Tolerance (Heart of Stone) (8 page)

Returning with a bottle of disinfectant and some cotton
balls, he mixed the solution with water and then crouched down in front of me
“This is gonna sting Baby” he whispered as his eyes found mine and held them in
his spell.

My chest heaved at the sight of him, his presence already
relaxing me. He looked utterly broken and his eyes held no light in them, just
void and dead. I could see my own pain reflected in them because he felt
exactly the same as I did… craving but forbidden.

He looked away and swallowed “I’m so sorry Ava” he
whispered as he tenderly wiped my cheek and I hissed at the sting. I wasn’t
sure if he was sorry for yesterday, today or everything in between. I bit my
lip as he continued to clean my graze, wincing himself every time I sucked air
through my teeth “I’m sorry Ava” he whispered again and I snapped “What good is
fucking sorry?” I barked and he lowered his eyes in guilt “Sorry” I huffed and
he frowned at me “You have nothing to be sorry for Baby” he said calmly “Will
you stop with the fucking ‘Baby’ you made it quite clear yesterday I was no
longer you’re
Baby
” I hissed and I
snatched the cotton ball off him and walked to the mirror, scrubbing roughly at
my cheek.

“Ava please” he begged but I shook my head at him “Why do
you insist on constantly draining me fucking dry Mason? Just go” I yelled at
him. He stood still, his sad eyes on me “Ava I…” he whispered and I stared at
him, my eyebrows hitting my hairline “Are you gonna tell me what’s going on?”

He lowered his eyes “I know Rebecca’s baby isn’t yours
Mason” I disclosed and his eyes snapped to mine. I shook my head sadly at him
“She must be worth something if you are willing to throw away what we had” I
bit my bottom lip, holding back more bloody tears; I was surprised I had any
left after the last few months.

He narrowed his eyes on me “You think I want this Ava?
You think I would just throw our love away for nothing?” he cried “Then fucking
talk to me Mason, tell me what is going on!” I insisted angrily. “I can’t Ava”
he shook his head furiously and I cocked my head to him “I know it’s something
to do with Dean and Mark” I said quietly and his eyes widened in shock “How
the…?” he gaped at me and I raised my eyebrows.

His brow furrowed deeply and his fist clenched, I could
tell he was struggling with himself about telling me but he looked at me
desolately “Don’t get involved with this Ava” he warned “Oh for fucks sake,
just go” I sighed heavily and slumped into a chair.
 

He stepped forwards and crouched in front of me, his hand
settled on my stomach as his other hand rested on my thigh “Ava, listen to me”
he pleaded and I looked at him “I love you more than anything ever, I always
will Baby but some things are…” he scrubbed at his face “I have to do this to
keep you safe” he conceded and I frowned at him “I don’t understand Mason” his
palm rested against my cheek and his eyes bore into mine, begging for
understanding and forgiveness “It doesn’t matter what you understand Ava, you
just need to know that I am doing this for you, not for anything else but you,
because you are my world Ava, you and the peanuts” he tipped his head and
smiled sadly “I…I…have to hurt you to protect you Ava” a tear formed in the
corner of his eye and I caught it on my finger “Mason, I would go through
anything for you, you know that” I held his gaze, wanting him to know the truth
of my words “I know that my little warrior” he gave me a faint proud smile “but…but
I have to do this” he sighed and stood up, straightening his shoulders and
preparing us for separation again.

“What was the message Ava?” he asked, almost cold now. I
stared at him for a moment begging him to change his mind but I could see the
haze cloud his eyes and I knew I had lost him “Mr Delaney is still fucking
waiting” I told him and I saw his jaw clench and his fists tighten. He nodded
once and left…again.

I sat in silence for the rest of the night and finished
the bottle of wine, feeling thoroughly guilty and begging forgiveness from my
babies for my lack of willpower and climbed into bed, knowing my head would be
swirling with Mason’s cryptic words.

I knew he was doing this to protect me, but protect me
from what and it must be pretty damn huge if he was willing to give his
children up for it. ‘
I have to hurt you
to protect
you’ what the hell did he mean by that? I was hurting badly and
I would give anything to stop the pain and heartache in both of us. All I knew
is it had something to do with Rebecca, Rebecca’s father, Dean and Mark and a
faint instinct inside me told me it was to do with the night I shot Dean.

 
‘
Mr Delaney is still fucking waiting’
…waiting
for what? Mason had seemed mad at the message but hadn’t divulged any
information about it, in fact he hadn’t divulged much about anything “God damn
it Mason” I said to the darkness. I didn’t have a clue what was going on but I
was damn sure I was going to find out, even if it killed me.

I was sat beside Nate in his Ferrari on our way to ‘La
Roche’ for our business lunch. I wasn’t relishing the thought of going back there,
the last time I ate here Mason and I had argued and separated

“You know the Commissioner?” I threw at Nate out of the
blue. He glanced at me with a curious look and shrugged “Not really, why?” I
turned to look out of the window “No reason” I murmured “Is it something to do
with Rebecca?” Nate asked. What a clever boy! I shrugged again and Nate placed
his hand over mine “Ava, sweetheart you have to let him go” he said softly and
I pursed my lips but I nodded. We were silent for a while.

 
“Kade seems pretty
hung up on you” he said slyly and I turned and stared at him “I already knew
that thank you” he chuckled “All I’m saying Ava is perhaps it’s time to move
on” he cringed slightly, aware that I could blow at any time but I sighed
“Maybe” I resigned and he smiled happily “Good girl. Here we are”

We pulled up in front of ‘La Roche’ and a valet opened my
door and I climbed out as best as I could in my shift dress and high heels. My
stomach seemed to grow more each morning and I was silently starting to be a
little apprehensive how big I would be by the time I was full term.

I was a little nervous as this was my first business
meeting with Nate but I just concentrated on the food and a huge smile erupted
on my face “You’re thinking of the food aren’t you Ava?” Nate snickered and I
nodded, smiling fiercely. He laughed and flung his head back “Well let’s hope
our guest appreciates a woman with a hearty appetite then we’ll have him eating
out of the palms of our hands” he winked and escorted me into the restaurant.

He advised the maître d who we were partied with and we
were led to our table, our client was already seated. A late middle aged man
with deep brown eyes and the blackest hair I have ever seen stood as we
approached “Iain” Nate greeted and turned to me “Ava, this is Iain Scott, Iain
this is Ava Stone, my assistant” he introduced and I smiled warmly “Mr Scott,
it’s a pleasure to meet you Sir” I received a leer at my breasts and I saw Nate
stiffen and flick his eyes in my direction.

“Well
well
, how lovely” he
smirked, still looking at my chest and I ground my teeth but smiled sweetly at
Nate as he grimaced at me “Would you like to sit Iain?” Nate encouraged and his
eyes then swept to my face and he gave me a lewd grin and his tongue swept over
his lips. I huffed secretly and I could feel Nates embarrassment radiating from
him.

“What can I get you to drink Iain?” Nate asked him,
desperate to get his attention. Iain finally seemed to snap out of it “Scotch,
no rocks” he said bluntly and I widened my eyes slightly at Nate, astounded at
this mans arrogance.

Nate signalled the waiter over and placed his order
“Ava?” he asked “Cranberry and soda please” I informed the waiter “What kind of
drink is that?” Iain boomed at me and I jumped in surprise at the level of his
voice, Wow he was very loud and we were already starting to get some frustrated
looks from other diners. I wondered how much he had to drink already and Nate
frowned slightly, obviously wondering the same thing, as the waiter handed me a
menu and I was glad to be able to divert my attention to something other than Iain.
This was going to be a very long lunch.

Nate and Iain started talking business and I listened as
I drooled over the menu. The waiter returned with our drinks and asked for our
food order. Iain ordered ‘Steak! Charred!’ on a fierce demand and I shrank
slightly in embarrassment at his rudeness to the young waiter. I smiled and
winked to the poor boy and he secretly rolled his eyes at me and winked back.
Nate ordered a steak as well and then it was my turn. I beamed at the waiter “Ready?
Boss is paying so I’m going for it” I giggled excitedly. The waiter chuckled
and Nate groaned “I’ll take a Belgian endive salad, a seared chicken Veronique
with a side order of sautéed vegetables and mixed leaf salad and fries…Oh and
some garlic mushrooms please” the waiter was frantically scribbling it all down
with wide eyes, in shock or horror I have no idea

“Fucking Hell woman!
You don’t
need any more weight on those hips of yours. They are already a bit fucking
hefty” Iain thundered and everybody’s eyes in the restaurant dropped to my
hips. My mouth dropped open and my bottom lip quivered. Nate seemed mortified
and stared at Iain but the arrogant pig didn’t seem to notice his rudeness, or
he didn’t care. “Erm Mr Scott, I am pregnant with twins Sir. I think I can get
away with it” I stammered “Nonsense woman, you’ll never remove the weight from
those
hips, I bet your thighs are a bit
on the stocky side too” he divulged and I felt Nates hand settle on my knee
under the table and squeeze. I swallowed away the rude retort that was dying to
slip from my lips and Nate winked at me and I concentrated on the food that would
soon be coming my way.

Nate dived back into the business dealings to take away
the attention from me and my hefty hips and thighs and I scanned the
restaurant. I froze when my eyes found Masons. What the hell? He was sat with
Rebecca and a man I presumed to be Rebecca’s father and he looked mortified
when I spotted him. He quickly diverted his eyes when Mr Delaney said something
to him and I looked away.

“So Miss Stone” Iain’s booming voice snapped me from my
reverie “Are you seriously going to eat all that?” he asked loudly as the
waiter placed the dishes in front of me.
Well
it’s either that or I’m gonna slam them in your face
dickhead!
 

Everybody in the room was staring at me and I knew they
couldn’t see my baby bump under the table and just thought I was greedy. I bit
my tongue and smiled sweetly “I am, and I’m going to enjoy it Sir” I retorted
cheerily and he scoffed.

I could see Nate was getting pissed off now and I smiled
at him and shook my head slightly “How old are you Miss Stone?” He asked. How
bloody rude!! “22 Sir” I replied and he spluttered “22 and you’re already
pregnant with fucking twins! It’s a bit young isn’t it?” he informed the whole
restaurant “I don’t really think so Mr Scott” I shrank back, now only nibbling
on my food. The stupid man had made me lose my appetite and now I was getting
annoyed with him “Was it a planned pregnancy?” I was stunned by his questions,
they were getting rather personal and we had the whole attention of the room
now. I knew Mason would be getting rather infuriated at this man but I also
knew that Rebecca and her father would have now spotted me due to this man’s
bloody foghorn mouth “Erm…Yes Sir” I squirmed and he scoffed mockingly “I
seriously doubt that, a woman of your calibre” he shouted and Nate’s chest
heaved “Excuse me?” I asked, seriously affronted and trying to calm myself
down.

This was an important contract for Nate and I didn’t want
to lose it by knocking this awful man down a peg or two “Well, I doubt at your
age that you planned for a pregnancy. Are you in a relationship with the
father?” he asked pompously. Oh hell! “Erm…not at the moment Sir” I cringed and
the whole room was staring now, obviously interested in everything in my
personal life “See. I say no more” he snorted “He probably doesn’t even know.
It’s about time women like you were sterilised at birth” he insulted rudely and
I shot up with Nate at my side “Iain. That is enough!” Nate growled at him and
then I nearly passed out as I saw Mason stroll over.
Oh Shit!

He didn’t look at me but he bent down into Iain’s ear and
whispered something to him. Iain paled and grabbed hold of the edge of the
table and Mason flicked his eyes to me. The ferocity in them was highly
evident, his jaw was rigid and his chest was rising and falling deeply. I shook
my head marginally and flicked my eyes over to Rebecca in warning. He stood up
and glared at me “I don’t give a fuck!
NOBODY
talks to you like that” he growled and I winced at the severity in his
tone. He leaned in to Iain’s ear again “Now fucking apologise” he demanded.
Iain swallowed heavily and looked at me “Sorry” he snapped to me and Mason
growled loudly “Like you fucking mean it!” he snarled. Iain took a deep breath
“I am very sorry Miss Stone. I didn’t mean to offend you” he whimpered and
Mason nodded once and then looked at Nate “Sorry Nate” Nate shook his head “You
only did what I was about to Mason, don’t worry”

Mason smiled at Nate and nodded his head softly in thanks
and then turned to me “Do not let anybody ever talk to you like that again. You
are a confident, educated and very beautiful woman. Do not let anybody tell you
different” he ordered then turned and stalked back to a thunderous Rebecca.

I gulped and Nate took my hand and led us over to the
maître d “Bill and coats please” he told him and I leant in to him “I am so
sorry Nate” I whispered. He looked at me with a bewildered expression “Don’t
you dare apologise for that…that arsehole” he asserted “I know but the contract
has gone balls upwards” I grumbled “I don’t fucking care. I don’t want that
man’s fucking business. Knob head!” he snarled and he held out my coat for me
to put on.