The NSC Boxset: Heart of Stone

by D H Sidebottom

  I slid on my knees in front of him. “Baby, no!” I expressed, my heart breaking for him.

  “Yes, Ava. That club and the staff are my responsibility. I was told what he was up to and if I had took it more seriously and ended it . . .” He swallowed heavily, his eyes were dull and the life in them had burnt out. “I finished him personally; slowly and as fucking painfully as possible,” he divulged; the anger and memory of it bringing back the rage.

  He slammed his fist forcefully on the table. “Mason! Stop!” He looked away from me, not wanting me to see the disgust and self-loathing in him. “Mason, listen to me.” He wouldn’t look at me so I placed my hands on his face and turned him to look at me, “Did you sell her coke?”

  He sat staring at me. “Answer me! Did you sell her the coke?” I demanded again.

  “Well no but . . .” He started but I cut him off.

  “Did you rape her?” I asked, my voice rising with each question.

  “No,” he breathed as his eyes bore into my soul.

  “Did you tell Alex to strangle her?” He shook his head this time. “Did you know what was happening as he was doing it?” I asked more quietly.

  “No!” he choked out.

  I knelt up and pulled him close, embracing him to me. “It wasn’t your fault Mason. Does your friend blame you?”

  He shook his head. “No” he whispered and I tipped his head back to look at me.

  “Then you shouldn’t. You took revenge for his parents, and believe me Mason when I say this. Taking revenge for someone’s death does help to heal the guilt, pain and anger that’s trapped inside. You did that for her parents and for the girl, baby.”

  He smiled sadly and cupped my face. “Thank you,” he whispered.

  I leant forward, brushing my lips over his in a tender kiss that showed him just how much I loved him. He sighed heavily and rested his forehead against mine, “I love you, Ava.”

  “And me, you.”

  He eventually pulled back and looked back at Sam. “So what does the fucker who’s after Ava have to do with Alex?”

  Sam looked at me. “Sit back down, Ava.” I frowned but sat back down on the sofa as Sam sat opposite, his forearms resting on his thighs as he leant towards us.

  “Five months before you finished him, Alex was reunited with a brother he didn’t know he had. They shared the same father, who apparently hadn’t known about him and after his mother had him she gave him up for adoption. However things didn’t go great for him and he ended up being fostered throughout his life until he was eighteen.”

  I stiffened at the words, my heart was beating loudly in my chest and Mason frowned. “So what has this got to do with Ava?” he asked, puzzled.

  Sam sighed and slapped the file on the table. “Alex’s brother is Lee Benedict,” he exposed.

  My eyes widened and I shot upright, “Holy Fuck!” I gasped.

  Mason turned to me. “Ava?”

  I paced over to the wall and leaning on it, took a few deep breaths then turned to Mason. “Lee was the boy that lived in the foster house. The one who violently raped me every night for six months until I ran away.”

  Mason’s eyebrows hit his hairline. “Jesus Christ!”

  “Yep,” said Sam, “and it looks like the bloke wants revenge for his brother’s death and what better an opportunity for him than with Ava, the woman you love and the girl he spent part of his life cruelly tormenting and torturing.”

  Mason walked over to me and pulled me into his arms. “We’ll get him Ava, I promise.”

  “I’ve got people looking for him,” Sam said and I smiled at him.

  “Thank you, Sam,” I said sincerely.

  He smiled and nodded. “No problem Ava, I’ll just be glad when we get the bastard,” he said as he walked towards the door. “Right I’m off to watch Ava’s school rendition of ‘The Wizard of Oz.’” He winked and my eyes widened as my jaw dropped.

  “Where the hell did you get that?” I asked, gobsmacked.

  He laughed loudly, “Hey, you gave me permission . . . remember?”

  He laughed again as I picked up a scatter cushion and threw it at him. “You dare show that to Mason and I will never speak to you again,” I snarled. He laughed wickedly.

  “What part did you play, baby?” Mason chuckled and Sam snorted.

  “Isn’t it obvious, Mase?” he chuckled and I scowled at him. “The wicked witch,” he howled as he shot through the door.

  “You bastard!” I shouted after him as Mason laughed and picked me up. He slung me over his shoulder and carried me upstairs. “Come and show me just how fucking wicked you are, baby.”

  * * *

  The next morning Mason woke me early with a tray of coffee, freshly squeezed juice, toast and croissants.

  I shuffled back against the headboard. “Wow, what have I done to deserve this?” I asked, yawning.

  “Because I love you and you love me,” he said softly, stretching out beside me. Something seemed different about him this morning, the twinkle and life in his eyes had dulled and his shoulders seemed tenser.

  I kissed him and then took a gulp of coffee, shuddering at the taste. Mason wasn’t kidding when he told me he couldn’t make it as well as me but I smiled appreciatively.

  He chuckled, “You don’t have to pretend it’s good coffee, Ava.” He climbed off the bed and walked towards the bathroom, stripping out of his jogging bottoms and shorts as he went. I drooled, and not from the smell of the breakfast.

  “You have a mighty fine ass, Mr Fox,” I groaned.

  “Hurry up and eat your breakfast Miss Stone, I have a surprise for you,” he shouted as he switched on the shower.

  “Oh?” I shouted around a mouthful of buttery croissant.

  “Uh-huh,” he mumbled.

  I jumped up from the bed and stood in the bathroom doorway. “Tell me,” I pleaded excitedly. He shook his head slowly with a twinkle in his eyes as I strolled towards him slowly. “Mason,” I purred as I placed my hands on his chest, my eyes strolled there too. God, he was so hot!

  I licked my lips and saw his cock twitch to life. I trailed a finger across to his nipple and circled it gently as it puckered under my touch. “Tell me, baby.” I pouted, looking up at him through my eyelashes.

  “Ava, don’t be naughty,” he hissed as my tongue swept across the other nipple and my hand slid down to grasp his erection. I stroked my finger along the length of him and swirled my thumb over the head as I bit gently on his nipple.

  “Jesus,” he groaned as my mouth planted little kisses over his pecs, down his strong defined abdomen and through his man trail.

  I dropped to my knees and hovered my tongue right over his slit as I looked up at him. “Tell me,” I teased and he groaned.

  “No.” He bit his bottom lip as though he was fighting with himself over his answer.

  My hands snaked around and cupped his arse as I licked the length of him and looked expectantly at him again. “No.” He grimaced. I took him full in my mouth and slid down slowly, squeezing his buttocks as I buried him in my hot mouth.

  He hissed and his hands seized my hair, tugging gently as I sucked him feverishly. I felt him harden slightly in my mouth and I pulled back, stood up and strolled towards the bedroom.

  “Ava?” he moaned and I shrugged nonchalantly.

  “You wouldn’t tell me,” I said candidly, swaying my hips as I walked away, hiding the amusement on my face from him.

  His arms circled my waist as he picked me up and threw me on the bed. “Oh no you don’t, Mr Fox,” I giggled, trying to wriggle out from under him.

  “Oh yes, Miss Stone,” he chuckled back and straddled me, pinning me to the bed under him.

  “Mason!” I laughed as his fingers slipped under my vest and traced up my sides. I was laughing hard, squirming and writhing under him as he tickled me torturously. “Mason!” I cried, snorting and crying with laughter as he lifted slightly and flipped me over so I was facing upwards.

  His eyes w
ere so intense that they stopped my laughter dead, they were nearly black and he was breathing heavily. We stayed still; both penetrating each other’s eyes as we pulled in heavy breaths.

  His lips crashed down on mine, fiercely kissing me, devouring my tongue with his mouth as his hands scrambled at my shorts, desperately trying to get them off as his mouth was still on mine.

  As soon as he got them off one leg he thrust into me immediately and we both groaned loudly. He pounded into me fast and hard, his head buried in the nook of my shoulder. Within seconds we were both climaxing powerfully and noisily, clung to each other’s sweaty bodies in a feverish, vehement passion. “AVA” he yelled as he pumped his seed into me, panting rapidly and jerking violently.

  “Jesus, where did that come from?” I breathed heavily as he rested his forehead against mine and kissed my nose before he jumped from the bed and disappeared into the bathroom.

  “Hey,” I shouted. He popped his head around the door frame. “You still didn’t tell me,” I glowered.

  “I know.” He grinned and winked before I heard him enter the shower.

  “Pig,” I mumbled to myself but smiled happily.

  CHAPTER 46

  MASON HUDDLED ME into Sam’s’ car, still refusing to tell me what the surprise was and when we pulled into the airport I frowned.

  “Mason?” He grinned at me but didn’t say anything. “But we can’t be going away, I haven’t brought any clothes,” I reasoned.

  The corner of his lips curled. “Don’t worry Ava, you won’t be needing clothes.” He growled playfully and Sam laughed.

  I glowered at him. “Will you tell me where we are going?” I demanded.

  He kissed me quickly. “Nope,” he countered as he exited the car and came round to my door, opening and holding his hand out to me. I grasped it and followed him into the airport.

  He went straight over to a desk and spoke quietly to a woman who smiled widely and I must say flirtatiously at him. “Mr Fox, of course. If you would just like to follow this man he’ll escort you through departure and onto the tarmac, sir” She purred with a seductive smile plastered on her face.

  Mason swiftly turned to me, grabbed my hand and pulled me along behind him as we followed the man through a series of gates, desks and doors.

  We eventually exited on to a small runway and headed towards a small plane. Mason practically ran up the steps in excitement.

  I gasped as we entered the aircraft. It was plush, luxurious and quite spacious. A small white leather sofa, glass coffee table and drinks cabinet adorned one side while a huge flat screen TV was bracketed to the wall. To the other side of the plane a small dining table stood. It was laden with an assortment of breads, meats, cheeses and fruits.

  “Wow,” I exclaimed.

  Mason pulled me further in. “We have to strap in for take-off, then we can move about.” He smiled and settled me into a luxury aircraft seat. He crouched in front of me and buckled me in as he kissed me gently, but the sadness in his eyes squeezed my heart.

  He seated himself in the other one. “Good morning” A tall red haired woman in a simple grey suit smiled. “I’m Brooke and I’m your hostess for your flight. We will be taking off in a few moments and I see you’re already strapped in.” She pursed her lips and her eyes flicked to Mason as she said ‘Strapped.’ I bit my bottom lip as she went through the usual health and safety spiel and soon we were heading down the runway and soaring high.

  Brooke came back over to us and bent to undo our seatbelts which I found quite strange as we were able to do it ourselves, until she bent to undo Mason’s and I understood her game plan. Mason raised his eyebrows at me in amusement as she flicked his clip and I glowered at him.

  “Thank you for undoing our belts Brooke, Mason and I struggle to press the undo button.” I smiled sweetly. Mason sucked in his lips and stifled a giggle.

  Brooke looked at me oddly then turned back round to Mason. “Can I get you anything, Mr Fox?” she purred and I clicked my tongue noisily.

  “Yes, we’ll have some champagne and fruit I think please, Brooke.” He grinned happily at her. I was sure I had steam coming out of my ears.

  “Of course, Mr Fox,” she hummed with a nod of her head.

  She disappeared into a back room and I glared at Mason. “Of course, Mr Fox,” I mimicked, fluttering my eyelashes overdramatically “Aww Baby, are you jealous?” he smirked, but I caught a quick glint of anger in his eye.

  “Does she even realise I’m here?” I whispered to him as she made her way over to us with a large tray.

  He chuckled. “I don’t care if she does or doesn’t. I know you’re here because my dicks hard like it always is when you’re close,” he said huskily and I squirmed in my seat.

  “Here you are Mr Fox, would you like me to pour?” She tipped her head slightly, battered her eyelashes and stuck her hip out gently. Well that was it; I sniggered at her flirtatious action and looked out of the window biting my lip to stop the full on laugh that was threatening to erupt from me.

  “Champagne, Miss Stone?” Mason asked, and from his tone I knew he was hiding his own snicker.

  “Lovely, Mr Fox.” I smiled and fluttered my eyelashes at him. His shoulders tipped and he looked down at the floor.

  “I would absolutely adore a taste of your plums, Brooke,” I hummed. Mason snorted, his shoulders now jigging about as he tried to busy himself tying his shoelace.

  Brooke gave me a questioning look. I smiled and pointed to the fruit on the tray. “Oh Yes Miss, of course.” She smiled. “Would you like anything with them?” she asked as she sliced a plum onto a little plate.

  “How about some of your delicious cream, Brooke.” I grinned.

  Mason shot out of his chair and headed towards a little door at the back of the plane. “Bathroom,” he stammered and as the door shut, I could hear his loud laughter.

  Brooke looked at the door then me, wide eyed. “Oh you’ll have to excuse him Brooke, he gets very nervous on plane journeys but his nerves come out in fits of laughter,” I informed her with a serious face.

  “Oh dear,” she sighed sympathetically. I nodded and gave her a sad look.

  The bathroom door opened and Mason stepped out.

  “Would you like anything else, Miss?” Brooke asked and I grinned wickedly.

  “Well . . . I would really like to squeeze your peaches.”

  Mason spun on his heel and disappeared back into the bathroom as another bout of laughter erupted.

  “Just to see if they’re ripe,” I explained after and she smiled happily and passed one to me. “Wow!” I spoke loudly, “Your peaches are lovely and firm, Brooke.”

  Brooke and I both stared at the bathroom door as Mason snorted loudly. She turned to me with a woeful expression, “The poor man.”

  I nodded. “Yes, poor, poor man.” I agreed gravely.

  That will teach him!

  * * *

  We landed at Beziers Cap d’Agde a short while later.

  “France!” I declared, beaming widely. “Wow, Mason. I don’t know what to say.” I giggled like a school girl and jumped into his arms, kissing him happily, hungrily and very, very passionately.

  “It’s only until Monday morning, baby. And yes, I phoned work for you but I have to be back in London for Monday afternoon. I just thought you could do with a break. And I wanted you to myself before . . . well just for a few days.” He smiled timidly.

  I grinned again, “God, I love you.”

  He cupped my face tenderly “Ava, I . . . I . . .” His eyes grew wet and he swallowed heavily.

  “Hey,” I whispered. “What’s wrong?” He bit his bottom lip and looked lost. “Mason?”

  He blinked and shook his head, plastering a smile on his face; one I noticed didn’t reach his eyes. “Nothing baby, ignore me.” He laughed nervously and grabbed my hand. “Come on, I need to get you naked.” He gave me his unique sexy grin and pulled me through the airport and into a waiting car.

  “M. Fox,
Miss Stone. Bienvenue chez France.” Our driver smiled politely and tipped his head.

  “Merci,” Mason said brightly and ushered me into the car.

  We drove in silence whilst I took in the beautiful and stunning scenery and before long we pulled into a gravel driveway in front of a large rustic chateau. I gasped at its simple beauty. “Mason, it’s fabulous,” I breathed as my door opened and climbed out.

  It was built from old stone, the front of it was covered with masses of sweeping green ivy and climbing roses.

  Mason’s arms settled around my waist. He planted a small warm kiss on the nape of my neck. “It blends into the background against your beauty, Ava.” His lips kissed their way up my neck to my ear, his hot breath whispering against my skin. “I’m gonna take you in every single room Ava. I’m going to make love to you until we both collapse with exhaustion and then I’m going to have you again.” I closed my eyes and moaned at his words.

  A slight cough informed us that the driver had finished carting our bags in; the bags that Mason had secretly packed this morning while I was sleeping.

  Mason turned to him and scowled. “Wait!” he barked. The driver tipped his head and took a step backwards.

  He turned his attention back to me and slowly turned me to face him. “You’re mine, Ava,” he whispered as his lips crashed down on mine in a forceful and demanding kiss.

  He suddenly pulled away and I gasped for a breath as his eyes bore into me. “Mine,” he whispered again as he turned and walked towards the driver.

  What the hell was that all about? I was used to Mason’s possessive words but something this time seemed different. My heart was pounding at the intensity of his words and a little thought bounced into my head. Kade!

  I closed my eyes and tried desperately to slow my rapid heartbeat.

  When I opened them Mason was stood by the door to the chateau, a smile on his face and a gleam in his eye. “Come on, baby. You’re currently wearing too many clothes.” He held out his hand and I walked over to him, searching his face for answers but saw nothing.

  Back to his usual self he led me through the house as we uncovered each room and my excitement rose at the authentic décor of the furnishings and design.