The NSC Boxset: Heart of Stone (134 page)

“Well, I suppose if it’s okay with Kerrie,” I agreed and both men beamed at me.

“Good Girl,” Greg grinned as he stood and kissed my head again before planting one on Katie and George. Mason looked at him expectantly, “Fuck that!” Greg laughed and turned to leave. “We’ll see you up there then, Friday night.” He winked and left.

I carried on feeding Katie and then stole a quick glance at a quiet Mason. He was staring at me intensely, his eyes dark and hooded as I cocked my head at him in query. “I was just thinking how utterly beautiful you are,” he said softly and I let out a small sigh.

“And me, you,” I whispered as I stood and cupped his face. I gazed at him for a while, studying his beautiful face and as I leaned down to kiss him, George blew a raspberry. I rested my forehead on Mason’s as he laughed and sighed heavily then turned my head to George, “How appropriate Georgie, sloppy wet kisses.” I sucked and blew on his neck and he rewarded me with one of his fantastic chuckles as Katie started bouncing about in her chair for the same.

“Arghhhh I’ll never get to work with you monsters” I groaned playfully and was grateful as Mason scooped her up.

“I’ll take them in baby, you set off,” he offered as he nuzzled Katie.

“You sure?” I asked as I gathered up my things.

“Yeah, go on.” He picked George up and brought them both to me for a kiss.

“Will you sort the weekend out with Kerrie?” I asked and he nodded.

“Yeah, I’m glad we’re going,” he smiled tenderly and palmed my cheek.

“Me too,” I nodded.

“I’m gonna fuck you senseless all weekend woman,” he growled and I scurried out of the house before he started trying to pin me down in front of the children.

“You animal!” I snarled mischievously and winked as I shut the door behind me.

Neo drove me in to work. He was quieter than his usual self and my heart broke for him, the loss of his friend had hit him hard.

“I’m sorry, Neo,” I said quietly into the silence of the car.

He slipped his hand over mine. “No Ava, it’s not your fault. We all knew the risks of the job when we took it on.” He sighed heavily.

“It still doesn’t help though, Neo. If it weren’t for me he’d still be here.”

I turned to gaze out of the window, avoiding his face. “Ava, you can’t think like that. Do you blame Mason even though if it wasn’t for him you wouldn’t have met Dane, or do you blame George because if it wasn’t for him you wouldn’t have met Mason or do you blame Katie because it was the events from that night that led you to meet George or do you even blame your parents for dying then you wouldn’t have met Katie? The list is endless Ava and in the end, it all hangs on the person that actually killed Frank . . . not you!” He was furious with me and I nodded slowly, understanding his words, the truth and honesty of them.

We pulled into the car park, Neo exited the car and did a swift scan of our surroundings, coming round and opening my door when he deemed it safe.

Silently, we both made our way up to the 50
th
floor and I sombrely made coffee for us all, knowing my first task of the day was to face Nate after yesterday’s episode with Kade and taking a deep breath, I opened his office door. “Fuck, sorry!” I swiftly turned, my eyes burning against the image of Liv bent over Nate’s desk, his arse pumping away at her.

I groaned and climbed into my desk chair, leaning my elbows on the desk and burying my face in my hands. Neo smirked at me when I looked up, his eyes flashing with humour and a sparkle that had been missing since yesterday. “That’s bloody twice now.” I shook my head in despair as the image of them in William’s club sprang forward. Neo sucked on his lips but couldn’t hold back the laughter. “Shush,” I giggled. “I know he’s one of my best friends but he’s also my boss and I should have fucking knocked . . . and he should’ve locked the bloody door!”

I swiftly switched on my PC as his door opened. Braving it out I looked up straight into Liv’s eyes, a twinkle shone in them and she winked at me as she made her way to the elevator with a chuckle.

“Ava!” Nate boomed and I cringed.

“Oops.” Neo chuckled and I glared at him. “Revenge is sweet,” he smirked. I knew he was referring to the time when we made him think we were having a threesome in Nate’s office.

I sighed, pushed my chair back and this time I knocked before I entered. I walked in timidly, hiding my face behind my hair. “I’m so sorry,” I whispered and I heard his sigh.

“Sit down Ava,” he grumbled.

Shit! This didn’t sound good.

“How are you? I heard about what happened and I’ve had the buildings security raised.”

“Thanks,” I said quietly.

“Jesus, Ava,” he breathed angrily as he came round the desk to me and squatted in front of me. He palmed my cheek and sighed heavily. “Talk to me sweetheart. I wanna help,” he urged softly.

“What’s to say? Nothing will bring Frank back, nothing will help get Mason clean, nothing will take away my nightmares of Dane and that damn fucking room,” I sobbed, everything finally bursting free.

“Oh, sweetheart.” He pulled me off the chair and huddled me up, both of us embracing on the carpet. This is what I needed, a friend, an ear and a good hug.

* * *

“I’m afraid we have another business lunch today,” Nate informed me when we were sat on his couch synchronizing our diaries and some documents. I nodded as I stood and helped myself to his coffee machine. “It’s with Gary Thornton again.” He raised his eyebrows and smirked when I groaned.

“Well this should be fun,” I muttered as I handed him his coffee.

He pursed his lips as his phone beeped and he read a text, frowning severely. I noticed his eyes darken. “Everything okay?” I asked as I cocked my head.

“Mmm.” He seemed angry about something and I took it as my cue to leave but as I put my hand on the door handle he shouted me back.

“Ava, if Eleanor St Clair comes in, do not let her in my office,” he told me sharply and I frowned.

“Can I use force?” I wiggled my eyebrows at him and his face transformed into a lovely smile.

“Please do, lots of it.”

I laughed and shook my head as I went back to my desk and laughed to myself as I found Neo asleep on the reception couch. “Some bodyguard you are!” I laughed quietly as I switched the phone to ‘light up only’ mode to kill the ring tone; he’d obviously had a bad night’s sleep with everything that had happened last night and I set to work quietly.

After about an hour I looked up as I heard someone approach and I stared straight into Eleanor St Clair’s flinty eyes. Smiling falsely, I stood up to greet her. No way was she getting a head start this time.

“Can I help you Miss St Clair?” I asked politely. Her eyes swept over me and I could see the coldness in her eyes. Why did men go for these kind of women; hard, cold and callous? I knew she was an ex-lover of Nate’s and I couldn’t help comparing her to Rebecca. I couldn’t find much that wasn’t similar about these women and I wondered if I should swap their numbers between them, they’d get on brilliantly; two evil bitches together.

She tipped her head to me, “Yes, I’d like to see Nate.”

‘No please?’ I felt like saying but I doubted she’d ever used the word in her whole life. “I’m sorry but Mr Carter is busy today.” Her lip curled at me and she took a step towards me in a challenge. I smiled inwardly. Bring it on Bitch!!

Her eyes narrowed on me as I took a step towards her. “I said Mr Carter is busy and hasn’t time for any new appointments today,” I stated more firmly.

“Oh he’ll see me,” she answered with a sneer.

“Oh, he won’t see you,” I retorted and the sneer fell as she narrowed her eyes on me.

She took two large strides across the room towards Nate’s office. I grabbed her wrist as she went to pass me. “I’m sorry, but as I’ve already told you, you won’t be seeing Mr Carter today.”

She pulled her wrist but I didn’t let go. “Let go of me,” she spat and I raised my eyebrows at her.

“If you turn around and leave then I will let go of you, but if you continue to be awkward I will have no choice but to call security and have you removed from the building.”

I cringed as I saw Liv strolling down the corridor towards us. I noticed her step falter as she spotted Eleanor and her shoulders heaved. I trained my eyes on her and she caught my expression. Her lips curved wickedly. I suppressed my own grin as she approached us.

“Good morning Ava. I’ll go in, he’s just rang and said he needs me bent over his desk. My husband is insatiable,” she laughed as she walked straight past us, completely ignoring Eleanor as she entered his room. I heard the lock click behind her.

I smirked slyly at Eleanor. “Well he’s definitely busy now,” I mocked. She snatched her hand back, gave his office door one quick glance as we heard giggles coming from his office and then she turned and stormed out.

“Goodbye Miss St Clair,” I shouted at her swiftly retreating back.

* * *

Nate and I were sat chatting in ‘La Roche’ waiting for Gary Thornton when my hairs suddenly stood on end at a familiar screeching laugh. “Oh Fuck!” I grated through clenched teeth.

Nate turned in his chair to inspect the horrific sound and swiftly turned back round. “Yep.” He sighed and I groaned.

“Could this day get any fucking worse?” I asked, more to myself than Nate.

“Yep,” Nate retorted. I frowned at him and his eyes shifted to me, “she’s coming over.”

Nate suddenly shot from his chair at Gary’s arrival and I groaned inwardly, could Gary have chosen a worse time to join us? He grinned at us both as he raised my hand to his mouth and kissed my knuckles. “How lovely to see you again, Miss Stone,” he beamed, his face full of humour. I knew he was recalling our last lunch.

I tipped my head to him and scrunched my nose in a grimace. I leaned in to his ear while he still grasped my hand. “I apologise for our last lunch, Gary.”

He frowned and shook his head. “No need, Miss Stone,” he said with a twinkle in his eye.

I nodded and clicked my tongue as I saw Rebecca in my peripheral vision. “I also apologise for this lunch.” I grimaced apologetically and he gave me a quizzical look.

Holding up a finger to him, I took a deep breath before I spun round to Rebecca. “Fuck off,” I spat, wasting no time to show her my disgust and hatred.

I caught the flash in her eyes before I saw the evil curl of her lips. I knew exactly what was coming but I spoilt her fun. “I know you fucked him and now I want you to fuck off before I rip every single strand of your false hair out of your head and feed each one personally through each of your veins.”

She took a step backwards, a hint of fear flicking through her eyes. “Oh I would definitely fear me, Rebecca,” I snarled in her ear as I leaned in close to her, “I’m giving you one more chance to keep your claws off Mason before I make you regret it, and don’t think I won’t follow through Rebecca because I will, and I will enjoy every fucking moment I tear you apart.” I grabbed the top of her arm in a tight grip and she flinched in pain, her teeth sunk into her bottom lip. “He’s mine,” I growled and her eyes shot to mine. “Oh yeah, I’m just as fucking possessive as he is and I have the same reactions as he does to someone else touching what’s his . . . understand?” she glared at me for a moment and then sighed, gave me a nod and turned on her heel.

Taking a large breath and closing my eyes to regain my composure, I turned back to my lunch dates. “Sorry about that gentlemen.” I smiled at them both and noticed Gary’s wide eyes. “Now that bitch is off the menu shall we order?” I grinned. Nate snorted loudly and then laughed.

“You are so hot when you’re mad,” he mocked as he side huddled me and laughed. Gary grinned at me and his eyebrows rose.

“Shall we get down to business?” he smirked and he gave me a wicked grin.

“Of course Mr Thornton, you now have my undivided attention.” I gave him a wry smile and he shook his head in humour.

Halfway through the lunch, I was starting to feel a little uncomfortable with Gary’s inquisitive looks at me but then he gave up hiding them and just started staring at me with a puzzled frown.

I cleared my throat and shifted in my seat, trying not to attract any more of his attention. Nate was giving Gary some warning looks but there was something in Gary’s eyes that showed me he wasn’t sexually attracted to me, but there was still something troubling him. Eventually I sighed heavily and turned my stare to his. “Is there something you want to ask, Gary?” I asked forthright and he grimaced.

“Sorry,” he muttered and looked away but then his eyes shot to mine and they widened, his mouth falling into a perfect ‘O’ shape. “Fuck me!” he declared. I shrank back in my chair at his outburst. “Ava Peridot!” he exclaimed. My own eyes widened as I stared back at him. He beamed and then flung his head back and laughed loudly. “Well damn!” He couldn’t hide his grin and I frowned at him. He certainly knew me . . . he’d called me by my birth name but I couldn’t recall him at all.

“I’m sorry I . . .” I shrugged and he shook his head.

“You won’t remember me.”

He looked quite sad for a moment, something close to grief spilled across his eyes. His hand shot across the table and settled over mine. “I was your Dad’s best friend’s son,” he explained softly. “We always used to hang out together but you’re a good six years younger than me so I don’t think you’ll remember me much.”

I gasped and sucked on my lips. “Liam?” I asked, more to my memories than Gary.

He smiled widely and nodded, “Yeah, you remember him?”

I frowned. “A little, I don’t really know where his name came from but it was just kind of . . . there,” I explained and then my mind delved back, far, far back as I searched through the miniscule memories I had of my early childhood and a small smile curved my lips. “You made me eat worms and called me ‘Copper Top’!” I declared.

He nodded and then laughed heartily. “Oh my God!”

I was . . . I don’t know what I was but a small bubble of nostalgia and home warmed my insides.

“Jesus, wait till I tell my Dad.” He shook his head in astonishment. “I’m so sorry about your parents, Ava. I can remember my mum and dad were so distraught. They were all best friends’ right through school and into parenthood and it hit them hard.” He smiled sadly as if playing the visions in his head. “I know they tried to adopt you but the authorities said my parents weren’t secure enough . . . whatever that meant, they didn’t tell me too much,” he shrugged and cocked his head at me. “So what happened to you?” he asked and I stiffened. Nate’s hand settled on my forearm and he squeezed gently.