Resolution (Heart of Stone) (5 page)

“Yes” I
nodded and looked down.

I heard his
breathing speed up a level until I thought he would hyperventilate and he took
a step towards me. His face was furious and grim as he cocked his head at me.

“Did you
enjoy it Ava?” he spat and my eyes shot to his, confusion and disbelief raging
through me.

“W..What?” I
spluttered.

“His cock
Ava, did you enjoy it… inside you, pounding at you?” he snarled and my jaw
dropped as my eyes bulged.

“Wh..wh..what?”

I shook my
head in distress and swallowed at the lump that had formed in my throat. He
stalked swiftly over to me and grabbed my upper arms, holding me in his tight
grip. “DID HE MAKE YOU FUCKING COME AVA?!!”

He was
furious, his face was contorted in ire and rage, as though madness had took
hold of him.

His eyes
blazed and his teeth were bared, he inched his face forward so our noses were
practically touching. “There’s only me that knows the bite takes it from a
basic climax to pure ecstasy for you Ava, so why?”

He smacked
my breast with the back of his hand. “Did he bite you as you came, Ava” he spat
icily and I recoiled, the nausea swiftly threatening to surface.

“Did you
tell him to bite you, Ava? Just before he spilled his spunk inside you” he
snarled.

My hand shot
out and struck him across his face. His head whipped to the side and he turned
slowly back to me and the look in his eyes filled my blood with ice and took my
breath, filling my lungs with sheer terror. “Mason, please…” I begged as I took
a step backwards.

His lip
curled and he shook his head slowly. “How did he know Ava?” he asked steely and
I frowned.

“I don’t
understand Mason, he didn’t bite me for…” his eyes flashed and he grabbed my
arms again, the pressure was sure to leave a large bruise. “Mason please” I sobbed
and he shook me raggedly.

“HOW DID HE
KNOW ABOUT THE BITE AVA?” he bellowed and my eyes widened as realisation sunk
in.

Mason
thought I had asked Dane to bite me in throws of passion, knowing that was my
ultimate orgasm trigger. I shook my head vehemently. “No, Mason you’ve got it
wrong!” I tried to explain.

“DID HE FUCK
YOU HARD AS HE BIT YOU A…” he never finished as he spun round and Greg’s fist
connected with Mason’s cheekbone.

I stood in
utter shock and devastation at Mason’s disgust, loathing and revulsion of me.

“WHAT THE
FUCK MASON?” Greg bellowed as he punched him hard again. “He didn’t bite her
during sex you fucking cunt!” Greg snarled and his anger gave him the power to
hold Mason down. I stumbled backwards and sank onto the bed.

I was
stunned and in shock. I knew it was the drugs talking but the sheer evilness
and coldness in him ripped me in two; even Dane couldn’t hurt me like Mason had
just done.

“He bit her
to make her piss herself you fucking arsehole” Greg roared and I recoiled at
his words, the shame and humiliation rose and I looked at my fingers, fiddling them
in my lap.

I felt the
silence more than heard it, the uncomfortable silence, and I knew Mason was
staring at me.

“What?” he
spluttered as him and Greg clambered off the floor.

Greg sighed.
“He would make her wait until her bladder was full and she was bursting, then
bite her breast. The pain would make her concentrate on that so she would forget
to hold her bladder” Greg spat at him and Mason’s face paled. “It wasn’t just
physical torture and torment Mason, he fucked with her head. He made her call
him Sir and ask politely and submissively for things, even to use the fucking
toilet” he snarled and Mason’s hand shot out to the dresser to steady himself.

“
Fuck!”
he rasped and Greg pushed his chest.

“You fucking
Bastard” he growled as he picked up my shirt and strode over to me. “You okay,
Ava?” he asked softly as he helped me into my shirt and I just stared at the
floor. “Ava?” Greg asked and squatted down in front of me. I stared blankly
into his eyes “Come on, sweetheart” he said gently as he stood up and scooped
me up.

He walked
towards the door and Mason shot over to us. “Ava…” he gulped and I shrank back
further into Greg.

“Don’t… no…”
I shivered.

His face
closed down and I looked away, his ultimate betrayal hadn’t been the drugs, or
the women or his secrets… it was this. The fact that he had thought I had
enjoyed Dane’s torture and cruelty, that I had relished it and climaxed on it… that
I wanted it and enjoyed it.

“I’m going to
be sick” I whispered to Greg. He nodded and sped up as he took me straight into
the bathroom and placed me on the floor in front of the toilet as I leaned over
and heaved and emptied the meagre contents of my stomach, the force of it was
violent and nasty and I could feel Greg’s cringes beside me as he tried to
control his own stomach.

I heard the
front door slam and I knew it was Mason leaving but I didn’t care, I didn’t
want him anywhere near me. I heard Courtney mumble something and then she came
to rest beside me.

“Oh babe…”
she sighed as she pulled my hair back and stroked my back in a comforting
gesture.

“He hates
me” I whispered after I had finished vomiting.

She frowned
and shook her head. “No Ava, it’s the coke babe, it makes him paranoid and
obsessive, that’s all Ava” she soothed as she stroked my hair back from my
face.

I shook my
head. “He... he was… he frightened me Courtney. I have never seen him like that
before; I thought he was going to hurt me.”

I gulped and
she huddled me into her “He would never hurt you Ava” she said and I pulled
back.

“But he just
did Courtney… here!” I said as I held my hand against my heavy heart, the one
that was now surrounded in ice, the ice that Mason had managed to chip away at
slowly but successfully and in two minutes he had managed to build it all back
up and more, so much more.

I felt
myself harden inside, refusing to let my heart, mind and body ever be free to
anyone else again. I would keep them tight inside me; reveal them to nobody… not
even Mason. They were mine and would remain that way.

I could feel
the shell slowly shrouding me and shielding me, it would protect me and govern
me and make sure no one ever hurt me again. I was once again the cold hearted
bitch that George had rescued that night but this time I wouldn’t let her die,
I needed her and I was determined to keep her.

I descended
the stairs and turned to Elijah. “I’m leaving” I told him as I passed him a
piece of paper with my address on.

Greg
scurried over to me, “No Ava, I don’t think that’s a good idea sweetheart” he
pleaded and I swung round to him, my cold distant eyes bore into him and I saw
him shrink back and frown slightly.

“Ava?” he narrowed
his eyes.

“I am
leaving and I am taking my babies home” I said bluntly and turned back to
Elijah. “You are now on my payroll not Mr Fox’s. We’ll sort out the
arrangements back at the cottage” I told him and he frowned.

“Miss Stone,
I really need to talk to Mr Fox about this” he said nervously and I glared at
him.

“You do that
Mr Denman and I will find a suitable alternative. The choice is yours” I barked
and turned back to the stairs.

I noticed
Greg and Courtney huddled together whispering and I narrowed my eyes on them,
“I haven’t lost it. I need to harden up and get the hell out of here, away
from… well just away.” I took the stairs two at a time and proceeded to pack
mine, George’s and Katie’s things.

Six hours
later, I was back in the cottage with all my belongings and everybody had left
except Elijah and the patrol guards. I had bathed and bedded the babies and I
settled on the sofa with a bottle of wine. Elijah was stood to attention beside
the room door and I held in a laugh as I glanced at him.

“Do you ever
relax?” I asked him and I was sure I saw his lips twitch.

“Never on
duty, Miss Stone” he divulged and I nodded.

“Drink?” I
held up the bottle to him but he shook his head.

As I picked
up my phone from the table to check for messages, I heard a knock on the front
door. Elijah held up his hand to me and went to answer it.

My heart
soared when I heard his voice and I flew off the sofa and scuttled into the
hallway, skidding to a halt as I took in his face.

He stood
silent, feasting on me with his eyes. “Princess” he sobbed and I flung into his
arms as my own tears finally rolled free.

“George, oh
George” I choked.

 I glanced
at Elijah who was regarding us with tenderness in his eyes and I pulled back,
sobbing and laughing. “Mr Denman this is my step father George Fielding” I
introduced and they nodded to each other.

George held
me out and scanned me, his eyes dark and haunted, “Oh sweetheart” he sighed as
he pulled me close again.

I grinned at
him as I took his hand. “Come on” I nodded my head towards the stairs and led
him into the nursery. He crept along the carpet slowly and stealthily and I
heard his breath hitch as he looked at his grandchildren.

He stroked
his hand over their hair and I put my arm around his waist and held him close.
We stood, silently watching George and Katie and then I led him back out and
into the kitchen.

“You want a
coffee?” I shouted to Elijah who popped his head round the door and nodded. I
smiled in understanding, “You can shout and scream, they won’t wake” I told him
with a wry smile and he returned his own. “They have been brought up with
plenty of noise and screaming… after all, me and Mason are their parents” I
chuckled bitterly.

George
frowned at me. “What’s he done now?” he asked as he sunk into a chair around
the table. Elijah was stood in the kitchen and he stealthily backed into the
lounge and I appreciated his discretion. I passed the mug to George and took
Elijah his and settled at the table with my wine and glass and filled George in
on everything that had happened.

He remained silent;
as I knew he would and he didn’t speak until I had finished. “Where is he?” he
asked and I shrugged.

“George, I
never know what filters through his mind lately” I sighed and gulped at my wine.

“It was just
the coke, Ava. Don’t take any of it seriously” he said sadly.

I nodded. “I
know” I smiled weakly “but I can’t have a drug addict as a father for my
children. He won’t come near them until he’s off the stuff” I warned.

George
nodded in agreement then reached forward and took my hands in a firm grasp.
“And how are you bearing up princess?” he asked with pain and concern riding
through his features.

I shrugged but
nibbled on my lip to hide my internal turmoil. “You know me George; I’m used to
the shit life throws at me.”

I looked
away and heard him sigh, “I must admit, you must have killed a few fucking
robins in your life, Ava” he laughed without humour and I scoffed.

“One or two”
I agreed.

George
leaned back in his chair and puffed. “Why the hell didn’t he finish him
before?” he asked angrily and I shook my head.

“No George,
don’t go there. He was Mason’s best friend throughout his life; I wouldn’t be
able to hurt Courtney either. I don’t blame Mason, not one bit” I declared.

George
regarded me and then shook his head sadly and stood up, “Listen, it’s late and
I’ve sorted out accommodation at Brian’s.” He held up his hand to halt my
protests as he continued. “You don’t have room Ava, what with the babies and
the strapping bodyguards” he whispered with a twinkle in his eyes.

I rolled my
eyes in exasperation at him. “I’ll be back tomorrow, I’ll text you before I
turn up” he revealed as a knock came to the door and I frowned, my heart in my
mouth and George was instantly in front of me, his arms and legs wide
protectively and I didn’t think I could love him more than I did in that exact moment.

“It’s okay,
its Neo” Elijah shouted from the room, “its shift change” he informed us as we
walked into the lounge.

A huge dark
skinned man with the darkest eyes I had ever seen tipped his head and smiled at
me. “Miss Stone, I am this evening’s entertainment” he winked with a wicked
smile and I liked him immediately.

I smiled
back but frowned as George pulled him to one side and whispered in his ear. Neo
nodded every now and again and I knew he was on the receiving end of George’s
protectiveness and security of me.

I rolled my
eyes again and turned to Elijah. “Thank you for today, I know it’s not your
typical first day with a new client.” I shrugged apologetically but he frowned
slightly and took one of my hands in one of his enormous ones and leaned
towards me.

“Ava,
whatever happens or whoever pays my wage, I am here to protect you and your
children and I will do whatever it is that makes you comfortable, secure and
relaxed” he said quietly and my breath hitched as his warm breath whispered across
my cheek.

What the
hell is wrong with you Ava? Simmer down!

I gulped and
smiled at him. “Thank you.”

He nodded
“I’ll be back at midday tomorrow, sleep well Miss Stone” he said and tipped his
head to Neo and George and left.

“Where do
you sleep?” I turned my head from the sofa and regarded Neo.

He smiled
widely “I don’t sleep, Miss Stone.” His face held a slight hint of humour and I
grimaced.

“Sorry” he
shook his head from his stance by the door. “Can’t you sit down? It makes me
nervous you just stood there” I asked timidly and he smiled again.

“I can” he
sucked on his lips and moved to the chair, sinking his huge frame into it.

 “What do
you do all night then, while I sleep?” I asked and he shrugged.

“I have my iPad
and laptop Miss Stone, I usually do all the technical work for Elijah” he
disclosed.

“Is Elijah the
executive then?” I asked.

Neo nodded,
“Yeah, it’s his business. He built it up from scratch.”

He reached
into his bag and pulled out a bottle of water and I watched his Adam’s apple
bob about as he swallowed. “You married?” I asked.

What the
hell is wrong with you tonight Ava?

He shook his
head “Nah, not my thing” he chuckled and I smiled at his easiness.

“Well I’m
gonna go up. Help yourself to anything and you don’t have to be quiet. As I
explained to Elijah, the twins would sleep through the second coming” I laughed
and he smiled warmly.

“Okay, thank
you Miss Stone. Good night” he murmured.

As I stepped
through the doorway something occurred to me and I spun round “Oh, Mr Blackman,
uhh… my
ex
Fiancé has a key to the back door which he doesn’t hesitate
to use… even without my permission. Don’t hurt him if he comes in but I don’t
want him here either” I said embarrassedly.

He smiled at
me. “Miss Stone. Your
ex
Fiancé won’t even get past the security outside
so don’t you worry about a thing. Get a good night sleep…. you… well I would
imagine you need one” he said cautiously.

I regarded
him humorously. “Are you saying I look like shit?” I asked with my tongue in my
cheek.

He shrank
back with wide eyes, “No… no Miss Stone, I was …”

I laughed
and held my hand up to him. “Relax, I was just joking.” He took a large sigh of
relief and I winked at him, “Goodnight, Mr Blackman.”

He smirked
at me, “Neo, please.” I nodded then shut the door behind me and left him to it.

I climbed
into bed, my eyes and ears searching frantically for anything unusual. I had
left a lamp on and I wondered if I would ever be comfortable in the dark again.

There was a
small knock on my bedroom door and it opened to reveal Courtney stood in the
hallway light. I sighed in relief. She smiled at me, stripped down to her
underwear and climbed in behind me.

“Sorry I’m
late, Greg needed… well, he needed something” she cringed and I laughed as I
shrouded her embrace with my own.

“I bet he
did” I chuckled and she snorted.

“I don’t
know how to thank him enough, Courtney. Your Fiancé got me through the final
day, the worst day and I…”

She
tightened her hold on me. “He told me what happened Ava, I hope you don’t
mind?”

I shook my
head. “No, it saves me telling you.”

“I can’t
imagine the pain you went through and to be honest I’m amazed… proud of you for
fighting back when the rest of us would have given up and …” she choked.

“Yeah, a
proper little warrior” I said with bitterness, Mason’s pet name for me making
my stomach curl and my heart ache.

“You heard
from him?” I asked her.

“No, Greg
and Sam are out looking for him” she disclosed and I scoffed and shook my head
slightly.

“He’s
probably high and fucking some tart by now” I snapped.

“Ava,
don’t…” she warned softly.

“Anyway how’s
your little nugget?” I asked; my own pet name for her baby.

“Great, I
love pregnancy” I heard the smile in her voice and smiled myself. Courtney had
been blessed with a straight forward pregnancy, no morning sickness, no
cravings and no back ache… the complete opposite to what mine had been.

Her hand
settled in my hair. “Sleep, Ava” she said as she curled up tight into me. I
didn’t think I would be able to sleep but I was soon unconscious and my body welcomed
it, the serenity and peacefulness of sleep.

“Ava…” he
whispered and my heart froze as I looked around my bedroom frantically.
“Ava…I’m coming.”

I backed
myself against the wall as he appeared in the doorway. “No please” I shook my
head rapidly as I pushed my body further into the wall behind me, my fingers
clawing at the plaster as though I could dig my way through the wall and away
from him. He curled his lip at me, that half lip that made my spine shiver.

“You are
such a bad girl, Ava” he said as he took another step towards me. “And now I’m
going to make you pay for running” he sneered as he held up a red hot poker. I
shook my head rapidly, terrified and frozen with fear. He laughed and reached
out to me, his hand extended as though I would willingly go with him.

“Now,
come on Ava. Even Mason knows you want me; you love my cock pounding away at
you. Even he knows what a whore you are” he laughed.

“NOOOOOOO”
I screamed as he lifted the poker to my bare breast.

“Enjoy
Ava” he smirked as he pressed it against me. The scream erupted from my throat,
a high pitched blood curdling scream as I felt my skin crisp and singe under
the heat and fire…..

“AVA! GOD
DAMN IT” Courtney’s voice exploded around me and I scrambled backwards on the
bed, fighting for breath as I saw Courtney by my side and Neo at the bottom of
the bed. She took my hand as I looked at her with terrified eyes.

“It was just
a dream babe… just a dream, Ava” she soothed and I nodded frantically at her.

“Ju…just… a..
dr…dream” I sobbed and shivered.