Tolerance (Heart of Stone) (31 page)

I shook my head in disgust and turned to Sam “How long
until he’s aware of anything?” I asked “About four hours or so” he explained
and I nodded “I’ll see to him, you two get back to work” I sighed and walked
over to the kettle “Ava, I don’t think that’s a good idea, he’ll keep coming
round for a while” Greg worried but I shook my head “Go!” I barked and they
both glanced at each other and then went to leave.

Greg turned in the doorway “I know he’s fucked up Ava but
he’s a mess without you. He’s crazy about you” he declared sadly and I nodded
“I know Greg but we’re no good for each other. I hurt him, he hurts me and he just
keeps hurting me. I can’t…I dunno…” I sighed and dropped into a chair with my
head in my hands and Greg squatted down in front of me “Ava, you have the
babies to think of now” he tried and I scoffed “And you honestly think they
deserve
that
for a father” I slammed
as I pointed to Mason “Stoned, high and fucking volatile every time something
doesn’t go his way.
Would you want to bring children up in…
this
?!”
I spat and he sighed but
shook his head “No” he said quietly and I sucked on my lips “He’s killed me
this time Greg, all I see is them…fucking” I sobbed and he wrapped me in his
arms, consoling me and stroking my back as I wept.

He was whipped back suddenly and Mason punched him in the
face “GET YOUR FUCKING HANDS OFF HER!!” he thundered and I stared gobsmacked.

Grabbing hold of Mason by his shirt I yanked him back and
thumped him in the jaw causing him to pass out again and I flung him back on
the couch

“Oh my God Greg, are you okay?” I asked as I rushed over
to help him up “Forget everything I just fucking said Ava, fuck the bastard
off” he yelled as he stomped out and slammed the door behind him. I groaned and
sank to the floor.

Grabbing my phone, I texted Courtney to check on Greg as
I watched Masons’ steady breathing. What the hell was I going to do? I loved
him with every breath I had but I couldn’t live this way, we were dangerous
together, killing each other slowly and I now had Katie and George to think
about. They couldn’t be brought up in this sort of relationship. I knew Mason
would never physically hurt me but the dominance, the anger and the drugs were
a constant problem and I didn’t think I could look after Mason as well as the
babies. The love we had for each other was immeasurable but would it be enough
to live? I was so sad and confused and I struggled for breath as the enormity
of the situation flooded me and I gazed at my man, whatever he was right now,
he was still my man and I loved him completely and unreservedly.

About an hour later he started to grumble and flip, I
rushed over to him and stroked his hair “Ssshhh” I whispered and he moaned
“Ava?” he rasped, his eyes still shut and a slither of drool trailed from the
corner of his mouth. “Jesus Mason, why do you do this to yourself?” I whispered
wretchedly. He groaned again and his hand started flapping about. I caught it
with my own and held on tightly “I’m here baby” I whispered against his brow as
I brushed a tender kiss across his skin “Ava…” he sighed and fell back into a
fretful sleep.

Another hour later and he started again, fidgeting and
moaning. I sighed as I made my way over to him and sank down beside him,
gripping his hand firmly and stroking his hair off his forehead “Ssshhh baby” I
breathed “Ava…Ava…” he moaned and I closed my eyes against the pain of hearing
his wretched cries. Why the hell would anybody want this? It was breaking me
listening to the anguish and desolate whimpers coming from him

“Ava….please…Noooo” he cried. He started to sob in his
sleep and I wasn’t sure if it was a good idea to wake him so I sat there,
listening and weeping as his grief-stricken cries got louder and more heart
breaking “Please Ava….Noooo Ava…” I placed my lips against his head again and
stroked my thumb across the back of his hand and this seemed to settle him and
he drifted back off.

I stayed beside him this time, waiting for the next
onslaught. He was sweating profusely and I reached over, his hand still in mine
as I pulled a towel from the cupboard and wiped it over his brow and face.

He was burning up so I placed his hand down and he
immediately began moaning and mumbling but I scurried over to the sink and
doused the towel in cold water and settled back beside him again, cooling him
with the wetness from the cloth.

His eyes flicked open for a second and he seemed to focus
on me and I held his gaze, telling him without words that I was here for him.
He sighed deeply “I love….” He went again, his eyes rolling to the back of his
head as he passed out.

This was gonna be a long night and my phone alerted a
text:

SAM

How you doing
sweetheart?

ME

We’re both good, he
keeps coming round and drifting back. He must have taken a lot of the fucking
filth this time!

SAM

He did seem uptight
earlier and I’ve never seen him this high. He usually dabbles but tonight he
appeared completely spaced-out! Let me know if you need me, I’m sleeping in one
of the overnight rooms tonight so you won’t be alone with him

ME

Thanks Sam, is Greg
okay?

SAM

Yeah, he’ll live
Lol

ME

Don’t laugh, it
wasn’t funny!!

SAM

It WAS funny how
you jumped in to guard Greg, he should be there to protect you, and we all think
it’s hilarious how you laid Mason out!! Greg is never gonna live this down Lol

ME

You rotten
bastards!!! Lol, better go, he’s stirring again

SAM

Okay, if he starts
put him down again!!
 
;-)

“Ava” he groaned again but this time his eyes were open
and he was staring at me “Ava?” he frowned at me “What are…”
shit!!!
His face went green and he was
looking around desperately. I spotted the waste paper bin and grabbed it just
in time; I flung it under him as he vomited violently. “I’ve got you baby” I
said gently as he continued to be sick into the basket and I held onto his arm
for comfort.

He groaned and rolled over as he flung his arm over his
face. I stood up and his hand shot out “Don’t go” he pleaded and I smiled at
him “I’m just gonna wash this out, you gonna be okay while I do that?” I asked
and he moaned but nodded “Lay on your side while I’m gone Mason” I implored,
the last thing I needed was him choking on his vomit. He pointed to a door at
the back of the room “Bathroom” he rasped and I nodded and stepped through the
door to find a toilet, shower and sink “Cool” I smiled as I eyed the shower, I
would kill for one right now, the need for the refreshing water pounding and
invigorating my skin but I knew that would have to wait.

I emptied the basket and rinsed it out in the shower and
then returned to Mason. He was asleep again and I took the opportunity to make
a coffee.

Sitting down on the floor beside him again I sipped on
the hot liquid and studied the beautiful creature that was so hell bent on
destroying himself. He was an absolute God, he could have any woman he wanted
and I struggled to wonder why he so desperately wanted me, plain old me that
had a more fucked up life than the average person but Mason had held my hand
and helped me rid myself of the demons that plagued me. Could I do that for
him? I owed it him, I knew that but would I survive it? He had helped me get
vengeance for Katie, helped to crack the hard shell I had built around myself,
he had given me the courage to open up and talk, he had made me feel confident,
sexy and beautiful, he had given up his life and freedom to let me keep mine
and most of all he had given me his heart so freely as I had given him mine and
I knew without a doubt he would protect me and his children with his last
breath.

I stroked his face as I amazed at the sheer magnificence
of him, he turned my insides to jelly, my heart to beat faster and my blood to
rage through my tight veins. He was stunning; his square stubbled jaw, his hard
chiselled cheekbones, his full pink lips and his warm grey eyes and I longed to
touch him. Feel him under my hands, his hard pecs to his strong muscled abs down
to that exquisite ‘V’ and his perfect tight arse.

I slid my thumb across his bottom lip and his warm breath
wisped across my skin and I smiled as his eyes flickered beneath his lids and
his lips curved into a wonderful smile and I relaxed a little knowing that his
dream was taking him away from his nightmares. “Ava….” He giggled and I smiled
wider. It must be a good dream! He giggled again and the let out a long low
groan and my eyes widened as I saw his cock twitch beneath his trousers “Ahhhh”
he moaned and I felt my inside light up at the husky sound of the obvious
pleasure he was dreaming about “Ava….” He breathed out and I closed my eyes and
stood, making myself walk into the bathroom. I did not need this damn throb at
the moment, my sex life was over for a while and I had to distance myself from
him in his high state of arousal.

I used the toilet, flushed and washed my hands before I
timidly ventured back. He seemed to have settled and was sleeping soundly again
and I settled back on the floor beside him and rested my head on the couch.

I felt him stroking my hair and I peeled open my eyes and
peered up at him “Hi there” I smiled as I saw life in his eyes and a small
smile on his face “Hey” he whispered as his fingers slid down my face and he
stroked my cheek with the back of his fingers “Have you been here all night?”
he asked, his voice low and throaty. I sighed and nodded, stretching my arms
and legs and rolling my head around my neck “Why?” he asked simply and I shook
my head sadly “Why do you do it Mason?” I probed with sadness and he let out a
soft breath “Because it helps me block out all the shit” he shrugged as I
huffed.

He sat up and let his head flop back on the couch “But it
makes you like this Mason! All night you have suffered agonised nightmares and
sweats and sickness and I can’t understand” I stood and walked over to the
kettle as I felt his eyes on me “Why did you stay with me Ava?” he repeated his
question and I shrugged “Because it hurt me to see you like that, so…so utterly
broken” I gazed at him dolefully and he cocked his head and regarded me with
narrow eyes but I turned around and made coffee, handing him the mug and
sitting beside him.

“Drink up and then take a shower” I told him and his lips
twitched “Yes ma’am” he saluted “You stink” I smirked and he nodded gravely
“Yeah,
 
I do” he grimaced “And then you
had better apologise to Greg” I raised my eyebrows at him as his face dropped
“What did I do?” he asked cautiously “Well…he was consoling me and I think you
thought he was coming on to me and you…kind of hit him” I told him and he
closed his eyes and groaned “Shit!” I nodded “And now he’s getting ribbed
because I had to jump in and lay you out to get you off him” he stared at me
and then sucked on his lips “Really” he laughed and I shook my head in dismay “It’s
not funny Mason” I scowled and he nodded with fake seriousness “No, it’s not”
he sighed.

 
I took another
gulp of coffee and then walked over to the sink and rinsed it out then picked
up my bag off the floor “Please stay off the coke Mason” I pleaded as I bent
down to kiss his head.

His arms enveloped me and he rested his head against my
stomach and I settled my hands in his hair, enjoying the feeling of being close
and intimate with him once more.

We remained silent as we clung to each other, both of us
lost in our grief and heartache for the state of our relationship. I eventually
reached down and planted another kiss on his head and pulled free “I’ll see
you” I said softly as I stroked his cheek with my thumb. He nodded but didn’t
look up at me as I walked across the room and opened the door

“Ava…” he choked out and I turned to look at him. His
eyes bore through me, right into my soul “Just…just, thanks” he said and I
smiled tenderly and nodded “Take care Mason” I said as I left.

I walked down the corridor and into the main bar and
spotted Sam sat on one of the stools talking to Harvey “Hey sweetheart” Sam
smiled and kissed my cheek as I settled beside him on the stool he had just
patted “How is he?” he asked and I shrugged and pulled a face “I don’t know
what to do with him Sam? I’m frightened every time I say something to him he’s
gonna react like this” I sighed and rubbed my weary face.

“Coffee?” Harvey asked kindly and I nodded, the thought
of a proper coffee excited my blood “I dunno what set him off this time Ava?”
Sam said as he took a gulp of his own drink. I glanced at him “I do” I moaned
and he frowned “I told him I’m moving to Portugal” I cringed as Sam’s eyes
widened “Oh!” he sighed. “I can’t do this anymore Sam, I need to be away from
him, and while I’m here I let him crush me. I just can’t seem to stop him” I
grumbled, trying to explain how I felt to Sam. He nodded sadly “I know Ava” he
breathed and pulled me into a side huddle as Harvey placed my cappuccino in front
of me and I smiled gratefully at him

“Sam…” Masons growled warning came from behind us and Sam
immediately dropped his arm from my shoulder. I rolled my eyes as Harvey’s gaze
shifted between the three of us and I swung round “Problem?” I snarled and Mason
narrowed his eyes on me, his hair still dripping wet from his shower “No” he
smirked and I grit my teeth “Oh Fuck this” I snapped and slid of the stool and
kissed Sam’s cheek “You take care Sam” I hugged him tightly “And you Ava, you
look after those babies” he smiled sadly and I nodded and walked away pulling
my phone from my bag and dialling a taxi.