissed. “I’m on my way.”

“Thank you, Sam. Will you text me when you’ve got him?”

“Of Course sweetheart. Don’t worry Ava, I’ll sort him out.”

I smiled. “Thanks Sam. You’re a good friend to him and I love you for it,” I choked.

“Hey Ava, it’ll be fine, I promise,” he said softly. I swallowed and said goodbye then walked over to a quiet empty bench and allowed the to tears flow.

I hated to see or hear Mason like that; it broke my heart that he was hurting so much he needed the use of cocaine to block out his life. I had to get my plan into action sooner rather than later.

I rested my elbows on my knees and sobbed into my hands as I felt Nate sit beside me and put his arm around my shoulder. “Hey Ava, what’s wrong?”

“Mason’s high and pissed.”

“Oh god,” he sighed and pulled me into him as I wept and he patiently rubbed my back and whispered words of encouragement in my ear.

I eventually pulled back. “Sorry,” I sighed.

“Hey, no problem. That’s what I’m here for.”

“He said some pretty nasty stuff.” I bit my lip, refusing to let more tears fall.

“He didn’t mean it Ava, it’s the drugs.”

I nodded. “I know.” And luckily I did otherwise I would have been on the next plane and smashing his face against my fist.

My phone alerted a text:

SAM

I’ve got him sweetheart. Don’t worry; I’m taking him home with me.

I sighed in relief. “Sam’s found him.”

“He’ll be fine, Ava.”

I nodded. “You’re a good friend Nate, thank you.” I smiled as he side huddled me.

“And you Ava, come on, you’re missing the midnight nibbles.” He laughed when he saw my eyes widen.

“Oh God, they have midnight nibbles?” I sighed, smiled and rubbed my hands together. “What the hell are we doing out here then?”

We both laughed. I followed the smell as my babies kicked excitedly at the sweet aroma. “Just like your mother,” Nate said as I had put his hand on my belly when they started.

I laughed. “Too damn right.”

CHAPTER 22

NATE AND I spent New Year’s Day holed up in his hotel suite, watching old black and white movies and sitcom repeats while pigging out on room service, chocolate and sweets and it was just what I needed. I was so relaxed in Nate’s Company, we were both in pyjamas, and with my hair a mess and no make-up . . . it was a perfect day.

We arrived back in the UK on the Friday and we were in the chauffeured car on our way back, both of us yawning and flaked out on the back seat.

“You okay to do The Black Panther next Saturday?”

“Are you sure about this, Ava?” he grimaced.

“You still worried about Mason?” I asked, feeling a little sympathetic towards him now I had seen what Mason had done to Kade.

He nodded. “Yeah a little,” he admitted.

“Well how about you bring Liv along then it won’t look like me and you went together on our own. Would it be Liv’s thing? I mean I’ll probably be in William’s office so you and her can have a shifters, see what it’s like. You never know she might
really
like it.” I gave him a waggle of my eyebrows, removing my shoes and rubbing my swollen feet. They seemed to be getting bigger and I was preparing myself for flats, scowling to myself at the thought.

“Might be a good idea. I think Liv would give it go.” He pursed his lips and cocked his head in thought. “We could get Erin to babysit and make a night of it; you know, meal first then the club. Fancy that?” He raised his head in query and I nodded happily.

“Sounds good,” I smiled, “But please don’t let slip to Mason. I need to do this on my own.”

He sighed. “Ava, I know you didn’t tell me everything and I’m worried about you, please promise me you’ll be careful.” I smiled softly at him.

“I promise, I’m only going to see William, don’t worry,” I appeased as my phone alerted a text:

COURTNEY

Hey babe, Kim, Sal and me are off clubbing tonight, you fancy it?

Luv ya xxx

ME

Definitely but not sure how long I will last . . . knackered but I’ll try and have an hour this afternoon.