The NSC Boxset: Heart of Stone Read online




  The NSC Boxset

  By D H Sidebottom

  The NSC Boxset

  Copyright © 2015 D H Sidebottom

  Angel

  Copyright © 2013 D H Sidebottom

  Heart of Stone #1: Incineration

  Copyright © 2013 D H Sidebottom

  Heart of Stone #2: Tolerance

  Copyright © 2013 D H Sidebottom

  Heart of Stone #3: Resolution

  Copyright © 2013 D H Sidebottom

  The Hunt for Summer

  Copyright © 2013 D H Sidebottom

  Heart of Stone

  Heart of Stone #4: Atonement

  Copyright © 2013 D H Sidebottom

  Heart of Stone

  Heart of Stone mini-novella: Avengement

  Copyright © 2013 D H Sidebottom

  Kade

  Copyright © 2013 D H Sidebottom

  Heart of Stone

  Heart of Stone novella : Endurance

  Copyright © 2014 D H Sidebottom

  A Heart of Stone novella: Ferocity

  Copyright © 2014 D H Sidebottom

  Heart of Stone: Fortitude

  Copyright © 2014 D H Sidebottom

  Heart of Stone

  Heart of Stone: Nativity

  Copyright © 2014 D H Sidebottom

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

  Formatting: Champagne Formats

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  DEDICATION

  BOOK 1: ANGEL

  PROLOGUE

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHAPTER TEN

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  CHAPTER TWENTY -SIX

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

  CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

  CHAPTER THIRTY

  EPILOGUE

  BOOK 2: INCINERATION

  QUOTE

  CHAPTER 1

  CHAPTER 2

  CHAPTER 3

  CHAPTER 4

  CHAPTER 5

  CHAPTER 6

  CHAPTER 7

  CHAPTER 8

  CHAPTER 9

  CHAPTER 10

  CHAPTER 11

  CHAPTER 12

  CHAPTER 13

  CHAPTER 14

  CHAPTER 15

  CHAPTER 16

  CHAPTER 17

  CHAPTER 18

  CHAPTER 19

  CHAPTER 20

  CHAPTER 21

  CHAPTER 22

  CHAPTER 23

  CHAPTER 24

  CHAPTER 25

  CHAPTER 26

  CHAPTER 27

  CHAPTER 28

  CHAPTER 29

  CHAPTER 30

  CHAPTER 31

  CHAPTER 32

  CHAPTER 33

  CHAPTER 34

  CHAPTER 35

  CHAPTER 36

  CHAPTER 37

  CHAPTER 38

  CHAPTER 39

  CHAPTER 40

  CHAPTER 41

  CHAPTER 42

  CHAPTER 43

  CHAPTER 44

  CHAPTER 45

  CHAPTER 46

  CHAPTER 47

  CHAPTER 48

  CHAPTER 49

  CHAPTER 50

  CHAPTER 51

  BOOK 3: TOLERANCE

  QUOTE

  CHAPTER 1

  CHAPTER 2

  CHAPTER 3

  CHAPTER 4

  CHAPTER 5

  CHAPTER 6

  CHAPTER 7

  CHAPTER 8

  CHAPTER 9

  CHAPTER 10

  CHAPTER 11

  CHAPTER 12

  CHAPTER 13

  CHAPTER 14

  CHAPTER 15

  CHAPTER 16

  CHAPTER 17

  CHAPTER 18

  CHAPTER 19

  CHAPTER 20

  CHAPTER 21

  CHAPTER 22

  CHAPTER 23

  CHAPTER 24

  CHAPTER 25

  CHAPTER 26

  CHAPTER 27

  CHAPTER 28

  CHAPTER 29

  CHAPTER 30

  CHAPTER 31

  CHAPTER 32

  CHAPTER 33

  CHAPTER 34

  CHAPTER 35

  CHAPTER 36

  CHAPTER 37

  CHAPTER 38

  CHAPTER 39

  CHAPTER 40

  CHAPTER 41

  CHAPTER 42

  BOOK 4: RESOLUTION

  QUOTE

  CHAPTER 1

  CHAPTER 2

  CHAPTER 3

  CHAPTER 4

  CHAPTER 5

  CHAPTER 6

  CHAPTER 7

  CHAPTER 8

  CHAPTER 9

  CHAPTER 10

  CHAPTER 11

  CHAPTER 12

  CHAPTER 13

  CHAPTER 14

  CHAPTER 15

  CHAPTER 16

  CHAPTER 17

  CHAPTER 18

  CHAPTER 19

  CHAPTER 20

  CHAPTER 21

  CHAPTER 22

  CHAPTER 23

  CHAPTER 24

  CHAPTER 25

  CHAPTER 26

  CHAPTER 27

  CHAPTER 28

  CHAPTER 29

  CHAPTER 30

  CHAPTER 31

  CHAPTER 32

  CHAPTER 33

  EPILOGUE

  QUOTE

  BOOK 5: THE HUNT FOR SUMMER

  QUOTE

  CHAPTER 1

  CHAPTER 2

  CHAPTER 3

  CHAPTER 4

  CHAPTER 5

  CHAPTER 6

  CHAPTER 7

  CHAPTER 8

  CHAPTER 9

  CHAPTER 10

  CHAPTER 11

  CHAPTER 12

  CHAPTER 13

  CHAPTER 14

  CHAPTER 15

  CHAPTER 16

  CHAPTER 17

  CHAPTER 18

  CHAPTER 19

  CHAPTER 20

  CHAPTER 21

  CHAPTER 22

  CHAPTER 23

  CHAPTER 24

  CHAPTER 25

  CHAPTER 26

  CHAPTER 27

  CHAPTER 28

  CHAPTER 29

  CHAPTER 30

  CHAPTER 31

  CHAPTER 32

  CHAPTER 33

  CHAPTER 34

  CHAPTER 35

  CHAPTER 36

  CHAPTER 37

  CHAPTER 38

  CHAPTER 39

  CHAPTER 40

  CHAPTER 41

  CHAPTER 42

  CHAPTER 43

  CHAPTER 44

  CHAPTER 45

  EPILOGUE

  BOOK 6: ATONEMENT

  QUOTE

  PROLOGUE

  CHAPTER 1

  CHAPTER 2

  CHAPTER 3

  CHAPTER 4

  CHAPTER 5

  CHAPTER 6

  CHAPTER 7

  CHAPTER 8

  CHAPTER 9

 
; CHAPTER 10

  CHAPTER 11

  CHAPTER 12

  CHAPTER 13

  CHAPTER 14

  CHAPTER 15

  CHAPTER 16

  CHAPTER 17

  CHAPTER 18

  CHAPTER 19

  CHAPTER 20

  CHAPTER 21

  CHAPTER 22

  CHAPTER 23

  CHAPTER 24

  CHAPTER 25

  CHAPTER 26

  CHAPTER 27

  CHAPTER 28

  CHAPTER 29

  CHAPTER 30

  CHAPTER 31

  CHAPTER 32

  CHAPTER 33

  CHAPTER 34

  CHAPTER 35

  CHAPTER 36

  CHAPTER 37

  CHAPTER 38

  CHAPTER 39

  CHAPTER 40

  CHAPTER 41

  CHAPTER 42

  EPILOGUE

  BOOK 7: AVENGEMENT

  CHAPTER 1

  CHAPTER 2

  CHAPTER 3

  CHAPTER 4

  CHAPTER 5

  CHAPTER 6

  BOOK 8: KADE

  QUOTE

  PROLOGUE

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHAPTER TEN

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

  CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

  CHAPTER THIRTY

  CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

  CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

  CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

  EPILOGUE

  BOOK 9: ENDURANCE

  CHAPTER 1

  CHAPTER 2

  CHAPTER 3

  CHAPTER 4

  CHAPTER 5

  CHAPTER 6

  CHAPTER 7

  CHAPTER 8

  CHAPTER 9

  CHAPTER 10

  CHAPTER 11

  CHAPTER 12

  CHAPTER 13

  CHAPTER 14

  CHAPTER 15

  BOOK 10: FEROCITY

  CHAPTER 0NE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHAPTER TEN

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  BOOK 11: FORTITUDE

  FOR JOAN HOPKINSON

  PART ONE

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHAPTER TEN

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

  CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

  CHAPTER THIRTY

  CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

  CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

  PART TWO

  CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

  EPILOGUE

  AVA AND MASON

  BOOK 12: NATIVITY

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  EPILOGUE

  FINALLY, THE END

  Dedication

  For Vickie.

  You will always be Mrs Fox #2 and Mason will forever love you as much as I do. Thank you for being there every step of the way with me and the Fox’s.

  You have no idea how much we love you for it!

  Prologue

  “OH, COME ON Liv! I have Haribos!” Beth pouted, “You know I need it.”

  Rolling my eyes at her, I laughed. “Why is it so damn important that you wear my red dress?” I asked, even though I had an inkling of why she was so desperate to claim it.

  “Because I need sex tonight . . . desperately, I’m so bloody horny Liv!” she replied, not noticing the slight giggle I was trying to hide under my breath.

  “Mmm, why is my red dress gonna help you get laid?” I looked at her, she was stunning . . . Greek goddess stunning; blonde hair, blue eyes and a figure to die for with long, long legs, trim waist and large breasts. “You don’t need any help to get a bloke.”

  She turned to look at me, grinning widely. “Because I look goooood in it.”

  Frowning and wondering how the hell she already knew she looked good in it, I took my chance. “Haribos, wine and don’t fucking leave me alone with Tom tonight, then it’s yours.”

  Screaming, she flung her arms round me. “You got it girl, but what’s wrong with Tom? You know he wants you, don’t you think it’s about time you tried sex, you’re gonna love it!”

  I turned away, sighing. “You know why. I want to wait till it’s someone I like. I’m only eighteen for god’s sake, I’m sure I’m not gonna die a dried up old virgin yet!”

  It was important to me, just because everyone else seemed to give it up for any lad that smiled at them. I wasn’t frigid or against sex. I thought I was a decent-ish looking, petite 5ft 3” curvy, but slim girl, with long wavy brown hair and huge brown eyes, but I just hadn’t found a lad that did it for me. I couldn’t remember any male attention that made me hot and ready.

  Sensing Beth’s stare on me I turned back to her. “What?”

  “Hey, what you wearing anyway?” she asked, quickly changing the topic. “Even if you don’t wanna get nailed you still need to attract the men.” She laughed, “Just enjoy their attention, it can still make you feel good.”

  “Jeans,” I deadpanned, knowing it would wind her up.

  Noticing the shocked look on her face, I couldn’t hold in the grin. God, I loved winding her up. According to Beth, every girl on campus should look good at all times even when they’re sound asleep or sat on the loo.

  Bringing her eyebrows together, she looked at me. “No Fucking way Liv, it’s a Christmas party, you can’t wear jeans and I won’t let you.” She stomped off towards her room, leaving me shaking my head in humour.

  Walking over to my wardrobe I took a look inside. My favourite red dress had been claimed, leaving my black, tight lacy dress which I had a feeling Tom would see as an invitation to stare at my breasts all night, or my blue dress.

  “Blue it is then.” Pulling it out and giving it a quick whiff to see if it still smelled fresh, I wrinkled my nose. “Eugh, maybe not.” Starting to panic I shouted, “ANYBODY GOT ANY FEBREZE?” to the rest of my flat mates.

  * * *

  An hour later we approached the block of flats on the univers
ity digs; Beth and Lexi, already half plastered on cheap wine, and me attempting to pull my clingy blue dress down to my knees.

  “Relax,” Beth grumbled. “What’s up with you tonight? You sooo need a man.”

  Sick of hearing the same thing I glared at her. “For Christ sake Beth, leave it! Why don’t you try NOT getting screwed for one night?”

  She gasped and put her hand to her chest, looking at Lexi, “What did she just say?”

  Lexi looked at me and snorted. “You’ve no hope Liv, hell hasn’t frozen over yet!”

  From out of nowhere a huge lad came barrelling over and scooped Lexi up, swinging her round. “Babe, I missed you.” He grinned, leaning her over and giving her the sweetest kiss ever.

  “Put me down, Pete!” She giggled but the twinkle in her eyes, gave away how much she was in love with him.

  Lexi and Pete had been together for over three years and had moved to the same university from the same college. I only met Lexi when I moved into the student digs on the first day of term but we hit it off together straight away, both having the same taste in music, films and of course wine.

  She’d turned out to be a quiet girl but when she hit the wine, boy, did she get loud and wild; everybody who knew her groaned and ran for cover when she got the corkscrew out. We’d had many a fun, loud drunken night since I started at uni.

  Beth and I however had been best friends since we were at primary school and always seemed to know what the other was thinking. We moved from primary to secondary school, then college and university together. I couldn’t have asked for a greater friend. We went through hell together when my dad died, both of us clinging to each other in our grief.

  My dad had been a surrogate dad to Beth when her own had buggered off and left Beth and her mum struggling with all the gambling debts he left behind. My dad had bonded with Beth when I brought her home for tea one day after school and she had treated our house as her own from that day on.

  Pete carried a giggling Lexi up the stairs to the flat, while me and Beth followed on behind.

  The music was bouncing through the walls as we climbed, the smell of cigarette smoke and cannabis permeating the air the moment we entered the pulsing flat.

  It was packed to the rafters, hot and sweaty bodies brushing against each other. There were a few couples already making out in the corners and two girls practically having sex on one of the threadbare couches.

  My head throbbed with an approaching headache as soon as I squeezed myself between the wall and the mass of people. Beth had already gone on the hunt for a willing, testosterone fuelled male and Lexi and Pete were talking to a group of people in the kitchen.

  I wandered over to the alcohol table, picking up a bottle of lager, and turned to survey the room. Taking a swallow of the cool liquid, I had an odd feeling I was been watched. The hairs on the nape of my neck stood up, my breathing accelerated and my ears started pounding. Looking around, trying to see through the thick smoke, I could make out a figure across the room leaning on the wall, one foot propped up on the wall behind him with a bottle to his lips. It was hard to see him properly but I had an overwhelming feeling he was staring at me.