The NSC Boxset: Heart of Stone (123 page)

Kerrie sat beside me as Courtney told me she was going to sit with Greg. “He’s been frantic Ava. He . . . he . . . I’ve never seen him so desolate, so inconsolable and so fucking heartbroken. He looked everywhere, had everyone looking for you, he tore himself apart, Ava.”

I turned to her. “Shush, I know he’s back on the coke Kerrie, I know,” I said gently.

She sighed. “I tried to help him, Ava,” she sobbed. “I tried so hard to keep him going but after five days he couldn’t cope, he needed to obliterate everything. Get out of his mind for a while and . . . well, I dunno if he’s had more since then,” she revealed. I nodded, blowing a raspberry on George’s hand as he placed it to my mouth. I smiled at him as he gave his wide gummy grin as I nuzzled them, breathing in their scent and engraining it to memory.

Teresa entered and walked over to us with a smile. “Well hello there beauties.” She gave them a finger each and they gripped it firmly, their own personal hello they greeted everyone with. She grinned widely at them. “I can’t believe how much they look like their parents,” she said with amazement.

“They’re amazing.” I grinned as I kissed their heads.

“I’m afraid it’s time for your visitors to leave Ava, you need some rest, sweetie,” she said with apology and I nodded.

“Mummy will be home soon peanuts,” I told them as I kissed their heads and Kerrie proceeded to strap them in their buggy’s.

“We’re having lots of fun, aren’t we my little pumpkins,” she cooed at them. They smiled at her. I was happy that they enjoyed her company as much as she enjoyed theirs.

She came over and kissed my cheek. “Don’t be too hard on him Ava, he didn’t know how to cope,” she whispered. I nodded at her and smiled.

“I know.”

She nodded and left me with Teresa and WPC Haven, I finally found out her name.

“I need a bath,” I pleaded and WPC Haven nodded.

“Go ahead, we have all the photographic and intimate samples,” she said then smiled softly at me, “Enjoy.”

I sighed as I walked into the bathroom and ran the hot water. Teresa walked in and passed me some antiseptic bath crème. “We don’t usually supply it but I figured you needed a little bit of luxury and the antiseptic in it will help your wounds.”

I nodded to her. “God, Yes! I have dreamt of a bath for days.”

She patted my arm. “I’ll just be outside with WPC Haven, Ava. You’re completely safe here,” she said gently and I choked on a grateful sob. She knew exactly how I was feeling, terrified of my own shadow, terrified of every fucking shadow.

“Thank you,” I croaked.

“Do you need a hand with your hair?” she asked after a pause. I frowned as I realised the skin on back was so sore I didn’t think I would be able to reach round and rinse it.

“Yes . . . please,” I said gratefully and she gave me a happy smile.

“That’s what I’m here for sweetie; I’ll just get some shampoo while you sink in.”

She winked and as she left I climbed in and sunk down. My back screamed in protest but I grit my teeth and endured the pain until it eased a little. I sank further down, inch by inch, getting accustomed to the sting. My body relaxed, every muscle sighed with relief and my skin now sang with joy.

This was heaven!

Teresa returned with a jug and washed my hair for me, gently untangling the snarls and knots and massaged my scalp.

“Thank you,” I said quietly.

“It’s my pleasure. You are gonna get through this Ava, you’re gonna be stronger and tougher for it. You will wake up one morning, before long, and you will be so proud of what you have pushed yourself through, what you have survived and you will realise what a strong, independent and beautiful woman you are.” Tears streamed down my face. “Oh sweetie,” she whispered. Her arms hung over the side of the bath and she huddled me up, my head in her ample chest as I sobbed into her.

“Thank you, you deserve a medal for putting up with me twice,” I chuckled eventually and she playfully slapped my arm.

“Come on. Let me give you the five star treatment and dry your hair for you . . . ooh after I apply new ointment though.”

I smiled and climbed from the bath. She took the towel and patted me down, taking extra care over my sores. I felt so much better, the dirt and filth and stench of Dane washed away. I was determined not to let him eat at my thoughts, not let him win and terrify me any further.

Teresa was right, I was strong and tough, I had bashed his fucking head in for god’s sake and I wouldn’t hesitate to do it again. In fact if Mason ever managed to find him, then I would make sure I was the one to finish him, slowly and excruciatingly slow.

I lay in my bed, alone now the policewoman and Teresa had gone. I had faced the window to keep one open eye on it but my thoughts were whirling at the door my back was facing. I knew the nurses were outside the door so the window was my main priority.

I had insisted that a light be left on; I didn’t want to lay in the dark anymore. I was angry at myself for being frightened of Dane returning; scared to death he would come back for me and take me again.

“Ava,” I heard Greg whisper. I rolled over to see him stood in the doorway. I smiled in relief at his friendly face. “You okay?” he asked as he approached me. I nodded but he could tell I wasn’t from my expression. “You want me to stay with you?” I nodded wildly with wide eyes. He smiled softly and climbed on the bed behind me. “I’ve got you sweetheart, try and get some sleep,” he whispered as his arms tightened securely around me.

“I hope Courtney’s okay with this,” I worried and he snorted.

“I’m sure she’ll be fine Ava, she knows how much I love her . . . and fuck! I love her so fucking much, I realised how much when I thought I’d never see her again.”

I shrouded his arms with my own and nodded in understanding. “I know,” I whispered.

“He thinks you hate him Ava, he blames himself and he can’t cope with what Dane did to you. He hates himself for not finishing him when he . . . when you lost the baby and he knows none of this would have happened if he’d followed it through to the end,” he revealed.

“I know Greg; I know all this is hard for him but hell! I need him more than ever right now. I don’t blame him one bit for not finishing Dane, I told him that but I have never needed him more than I do right now.”

We both pulled in a heavy breath and Greg kissed the back of my head, “Sleep Ava, you’re exhausted, I won’t let anything happen to you, I promise.”

I nodded and relaxed against him as my eyes grew heavy. I welcomed the unconsciousness and oblivion for the first time in nine days.

CHAPTER 4

I WAS ALLOWED home the next morning, armed with potions, lotions and a mountain of pills. Teresa hugged me tight and we swapped numbers, promising to meet her for coffee the following week.

Mason still hadn’t been anywhere near. I knew it was because he had been on cocaine last night. Nobody had seen him since he had visited Greg right after he left me and I prayed to god he wasn’t shacked up with some tart somewhere like the last time he got wrecked.

Sam had arrived with Courtney to collect me and the look of relief and affection on his face had warmed my insides. I had some great friends, some who cared as deeply for me as I did them.

“Come on Ava, let’s get you home to those babies,” he smiled and bundled me into his car.

“Have you heard from Mason?” I asked. His eyes quickly glanced at me through the rear view mirror. “Sam, I know he’s high somewhere, I just want to know if he’s alone and okay.”

He nodded. “He’s fine and he’s definitely alone, Ava.” I nodded my thanks.

We pulled up outside the house and I was suddenly nervous, frightened of being here alone without Mason. Here was where Dane knew where to find me.

“We have security patrolling the grounds Ava,” Sam revealed as though he could read my thoughts. “Mason has hired a 24 hour bodyguard to be with you and the children. You won’t be left alone at all until we find him, okay?” He took my hand and helped me from the car. I nodded and exhaled noisily. He just smiled knowingly at me. “Come on, I’ll introduce you.”

We walked up the steps as Courtney slipped her hand into mine. He opened the door and I stepped into the house. It was Mason’s house but it felt like home to me, it always had done. From the moment we started our relationship I had spent more time here than at my cottage.

Kerrie was stood waiting for me with Katie and George. They squealed with delight when they saw me and their arms reached out for me. I grinned happily at them and scooped them up. “Hey peanuts,” I whispered, kissing each of them noisily on their cheeks, prompting another giggle. God they made me feel whole and so utterly happy.

A big broad good looking man stepped forward. He had long blonde hair that was pulled into a ponytail at the nape of his neck. His eyes were the brightest green I had seen, even greener than my own. He nodded to me. “Ma’am” he murmured. I was instantly highly aware of him, his strength, his professionalism and his sheer presence filled the room.

He held out his hand to me. “Elijah Denman,” he said firmly and I took his hand. He curled his fingers around my hand and he pierced my eyes with his own, silently telling me he would protect me with his life. I instantly believed he would.

“Thank you,” I whispered softly. The faintest smile curled his lips and he nodded again.

He passed me a phone as I handed Katie to Kerrie so I could take it. “Your new phone Miss Stone, you must keep it with you at all times, it has a high tech tracking device and I can pinpoint your location within seconds.”

He reached forward and pressed a button on the side. A high pitched siren erupted from it, he quickly switched it off as Katie screamed and he looked at me apologetically but I shook my head and smiled at him.

I passed him the phone and took Katie back in my arms and jigged her about.

“This key here,” he pointed to an icon on the screen, “sends me an immediate message that you are in trouble.” He pressed it in demonstration and a loud alarm sounded from somewhere.

Elijah reached into his pocket and retrieved his own phone. After pressing a series of keys he turned it to show me and my jaw dropped at the information on his screen. It showed co-ordinates, directions and a list of names. But what astounded me was that a map was displayed under this text. It had zoomed in and it showed me, Elijah, Sam and Courtney stood together in Mason’s room.

Elijah winked at me when I choked out a relieved sob. “I’ll be able to see you, find you and most importantly, protect you,” he stated bluntly.

I nodded my acknowledgement. “Thank you.”

He nodded. “I have entered all your numbers for you and set up your e-mail account on it so we can organize diaries. There are three guards at your facility; myself, Neo Blackman and Frank Grayson. We will take shifts between us and one of us will be by your side or outside your door at all times. We have a further three guards always outside your house, patrolling. Me or one of your other personal guards will drive you and escort you wherever you need to go. You do not leave our side, Miss Stone,” he divulged and ordered simultaneously.

I nodded again. “Thank you.” I smiled. He nodded again then stepped back and took position against the wall, his hands behind his back and his feet apart.

Kerrie exited the kitchen with a tray full of coffee and held it up to Elijah for him to take one then she placed it on the coffee table.

I sat on the floor beside it so I could put the babies on the floor to play with them and drink the much needed coffee. I sighed in pleasure as the caffeine flowed through my veins and Kerrie chuckled. “Courtney’s coming over later so she can stay with you but she’s got a hospital appointment this morning and George is flying out today.”

She smiled as she saw the huge grin that erupted on my face at the knowledge of seeing George. I so needed to see him and I knew he would lift my spirits immediately.

I tickled the babies and giggled with them, enjoying their innocence and normality of them. My heart swelled as I tickled George and he broke wind. “You are so much like your father,” I chuckled and I heard Kerrie cough slightly.

I looked up and gasped as I saw Mason stood watching over me. We both gazed at each other, feeding off each other’s presence, filling our senses with one another’s scent and aura.

He dropped to the floor beside me and opened his arms. I climbed silently onto his lap. His arms wrapped around me and pulled me tight. His nose nuzzled my hair and his lips settled against my ear, softly placing a tender kiss on it as my head rested on his strong powerful chest.

He didn’t speak, I didn’t need him to, I was just happy to be touching and smelling him, to be close to him and hear his soft breaths and his steady heartbeat in my ear. My body instantly relaxed into him as it sprang to life, each nerve ending crying out in relief and my heart finally beating regularly, matching the rhythm of his own heartbeat.

We sat like that for a long time, Kerrie and Elijah had disappeared into the kitchen with the babies, as we just held one another.

“Show me,” he finally said quietly. I inhaled harshly and shook my head faintly.

“Mason I . . .” I swallowed nervously and frowned at him.

“Show me, Ava,” he demanded and I swallowed again.

Taking a deep breath I climbed off his lap and waited for him to stand. He grasped my hand and led me up the stairs. Each one seemed more difficult to climb as I knew what I was about to do would kill him inside.

He led me into the bedroom and we stood silent in the middle of the room. I sucked on my lips, desperately not wanting to do this. He stood impassively, his face showing no emotion whatsoever. I gulped as I started to unbutton the loose silk shirt I had put on for comfort.

I wasn’t wearing a bra as the straps and back rubbed against my sores and I cringed when I undid the last one and looked up at him. He nodded blankly but I saw the slight bob of his Adam’s apple and I knew he was steeling himself for this moment.

I slipped my shirt off my shoulders as I closed my eyes. I heard him gasp and the sound of his heavy swallow. I cringed and turned around; showing him the whip lashes and scorch marks. I heard the sob escape his throat and I instantly turned, grabbed him and pulled him onto the bed, pulling him against me as the sobs tore from him, the anguished cries that erupted from his throat.