I screamed and grabbed at the carpet, frantically trying to get free as he thrust into me again. He spluttered and spat all over me as I tried to wriggle out from under him. His hand wrapped around my throat and squeezed.
“Keep fucking still or I’ll fucking end you whore!” he growled with another thrust. I was gurgling and choking as his grip tightened around my throat.
The corner of my vision had gone black and the rest of my sight was covered in dancing spots as I felt everything slipping away. My lungs had shrivelled up, my brain seemed to be swelling rapidly in my skull and my body seemed lighter as though I was floating.
I closed my eyes against the torture as I felt his sticky cum soak my leg and let the darkness envelope me.
* * *
I opened my eyes, desperately attempting to fill my lungs as I heard noises and shouts. I heard Mason anguished cries and I smiled faintly at the sound of my man, my man had come for me.
“BABY? NOOOO!” he cried as he scooted to the floor beside me and pulled me onto his lap. I tried to look at him but I was still struggling to breathe, my throat had been crushed and my head was screaming in agony.
My eyes were swollen and my vision was tinted with blood. “Mason,” I croaked.
“Oh Jesus Christ!” he roared. “Fucking find him!” he bellowed at somebody, “I need to get Ava to hospital.”
He was shouting out orders. “Where’s Courtney?”
He scooped me up and walked across the landing with me. Suddenly he slammed to a halt and looked down at his forearm where Dane’s sperm had trickled onto it. The roar and howl that erupted from his lungs made my bones crack and my blood curdle in my veins. “When you find him, save him for me . . . he’s mine!” he snarled so malevolently and icily I shivered in his arms.
“It’s okay Baby, I’m here now,” he whispered and stroked my clammy hair off my face.
I moaned and rasped, “Courtney saved the babies.”
“Sam, Car!” he shouted and I saw a flurry of people as I opened my eyes. “Courtney, I need a blanket for Ava.” He stood still on the landing while he waited for the sheet and nuzzled my hair. “Jesus Ava, I am so fucking sorry baby,” he whimpered but I couldn’t answer.
I heard Courtney’s sob as she brought the sheet. “Oh fuck, Ava!” she exclaimed when she saw me. “I daren’t open the door in case he got to the babies Ava, I’m sorry, babe . . . I’m sorry . . .” she cried. I shook my head and then winced at the pain.
“Sam, are you fucking ready?” he snarled before we descended the stairs and exited the house. I could see Sam’s worried expression and I wondered what I must look like.
Nausea rose from my stomach. “Mason, I’m gonna be sick,” I grated against the soreness of my throat. He squatted down on the gravelled driveway and I tipped my head to the side as I emptied my stomach.
“Sorry,” I croaked when I’d finished.
“Shush, don’t be,” he whispered, placing a tender kiss to my head.
He bundled me into the back of car, climbed in beside me and pulled me back onto him. I winced in pain at the movement and he kissed me again.
“Sorry,” he grimaced.
My vision blurred and everything tipped sideways. “Mason . . . How did . . . I thought . . . Mason . . .” I rasped, “I don’t . . . feel . . .” And then his beautiful face disappeared.
* * *
Oh Jesus! I ached everywhere. My head was thumping, my ribs hurt and a pain shot through my nose and cheek every time I moved a single facial muscle. I opened my bruised eyes and fought against the blur for a few moments.
I could make out Mason sat in a chair in the corner, his head was slumped to the side and he was snoring softly as a streak of sunlight filtered through the vertical blind and lit his face, I was amazed how angelic it made him look. I snorted to myself; Mason was many things but definitely never an angel.
I lifted my head off the pillow but as the roaring pain squealed through my head I decided against it and placed it back onto the pillow. Looking around I found a buzzer for a nurse and stretched out painfully to press it; within a minute a nurse was rushing through the door.
She glanced at Mason and then turned to me, a bright smile revealed perfect white teeth and I was sure I saw them dazzle. I inwardly thought she should advertise toothpaste.
She ventured over to me and I put a finger against my lips to shush her as I knew Mason wouldn’t have had much sleep. “Let him sleep,” I whispered but winced as a pain tore through my cheekbone and jaw when I spoke.
“Fuck!” I hissed.
The nurse smiled sympathetically. “No smiling or talking for a while, Ava.”
She fiddled about with some equipment at the side of my bed and the blood pressure cuff tightened against my arm as she shone a light in my eyes with an ultra-bright torch and made me follow it.
“How are you feeling Ava?” she asked eventually and I squinted.
“I’m not sure, my head and face hurt; my ribs are a little sore but . . .” I shrugged.
She nodded. “The police want to talk to you.” She sat on the edge of my bed and grasped my hand. “Honey, I’m so sorry to tell you but we found evidence of a sexual assault,” she divulged gently. I wanted to laugh. How many times had I heard those bloody words?
I nodded and looked at Mason. “I know.” I sighed quietly and she tipped her head.
“Were you conscious when it took place?”
I nodded again. “I think I passed out after he strangled me,” I told her, burrowing my eyebrows as I tried to remember.
She nodded and squeezed my hand. “Do you feel up to talking to the police yet?”
I pursed my lips and glanced at Mason again. “I would rather wait until I’ve spoken to my boyfriend. I need to . . . to . . . well, you know, tell him what happened. How long has he been here?” I asked, dreading the thought of him nipping out to score.
“All the time, Honey,” She smiled and I sighed in relief. “He wouldn’t leave your side.” She glanced at him and sighed dreamily. I knew he’d affected her as he did many other women.
I cringed in anticipation of filling him in with the details but I was more in need of answers from him, but I knew I had to tread carefully knowing this could send him back massively.
I sighed and the nurse patted my hand in reassurance. “How long have I been out?” I asked as she gestured to the water jug and I nodded, then immediately winced.
“About eighteen hours,” she informed me. My poor bruised eyes widened and then screamed at me in protest and I swiftly relaxed them. “You have some extensive bruising to your brain Ava, your body simply shut down to recover. You’d be amazed at the human natural healing abilities.” She smiled again, “I’m Teresa by the way and I’ll be looking after you for your stay in the wonderful Royal Hotel . . . 5 stars and nothing less,” she winked.
I smiled at her as she held a straw to my lips and I sipped, the cool water soothing my painful throat.
I liked her at once, she was a large bubbly girl about my age but what struck my attention were her perfect teeth and her bright blue eyes, they reminded me of Nate, the sharpness and twinkle in them set me at ease straight away.
Mason stirred and mumbled something and then his eyes flicked open. It took him a few seconds to focus and then his eyes widened on me and he shot out of his chair and over to me.
“Baby,” he breathed as his hand stroked my hair off my forehead so he could plant a tender kiss. “Jesus Ava . . . I’m so sorry, baby.” He exhaled heavily and I palmed his cheek.
“Hey,” I scolded as his eyes closed in relief.
“Oh god Ava . . .” he choked and planted another kiss, this time on my cheek and I winced at the pain. “Sorry,” he grimaced. “How are you feeling?” His fingers touched all the wounds on my face as he grimaced with each one.
I shrugged. “The babies?” I asked and he smiled.
“They’re fine, Kerrie and Courtney are watching them.”
I nodded to him
then glanced at Teresa. “Could you leave us a moment please?”
She smiled understandingly. “I’ll be back in about ten minutes, I can’t give you any longer with the head trauma you’ve had, I’m sorry.” I nodded an acknowledgement before she closed the door quietly behind her.
My eyes turned to Mason. He looked down and sighed. “I’m so sorry Ava; if I’d have known he’d . . . he’d . . .”
I grasped his hand. “I know Mason, he was your best friend,” I expressed. His eyes found mine again, confusion, relief and gratefulness displayed in them.
He nodded slowly. “I tried, after he did what he did, I so wanted to kill him Ava but . . .” He shrugged and sucked on his lips, “We’d been friends for years and I just couldn’t do it.” He stood up, took a deep breath and chewed on his bottom lip. “But I won’t make the same fucking mistake again, Ava.” He closed his eyes and tried to steady his breathing as his fists clenched.
I patted the bed to the side of me. “Come here.” His face screwed up in pain but he did as I asked and perched beside me. I took his hand. “Mason, I need to tell you something.” I took a deep breath. “He . . . Dane raped me.” I closed my eyes and swallowed, waiting for the outcry but his lips brushed over mine.
“I know baby, I know . . . I’m sorry . . .” I opened my eyes to see the devastation in his. “Why are you more worried about me than yourself, Ava?” he asked, confusing marring his face.
I frowned. “I dunno.” I scoffed, “It’s not exactly new for me Mason, although . . . it doesn’t get any easier but I know what this has done to you, how you must feel knowing that Dane . . . that he . . . touched me when I’m yours.” I shivered.
He stretched out on the bed beside me and turned to face me, his fingers tracing the contours of my face. “I can’t believe you at times Ava, you never stop amazing me. You’re strong, confident and so fucking incredible. I thought you’d have my balls for the biggest fuck up I’ve ever made.” He sighed sadly and I knew he was torturing himself.
“Mason, I understand . . . hell, if it was Courtney I don’t think I’d be able to hurt her, never mind . . .” I closed my eyes and relished him as his lips found mine and he kissed me so softly I could barely feel him.
“Did you find him?” I asked and sighed when he looked away.
“No,” he answered with a growl and I gulped.
“He was a mess Mason, what did you do to him?”
He shook his head, “You don’t wanna know Ava.”
I grimaced at the thought. “Did you set fire to him?” I asked cautiously.
He glanced at me quickly but looked away. His actions confirmed my thoughts. I pulled in a breath as visions of Katie’s gruesome death swam in my head. I gagged as the smell and sound of her horrifying screams flooded my memories. Mason clung to me tightly. “Baby, don’t,” he cautioned and I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.
“What do I tell the police?” I asked, knowing Mason would want to deal with this himself.
“He wore a hood and you have no idea who he was,” he informed me levelly and I nodded.
“It was him who stabbed Greg,” I divulged and he sighed.
“We thought that.”
I frowned. “What? You knew!” I was gobsmacked. “You knew he was out there and you left me alone with Courtney and the babies!” I shook my head in shock and despair.
“Ava . . . we weren’t sure,” he defended. I could see the shame and guilt on his face but it was too late for excuses and I was stunned he would do this.
“Whoa Mason, I can understand why you let him go before but he stabbed Greg for fucks sake. Did you not think he would come for me?” I rubbed my face with my hands and then jolted at the pain.
“Baby, I didn’t know he would do this . . .”
I snorted and stared in disbelief at him. “He killed our baby Mason, he tried to rape me before, he beat me up and you didn’t think he’d come for me . . .” I shrank back from him, “You knew Mason; you knew how much he hated me for how I split you two up, yet you left me alone with your babies . . . YOU RISKED YOUR OWN FUCKING CHILDREN MASON!” I screamed. “How could you?” I stared at him with utter disgust.
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, placing his face in his hands. “I know . . .” he whispered so quietly I struggled to hear him. He looked at me and his hand reached for me but I reared back.
“Don’t fucking touch me!” I spat. “Just go, I don’t want you anywhere near me.” I turned away from him, the sight of him sickened me.
“Ava please . . .”
“GET FUCKING OUT!” I cried and curled up within myself.
How could he do that? He left us alone while he must have known Dane would come for me, he risked me and his children when he left.
“Ava . . .” he breathed, his voice was raspy and low.
“Go and get fucking high Mason, I know that’s what you want. Block me and your children out of your poor fucking excuse of a life!”
His sheer disregard for our safety hurt so badly, it was like a physical pain ripping my insides. The thought of what would have happened if Dane had got hold of Katie or George was too terrifying to think about.
“I’m not leaving you, Ava,” he growled. A sudden thought occurred to me and I spun around, disregarding the pain that shot through me.
“Who’s with Courtney and the twins?” I asked slowly, my heart was speeding up and my breathing became erratic at the chilling thought of them being alone.
“Ava calm down, Sam and John are with them,” he soothed quickly and I breathed a sigh of relief.
“Oh thank God.” He smiled as though he thought he was forgiven. “Shame you didn’t think of us before he beat the shit out of me and raped me!” I spat as I curled my lip in abhorrence.
He looked down at the floor. “I’m sorry Ava; I don’t know . . .” He lifted his head and his eyes pleaded with me.
“Go!” I hissed as the nurse returned. She looked between the two of us but Mason just sat in the corner chair and crossed his arms over his chest.
I sighed heavily. “Why do you never do as I ask?” I yelled at him but he just shrugged.
“I told you, I. AM. NOT. LEAVING. YOU. AVA.” I rolled my eyes and shook my head at him.
“The police are here Honey, you ready to talk?” Teresa asked and I saw Mason’s eyes flit to mine in a warning.
I sighed. “Bring it on.” . . . again!
CHAPTER 40
I WAS ALLOWED home two days later and against my wishes, back to Mason’s. I had wanted to return to the cottage but he wouldn’t let me, refusing to let me be alone.
I hadn’t told Courtney what Mason had done, I was too angry and I was frightened how she would react about Greg’s stabbing.
Greg was doing brilliantly and would be home in a few weeks and Mason had insisted Courtney stayed at his for her protection until they found Dane.
The first thing I did when I walked through the door was huddle my babies up and kiss and kiss and kiss them, I had missed them so much; they were now my life and I couldn’t bear to be apart from them.
Mason was desperately trying to win my forgiveness but this latest fuck up was huge and I was struggling to even look at him. I was also fraught with worry about Dane getting to Katie and George and I wasn’t coping well over the rape. I felt dirty, used and guilty and I was frightened in the house in case he came back and the memories were haunting me . . . I was a mess, mentally and physically and I knew it was only a matter of time before I broke.
Once I had put Katie and George to bed after enjoying bath time I went straight to the freezer and pulled out a bottle of vodka, needing to obliterate my inner turmoil.
Mason eyed me sceptically. I just glared at him and downed the first glass, pouring another immediately after. I closed my eyes and exhaled as the alcohol hit my sore throat and trickled into my stomach, but the effect wasn’t instantaneous and I downed the second one.
I needed to feel numb, stop the emotions and
thoughts that were drowning me. “Ava . . .” Mason warned and reached for the bottle.
“Don’t,” I snarled as I moved it away from him. “I need it . . . I need to blot it out!” I warned and walked away from him and into the lounge.
Courtney was curled up on the sofa watching a movie and she eyed me when I walked in. “Hey babe,” she smiled as I settled down beside her and poured another glass full.
She frowned and tipped her head to the glass. “You okay?” she asked as Mason sat in the chair opposite; his eyes firmly fixed on me.
“It’s been a bit of a shit week so I thought I’d get fucking pissed.” I shrugged and swallowed the full glass and filled it a fourth time.
Mason’s face was dangerously dark but I was in the mood for a fight so I tipped my glass at him and consumed it all in one go. His breathing was growing heavier and faster and I could sense Courtney’s eyes swinging between the two of us. “I’m gonna go to bed, I’m shattered.” She stood and kissed my head. “Night babe.” She glanced at Mason. “Night.”
He nodded at her but never removed his eyes from me. I just smirked and poured another glass. The vodka was just starting to hit my senses. I sighed contentedly as it started its numbing magic and rested my head on the back of the couch while I closed my eyes.
The room was silent but I could hear his steady breaths and I bit my lip as tears threatened to surface. No damn it, I would not cry . . . or I would not let him see me cry. I sat up, guzzled the vodka, slammed the glass on the table and walked up the stairs, neither of us uttering a word.
I checked on the babies and then turned on the shower in the en-suite and stripped off before I climbed under the hot stream.
My life was a mess! One big fucking mess! I was a mess! Another man had violated me . . . again! What the fuck was wrong with me? Did I have a sign hung around my neck saying ‘Hey, come and rape me’?
I rested my forehead against the tiles and closed my eyes. I felt dirty and I knew Mason was afraid to touch me, I could see the disgust on his face . . . another man had violated his woman; fucked the pussy that belonged to him!
I bit my lip severely to try and stop the thoughts I knew deep down weren’t true but they still kept spinning around my mind, tormenting and torturing me.
The NSC Boxset: Heart of Stone Page 93
