Incineration (Heart of Stone)

by Sidebottom, D H

  After about 20 minutes the episode ended and I stretched, wondering where George had got to, I swung my legs around and sat up. Mason was sat in the armchair watching me. I gasped and jumped backwards “What the hell are you doing here?” I snapped and he chewed on his bottom lip “George let me in so we could talk” he said quietly “Well, how long have you been sat there?” I asked gobsmacked. He shrugged “About 15 minutes” he stated and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees and regarding me intently “Go home Mason. I don’t want you here” I hissed but he continued to gaze at me “We need to talk Ava” he said quietly and I snorted “What? You mean you’ve come to apologise for killing my baby?” I glared and the hurt behind his eyes penetrated my soul but not enough to forgive him “Ava…I…” he tried and I turned my lip up at him “Don’t bother Mason, I’m not prepared to listen. Just go” I snarled and curled back into the settee and ignored him.

  After an hour he was still sat in the damn chair and I was thirsty so rising from the sofa, I disappeared into the kitchen to put the kettle on. I returned to the sofa with a coffee and a packet of biscuits and continued to ignore him, laughing loudly at the sitcom.

  After about another 30 minutes I saw Mason stand and I smiled to myself, happy that I was making him leave but he walked over to the television and turned it off, turning to me “Ava” he said but I reached for the remote and flicked the telly back on. He inhaled sharply and went back over to it and pulled the plug from the wall. I took a deep breath, the fury starting to rise up but he turned back to me and crouched down in front of me “Baby…” he started but didn’t finish as I punched him hard in the face “Fuck off Mason” I spat as his head slammed to the side. He gritted his teeth and grasped my fist “Will you fucking talk to me” he grated, trying to rein in his temper but I sat, glaring at him “I hate you” I hissed and spat in his face. “Jesus Christ Ava!” he growled and stood back swiftly, wiping his face with the back of his hand.

  George came in and walked over to me, standing in front of me glaring “Ava, I know you’re hurting but I swear to god, do that again and you will have me to answer to” he snapped and I bit my lip, not wanting to feel Georges wrath I turned my head and stared through the window, ignoring them both. Mason rubbed his temples and turned to George “Forget it George, she’s not willing to listen” he shrugged, picked up his car keys from the table and left, slamming the door behind him.

  My lips turned up in a sly smile “Well that worked. He’ll probably go and fuck Rebecca now” I laughed and Georges hand shot out and slapped me, straight across the cheek. My hand shot up to my face and I stared at him, absolutely stunned.

  He took a deep breath and closed his eyes “I’m sorry Princess, I shouldn’t have done that but nothing is getting through to you” he apologised and I stood up, the pain inside outweighing the pain in my cheek.

  Tears threatened my eyes, George had never raised his hand to me before and the overwhelming hurt from it broke me. I walked into the hallway, slipped on my pumps and slammed the door behind me.

  I walked for what seemed like hours, aimlessly wandering not caring where I was going or ending up.

  I sat on the bench in the local park, staring at the children playing happily on the swings, wondering if my child would have liked the park, would they have squealed when I pushed them high or screamed on the roundabout, would it have had Masons’ eyes and brown hair or my copper curls.

  It had started to rain and I relished in its refreshment, tilting my head back and closing my eyes as the heavens opened and the torrential storm battered at my face and body, the rain drops mingling with my tears as I sobbed and sobbed, my knees held tight to my body as I howled.

  I was suddenly walking again, my legs leading my body as they carried me onwards in a haze; the rain still beating my poor body, my aching and broken body and they didn’t stop until I found myself on Masons doorstep, pounding on his front door.

  It flung open and Mason’s relieved face stared at me. He looked like shit.

  “Ava, where the hell have you been? George is going out of his mind” he cried and I raised my head, penetrating his eyes as he struggled for breath at the sight of me. “Jesus Ava” he wheezed and reaching out, he picked me up and took me in, kicked the door shut and carried me over to the sofa, gently placing me on it as I just silently continued to look at him, my eyes never leaving his.

  He crouched in front of me “Ava” he breathed as I tilted my head, regarding him intensely. My hands reached out and pushed him so he fell backwards onto his backside, his face full of shock. I stood up as he scrambled to his feet and I pushed him again but he stood firm “Come on Ava” he was breathing heavy, his eyes boring into mine “Come on” he repeated and I pushed him full force and when he stood firm I punched him, swinging my fist into his chin. He still stood silent for a moment then “Hit me Baby” he growled between a breath and I stood still, looking at him through narrowed eyes “I SAID FUCKING HIT ME!!!” he yelled and I punched him again, his head moved slightly but he grit his teeth and stood there goading me “Not bad, what else you got?” he probed, raising his eyebrows at me. I pulled back and slammed it into his cheek full force and this time his head snapped sideways and his stance wobbled. He pierced me with his stare again “Better Ava” he snarled.

  I was now panting as the fury rose; the anger in my face told him what was coming and he braced himself “FUCKING HIT ME AVA, HIT ME” he exploded as I screamed at him, my fist slamming into his chest and stomach as he held himself “Good girl. Come on!” he spurred as my ferocity broke free and both of my fists struck him, beating him uncontrollably as he stood his ground and took it, every punch, every pound and every fucking piece of hatred “That’s it baby” he whispered as my punches eased to let the devastation and grief through. My legs buckled and his arms shot out to catch me “I’ve got you Baby” he whispered into my ear, as we both sunk to the ground. His strong arms wrapped me up and he pulled me onto his lap as I fell apart, clinging to him and screaming for the loss of our baby, for what Dane had done to me and for all the heartbreak that Mason was feeling “Shush Ava, I’m so sorry” he breathed as his own tears fell free and we both wept together, holding each other for a long time.

  “George hit me” I said quietly after a while and Mason stiffened “I know, he told me” he acknowledged and I shrugged “I deserved it” he rose to his feet “Talking of George I better let him know where you are” he said and as he entered the kitchen to ring George I clambered up and went upstairs.

  I entered the bedroom and stood there, silently staring at the bed; the place where my baby died. Mason had changed the sheets, now a deep blue quilt donned the bed and I sat on the edge and pulled the duvet back, revealing a crisp white sheet. I stared at the spot where I could see the large blood stain through the opacity of the white sheet. A pink splodge was now all that was left of my child and I placed my hand gently over it, my fingers curling into the sheet as I curled up beside it “I’m so sorry” I whispered “I shouldn’t have told him, I shouldn’t have told him you were there, snuggled inside me. You didn’t deserve to die, I’m so sorry” I breathed as a tear slid free and dripped over the blemish, making the sheet semi-transparent and the pinkness of the stain turned to a deeper pink and as more tears fell it deepened so the red was now completely clear. I gripped the sheet tighter “My baby” I whispered as Mason slid behind me, gathering me against him but he remained silent as I kept repeating the same words “My baby”.

  CHAPTER 30

  “Were you at the club with Rebecca?” I asked quietly into the darkness of the room. We had lain together for a couple of hours, both us silent in our own nightmares “Well she was there, yes” he breathed into my hair and I stiffened “Why?” he asked and I sighed “Dane said you were…busy with Rebecca” he tightened his embrace, pulling me further into him “No I wasn’t with Rebecca but we were working on the wages” he whispered and I turned around to look at him “Have you found any…any discr
epancies with the bar wages?” I probed, remembering the miscalculations from a few weeks ago. He frowned “Well I don’t do the bar wages, Rebecca does” I narrowed my eyes “I was taking a look at them the day I found the file and they were way out” I told him and he frowned “Rebecca’s a bitch but she’s usually good with figures” he stated and I sniffed “Oh yeah, she’s good with figures, so good they are £126,000 out!” he pulled back and stared at me “Really?” he sat up now, looking at an invisible spot on the wall “Yep, that’s why I found the file you had of me cause I was looking for more receipts or new employees that weren’t down on record but I rechecked them 3 times and they didn’t tally” he turned to look at me, cocking his head and frowning “Strange, I’ll get Greg to double check for me” he stood and entered the bathroom, preparing a bath.

  I walked over and stood in the doorway as he was adding bath crème and lighting the candles, minus the brass candleholder that had broken when I smashed it into Danes face. I shivered at the memory, recalling him looming over me.

  “Did you finish Dane or did Sam?” I asked quietly and he swiftly turned to look at me, regarding my face to get a reading of my mood. He sighed “I did” he whispered with a chill to his voice and I nodded “Did it help?”. His eyes shot to mine “Did it help when you hit me?” he asked slowly and I nodded solemnly but he smiled, a warm smile that brightened his eyes “There you go then” he turned back to the candles and I stood silent for a while “But I didn’t kill you” I spoke low and coolly but he didn’t turn “No” he uttered “Did you want to?” he asked, wanting complete honesty “No” I said without hesitation and then he looked at me, held my eyes with his, searching them deeply for the truth and I held his gaze. He smiled slowly and winked, making the corners of my own mouth lift. He had a stunning smile, one that heated your insides and there weren’t many people who had the privilege to witness it.

  He turned the taps off and I slipped out of my t-shirt and skirt and then slowly peeled off my bra and knickers and I noticed Mason looking at the pad in my knickers and the raw pain in his eyes wrenched at my soul. He was hurting too, just as much as me and in a way more, his inability to get to me in time agonised him; I could read all this in his expression and I walked over to him and held his jaw “I love you” I expressed softly and he inhaled deeply “Oh Baby, I am so sorry. I tried to get here, I phoned Sam because I knew he was nearer but…but…” a tear slid from his eye, trickling down his beautiful face and I swiped it with my thumb “I know Mason” I said softly and slid into the bath as he stripped and climbed in behind me, his legs flanking and entwining mine.

  “I’m sorry about the bed, I ordered a new mattress but they can’t deliver until Monday” he said softly, picking up the sponge and gently wiping my body, cleansing me.

  I took hold of his hand and squeezed, revolving my head to kiss him softly and his hand cupped my cheek as he took control and kissed me tenderly and lovingly with soft little kisses at the side of my mouth, the opposite side to my stitches “I made him pay Baby” he breathed against my lips and I opened my eyes to see the glint in his eyes. I swallowed harshly but nodded and turned back to look at our tangled legs, joining us as did his words. His act of revenge should have frightened me but I was glad that Dane had paid the price for killing my child, I wanted him to suffer the way we were but I was gladder that Mason had managed to aid his grief and heartache. I just needed to do the same now.

  Twisting the hot tap with my toe I added more hot water “You have many talents” Mason joked and I smiled up at him “Many” I nodded seriously and his hand grazed my stomach “Very many, lots and lots of them” he growled in my ear and nibbled on the lobe “Stop it!” I warned in jest and he laughed “I know” he sighed and kissed me softly on the head.

  “We’re missing Sam and Marcy’s party” I said glumly “It’s fine, Sam wasn’t expecting us there” he dipped the sponge and trickled water across my chest as his chin leant on my shoulder to watch “I nearly didn’t get my revenge, Sam kicked the shit out of him. It was only your scream that stopped him from killing Dane” he said quietly and I nodded. “He cares about you” he whispered and I frowned “Who does?” I turned my head slightly to look at him “Sam” he articulated “He was really choked up when I got there. He was holding your limp body, rocking you and his face…his face when I got there. He looked broken…” he choked out and I slid my hand up, cupping his cheek and my thumb stroked along his striking cheek bone “I had to prise you off him, he just kept stroking your hair and saying sorry. If I didn’t know he cared for you platonically I’d have smacked him” he laughed bitterly “He’s scared of seeing you again” I frowned deeply “But why?” I asked, baffled and confused “Because he blames himself for not getting to you earlier” he declared and I stiffened and swallowed heavily.

  “It’s my fault Mason” I admitted on a whisper “What?” he gripped my chin and turned my face to his “It’s my fault” I looked away and studied our toes, bobbing above the water level; his large tanned toes softly stroking my little pale ones “I know that’s not true Ava” he breathed but I shook my head “He was just going to rape me but I begged him not to because I was pregnant” I lowered my eyes as I heard Mason growl quietly “He laughed and…and said he could rectify it and smashed his elbows into…” I sobbed and his arms tightened “Oh no Baby. You told him to protect the baby. It’s natural to want to appeal to someone’s morality but Dane didn’t have any. I promise you Ava, It.Is.Not.Your.Fault” he instilled and I nodded but only to pacify him.

  He squeezed me tighter and his thumb stroked across my knuckles “Did he…did he manage to…Ava?” he asked so quietly and his voice held a terror I had never heard before, I could barely hear him and I shook my head rapidly and pulled his hands into mine “No” I stated simply “Sam got there before…before...” I gulped and he kissed my cheek “Shush Baby” he whispered and I let out a sob “I would have let him though…if I knew it would have saved our baby” I told him honestly and he nodded slowly but didn’t speak.

  “Do you think all the stalking stuff is over now? Do you think it was Dane that got that bloke following me?” I asked and I felt him shrug “I dunno but I would have thought so, it started after your argument in the supermarket” he expressed and I nodded.

  I slid round onto my stomach and knelt up between his legs “He said that Rebecca was pretty pissed with me, do you think she…” I shrugged, unable to finish and he scowled and narrowed his eyes “Mason, I need you to be honest with me now, it’ll help me figure this out but only if your truthful” I said seriously and he frowned but nodded “Did Rebecca come onto you at the club, did she try anything?” I asked and he looked away, unable to hold my eyes “Mason, be honest” I appealed and he slid his eyes back to mine “Yes, she tried but I pushed her away” he said and his gaze held mine so I could see the honesty behind them. I sighed “It’s just something Dane said, that she was keeping you busy while he saw to me and I dunno…I believe it, I think she tried it on with you to keep you there until Dane had finished” he grasped the edge of the bathtub, his knuckles white and a cold haze clouded his eyes as his jaw tightened. I quickly held his chin and turned his face to mine “Mason, I need you to stay focused on this, not go into your usual rage” his eyes cleared and he regarded me “If I find out that’s true Ava, I will kill her” he said so coldly and so full of malevolence that I didn’t underestimate his words “I know but we’ve gotta be careful Mason. She’s the Commissioner daughter, you can’t just go round to her house and shoot her in the head…as tempting as that sounds…and looks in my head” I laughed and he chuckled “but It just seems strange that she does the wages and they’re suspect and now what Dane said but it could be nothing, so make sure first but I want you to promise me” I held his chin and locked his gaze “you promise to tell me before you do anything, because I swear if she helped to kill my baby then you’ll have to get in line behind me to get to her” I decreed and he nodded, a fire in his eyes a
t my words.

  I narrowed my eyes on him as I saw his cock twitch under the water “Does that turn you on?” I smirked “the thought of my nasty evil side?” a lazy grin spread on his face “God yeah, it makes me hot how tough you are. My little warrior” he beamed and I laughed “You, Mr Fox, are a pervert” I joked and he laughed now, tipping his head back and then he looked at me “You know Ava, there’s not many that can throw a punch at me and knock me sideways” he raised his eyebrows and I giggled “Yeah, I’m sorry about that” I said sheepishly, trailing a finger over his bruised cheekbone “No Baby” he suddenly grew serious and palmed my face “I knew it would help you to get it out, that’s why I goaded you” I smiled softly “I know” I nodded and leant forward to kiss his chest, softly laying my lips against the hardness of his pecs. He groaned and lifted my face “Don’t baby” he gulped and I laughed and climbed from the tub and wrapped a towel round me “Come on lazy. I’m hungry” I winked and walked away, dressing quickly before he joined me in the bedroom but I was secretly aware that he hung back to let me do just that, the sight of my naked body heating him in places that would be redundant for a while but I knew that he would hold back, for my sake not his.

  CHAPTER 31

  Monday saw George on an early morning flight back to Portugal and me returning to work, much to Mason’s displeasure “I have to work Mason” I told him as I was applying my make-up, whist he was leaning nakedly against the en-suite door.

  I tried not to take in his gorgeousness but it was hard when it was displayed so fucking handsomely. He scowled at me “I can’t just sit twiddling my thumbs baby, it will drive me nuts with all the thoughts that are racing round my head right now” and I made a pointed look at his groin and licked my lips. A slow smile curved his lips and I stood slowly, giving him a lewd look. I slowly walked over to him and cupped his penis in my hand and leaning up on tiptoes I brought my lips to his ear “Bend over the bed” I whispered huskily. I heard his sharp swallow “What?” he rasped and I pulled back, locking his gaze “I said, bend over the bed. Place your hands on the mattress and bend over” I ordered sternly and he raised an eyebrow but said nothing “NOW!” I demanded and his lungs emptied in one sharp exhale, his obvious arousal at my words had him hard, very hard.