The NSC Boxset: Heart of Stone (89 page)

Xxx

KADE

I’ll pick you up from work 12:30. Gotta nip and see Nate anyway. God! I’m hungry already and not for lunch!!!

Xxx

I smiled to myself. The morning whizzed by and Kade was soon leading me into a restaurant somewhere in the centre of London, his hand placed firmly at the small of my back in a possessive manner.

It was a huge classy place and we were escorted to a discreet table in the window. I was a little dismayed at the prices knowing I couldn’t indulge but Kade caught my unhappy expression.

“Go for it Ava, order anything you want,” he laughed at me when my face lit up.

“You are so gonna regret saying that,” I mumbled as I perused the delights on the menu.

“I love watching you eat, sweetheart,” he breathed, his tone a low husky rumble and my lower belly pooled with desire.

I closed my eyes and sighed heavily but then shook myself off and glared at him but he just gave me a lazy grin. However, as his gaze dropped to my neck the smile dropped from his face. He leant forward and pulled the collar of my shirt aside and I heard a small growl in his throat. I cringed and looked away.

“I see he’s been at you then.” He looked thoroughly dismayed and I sucked in my lips.

“It’s over now.”

He looked up at the waiter as he placed our order and poured me some non-alcoholic wine. I smiled at his thoughtfulness, registering that I couldn’t have anything intoxicating.

He raised his eyebrows at me in query. “Please Kade, leave it. I said it’s over now. It was just a one off to say goodbye. He’s gone back to Rebecca.”

He looked at me incredulously. “Why the hell would he want that . . . that slag when he could have you so freely?”

I winced at his words. Kade was well aware I would do anything to have Mason and it must hurt him painfully as he had told me he was in love with me. I just shrugged. “I don’t wanna talk about Mason,” I said and pursed my lips as I scanned the restaurant.

William Jackson, a good friend of Mason’s who owned the illicit Sex club, glanced my way and his eyes lit up in recognition. I beamed happily at him and waved. He said something to his companion and made his way over.

I stood on his arrival and kissed his cheek gently. “Mr Jackson, it’s lovely to see you.” I smiled.

He grinned broadly. “Miss Stone, it’s my pleasure.” He gave me a tender smile as he took my hand and brought it to his lips.

“William.” Kade stood up as he greeted him with warmth. William was obviously a popular man; people always greeted him warmly. He took Kade’s hand and pulled him into a man hug.

“How long are you home for, Kade?”

They spoke for a while until William looked at me again. “How is Mason?” He must have sensed my sadness as he frowned. “Is everything okay, Miss Stone?” he asked softly as he placed his hand gently on my shoulder.

“Mason is now back with Rebecca Delaney, Mr Jackson,” I informed him. I gathered he could read my devastation as his face darkened.

“Really? I can’t imagine why. She’s a manipulative, deceitful bitch.”

I couldn’t help the grin I gave him as his words cheered me up. I don’t think there was anybody who liked the bitch.

“Mmmm in fact the whole family is rather . . . what we shall say? Just
wrong!”
he shivered and I frowned.

“You know her father?”

“Oh, yes!” He leaned in to my ear, “This goes no further Miss Stone but I like you and can tell you are trustworthy if Mason thinks so highly of you,” he chuckled. “Commissioner Delaney is a regular visitor to my club and let’s just say he has rather . . .
specific
tendencies.
” He pulled back and raised his eyebrows at me.

“Really?” I said with a small humorous smile. “Well I gather it’s something very . . . different.” I laughed as his deep rumble broadened.

“You could say that Miss Stone but it would be very unprofessional of me to divulge more.” He tipped his head and I nodded. “Well I will let you enjoy your lunch. I see you are feeding for two now, congratulations.” He grinned as he scanned my stomach.

I smiled happily and placed my hand over my stomach. “Three actually,” I informed him.

His eyes widened. “Wow, I bet that came as a shock.”

“It was for me, not so much for Mason. Apparently there are a string of twins in his family but he forgot to tell me that bit of information.” I rolled my eyes and he chuckled.

“Well take care of yourself and those precious babies, Miss Stone and if ever you need anything, and I mean anything, you just ask,” he said warmly as he clasped my hand.

“Thank you,” I said gratefully. He smiled and wandered back to his table.

“You have a good ally there Ava. He likes you,” Kade smiled.

“I like him too,” I admitted.

“He’s a good man,” he told me as our food arrived.

I grinned in excitement at the several plates of food that were placed in front of me. Kade laughed heartily as he saw my delight. “Enjoy, sweetheart.” He winked as I tucked in.

“You know that’s what Mason said,” I told him around a mouthful of buttered asparagus.

He frowned at me as he bit into his steak, “What? Enjoy sweetheart?”

I scowled at him. “No, that William is a good man.”

Kade nodded. “Mason and William have been good friends for years. I know they respect each other enormously and Mason has helped William out of a few sticky situations before,” he divulged as I stabbed a piece of chicken, well I think it was chicken, it was covered in a thick goo but it was edible so I devoured it.

Three plates of food and the remainder of Kade’s steak later and I settled back in my seat and dabbed my mouth with my napkin. “Finished?” Kade asked in amazement.

I grinned at him. “For a while.”

He scoffed and held his mouth open, “My God, I have never seen anyone eat so much.” He shook his head in wonder.

“I told you that you would regret bringing me.” I laughed as the waiter approached.

“Deserts Sir, ma’am?” he asked politely. Kade grimaced and looked at me in query. I grinned widely and winked.

“Any recommendations?” I asked sheepishly.

Kade’s eyes widened and I laughed. “No thank you, I couldn’t eat another bite,” I informed him but when the waiter disappeared I mumbled, “For another hour anyway.”

Kade laughed loudly. His hand settled on mine on the table. “I have a cocktail party to attend on Saturday, will you come with me?” he asked so earnestly I couldn’t refuse.

“I would be honoured.” I smiled and his face lit up.

“Great, I’ll pick you up at 8 O’clock. You got a cocktail dress you can fit into?”

I gasped mockingly. “Mr Hamilton! How very rude!” I joked.

He grinned. “You could always come naked though, Ava.” His eyes sparkled and his lips twitched.

I shook my head in mock disgust. “See, rude,” I scoffed and flung my hands in the air.

We stood to leave and Kade wrapped his arm around my shoulder. “Do you have to go back to work, we could go back to mine for coffee?” he grinned and waggled his eyebrows.

“Saturday night.” I winked, unable to hold back the grin when his mouth dropped open and he stared at me in shock.

“Really?” he asked seriously.

I just laughed and tapped his cheek. “Come on, you can take me back now you’ve filled me up.” I groaned when I saw his cheeky expression. “Do you ever stop?” I laughed and his hand settled on my arse.

“Never!” he breathed in my ear. I was starting to take my flippant Saturday night joke seriously.

CHAPTER 7

“AVA, I HAVE a business lunch tomorrow. Are you okay to attend?” Nate shouted through his open office door.

“Yeah, that’s fine,” I shouted back.

“Now, you’re not gonna embarrass me and punch some bugger are you?”

“Only you, Mr Carter,” I snorted.

“But you would lose your job then, Ava,” he bit back flippantly.

“It would be so worth it,” I joked breezily and then I poked my head round his door. “You have insulted me, I am going home.” I poked my tongue out at him.

He widened his eyes at me. “Seriously?”

I rolled my eyes. “No, it’s 5:45 you fool,” I laughed and he glanced at the clock.

“God, where did the time go? Liv will have my bollocks,” he declared and scurried about picking his belongings up.

“Oh God, I hope so.” I retorted with a dreamy sigh.

He stared at me then laughed. “Go home, Miss Stone . . . You’re fired.”

I laughed loudly as I walked toward the elevator. “And then who would make you cookies Mr Carter?” I shouted back.

“Oh yeah, you’re re-hired. Chocolate and cranberry tomorrow!”

I smiled as I entered the lift. I loved my job!

I arrived home half an hour later and the cold wind was biting as I exited my car. Pulling my coat around my bump to keep the peanuts warm I jolted as I nearly bumped into a huge heavy set guy on my doorstep. He tipped his head and the menace in his eyes made my blood freeze.

“Can I help you?” I asked timidly.

“Ava Stone?” he growled the question at me and I took a step back. His hand shot out and grabbed my forearm, pulling me towards him then spun me round and pressed me up harshly against the wall. I dropped my hands instinctively in front of my belly to protect my babies.

“I have a message for Mason Fox,” he barked at me and I flinched, my cheek was grazing the brickwork as he held my face solidly against the wall. I mumbled a swear word at him and he must have taken it as confirmation to his statement.

“You tell him ‘Mr Delaney is still fucking waiting!’” he rumbled and I nodded furiously, wincing at the pain in my cheek and arm. “You got that bitch?” he asked fiercely and I nodded again.

He let go and disappeared down the path.

“
Fuck!”

I trembled with the key in the lock and flung myself through the door, slamming it shut. Locking it and rechecking it behind me I slid to the floor behind the door.

“We’re okay peanuts,” I stammered, stroking my belly, “We’re okay.” I took some deep breaths and then some more and struggled up.

My legs were still trembling as I climbed into a chair in the kitchen and closed my eyes to steady my heartbeat.

What the hell was that all about? Should I phone Mason? It was obvious yesterday that he didn’t want anything more to do with me. But why the hell should I take threats for him?

Mr Delaney is still waiting!
It couldn’t be a coincidence that it was the same name as Rebecca’s father.

“Oh Mason, what the hell is going on?” I said to the darkness and then the adrenaline started turning to anger. What the hell of a situation had he put me and his children into? Why was Rebecca’s father sending thugs to me instead of Mason?

I grabbed my phone angrily from my bag and dialled Mason. “Ava?” he answered a little bewildered.

“Surprised?” I snapped. I could sense his hesitation.

“Are you okay?” he asked cautiously.

I snorted. “Well let’s see Mason. I get knocked up, fucked up and now I nearly get beat up thanks to you, so no! I don’t think I fucking am okay!” I yelled.

I heard his hiss. “What do you mean?” he said each word slowly and clearly.

“What the hell is going on Mason?”

“Nothing is going on Ava,” he answered a little too quietly.

“Huh! Well then would you like to tell me why when I came home from work I was shoved up against a wall just to give you a fucking message?” I was so fucking angry with him.

“WHAT?” he bellowed.

I cringed but bit my tongue and carried on. “Oh yeah, great big fucker. Ring any bells?”

I heard him gulp a few breaths in, trying to calm himself. “Are you okay?” he asked quietly.

I scoffed. “Apart from having no skin left on my cheek, yeah. I’m okay.” I exhaled, closing my eyes, really struggling to fight the tears back.

“Where are you?”

I rolled my eyes at his stupid question. “Home!” I snapped and let out a sob at the same time.

“I’m on my way, Ava,” he growled.

“No Mason!” I shouted but the line had gone dead.

“Great,” I grumbled. I lifted myself out of the chair and reached for the kettle but decided against it and grabbed the bottle of wine. “I’m sure one won’t hurt peanuts,” I apologised to them and poured myself a large glass, taking a huge gulp.

I sat back down and crossed my arms on the table and rested my head on them. I refused to cry. “Damn,” I snapped as a tear slid free.

I would not cry . . .

. . . I sobbed.

The front door banged a short while later and I hissed through my teeth and tried to wipe my face as I looked through the peephole to see Mason’s angry face.

Reluctantly unlocking the door I pulled it open for him before I turned and walked back into the kitchen.

“Ava?” he said behind me and I huffed. “Ava, look at me,” he demanded. I turned to look at him, my eyes lowered as I tried to hide my cheek behind my long hair. “
FUCK!”
he snarled as he pulled my hair back. “Sit down,” he ordered and disappeared up the stairs.

Returning with a bottle of disinfectant and some cotton balls, he mixed the solution with water and then crouched down in front of me. “This is gonna sting, Baby” he whispered as his eyes found mine and held them in his spell.

My chest heaved at the sight of him, his presence already relaxing me. He looked utterly broken. His eyes held no light in them, just void and dead. I could see my own pain reflected in them because he felt exactly the same as I did . . . craving but forbidden.

He looked away and swallowed. “I’m so sorry, Ava” he whispered as he tenderly wiped my cheek and I hissed at the sting. I wasn’t sure if he was sorry for yesterday, today or everything in between.

I bit my lip as he continued to clean my graze, wincing himself every time I sucked air through my teeth. “I’m sorry Ava” he whispered again and I snapped.

“What good is fucking sorry?” I barked. He lowered his eyes in guilt. “Sorry,” I huffed.

He frowned at me. “You have nothing to be sorry for, Baby.”

“Will you stop with the fucking ‘Baby’ you made it quite clear yesterday I was no longer your
Baby,
” I hissed, snatching the cotton ball off him and walked to the mirror, scrubbing roughly at my cheek.