The NSC Boxset: Heart of Stone (52 page)

Mason snarled and his breathing sped up, his rage surfacing as I told my story.

“Do you want me to stop?” I asked him gently but he shook his head and kissed my scalp.

“No, go on.”

I nodded. “So I put what belongings I had in a backpack, raided the foster carer’s purse for £25 and left, catching a bus to London. I made my spot under a bridge and would scrounge for food and clothes.”

Mason took a deep breath. “Jesus, Ava” he sighed.

“Hey, it was better than going through what he did to me every night. I knew if I stayed that he would have eventually killed me.”

He grunted and I took in a deep breath, giving me the courage to tell him the next horrific part. “That’s where I met Katie” I inhaled deeply and smiled to myself.

“She was beautiful and so full of life, even though we were on the streets. We struck a friendship straight away. She was an excellent pick pocket and thief and I had good fighting skills. So we kept each other alive. I loved her so much.”

I swallowed and hesitated. “One night we were camped behind some garages when we were approached by two blokes, they thought we were prostitutes and propositioned us.”

I had started trembling. “Easy baby, it’s okay, I’m here” he whispered softly and started stroking my arm gently, his fingers sliding up and down in a soft rhythm.

I paused for a while, trying to slow my heartbeat. “Katie laughed and told them to fuck off but they just kept goading us.”

I paused again and took some deep breaths as I started sweating and my eyes burnt. “I could see they were checking out Katie so I stood up and told them to fuck off. One of them grabbed my hair and pushed me up against the wall while the other grabbed Katie.”

I swallowed the nausea back and Mason stroked my hair, trying to soothe my shaking. “They raped us both but when he tried to rape me again he tried to . . . he tried to . . .” I took some deep breaths and closed my eyes; “he tried to take my . . . arse.”

Mason inhaled harshly. “I was 17 and had never done that. I was scared so I . . . so I fought back and bit him. I made my way over to Katie and tried to pull the bloke off her but they were too strong for us. Needless to say he tried to finish what he started but I continued to fight. He warned me that if I didn’t hold still my friend would get hurt but I ignored him.”

I started to sob now. “Shush, Ava” he whispered. “Do you want to stop?”

I shook my head severely. “I need to tell you Mason, I need to.” I was shaking violently and he gripped me. “He warned me but I didn’t fucking listen” I cried. His own tears were falling now, I was breaking him with me.

“When I didn’t stop biting and scratching him he punched me in the head. I fell to the ground and then he started kicking me in the stomach and back until I couldn’t move and then he . . . he . . .
SHIT!”

I rubbed my face with my hands, pulling away from Mason and sat up but didn’t face him.

“He . . . he found a petrol can from one of the garages, poured it over Katie and set her on fire,” I whispered brokenly.

“Jesus Christ!” he snarled.

“I couldn’t get to her, I tried so hard but the flames just swept over her too quickly and he held me back, laughing at her . . . he fucking laughed at her!” I sobbed and he leaned forward, enveloping me again. “I can still hear her fucking screams, I can still smell her fucking flesh burning, Mason!” I cried.

“Jesus Christ, Ava.” He held me tight as my body shook violently.

Pushing him off I ran up the stairs just managing to get to the toilet as I vomited vehemently, my stomach revolting at the memories. I felt Mason squat behind me and sweep my hair away from my face as I continued to empty my stomach.

His hands stroked my sweating back and he whispered my name over and over until I had nothing left to throw up.

He leant me against the wall and turned on the bath taps, filling the bath. When it was full of warm, foamy water he peeled off my shirt and lifted me into it, climbing in behind me and pulling me against him as we lay there, together in silence as my body shook and his heart broke.

“I’m sorry, Ava” he said eventually. “I didn’t mean to go behind your back but I knew something was holding you back from our relationship.” He sighed and I squeezed his hand.

“I know,” I whispered.

He shook his head. “I should have trusted you, Ava and I’m so sorry.” He swept my hair back and kissed my temple. “I only found out the basics. Just your foster carers but not what you went through in them all, and your injuries from that night but I didn’t know what had happened although I gathered you were raped, my mother’s notes didn’t explain anything other than your physical state and the mention of your mental withdrawal.”

He picked up the sponge and started to bathe me gently. “I have only ever told George. Courtney knows it was something horrific but not the specifics.”

“I should have been patient and trusted you.”

“I know Mason, stop apologising. But I need you to trust me in the future otherwise there is no basis for a relationship.”

He nodded. “Ava, do you . . . do you think you need to talk to somebody, you know like a therapist?” he asked cautiously but I shook my head.

“No, I’m not that sort of person, Mason. It’s helped that I have spoken to you,” I confessed quietly and he kissed me again.

“George pulled me back up, his patience and care will be something that I will never forget. He sat up with me when my nightmares haunted me night after night, he held me when I sobbed and he bought me a punch bag.”

I chuckled, “I remember his face when he first saw me pound the bag until it split.”

He scoffed. “Fuck me Ava, you’re a right little warrior” he laughed.

“I needed to be, Mason” I said sadly. “I managed to get free and run that night, and that’s when George found me, huddled in the corner of the pub car park.”

I felt him nod behind me. “Did you ever see them again?” he asked slowly.

I shook my head, “No, George went out to look but didn’t find them and I never saw them again. I don’t know whether that’s a good thing or not.” I laughed bitterly.

Mason huffed loudly. “For their case, I’d say it’s a good thing” he stated but I shrugged.

“I dunno, Mason. They were way too strong for me then, however much I fought. I tried to save her but . . . but . . .” I sobbed and Mason clung to me, “It’s my fault she died, Mason!”

I pulled away from him and drew my knees up and hugged them to me. “Baby, no! You did what anybody would have done.” His voice broke and his fingers stroked up and down my spine.

I shook my head again. “But he told me, he warned me . . . I should have just let him do it and then Katie would still be here” I rasped as a tear slid out.

“Ava, you can’t think like that. How do you know they still wouldn’t have done it even if you gave in?” He kissed my back, his arms slid round me and hugged my legs with me. “You . . . you . . .” He swallowed heavily. “They could have done the same to you Ava, if you hadn’t run.”

I shrugged. “But . . . it would’ve been better than having to see Katie’s pain every day. Her face . . . the terror and agony . . .” I broke off and rested my head on my knees. “Her face never leaves me Mason, nor does the way she screamed my name in torture . . .”

I retched and Mason pulled me back. “Shush baby, it’s over. I’m gonna help you through. I’m here for you Ava” he whispered against my head.

I gripped his arms tightly and nodded, “I know.”

His mouth slid round to my neck, kissing it gently. “I love you, Ava. I’ve never felt like this about anybody but you . . . I will kill anybody that harms you. I won’t let anybody hurt you again . . . ever!”

I tilted my head and cupped his face as he kissed me lovingly. “I love you too Mason, so much that it frightens me.”

He frowned severely but nodded. “Don’t be scared of how you feel Ava, never be afraid to love,” he whispered as he breathed against my lips.

He made love to me slowly and tenderly, our need to soothe each other evident in the way we held each other as we both climaxed together, joined in body and soul.

CHAPTER 20

MASON DROPPED ME back at my cottage late afternoon so I could dress for Brian’s party. He was due to pick me up at 8 O’clock and I felt lighter than I had done in years.

His support and tenderness had cracked more of my shell.

My phone rang just before Mason arrived. “Hey Ava,” Courtney greeted. “You didn’t ring me babe and I was getting worried.”

I groaned, “Oh god, sorry hun.”

She laughed. “It’s okay, Ava. How did it go with Mason?” she asked cautiously.

“Good. We talked and I opened up and told him everything.”

I heard her heavy sigh of relief. “Oh babe. I’m glad but just be careful okay. Take it slow and see how it goes, I don’t want to see him hurt you anymore. You’re the usual fighter in our circle, but I swear to god, if he hurts you . . .” She broke off and I smiled at her protectiveness.

“I know Courtney. I have to go; I’m off to Brian’s’ party.”

We said our hurried goodbyes as Mason knocked on the door. I swung it open, turning quickly to slip into my shoes and grab my bag. When I turned back round to him he was frozen in the doorway.

His eyes were dark and hooded, his bottom lip pulled severely in his teeth and his fists were clenched at his sides. His eyes were boring into me.

“Mason?” I asked, confused at his expression.

“Jesus Ava, you look . . . you look . . .
Fuck!
” He groaned and raked his hair with his hands.

I wore a deep grey silk dress that plunged down to my navel at the front, my breasts secured with special tape. The rear was pure lace down to the tip of my arse and luckily came with a built-in crotch.

I grinned mischievously. “You like my dress?” I asked, my eyebrow and lip lifting.

“Fuck! I’m not gonna be able to keep my hands off you,” he growled. I laughed and pulled him back through the door, locking up and leading him to the limo he had waiting for me.

“You hired this for me?” I asked and he nodded, still unable to speak.

He grabbed the champagne and poured us both a glass. His hands were trembling and his pupils were still shot as he took a sip. I placed my glass in the holder and trailed my finger over his jaw and leant into his ear. “Are you hard for me, Mason?” I breathed.

He groaned as I cupped his erection, “Ava, don’t touch me, not unless you want me to embarrass myself.”

I gave him a slow grin and slid his zip down; pulling his rock hard erection free. “Wow, that looks painful, baby” I teased as I nibbled his earlobe. He moaned loudly and sucked in his lips. “Would you like me to help you out?”

He panted as I took him in my hand, tightly squeezing. “Ava please,” he begged. I chuckled and slid down. I mouthed his sac and sucked gently as my thumb slid over his tip, smearing the pre-cum that had escaped.

He groaned louder and gripped my hair as my tongue swept the full length of his huge cock, flicking at the tip. I slid my mouth round him and plunged all the way to the base of him as I loosened my throat. He hissed harshly and bucked his hips as I groaned against him. “
Shit”
he growled as my murmurs reverberated around his shaft.

His grip tightened in my hair and he pumped his hips, thrusting himself into my mouth. I bared my teeth and slid them over him, he jerked violently, filling my mouth with his hot, salty cum.

“
Fuck, Fuck, Fuck!”
He snarled and struggled for breath. “Christ, Ava” he rasped.

I reached up and kissed him. “You taste even better with my cum on your lips,” he breathed. I moaned and squirmed against him.

His finger traced the edge of the gape in my dress. I sucked in a breath and just as his fingers slid onto my thigh there was a tap on the privacy screen of the car.

I groaned loudly. “So not fair,” I pouted.

Mason chuckled. “I’ll make it worth the wait, baby. I’m gonna fuck you into next week when I get you home,” he whispered.

I slapped his arm. “Mason stop! Otherwise it will be my turn to embarrass myself.”

He laughed and climbed from the car as our door swung open and the driver stood waiting for our departure.

As we approached the doors to the private club that Brian had hired, I hesitated; the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end and my body exploded in a cold shiver, goose bumps erupting all over my body. I spun round, checking out my surroundings as the feeling of being watched overwhelmed me.

“Ava?” Mason queried, moving his gaze to where I was scanning, a deep furrow on his forehead. I shook myself and cleared my head.

“Nothing, just a strange feeling.” I shrugged and entered the building, Mason’s hand tightly gripping mine.

The room was filled to the brim and I was pleased that so many people admired Brian enough to turn up.

I quickly found him in the crowd. As soon as he saw me a huge grin erupted on his face and he hugged me tight. “Ava, you look beautiful, sweetheart” he beamed, cupping my face and kissing my forehead.

Mason’s hand tightened in mine and he glared at Brian. “Put her down, Brian,” he insisted light-heartedly but I could feel the tension in him. I stole a quick scowl at him and shook my head slightly.

“Oh simmer down Mason, I don’t see her like that. She’s like family,” Brian scolded. Mason nodded and dropped my hand as he scooped Brenda into a hug.

She squeezed him hard and then turned to me. “Ava, darling. You look incredible. That dress is gonna make some men hot under the collar tonight.” She winked and Mason growled.

I rolled my eyes at him. “Don’t panic, I’m here with you,” I told him. He huddled me close, kissing my lips sensually.

Brenda cocked her head and pursed her lips. “Mason . . .” she uttered. He turned to her. “I am just going to say this once and then it’s done with. You hurt her and I will personally make it my mission to destroy you,” she asserted bluntly.

Mason nodded and took her hand. “Brenda, if I hurt her I will personally destroy myself,” he told her frankly. They held each other’s gaze for a moment and when she nodded, everybody relaxed.

Brian and Brenda left us to go and mingle and Mason led me to the bar. “Vodka and cranberry and a scotch on ice” he ordered.