The Intimidation Game (Game Series Book 1)

by C. L Stewart

  “Dan, are you okay?” I ask, my voice cracking as I finish the question.

  He doesn’t speak and I’m starting to feel very uncomfortable at the way he’s staring at me. The sound of someone clearing their throat behind me startles me and I snap my head round to see a very thin man with a full head of pure white hair rise from one of the seats at the coffee table. His full height becomes apparent as he stands, dwarfing my slight frame. God he must be over six and a half feet tall. My instant thought as I assess his gangly frame is that he reminds me of that creepy Slenderman character that terrifies little kids. I look questioningly back at Dan who is still sitting as he was when I came in.

  “Dan, what’s going on?”

  “Miss Olsson,” creepy man says, and I turn to face him this time. “Mr King has been advised that your acquaintance with each other must be on a wholly professional level from now on and for the foreseeable future.”

  I feel my brows furrow and turn back to look at Dan. He’s changed position and is now staring at the window. He can’t even look at me.

  “Dan?” The pleading in my voice is more than noticeable but still he keeps his attention on the window. “Dan?” I try again and he doesn’t give in.

  “Miss Olsson, your help has been very much appreciated during what you can imagine has been a very testing time for the company,” Slenderman’s voice is soft and higher pitched than I was expecting.

  I don’t look at him. I keep my eyes on the side of Dan’s head and the horrible realisation that I’ve been used causes a sob to escape from my lips. Now he looks at me and the pity in his eyes is all the confirmation I need.

  “How could you?” My body is shaking, and I feel as though I’m going to throw up.

  “This isn’t personal Miss Olsson, it’s what’s best for the company.”

  “Shut up you creepy bastard,” I screech at the tall streak of piss, surprising myself that I have managed to stand up for myself to a man, and one of his very intimidating size. “Don’t you even dare. You don’t know how personal this is.”

  “Miss Olsson, you should mind how you speak to people in higher office than you if you intend to still have a job in this company.”

  “Fuck your job and fuck you Dan,” I shout, taking off my lanyard holding my photo ID and throwing it at him. Dan doesn’t flinch, even as the strap of the lanyard hits him on the jaw. I take off out the door before anything else can happen.

  As I press the button for the lift, I see Dan emerge from his office and start to make his way towards me. “No,” I shout holding up my hand.

  He stops and I look at him through my tears. “I’m so sorry Nikki,” he says his voice rough and tinged with sadness.

  I turn back to face the doors and as they open, I take a deep breath. “I’ll have my desk cleared out by tomorrow,” I say quietly as I get into the lift.

  “Nikki,” Dan pleads as the doors close.

  Leaning back against the wall, the movement of the lift flipping my stomach, I cry loudly as I realise I’ve lost everything by doing the one thing I promised myself I wouldn’t ever do again. I got involved with a guy who couldn’t possibly want me, one who would always put me second to his ambitions. I told Dan everything that scared me, everything that happened to me. It was the worst possible thing he could know about me and he couldn’t even give me the courtesy of letting me down gently. He had to get that horrible, creepy man to do it instead. Who the hell he was I don’t know? Right now, all I want is to get as far away from here, from Dan, as I can.

  I exit the building into the damp, drizzle laden air and curse the day I ever decided to move here.

  Chapter Thirty-One

  I have gone through countless scenarios in my head over the last few days as to why Dan did what he did to me. When I think back to how he reacted in London when I told him what Mike had done, I wonder why he was so angry if I really meant nothing to him. He acted as though he truly cared about me. I’ve ignored his calls and the only person I’ve really spoken to in the four days since I walked out is Damo. I know I’m going to have to face Dan sooner or later but right now all I can do is wallow in self-pity with a deep-seated feeling of betrayal lying in the pit of my stomach. A loud knock at the door makes me jump but given that it’s after two in the afternoon on a Friday I know it’ll be Damo.

  “Use your key,” I shout to him.

  I gave Damo a key so that he can come and go in case he can’t get hold of me. It was my compromise because he said he was going to camp out on my sofa if I even dared to ignore him.

  When the door knocks again, I huff and get up. “For God sake Damo, what’s the point in having a key if you’re just going to forget it anyway?”

  I pull open the door and feel myself physically recoil at the figure standing on the other side. I gasp and try to shut the door but I’m not quick enough as a foot is wedged in the gap stopping the door from closing. I let go of the door and run to the living room. Where the hell I’m trying to run to is beyond me right now, I’m two floors up. Every heavy step that follows behind me fills me with terror. I don’t have anywhere to go so I’m forced to turn and face my intruder.

  “Mike what are you doing here? You shouldn’t be here.”

  He doesn’t say anything. He stands on the opposite side of the living room staring at me.

  “How did you find me?”

  Mike laughs and a small sneer forms on his lips. “Oh, I have contacts Nik, you know I do. What I want to know is why did you leave me like that?” He takes a step forward and I back up, hitting the wall.

  “Mike, please don’t hurt me,” I say as a tear rolls down my face.

  I close my eyes as he stalks towards me as though he is a lion and I, his injured prey. I can feel him close to me, his repugnant aftershave making me want to heave. I jump at the feel of his hand on my face but I daren’t move any further. I’ve been on the receiving end of punches from those hands and I don’t wish to feel that again.

  “You’re so beautiful Nik. I’ve missed you. Look at me.”

  I open my eyes and I swear I see a sadness behind his. I’m so confused and so help me, but I feel sorry for him.

  “You hurt me Mike. You took everything from me. Why? Why did you hit me?”

  “Oh Nik,” he says closing his eyes.

  “Stop fucking calling me that Mike, my name is Nikki.”

  He takes his hand from my face and turns away from me, his shoulders slumping slightly. “You’ve gotten strong since you’ve been away Nikki. You have to believe that I’ve changed.” He turns back to face me. “I’m getting help. I want to make a fresh start with you. Will you come back with me? Are you able to?”

  I think about how fucked up my life has become here and how Dan has treated me. What he has done has made me feel a million times worse than anytime Mike laid a hand on me. Bruises heal, but broken hearts are scarred forever. Right now, I’d like nothing more than to get away from here. In the back of my mind, I know I shouldn’t be giving Mike the time of day but what choice do I have now?

  “Where are you staying?” I ask him, and I can’t hide the defeat in my voice.

  “The Holiday Inn at the airport. Look, I know this is a little presumptuous, but I bought you a ticket back to South Africa. I had hoped that when you saw me, you’d realise that you still love me, and I’ve already told you I’m getting help. I’ll be a better man, I promise.”

  I honestly must be out of my mind, but I nod at him and he comes back to me, kissing me fervently. I put my hands up to his chest and push him back.

  “I’ll come back with you Mike, but I need time to get over what’s happened, and you need time to prove that you’ve changed.”

  “Thank you,” he says almost sincerely, and I hate myself for it, but I somehow believe him.

  “Okay, when is the flight?”

  “Tomorrow morning, eight fifty. Come to the hotel with me, please Nikki. I want to make things right. I need you.”

  “Let me gather up some
clothes and stuff. I’ll need to make arrangements for the flat and things too.”

  “Do it from home.”

  I shake my head. “I thought this was going to be my home,” I say solemnly. “Give me time to pack Mike. Show yourself out, I’ll meet you downstairs in the courtyard.”

  As I go to walk away, he grabs my wrist. I look down at his hand on my arm and a fleeting memory flashes in front of me. I bat it down. I have to get away from here and I have to believe he’s changed.

  “Thank you, Nik, sorry Nikki. I’ll try to remember.” He smiles at me.

  I shake my arm and he releases my wrist. “I won’t be long,” I say as I make my way to my bedroom and begin packing my stuff into a bag with tears in my eyes. It’s like I’m replaying the day I left his apartment all over again, only this time I truly am heartbroken. I can’t believe I’m even contemplating going back there with him but in a messed-up way I seem to have convinced myself that it’s a good idea.

  “Can we stop at an ATM? I have no cash on me.”

  “Sure,” Mike says as we get into his hire car.

  “Thanks. There’s one not far from here.”

  We set off and I feel at odds with myself. Deep down I think fear is making me do this. I’m still scared of him. I turn and look at his profile. That cocky smile is back on his face. Gone is the sincere, ‘I’m sorry’ look. The atmosphere between us has changed too and I realise in this moment that I’ve made a huge mistake. He hasn’t changed one bit. As Mike pulls up next to the ATM, I grab my bank card from my bag and get out. There’s a woman at the machine in front of me and I stand behind her. My palms are sweating and I’m shaking. This doesn’t feel right. I look back at the car and Mike smiles at me. But it’s not a nice smile, it’s a smile that screams of control and I’ve seen it on his face many times. I have to get away from him, but my bag is still in the car with my phone and all my clothes. I need to get it before this woman finishes. I turn back to the car to pretend I need a different card with the full intention of getting my bag and running. My self-assuredness disappears in an instant as I open the door and see him sitting there with my phone in his hand and his face contorted in a way that’s reminiscent of the look he had every time he was about to hit me.

  “Get in,” he demands.

  “I n…need to get a different card,” I say trying my hardest to plead innocence.

  “Get in the fucking car Nik.”

  I take a deep stuttering breath and do as he says. I need to get my phone back and I’m scared of what he’ll do if I don’t comply.

  “Is… is everything okay?” I say plastering as much of a smile on my face as I can.

  The clunk of the door closing is like the sounding of a death knell and a feeling of pure terror hangs over me. Mike keeps my phone in his hand, clutching it against the steering wheel, as he speeds off before I can even put my seatbelt on.

  “Who the fuck is Dan?”

  I feel every bit of colour drain from my face and a horrible cold feeling courses through my body. I can’t answer him.

  “Fucking answer me,” he shouts.

  “My boss.” My voice sounds so weak and I know I’ve shrunk down in my seat. I chance a look at him and see that his jaw is clenched tight, his face reddening.

  “Your fucking boss. Your FUCKING BOSS!” He screams at me.

  His driving is becoming increasingly erratic and given that it’s only mid-afternoon on a Friday, the streets are filled with people. I’m worried there could be a fatal accident if he doesn’t calm down. I manage, with extremely shaky hands, to get my seatbelt clicked in place

  “It meant nothing…”

  “Shut up and don’t treat me like I’m an imbecile. I read the messages, that wasn’t nothing.” He throws the phone at me and it hits my chest before falling to the floor and sliding under the seat.

  “I thought you said you’d changed Mike.” I don’t know why my warped brain is deciding it would be a good idea to antagonise him further but it’s out there now and I have a feeling I’m about to regret it.

  “Fuck you, you little bitch,” he shouts as he all but stands on the breaks propelling me forward, the seatbelt digging into my neck. I’m pushed forward again as there’s a sudden impact from behind us. “FUCK!” He shouts. “FUCK! FUCK! FUCK!”

  His voice is deafening, and I put my hands over my ears. “I’m going to fucking kill you,” he says through gritted teeth as he grabs my neck and pushes me against the door. I can’t breathe and I genuinely feel as though I might die. I honestly don’t think it’s an idle threat. He really would kill me.

  “FUCK!” He shouts again and loosens his grip on me. The gasp of air I take in burns my lungs.

  As he gets out of the car to assess the damage, I hold my throat where his hands were. I should run I know I should, but I can’t seem to make my legs move to get out of the car. My whole body is shaking. I let out a huge sigh of relief when I look in the wing mirror and see a police car arrive. I watch as the male and female officers get out of the car and start to speak to Mike and the man who ran into us. Mike is smiling at them with the fakest innocent look on his face and it fires up a strength in me that I didn’t think I had. I, grab my bag and my phone, get out of the car and walk towards the police officers, determined that I’m going to get Mike for everything he’s ever done to me.

  “Ah here’s my wife now. I was just telling these officers we are on our way to the airport sweetie. We’ll just let the hire company’s insurance deal with this. Get back in the car, there’s nothing much we can do right now anyway.” His voice is saccharine sweet, and I feel like I want to vomit.

  The male officer nods at him and smiles. His fucking wife? Over my dead body. I’m never going to get away from him and I know how manipulative he is so there’s no point in me telling these officers anything in front of him. The look Mike gives me is a warning shot and I know if I don’t do something now, I’ll never be free of him. In the split second it takes Mike to look between me and the two cops, I lift my fist and punch the male one right on the jaw. I’m not a violent person, far from it and I would never have dreamt of hitting anyone let alone a police officer, but I need to get them to arrest me, to get away from him, and this is the only way I can guarantee it.

  There is complete and utter chaos in the aftermath as I am handcuffed and read my rights then placed in the back of the police car. I watch as the officers talk to Mike, who looks like he’s seen a ghost, and as they take statements from everyone who witnessed the punch. When they are done, they get back in the car and as we move off, I look Mike right in the eyes. The look on his face is priceless and it makes me happy. For the first time in a long time, I genuinely feel free of him and I smile and physically relax. He looks like he’s going to blow a fuse. I watch the male officer rub his cheek as he talks into his radio. I feel awful for him. The poor guy was only doing his job, but I wonder if he’ll ever know that he may have saved my life. I’ll tell these officers everything that Mike has done to me and now that I know his hotel and flight plans, I hope my disclosure to them will result in his arrest. I don’t want any other woman to suffer what I have at his hands. If he gets back to South Africa that will never happen. I slouch down in the seat and worry about what’s to come, if I will be believed and, God, the worst part of all, what my father will say.

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  The lighting in this police station is stark and painful on the eyes but I’m happy to be standing in front of this desk with a sergeant reading over my case. He’s just had a rundown of what happened and has decided there’s enough evidence to charge me, although it was a foregone conclusion. You don’t tend to punch a police officer and get a slap on the wrist for it. I’ve had my rights read to me again and now the sergeant is reading off a checklist.

  “Do you have any medical conditions that require medication to be administered?” He asks as the officer beside him marks off my answers.

  “No.”

  “Do you have any injur
ies?”

  “No.”

  “Do you have any food allergies or allergies to medication?”

  “No.”

  “What is your nationality?”

  “I have dual nationality, South African and British.”

  The sergeant raises his head and a slight frown appears on his brow.

  “My father works for the Foreign Office,” I offer.

  “Ah I see. Okay then I think we are good here. Is there anyone you’d like us to call for you?”

  “No.”

  “You are entitled to have a solicitor informed of your arrest. Do you wish us to inform one for you?”

  “No.”

  “Okay then. Officer Gilland here will take you through and have you processed.”

  I’m taken to a room further into the station and the female officer accompanying me does a search on me, checking my pockets and anywhere she thinks I may be concealing anything illegal. She asks me to take off my jewellery, belt and shoes. I feel tears bubble up in my eyes and I let out a small sob as I kick off my trainers.

  “This is an overwhelming situation for a first offender. Are you okay?” the officer asks.

  “No, I’m not. I didn’t want to hurt anyone, I just needed to get away from him.”

  “From who?”

  “The man I was with was my ex-boyfriend not my husband. You’ll notice he hasn’t shown up here. If I was his wife he’d be here. He’s not here because he’s an abuser and by now he knows why I did what I did.”

  The officers face changes from indifference to extreme concern. “Nikki, have you been subjected to domestic abuse?”

  I nod my head as a tear runs down my cheek. “Yes, and right before the officers turned up to the accident we had, he tried to strangle me and told me he was going to kill me. I know he didn’t mean it as a figure of speech. I really believe he wants to kill me.”