Tolerance (Heart of Stone) (7 page)

I walked into work Monday morning laden with cupcakes,
cookies and muffins from my Sunday afternoon baking therapy. Jonathon’s face
lit up brightly as he removed a selection of them before I took them down the
corridor with me to Nates reception area. His eyes lit up like a school boys as
he drooled over them “Good riddance Rachel. You are by far my favourite
assistant Ava” he grinned at me happily. I rolled my eyes at him and heard my
phone text alert from my bag

KADE

Fancy lunch sweetheart?
In fact
I know you do…its food ;-)

Xxx

ME

You buying?

Xxx

KADE

Of course!!! You’re drooling aren’t you? Lol

Xxx

ME

Of course!!! You do realise I’m gonna guzzle everything
on the menu. Hope you have enough cash ;-)

Xxx

KADE

I’ll pick you up from work 12:30. Gotta nip and see Nate
anyway. God! I’m hungry already…and not for lunch!!!

Xxx

I smiled to myself and the morning whizzed by and Kade
was soon leading me into a restaurant somewhere in the centre of London, his
hand placed firmly at the small of my back in a possessive manner.

It was a huge classy place and we were escorted to a
discreet table in the window. I was a little dismayed at the prices knowing I
couldn’t indulge and Kade caught my unhappy expression “Go for it Ava, order
anything you want” he laughed at me when my face lit up “You are so gonna
regret saying that” I mumbled as I perused the delights on the menu “I love
watching you eat sweetheart” he breathed, his tone a low husky rumble and my
lower belly pooled with desire. I closed my eyes and sighed heavily but then
shook myself off and glared at him but he just gave me a lazy grin and as his
gaze dropped to my neck the smile dropped from his face, he leant forward and
pulled the collar of my shirt aside and I heard a small growl in his throat. I
cringed and looked away “I see he’s been at you then” he looked thoroughly
dismayed and I sucked in my lips “It’s over now” I said quietly.

He looked up at the waiter as he placed our order and
poured me some non-alcoholic wine. I smiled at his thoughtfulness, registering
that I couldn’t have anything intoxicating. He raised his eyebrows at me in
query “Please Kade, leave it. I said it’s over now. It was just a one off to
say goodbye. He’s gone back to Rebecca” I informed him and he looked at me
incredulously “Why the hell would he want that…that slag when he could have you
so freely” I winced at his words.

Kade was well aware I would do anything to have Mason and
it must hurt him painfully as he had told me he was in love with me. I just
shrugged “I don’t wanna talk about Mason” I said and pursed my lips as I
scanned the restaurant.

William Jackson, a good friend of Masons who owned the
illicit Sex club,
glanced
my way and his eyes lit up
in recognition. I beamed happily at him and waved. He said something to his
companion and made his way over.

 
I stood on his
arrival and kissed his cheek gently “Mr Jackson, it’s lovely to see you” I
smiled. He grinned broadly “Miss Stone, it’s my pleasure” he gave me a tender
smile as he took my hand and brought it to his lips. Kade stood up “William” he
greeted with warmth. William was obviously a popular man as people always
greeted him warmly and he took Kades hand and pulled him into a man hug

“How long are you home for Kade?” he asked and they spoke
for a while until William looked at me again “How is Mason?” he asked and he
must have sensed my sadness as he frowned “Is everything okay Miss Stone?” he
asked softly as he placed his hand gently on my shoulder “Mason is now back
with Rebecca Delaney, Mr Jackson” I informed him but I gathered he could read
my devastation as his face darkened “Really? I can’t imagine why. She’s a
manipulative, deceitful bitch” he winked and I couldn’t help the grin I gave
him as his words cheered me up.

I don’t think there was anybody who liked the bitch “Mmmm
in fact the whole family is rather…what we shall say? Just
wrong!!”
he shivered and I frowned “You know her father?” I asked,
now highly interested “Oh Yes!” he leaned in to my ear “This goes no further
Miss Stone but I like you and can tell you are trustworthy if Mason thinks so
highly of you” he chuckled “Commissioner Delaney is a regular visitor to my
club and let’s just say he has rather…
specific
tendencies” he pulled back and raised his eyebrows at me “Really?” I said with
a small humorous smile and he couldn’t help holding in his laughter “Well I
gather it’s something very…Erm different” I laughed as his deep rumble
broadened “You could say that Miss Stone but it would be very unprofessional of
me to divulge more” he tipped his head and I nodded “Well I will let you enjoy
your lunch. I see you are feeding for two now, congratulations” he grinned as
he scanned my stomach. I smiled happily and placed my hand over my stomach
“Three actually” I informed him and his eyes widened “Wow, I bet that came as a
shock” he laughed “It was for me, not so much for Mason. Apparently there are a
string of twins in his family but he forget to tell me that bit of information”
I rolled my eyes and he chuckled “Well take care of yourself and those precious
babies Miss Stone and if ever you need anything, and I mean anything, you just
ask” he said warmly as he clasped my hand “Thank you” I said gratefully, he
smiled and wandered back to his table

“You have a good ally there Ava. He likes you” Kade
smiled “I like him too” I admitted and Kade nodded “He’s a good man” he told me
as our food arrived and I grinned in excitement at the several plates of food
that were placed in front of me. Kade laughed heartily as he saw my delight
“Enjoy sweetheart” he winked as I tucked in

“You know that’s what Mason said” I told him around a
mouthful of buttered asparagus, he frowned at me as he bit into his steak “What?
enjoy sweetheart?” I scowled at him “No, That William is a good man” Kade
nodded “Mason and William have been good friends for years. I know they respect
each other enormously and Mason has helped William out of a few sticky
situations before” he divulged as I stabbed a piece of chicken, well I think it
was chicken, it was covered in a thick goo but it was edible so I devoured it.

Three plates of food and the remainder of Kades steak later
and I settled back in my seat and dabbed my mouth with my napkin “Finished?”
Kade asked in amazement. I grinned at him “For a while” He scoffed and held his
mouth open “My God, I have never seen anyone eat so much” he shook his head in
wonder “I told you that you would regret bringing me” I laughed as the waiter
approached “Deserts Sir, ma’am?” he asked politely and Kade grimaced and looked
at me in query “Erm…” I pursed my lips and cocked my head “Any
recommendations?” I asked sheepishly and Kades eyes widened and I laughed “No
thank you, I couldn’t eat another bite” I informed him and when the waiter
disappeared I mumbled “For another hour anyway” Kade laughed loudly and his
hand settled on mine on the table

“I have a cocktail party to attend on Saturday, will you
come with me?” he asked so earnestly I couldn’t refuse “I would be honoured” I
smiled and his face lit up “Great, I’ll pick you up at 8 O’clock. You got a
cocktail dress you can fit into?” he asked and I gasped mockingly “Mr Hamilton!
How very rude!” I joked and he grinned “You could always come naked though Ava”
his eyes sparkled and his lips twitched and I shook my head in mock disgust
“See, rude” I scoffed and flung my hands in the air.

We stood to leave and Kade wrapped his arm around my
shoulder “Do you have to go back to work, we could go back to mine for coffee?”
he grinned and waggled his eyebrows and I was so tempted to say yes “Saturday
night” I winked and couldn’t hold back the grin when his mouth dropped open and
he stared at me in shock “Really?” he asked seriously and I just laughed and
tapped his cheek “Come on, you can take me back now you’ve filled me up” I said
and groaned when I saw his cheeky expression “Do you ever stop?” I laughed and
his hand settled on my arse “Never!” he breathed in my ear and I was starting
to take my flippant Saturday night joke seriously.

“Ava, I have a business lunch tomorrow. Are you okay to
attend?” Nate shouted through his open office door “Yeah, that’s fine” I
shouted back “Now, you’re not gonna embarrass me and punch some bugger are
you?” he laughed “Only you Mr Carter” I snorted “But you would lose your job
then Ava” he bit back flippantly “It would be so worth it” I joked breezily and
then I poked my head round his door “You have insulted me, I am going home” I
poked my tongue out at him and he widened his eyes at me “Seriously?” he asked,
somewhat shamefaced and I rolled my eyes “No, it’s 5:45 you fool” I laughed and
he glanced at the clock “God, where did the time go? Liv will have my bollocks”
he declared and scurried about picking his belongings up “Oh God, I hope so” I
said dreamily. He stared at me then laughed “Go home Miss Stone… You’re fired”

I laughed loudly as I walked toward the elevator “And
then who would make you cookies Mr Carter?” I shouted back “Oh Yeah, you’re
re-hired. Chocolate and cranberry tomorrow” he shouted and I smiled as I
entered the lift. I loved my job!

I arrived home half an hour later and the cold wind was
biting as I exited my car. Pulling my coat around my bump to keep the peanuts
warm I jolted as I nearly bumped into a huge heavy set guy on my doorstep. He
tipped his head and the menace in his eyes made my blood freeze “Erm, can I
help you?” I asked timidly “Ava Stone?” he growled the question at me and I
took a step back.

His hand shot out and grabbed my forearm, pulling me
towards him then spun me round and pressed me up harshly against the wall. I
dropped my hands instinctively in front of my belly to protect my babies “I
have a message for Mason Fox” he barked at me and I flinched, my cheek was
grazing the brickwork as he held my face solidly against the wall. I mumbled a
swear word at him and he must have taken it as confirmation to his statement
“You tell him ‘Mr Delaney is still fucking waiting!’” he rumbled and I nodded
furiously, wincing at the pain in my cheek and arm “You got that bitch?” he
asked fiercely and I nodded again. He let go and disappeared down the path. “
Fuck!”

 
I trembled with
the key in the lock and flung myself through the door, slamming it shut and
locking it and rechecking it behind me I slid to the floor behind the door
“We’re okay peanuts” I stammered, stroking my belly “We’re okay” I took some
deep breaths and then some more and struggled up.

My legs were still trembling as I climbed into a chair in
the kitchen and closed my eyes to steady my heartbeat. What the hell was that
all about? Should I phone Mason? It was obvious yesterday that he didn’t want
anything more to do with me. But why the hell should I take threats for him?
Mr Delaney is still waiting!
It couldn’t
be a coincidence that it was the same name as Rebecca’s father

 
“Oh Mason, what
the hell is going on?” I said to the darkness and then the adrenaline started
turning to anger. What the hell of a situation had he put me and his children
into? Why was Rebecca’s father sending thugs to me instead of Mason?

I grabbed my phone angrily from my bag and dialled Mason
“Ava?” he answered a little bewildered “Surprised?” I snapped and I could sense
his hesitation “Are you okay?” he asked cautiously and I snorted “Well let’s
see Mason. I get knocked up, fucked up and now I nearly get beat up thanks to
you, so no! I don’t think I fucking am okay” I yelled and I heard his hiss
“What do you mean?” he said each word slowly and clearly “What the hell is
going on Mason?” I demanded “Nothing is going on Ava” he said a little too
quietly “Huh! Well then would you like to tell me why when I came home from
work I was shoved up against a wall with my arm held behind my back just to
give you a fucking message?” I was so fucking angry with him “WHAT?” he
bellowed and I cringed but bit my tongue and carried on “Oh yeah, great big
fucker. Ring any bells?” I shouted at him.

I heard him gulp a few breaths in, trying to calm himself
“Are you okay?” he asked quietly and I scoffed “Apart from having no skin left
on my cheek, yeah. I’m okay” I exhaled, closing my eyes, really struggling to
fight the tears back now “Where are you?” I rolled my eyes at his stupid
question “Home” I snapped and let out a sob at the same time “I’m on my way
Ava” he growled “No Mason!” I shouted but the line had gone dead “Great” I
grumbled and lifted myself out of the chair and reached for the kettle but
decided against it and grabbed the bottle of wine “I’m sure one won’t hurt
peanuts” I apologised to them and poured myself a large glass, taking a huge
gulp.

I sat back down and crossed my arms on the table and
rested my head on them. I refused to cry “Damn” I snapped as a tear slid free.
I would not cry…

…I sobbed.

The front door banged a short while later and I hissed
through my teeth and tried to wipe my face as I looked through the peephole to
see Mason’s angry face.

Reluctantly unlocking the door I pulled it open for him
before I turned and walked back into the kitchen

“Ava?” he said behind me and I huffed “Ava, look at me”
he demanded and I turned to look at him, my eyes lowered as I tried to hide my
cheek behind my long hair “
FUCK!”
he
snarled as he pulled my hair back “Sit down” he ordered and disappeared up the
stairs.