The NSC Boxset: Heart of Stone

by D H Sidebottom

  “Listen to me Red,” he started as he stroked his finger along the edge of my cheek and down my chin, his eyes mesmerised by his own movement. “I’ve never been a hero, never even watched bloody Superman. I run at the first sign of trouble and I jump a mile at my own shadow. But for you, I’ll take on the fucking Devil himself . . . and I’ll win and I’ll make sure I win well.”

  I cried then, big hefty, snotty gusts of tears. They poured from everywhere; my eyes, my nose, my heart, my spirit and from my very soul.

  Lucas held me as they took over and conquered me. His soft rocking motion comforted me as he whispered words of love in my ear and planted tender kisses on my forehead, whilst I clutched tightly on to him. My hands fisted his flesh as my nails dug deep into his skin but he took it all, absorbed every single piece of my torture and swallowed it from me as I tried to climb inside him for protection.

  “Shush, baby” he whispered, “I love you. I’m here to protect you and I’ll die doing it if I have to . . .”

  These words halted my tears and I looked up at him, my wet cheek sliding against his smooth chest “I won’t let him hurt you, Lucas.”

  He tipped his head and regarded me with puzzlement before he smiled softly and nodded. His yield made me contemplate his belief in me.

  “I mean it, Lucas. I will make sure you are safe from him. That is one promise I can give you, every other, well, we’ll have to see what happens but I promise that I will keep you safe until the day I die.”

  Knowing that these words would probably be truer than Lucas predicted them to be, had me hurting at the dedication I was telling him.

  Lucas smiled at me and kissed my eyes. “I know, baby but you won’t need to cos’ he won’t get to you anymore.”

  I relented without an argument and just nodded at his words but I knew without a shadow of a doubt that I would be facing the wrath of Diablo very soon.

  Chapter 20

  Lucas

  I WATCHED HER sleep for a long while. My frantic beating heart wouldn’t let me settle and I just lay, staring at her beauty.

  Even asleep she was the most exquisite thing I had ever set eyes on.

  She was mine; her body, her soul and her mind, they were all mine and I grinned to myself at the knowledge.

  She murmured in her sleep as her closed eyes flicked gently. She was obviously dreaming and I smiled when she gave out a little soft moan.

  I hoped it was me she was dreaming of making erotic noises like that.

  I frowned when the little moans suddenly became long drawn out whines and her body started convulsing as she fought with the duvet, thrashing restlessly as sweat poured from her and her breathing sped up to an awfully high pace.

  “Red . . . Red! LAY . . .” I tried to wake her but she continued jerking and shaking.

  Unexpectedly, she flung herself upright and screamed, her hands and legs beating at an invisible enemy as she shook her head rapidly shouting. “Please don’t . . . please, Noooo . . .”

  I grabbed her forearms and shot backwards when she punched me straight on the cheekbone as she continued to cry out. Pain seared through my face at a severe degree and I was silently in awe of her strength.

  Her bedroom door flew open and Sara blinked in confusion as she skidded to a halt at the sight of me nursing a bruised cheek and trying to calm Red down.

  “I can’t wake her” I explained quickly. Sara seemed to shake herself off and take charge.

  She disappeared into the bathroom and came back in with a facecloth, hot vapour rising from it as she took hold of Red’s arms, pulled them behind her back and held them there in a tight grip and then proceeded to wipe at Red’s face with the cloth.

  Red let out a fierce growl and I propelled myself towards Sara to protect her against Red’s fury but she shook her head, “Wait” she told me calmly.

  She wiped again and Red gasped in a huge breath as her eyes flicked open with a ferocious snarl but Sara held on tight and whispered something into Red’s ear.

  I saw her throat bob and her eyes dart around the room before she slumped back onto Sara and appeared to have fallen back to sleep.

  Sara shifted and laid Red back down gently before standing and then disappeared into the hallway.

  I watched, stunned as Red’s breathing steadied out and she showed no sign of distress as she slept peacefully again.

  Sara came back in with a tea towel containing a bag of frozen peas and held it against my face.

  I hissed at the shock but smiled gratefully at her when it began to ease the ache.

  “She gonna be okay?” I asked quietly as I tilted my chin towards Red.

  Sara smiled softly and nodded, “Yeah, she won’t remember anything about it tomorrow.”

  I nodded, not sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing. “She have a lot?”

  Sara sighed and frowned sadly then nodded her head. “Yeah, a few” she divulged and I gulped back the sorrow as I took another glance at a serene Red.

  Sara rubbed my shoulder and then departed through the door, quietly closing it behind her as I shivered against the realisation of how deep Red’s pain went.

  She had night terrors, she was frightened to death of the dark and she was terrified to live, to just be herself, to let loose and live.

  A fierce emotion of protection and the need to take care of her flooded my core and I silently promised her that I would do everything in my power to turn her life around and make her happy, keep her safe and above all, teach her how to love and how to accept love.

  Show her how to receive affection freely, without the need of giving something in return and to finally accept that she was so utterly perfect that she did deserve happiness and love.

  I stretched out beside her and pulled her tight little body against mine, her back to my chest as I enveloped her in my arms and held her tight.

  I smiled when she murmured my name and snuggled back into me, her pert little ass fit perfectly into my groin and I sighed contentedly when we fit seamlessly together, like the exact fit of a jigsaw piece.

  “You were created for me, Red” I whispered into her hair.

  She sighed and moaned faintly before she pulled my arms tighter around her and I nuzzled her neck tenderly as my eyes closed wearily, but I didn’t fall asleep until after I heard her soft murmur.

  “I love you, Lucas . . .”

  * * *

  I smiled to myself behind my closed eyes as I felt Red’s small fingers grip my cock and stroke it gently, her gentle movement igniting fire in my gut as all my blood flowed south and pumped my erection even harder.

  “Goodness me, Mr Hunt. You seem to have an urgent matter that needs attending to at once” Red’s sultry voice filtered through my ears and I opened my eyes and smirked at her.

  “That I do, Miss Summers. Are you offering your assistance in this very important issue?” I grinned down at her as her mouth settled on my chest and she placed warm wet kisses over my already hot skin.

  “Of course Mr Hunt, I am extremely dedicated to resolving any exertions my boss develops.”

  My breath stunted when her tongue swept out and trailed down my stomach towards its destination. I think I actually stopped breathing when she wiped her thumb across the tip of my cock, wiping the pre-cum away before she placed that same thumb in her mouth and sucked off my juices, her eyes closed in gratification.

  “Ooh I think I wet my appetite Sir, I may need to relieve you of some more of that amazing cream. In fact I don’t think I can stop until I have drained every . . . single . . . drop . . . from . . . you.”

  I groaned loudly as she mouthed my dick and sank all the way down slowly. “You seem to be too big for me, Mr Hunt” she grinned up at me wickedly as she fisted the base of my cock and then started her relentless torture.

  At first she moved so slowly I thought I might go crazy, but then she flicked her tongue around me and started to change pace as she moaned with her own arousal.

  “Come here” I ordered sof
tly as I shifted her around so she was on all fours above me, her gorgeous pussy straight in my face as my cock stood upright and already disappearing into her mouth.

  I could see how sore she still was from this position and it burnt a hole through me but I focused entirely on her clit, my lips and tongue teasing her gently until she was driving harder and harder onto me with the force of her oncoming climax.

  My God, her tongue was amazing as she danced it over my shaft and the feeling was incredible as she worked me into a hot, sweaty, panting mess.

  I growled a feral grunt as she took me all the way to the back of her throat and when the tip of my cock reached her tonsils she just swallowed and took more of me.

  “Fuck yeah . . .” I groaned against her as the burn shot straight up my spine and into my brain as I shot my load straight down her elegant throat.

  I gave her clit a final lick with the flat of my tongue and she followed my violent orgasm with her own, and although I was tempted to lap at her delicious juice, I didn’t. I was too frightened of hurting her but I palmed her butt cheeks and spread them wide and the action seemed to drag out her orgasm for her.

  “Oh God, Lucas” she cried over my cock as she swallowed each and every drop I gave her whilst she shuddered and quaked with the force she came with.

  “Fuck baby. Best blow job ever” I grinned up at her through the gap in our bodies.

  She smiled down at me and then kissed the crown of my dick before she climbed off and shifted around so she was upright on the bed with me.

  “Good morning, beautiful” I said as I planted a kiss on the tip of her nose. She gave me that soft chuckle of hers as she rose from the bed and pulled on her robe.

  “Tea, coffee, juice?” she asked and I lifted an eyebrow at her. “Right, coffee” she smirked then exited the room.

  I sighed and rolled onto my back, a huge grin covering my face as I realised it was Sunday and I could spend all day with Red.

  Perfect.

  She came back in the bedroom with a mug of tea for her and a tiny cup with an espresso in for me and I smiled my thanks as I downed it in one.

  She lifted an eyebrow at my greediness but I winked at her and placed my cup down before I took her tea from her and placed it beside mine on the cabinet.

  She frowned at me before I swept in to kiss her. “I can’t seem to get enough of you. I’m like an addict.”

  She smiled before she kissed me back passionately and slipped her hands into my hair and grabbed a fistful as she moaned softly.

  “Get ready and we’ll grab breakfast somewhere” I told her but she pulled back and grimaced.

  “I can’t today.”

  I pouted at her, my insatiability for her caused a disappointed flutter in my chest.

  “You have plans, Red?”

  She nodded as she planted her mouth back over mine and controlled our next kiss, as I cupped both cheeks and I echoed her passion and love as enthusiastically as she did.

  “I’m sorry,” she whispered against me “But I’m free tonight.”

  I frowned but nodded “I’ll pick you up at 8.”

  She nodded as she climbed off the bed and went to the bathroom and I heard the shower running.

  What the hell was I going to do all day now?

  I knew the hours would drag as I waited for nightfall and I rolled onto my side and regarded her intently as she came back in after her shower, wearing nothing but a bright pink towel.

  “What are you up to today then?” I asked as she pulled out some jeans and a fluffy lemon jumper from her wardrobe.

  I saw her stutter and I narrowed my eyes but she recovered quickly and shrugged, “I uhh, I work a bar in town every Sunday lunch.”

  “Oh that’s cool, I’ll just prop the bar up and watch you” I offered and she paused again then turned to me with a nervous expression.

  “You can’t, its members only, Lucas. I’ll be ready for 8 tonight and I can look forward to it while I work.”

  I remained silent as I watched her drop the towel and my eyes roamed every inch of her breath-taking figure as she covered each part of her slowly when she pulled on her clothes.

  I sighed heavily as I joined her and got dressed, both of us silent and thoughtful.

  I knew she was lying, what I didn’t know was why. But I was adamant I was going to find out what she was hiding.

  Chapter 21

  Layla

  “V.O AND PASSPORT” The guard demanded and I passed him the documents. He eyed me up and down then handed back my things and pointed to the lockers.

  “I know the score by now” I growled at the sour faced arsehole. He huffed and nodded as I stashed my things then went for my pat down before I lined up with the rest of the other miserable bastards like myself.

  I yawned and rolled my neck after my mostly sleepless night.

  I had noticed the bruised cheekbone on Lucas this morning but I was too frightened to ask how it had got there, I already had an inkling and the knowledge made me feel ashamed and guilty. So I had chosen to ignore it and hoped he wouldn’t mention it, which he didn’t, and I loved him all the more for that.

  The line started moving and we all walked into the dull and drab room, its many tables filled with more miserable bastards.

  Ryan waved and smiled widely and I grinned at him as I leant in to kiss his cheek. “Hey, gorgeous” he greeted as he palmed my cheek.

  I nuzzled into it and closed my eyes in contentment as I inhaled his familiar scent. “How are you?” I asked as I took the seat opposite him.

  He nodded. We both knew the answer to my question but neither of us was willing to acknowledge it.

  “So, what’s new, Kay?”

  I shrugged and pulled a face, “Not much, still the usual shit.”

  He smiled and nodded but tilted his head, “Now the truth.”

  I rolled my eyes and sighed heavily. “You forget I know you better than you know yourself, love” he divulged honestly and I chuckled with a nod.

  His eyes dropped to where my thumb was flicking against my finger and he looked sad “You know I wish I was there for you baby, whatever it is you need to get Mason onto it.”

  He knew before I had even told him. He always did where I was concerned, like he said, he knew me better than I knew myself.

  “He’s found me” I disclosed quietly.

  He swallowed heavily and closed his eyes in pain and anguish as he placed his hand over mine on the table.

  “Listen to me, Kay. You don’t belong to that bastard, whatever he tells you. Your relationship with anyone should always be consensual. You understand me, baby?”

  I nodded but refused to look him in the eyes. “I know you, you think because he was your master for a few years that you now belong to him but you don’t, baby. You belong to yourself and nobody else . . . ever!”

  I regarded him quietly before I gave him a sad smile, “You don’t belong in here Ry, but you’re here.”

  His face contorted in rage but he brought it under control quickly. “And what Kay, you think you deserve what that piece of shit deals out? Is that it?”

  I shrugged and nibbled on my lip, knowing what Ryan had done for me could never be repaid and the guilt of that hurt more than anything Diablo could do to me.

  “Kay! We both know why I’m here and we both know it was the lesser of two evils but Diablo . . . he’s something else baby, you need to get rid. You know what I’m saying, Kay?”

  I swallowed heavily and looked at him as a tear slid down my cheek, “I don’t know what to do, Ry. I, I’ve met someone . . . and I’m so scared that he’ll . . . that Diablo will . . .”

  “Then you know what needs to be done.”

  He wiped at my tears with his thumb and leaned into me and placed a gentle kiss on each of my eyelids. “You know how much I love you, Kay and you will know it until the day I die. I would never do anything ever again to hurt you but you need to take control, finally stop this happening in your life. I know your frig
htened baby, but do you love him?”

  I nodded without hesitation. “And does he love you?”

  I nodded again, knowing the truth of it through to my soul.

  “Then grab it Kay, take what he gives you and fucking consume it. You deserve it, baby. After what I did . . .”

  I grabbed his tight fist and held it tight. “Stop, right now, Ry. We were both young and well . . . you were stupid . . .” I winked cheekily.

  He barked out a laugh before seriousness covered his face. “You need me to do it and I will Kay, you know this.”

  I nodded and sadness enveloped me as the guard called time. “I miss you so much” I whispered against him as he hugged me tight.

  “And I you, love, but you heard what I said, if you need the signature, it’s yours.”

  I nodded again, “Always, Ry.”

  He grinned at me as he always did, “Always, Kay.”

  I didn’t drop his hand until I was so far away it fell away between us and he held my eyes until the very second I rounded the corner and disappeared from his life for the next fortnight.

  The walk through the long corridors of the prison towards the exit seemed to take forever and I desperately needed the gulp of fresh air the outdoors offered.

  My chest and throat were always tight, every time I left him in this bastard shit hole and it tore through me constantly, knowing I had to leave him here to basically rot.

  I would always love Ryan and I knew he would always love me, more than anything. He had already proved he would put my life before his own and the knowledge of that never seemed to get any easier.

  I didn’t realise I had stepped outside until the rain beat heavily down on me, its relentless misery matched my own and I accepted its sadness and let it mix with my own as I stared at the puddles on my way across the car park; their cruel reflection showing me just how corrupt and grotesque I was.

  I finally looked up and stuttered to a halt as Lucas leant against my car, his hair plastered to his handsome face as the rain poured down on him.