Incineration (Heart of Stone) Read online

  Heart of Stone

  Incineration

  A NSC Industries novel

  By D H Sidebottom

  Heart of Stone

  Incineration

  Copyright © 2013

  By D H Sidebottom

  This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to actual places, incidents and persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

  Copyright © 2013 D H Sidebottom

  Excerpt from Heart of Stone Tolerance Copyright © 2013

  Sometimes, love is just that little bit too difficult

  CHAPTER 1

  I met George, 5 years ago, when I had been living on the streets at the age of 17. He had found me beaten and sobbing in the corner of a pub car park and had gently lifted me and placed me in the back of his Jag, took me to his home and cared me back to the gentle, fun loving girl that I had once been.

  I came to look on him as a father figure and he treated me as though I was his daughter, lovingly nicknaming me ‘Princess’.

  When I reached 21 he had bought me a small, rundown cottage that I had the strenuous but fulfilling pleasure of renovating back to its original state, the love and attention I put into it gave me an overwhelming sense of pride and pleasure.

  Since the day George had found me I had worked for him as a personal assistant in his house but only for his personal daily activities, his business was kept well away from me, behind locked doors, much to George’s specific instructions.

  I knew he was involved with lots of dishonest and crooked dealings in organised crime, a ‘gangster’ or ‘criminal overlord’ as the term is known but he always kept me away from this side of him and I respected his choices even though sometimes it exasperated me that he thought I couldn’t handle that side of things, but I respected his wishes and took care of his private and individual needs.

  As he reached 60 he had decided to retire and move to the Algarve, telling me he had had enough of the life he led and was eager to get away from it. He begged me to go with him but I needed my own space and my own life but I would be eternally grateful to him for all the time and patience he had given me. He said his reward had been watching me flourish into an independent beautiful woman who had loved him, for who he really was, not the ruthless, hard man people thought he was.

  He had took the opportunity to secure me a job with one of his ‘associates’ for when he left, as another personal assistant. I had told him I would find employment but he been determined that I should carry on with this career as it paid exceptionally well and I was the most loyal, trustworthy person capable of doing the job for the most ruthless of the underworld.

  This, he told me is why Mr Mason Fox, one of Georges friends had agreed to take me into his employment, doing the exact same job I had done for George. George had told me that Mr Fox was one of the hardest and wealthiest of their inner circle, a fairly new man in the criminal world but had quickly built a name and merciless reputation for himself but he had owed George one or two favours and would be glad of the assistance in his private chores and would take care of me for George’s sake.

  So this is why on a drizzly Monday morning I was knocking on the enormous, white double doors of Mr Fox’s home/business premises; my long, curly copper hair piled on top of my head and frizzed within an inch of its life due to the wet weather and my feet already sore in my skyscraper heels.

  I had gone with a professional look of black pencil skirt and pinstriped white shirt, not sure what his expectations would be as I had yet to meet him.

  Mr Fox had been out of the country for the previous six weeks so we hadn’t had the opportunity to meet, this been our first encounter.

  I was terribly nervous but George had rung me as I had been preparing breakfast to wish me luck and give me words of encouragement and to inform me what time Mr Fox was expecting me.

  The door swung open and a good looking man of about 26 stood in a dark suit, a huge grin plastered on his face as he did a swift perusal of me. “Hi” I smiled nervously “Ava Stone to see Mr Fox” his eyes stayed on my chest and I already disliked this man.

  He swung his arm out in gesture to enter and I could feel his gaze on my backside as I squeezed past him “Come in Miss Stone, Mason’s expecting you but he’s on the phone at the moment. Follow me” he said and stalked off towards a set of dark wood double doors, opening them both and entering the room.

  Following him in I set eyes on a huge rectangular table, also in the same dark wood that seemed to suck the life out of the room.

  Six men were sat around the table talking and a man had his back to me pacing in front of the large French doors that led to an enormous garden, shouting abuse to someone on the phone.

  He wore a pristine fitted white shirt that clung to his hard muscled back, the material straining over his powerful physique and the sleeves were rolled up, giving me a small view of the strength in his arms. His black expensive trousers hung from his hips in a way that sheathed his hard buttocks, the cloth delicately hugging his magnificent arse.

  My breath caught in my throat as he turned, his gaze locked on me before he scanned my body in a slow and easy examination and then rested on my face as he held my gaze for a moment too long, his head tipped slightly to the side making me squirm on the edge of my comfort zone.

  His eyes were intense but there was something else that flashed across them… hunger! He was stunning.

  I could tell without the advantage of removing his shirt that his chest was as strong and lean as the rest of him; his dark hair was cut short and his square chin had a dusting of stubble. He was made in heaven, no other words to describe him.

  He gestured to a seat at the table and I wobbled over to it, all sets of eyes in the room were tracking me and most dropping to my large chest as I sat down.

  I had hated my breasts for many years, they had been the warrant of many an unwanted attraction and leer from men, and women and had more than once got me into bad situations.

  “So Miss Stone, are you looking forward to working for Mason? He can be quite a determined bastard” the man who opened the door said as he smirked at me, obviously trying to put me on edge. I smiled politely and lowered my eyes into my lap, nibbling furiously on my little finger, already aware of the intense blush creeping up my neck.

  An older, grey haired man elbowed him and smiled softly to me “Ignore this twat love, he can be an arse” he winked at me with a twinkle in his eye and reached out his hand to me “Brian Cox, please to meet you Darling” I smiled and shook his hand as he gipped me softly “Ava Stone, very pleased to meet you Sir” he regarded me, still with a sparkle in his eye “So you’re the lovely lady that George is so smitten with”

  I grinned at the mention of George, the mere reference to him lifting my spirits “As smitten as I am with him Sir. George saved my life” I said simply and meant every word. He cocked his head and his eyes glowed with warmth as he simply gave me a small nod “Anyway, meet the rest of the guys” he chuckled and gestured to each man as he told me their names.

  “The prick that opened the door is Dane Winters, Masons best friend and right hand man” Dane leant forward and took my hand, lifting it to his lips and placing a kiss on my knuckles “Hello again Ava, It’s about time we had something good to look at in this dismal place” he sneered and wiggled his eyebrows.

  A shiver slithered up my spine and I gulped, much to his amusement. Brian elbowed him again “Leave the poor girl alone Dane” he then turned to the next person; a burly heavy set man with bright blue eyes and his hair shaved to within a millimetre on his large round head “This here is Masons Muscle as we like to call him, Sam Taylor” Brian informed me and Sam nodded and smiled “Pleasure Miss Stone
. I hope you can make good coffee cause Masons is fucking shit” he grinned and I laughed “I’m sure I can manage a decent coffee” Brain then indicated to the next man.

  He was roughly 40 and his long thin face was covered in scars, the meanest being one that ran from the side of his right eye to the corner of his lip “This handsome fellow is Mark Scott” Marks eyes shifted towards me and then back to the paper he was reading on the table “Miss Stone” was all he said and another blush crept into my cheeks as the other men laughed at Marks reception to me.

  Brian shook his head and pointed to the dark skinned man sitting nearer the top of the table “This is Simon Bell, he’s the baby of us all” Simon grinned perfect white teeth that gleamed extra bright against his brown skin, as soon as I saw the man I grinned “Miss Stone, it’s a pleasure to meet you again. Have you heard how George is settling in?” he smiled “George told me that you would be here Mr Bell and he told me to tell you that the ladies are very very pretty, his words not mine” I chuckled as his smile turned into a grin “Good old George”.

  Simon had done a few jobs for George and I had met him on several occasions and to be honest his familiar face was comforting in the presence of so many strangers. Brian then turned to the last of the men “This is Greg Chambers, Mason’s accountant” Greg’s eyes flitted down to my chest and then swiftly back up to eye level “Miss Stone, I’m glad there is finally someone to clean up after that hunk of shit” he whispered in my ear as he was the closest to me “Do you know he can’t even make himself a bloody sandwich without trashing the kitchen. Last week he put the bloody laundry into the fucking dishwasher, he’s useless” he winked and I laughed “I’m sure I can sort it out” I told him.

  “You can sort me out anytime Ava” Dane said from across the table, his eyes boring into mine and I shifted uncomfortably in my seat.

  “Dane” came a deep growl from the man stood by the doors “Enough” he snarled at Dane “Oh for fucks sake Mason chill out, I’m just ribbing her” Dane protested but Mason continued to glare at him then turned to me, his eyes piercing mine as he observed me “Miss Stone, welcome aboard. I have business to discuss with these gentlemen so Sam will show you to the kitchen. If you could manage to work the coffee machine I would be grateful if you could bring us all some coffee” he said with no hint of emotion or expression, his cool eyes fixed on mine as I stood “No problem Mr Fox, I’m sure I’ll figure it out” I smiled and turned to Sam as he rose from his chair and escorted me to the kitchen.

  “You think you can manage the machine Miss Stone?” Sam asked, giving the machine an inquisitive stare “Call me Ava please, and I’ll give it a go” he nodded and left me alone to brew some coffee.

  Luckily it was a pretty basic device and I had soon placed a full coffee pot, cups, sugar and milk on a tray with a plate of biscuits I had found in the cupboard and found my way back to the room.

  Tapping the door with my foot as to not intrude at an awkward moment, the door swung open and Mason frowned at me then down at the tray “I Erm, didn’t want to walk in on any private discussions Mr Fox” I explained and his eyes narrowed on me “I Erm, I never entered the room when George was discussing business Sir and I wasn’t sure what…” I trailed off as his eyes bore into mine.

  He shook his head slightly and took the tray from me, turned and kicked the door shut with his foot.

  “Okay Ava, next time don’t bloody knock” I grumbled to myself as I ventured back to the kitchen to start on the mountain of pots “A simple thank you would have done” I muttered to myself as I was quietly wondering if this job was going to be harder than it looked.

  CHAPTER 2

  I filled in a couple of hours by cleaning the kitchen and checking the fridge for any items needed to refill it, making notes of basic foods and reminding myself to ask Mason what he liked to eat.

  I was bent over the large chest freezer, checking dates and clearing away any old items when I heard a slight cough behind me. Jumping in surprise I banged my head on the lid of the freezer “Shit” I hissed and shot up.

  “Sorry, didn’t mean to make you jump Miss Stone” his deep voice said from behind me making me spin round and observe Mason leant lazily against the doorframe, his ankles and arms folded in front of him “No no it’s my fault sorry, and please call me Ava, Mr Fox” his gaze dropped to my mouth where I was chewing on the fingertip of my little finger, a habit that I did when I was nervous and one that had proved difficult to break my entire life.

  He cocked his head and continued to gaze at my mouth “Ava” just hearing my name roll of his tongue in his low husky tone sent a shiver through me.

  His eyes then lifted to my face “I was wondering if you were ready to go through your schedule and sign some necessary paperwork?” his face still didn’t display a smile and I wondered if he had ever smiled in his life “Erm yeah that’s fine. Would you like a drink whilst we do it…Erm while we get on with it…Erm…” his eyebrow lifted and one side of his mouth curled upwards as I groaned “Erm sorry Mr Fox, I’m a little nervous. Would you like a drink?” I asked, leaving it at that.

  God damn Ava! He must think I’m an idiot; either that or a sex craved nymphomaniac.

  He actually smiled then, a grin erupting on his face and it made him even more stunning, his eyes twinkling brightly and his lips curved deliciously, and I started to imagine what those soft plump lips could do to sate the throb between my lips. Breathe Ava!!

  “Yes I’d like that…a drink that is” I was sure the tone of his voice had dropped a level and the throb spread hotter through my lower stomach. Oh God!

  I coughed and smiled gingerly “Erm, where will you be and I’ll bring it through?” I asked quietly, and his face resumed its usual stern expression “My office. Up the stairs, first door on the left” with that he turned abruptly and disappeared through the doorway, leaving me to let out the huge breath I had been holding.

  Balancing the tray containing two mugs of coffee, sugar and milk I knocked on the office door “Yep” I heard Mason shout and I opened the door and entered.

  His office was completely different to the rest of the dark wooded house. It was all chic smoky glass, abstract art and on one wall was a large framed photograph of a pretty dark haired girl in her early 20’s, laughing at the camera as Mason had his arms wrapped around her waist as though he was trying to spin her round, an intense jealousy raged through me at the sight of the love obviously shared between them and it made me gasp at my insane reaction.

  On the opposite wall was a huge window overlooking the garden and a ginormous desk was sat in front of it. Mason was sat in a large leather chair with his back to me staring out of the window.

  When he heard me enter he swung round and actually smiled at me “Ava, sit down please” he motioned to a chair facing his desk.

  Placing the tray on his desk I kept my gaze on the coffee “Sugar and milk?” I asked him without lifting my eyes.

  This man made me nervous for some reason, I had always felt comfortable in my own skin, ever since George had nurtured me back to life but being in Mason’s presence was bringing out some unknown emotions in me. I had never really been attracted to any man, oh I knew I wasn’t gay but I had never found a man that did it for me, but Mason was making me feel things that were hidden so far away in me it was unsettling.

  “Here I’ll do it” Mason said as he stood, noticing my hands were trembling “If you don’t mind Mr Fox I’d rather and then I’ll know how you like to have it” I looked at him and smiled nervously “Oh Yeah okay, Erm…” he frowned; he seemed to be struggling to remember how he took his coffee and he shifted slightly in his chair and cleared his throat “Erm, white with one sugar…I think” he pursed his lips and shook his head.

  I looked at him now, properly and smiled “You sure?” I couldn’t help the sly smile twitching my lips as one of my eyebrows lifted, mocking him. He narrowed his eyes and nodded firmly “Yes” and that was it, he was back to his usual grim self.
>
  After preparing his coffee and mine I handed him the cup and his fingers brushed mine, sending a small jolt through me, flowing electricity down to area’s I kept hidden. I frowned to myself and as he placed his cup on the desk he rubbed the edge of his fingers; had he felt it too?

  “Right” he looked at me “I’ve never had an assistant before so I need to know what your duties consist of Ava” he cocked his head and held my gaze “What you do for me?” he added with a slight twitch in his lips. Oh God, what I COULD do for him!!

  A warm feeling pooled between my thighs and I fidgeted in my seat, my teeth chewing on my little finger again. What the hell was happening to me? I decided I would need to give my vibrator a good workout tonight to bring my mind out of the gutter.

  I cleared my throat “Erm well Mr Fox, it’s usually personal things such as shopping, cooking, laundry, kind of like a housekeeper but then I also could deal with your personal appointments, pay your bills and accompany you on any engagements you need me for. To be brutally honest” I swallowed, not sure how to say this last part “Whatever you need from me” I sucked in my lips, knowing how it sounded but there wasn’t any other way to say it.

  His eyebrows lifted and he bit his bottom lip “Whatever I need” it was said as a statement not a question and he cocked his head, a small twinkle in his eye as his gaze settled on my mouth. I swallowed again “Yes Mr Fox, within reason of course” I added, trying to get the erotic pictures out of my head.

  My breathing had become heavy and I was struggling not to shut my eyes and let out a groan “Of Course” he smirked, his eyes on mine as he shifted position in his seat. He seemed to shake his head of some thought and cleared his throat “Right Ava, that sounds…fun” another smile lifted his mouth. Wow where were they all coming from? I didn’t think this man had it in him “so say shopping, laundry and cooking for now, and then we can ease you in to the business side of things. I have a cleaner come in three times a week so I’ll leave the housework to her and then we’ll just play it by ear. I’m sure we’ll work round it together” he glanced down at some paperwork, tapped his fingers on the desk and then looked at me “However Ava, I need you to sign a NDA, and I know George has vouched for you but I need the extra security” he seemed nervous now and I empathised with him.