The Intimidation Game (Game Series Book 1) Read online

  I sit back down. “Okay. Tell me exactly what you hope to achieve with this sting of yours.”

  “I think Jed is being paid by someone to steal concepts from me. The only way I’m going to catch him out is by feeding him bad information and getting him to pass it on. This is where you come in. Since Jed is your line manager everything your team does will have to go through him before it’s given the go ahead to proceed.”

  “I think I see where this is going. You want me to doctor the code before I give it to him.”

  “Exactly. Your staff don’t need to know. They will still be working on the real deal and you’ll give that work directly to me, then you’ll give Jed a bad copy of the same work. As you know the code only has to be a few characters off for it to fail. If my instincts are right, I’ll have the proof to have him sacked and possibly prosecuted.”

  “Jed’s a clever guy. He’ll figure it out. I’m all for helping you, I hate thieves, but I also don’t want anyone thinking I’m stupid or incompetent.”

  “Don’t worry about that. I’ll deal with that situation if it arises.”

  I frown at him. For such a clever man, he’s putting a lot on the line. His plan doesn’t seem fool proof, not in the slightest.

  “What does Astrid have to do with it then?”

  “She’s the one who got him involved. I know more about her than she thinks, and I know she’s involved with the company that has been stealing my work.”

  “This is a lot to take in.”

  “So, are you on board with this?”

  “Do I really have a choice?”

  He shakes his head. “No, not really.”

  “I still have a job though?”

  “Of course you do.”

  “Okay then I’m in. If it means taking down that vapid, vindictive bitch then I’m in.”

  Dan holds his fist up. I bump it with my own. “Let’s drink to that.”

  I lift my glass and drink the rest of the whisky and reflect on my first week at SecuriSoft. You couldn’t make this shit up.

  I really love that the office building is right on the banks of the river. If I take the walkway that starts across the road from the office, I end up at the part of the city centre I live in. It’s a nice ten-minute walk and the breeze coming off the river is always refreshing. After everything I’ve had to process on this first week at SecuriSoft, it’s a welcome walk this afternoon.

  The only part of this walk I don’t really like is the underpasses. They are created by the bridges that span the Clyde and on my walk home there are three of them, thankfully in quick succession. As I head under the first one and the light disappears, I have the horrible feeling that someone is following me. I pick up the pace a little and glance behind me. There’s no one there, but there are shadows and my mind is playing tricks on me.

  Exiting into the bright sunlight for a second or two before I head under the next darkened space, I walk faster still, a slight panic rising in my chest. I can sense someone behind me now and I start to run. I hear a mechanical noise at my back, and I stop still and flatten myself into the wall, a high-pitched scream coming from me as a cyclist whooshes past and comes to a screeching halt in front of me.

  “I’m sorry Miss, are ye okay?” The man removes his cycle helmet and puts his hand on my shoulder, making me flinch.

  “I… I… I’ll…” I can’t get my words out; my breath feels as though it’s been stolen.

  “Breathe, just breathe slowly, you’ll be fine.”

  The man’s voice is calming, and I manage to catch a breath. “Thank you,” I whisper. “I’m so sorry.”

  “Are you going to be awright? Under these bridges can be a wee bit scary so I’m no surprised you got a fright.”

  “Yes, I’ll be fine, thank you for your help.”

  I watch him get back on his bike and ride off and I sigh. “Fuck it,” my voice echoes in the chasm.

  I make my way out of the last of the darkened spaces and decide I’m going to take the road from now on, at least until I get to the part past the tunnels. I’m already on edge anytime there’s someone walking behind me, I really don’t need my imagination helping with that.

  I’ve been on edge since I got to Glasgow, constantly thinking I was being followed for the first couple of weeks I was here, but this is the first time I’ve had that feeling since I started my job. It’s not sitting easily with me and I’m thankful that the part of the walkway along the river is quite busy today. I need to try and get over this. Mike doesn’t know where I am, and I doubt he even cares. He’s probably found another poor soul to torment by now, and that thought makes me feel wretched.

  Chapter Six

  “Eyelash curlers then mascara. You’ve pulled out half your lashes.” Damo is trying his hardest not to laugh at me.

  “Stop it. God this is so embarrassing. You’d think I’d know how to put makeup on. I don’t know what possessed me to try curlers tonight. I’ve never used them before.”

  Damo grabs my shoulders. “It’s okay I have a plan. What time is it?”

  I check my phone. “Five to five.”

  “Excellent the Boots in the St Enoch centre is open till six. I’m going to get you some falsies. I’ll be back in ten minutes.”

  Before I can say anything, he’s hot footing it out the door. I look at the eyelash curler and cringe. Of all the nights for this to happen. I was trying to make myself look glam and ended up scalping my eyelid.

  I’m about to head to the kitchen to get more wine when a text flashes up on my phone. It’s from Gina, my landlady and Charlie’s best friend.

  Hey sweetheart. Hope your first week went well. I have something I need to ask you. Are you free for a FaceTime right now? X

  This sounds intriguing.

  Yeah, sure. I’m just getting ready to go out with my new friend from work. X

  I take the phone with me to the kitchen and I have just finished pouring a glass of wine when the phone rings. I press the answer icon and Gina’s lovely face appears on the screen.

  “Hi honey,” she says and waves to me.

  “Hi. Sorry about the mess of my face. I decided it would be a good idea to put on mascara then use eyelash curlers.”

  She winces. “Oh shit Nikki are you ok?”

  “Yeah just lost a few lashes and a lot of pride. Damo, my friend, has gone to get me some false ones.”

  “Oh…he’s a keeper. Right the reason I called. So, you know Steven asked me to marry him and this little baby is due in October?”

  “Mhm. You’re one lucky mama Gina.”

  “I count my blessings every day believe me. So, we have decided to get married in three weeks.”

  “God almighty that’s quick. Will you have time to plan everything?”

  “Hopefully. Dad has already managed to get us a venue. It’s in the Hunter Halls at Glasgow Uni. Because we are both graduates of the university it was very easy and we got a cancellation.”

  “Oh, that will be beautiful.”

  “Well I need a bridesmaid now. I already have a chief bridesmaid, but I want two. Would you be the other?”

  My breath catches in my throat and I feel tears come to my eyes. “Oh, Gina I’d be honoured. Thank you so much.”

  “Thank you sweetie and I’m sorry about ruining your makeup. You’ll need to do it all over again.”

  I laugh and swipe the tears from my cheeks. “It probably looks better than it did.”

  “Okay, I’ll let you go and get ready. Charlie will be in touch to arrange dress fittings. Enjoy your night out and thanks again Nikki, this means a lot to me.”

  “Thanks yourself, this has made me very happy. I’ll see you later.”

  “Bye honey.” She blows me a kiss and then she is gone.

  Wow. I don’t think this day could get any crazier. I lift my wine and take a huge gulp and at that very moment Damo decides to make an entrance that would wake the dead. I get such a fright that I breathe in the wine and I feel it go up my nose. It bu
rns like all hell, but I can’t help myself. I end up in hysterics, choking at the same time.

  “Jesus Nikki are you okay?”

  “I’m fine you gave me a fright that’s all.”

  “I’m sorry. I got the falsies now let’s get you dolled up. My friends are going to adore you.”

  We set about sorting my makeup malfunction and I tell Damo about my call with Gina.

  By the time Damo is done with me I look fabulous and my ‘new’ lashes are to die for.

  “Mmm you look amazing Miss Nikki. I’m going to be the envy of the club tonight turning up with this on my arm.”

  He turns me to face the mirror. “Damo you’re in the wrong job boy. You should be a bloody makeup artist. This is amazing.” I turn my head from side to side admiring his handy work. I don’t think I’ve ever felt so beautiful. My emerald green long-sleeved body-con dress shows off every curve and Damo has paired it with a pair of black ankle boots. I’d never have put this outfit together, but it works. “Thank you.” I grab him and kiss his cheek.

  “Oh stop it. You’re my friend it’s what we do. Are you ready to go?”

  “Ready as I’ll ever be.”

  The club we have gone to is literally on my doorstep and since we were here early, we managed to get a booth to sit at. Damo’s friends, Jamie and Sandy, are lovely guys and I’ve been welcomed into their group with open arms. They’re both straight and I’ve found out Jamie is a bit of a ladies man, although Damo has already warned him to leave me alone. He’s a flight attendant who’s back in Glasgow for a stopover for a few days. It explains a lot. He can have no strings company for a day or two and never has to be tied down. It’s the perfect job for someone who wants a carefree life.

  As the night has gone on the place has started to fill and become noisier. The music belting out is hugely upbeat and just what I need to clear my head after the week I’ve had.

  “Oh my God I love this song. Let’s dance Nikki,” Damo shouts to me over the noise.

  Since I’m now well on my way to being merrily drunk I take his hand and he leads me out to the dance floor to the slow, soulful voices of Barbara Streisand and Donna Summer. I know this song well and the fact that its lyrics resonate with my own life just a few weeks ago makes me want to dance to it.

  We each sing a line as we belt out the anthem and dance round the floor. I’m in the middle of ‘tell him to just get out’ when someone at the bar catches my eye.

  I grab Damo’s arm. He’s lost in his own little world dancing like there’s no one else here. “Damo,” I shout over the music.

  Damo open’s his eyes but keeps singing. “Enough is enough.”

  “Damo is that Dan at the bar?”

  He trails off his line and looks at the bar. “Well yes I think it is. What’s he doing in a gay bar?” He shouts over the music.

  “Hmm yeah that’s what I want to know.” In my drunken state, I feel brave, so I head to the bar, ignoring Damo’s pleas not to.

  As I get closer to the bar, I can see he’s sitting on a stool chatting to a guy next to him. He’s a little thinner than Dan but good looking all the same. I’m stopped in my tracks when Dan turns and looks right at me. And it’s at that moment that I realise how attracted to him I am. Not drunken beer goggle attracted to him. I mean literal panty ripping attracted. Wouldn’t that be just my luck that he might be secretly gay. I shiver a little and I feel goose bumps rise all over my body.

  I watch him get down from his stool and walk over to me. “Imagine bumping into you here my little spy.”

  “Hmm imagine. What are you doing in a gay bar?”

  “I could ask you the same thing.”

  I sway a little on my feet, God I am drunk. “I’m here with my gay friend.” I point at Damo who is eyeing me suspiciously.

  “Well I’m here with my gay brother.” He points to the guy still sitting at the bar who gives us a wave.

  “Oh thank God.” I realise I actually said that out loud as a smile spreads over his face.

  “You’re drunk young lady.”

  “Just how old do you think you are Dan?” I put my finger on his chest. It’s solid. “Dan the man. You’re only six years older than me.” I have to shout over the noise of the music.

  Dan nods to his brother and takes my wrist leading me out into a quieter part of the club near the entrance. We stand in silence for what seems like an eternity until Dan breaks it.

  “You look nice Nikki.”

  “Hmh nice, thanks I guess.” I don’t even hide the dejection in my voice.

  Something in Dan’s eyes flickers and he moves closer to me. “What do you want me to say Nikki?”

  I shrug my shoulders. My instinct would normally have me backing away from him but right now, in this moment, all I want to do is grab him and kiss him.

  He moves a little closer. “Do you want me to tell you how much your body is turning me on?” This time when he moves closer, I do back up so that my back is against the cold wall. He puts his hand on the wall next to my head and leans in close to me. “Do you want me to tell you that I want nothing more than to touch you?”

  Oh God…I want him to touch me, more than I’ve ever wanted anyone to touch me. I shiver as he looks down the length of my body. This dress is so tight I’ve had to go braless, and it is leaving nothing to the imagination. When he sees my hard nipples, he sucks in a breath through his teeth. I jump when he slams his palm on the wall. “Fuck I can’t do this Nikki. I’m sorry. It’s not appropriate.” He turns and walks away leaving me bereft and feeling rather stupid.

  What the hell were you expecting you fool? He’s your bloody boss. I make it my mission to get as drunk as I can tonight. I have a feeling Monday is going to be very awkward.

  Chapter Seven

  Oh my God…am I dead? The thought surfaces through a quagmire of pain, fatigue, nausea and dizziness. Tentatively I open my lids. Oh shit! This is not my bedroom. WTF?!!!

  I sit up and look around. The room is bright white. It hurts my eyes. I close them and send up a prayer. No such luck. There’s a guy lying next to me, asleep. He’s young and not bad looking but I am mortified. I don’t even know where I am or how I got here, and I certainly don’t know who this guy is. I check my body and thank my lucky stars that I’m still fully clothed. I have never, in my life, been so stupid as to go home with a guy I don’t know. I get out of the bed and, after finding my boots and bag, I leave as quietly as I can and find myself in a long corridor. It looks like it might be student accommodation. I fish in my bag for my phone and thankfully it’s still there along with some money and my house keys.

  As soon as I’m out the front door of the building, after spending ten minutes trying to find it, I take in a cleansing deep breath. My head is pounding, and my mouth is dry. It’s still dusky outside so I know it must be early morning. When I check my phone, I see its 06:24 and find a million texts and missed calls from Damo and one from Charlie. Fuck! Where am I? I bring up my map and click to find my location. Thankfully I’m not too far away from home so my walk of shame will be short lived. I’m about to ask Siri to get me home when my phone decides to die. I want the ground to open up and swallow me. I feel ashamed and helpless and decide to start walking and see if I can catch a black cab on the main road. At least I know my address, so I know I’ll get home eventually.

  At this time on a Saturday morning the streets are eerily quiet and it’s unsettling to say the least, when I see a cab approach with its hire light on, I almost run into the road to stop it. The driver smiles at me as I get in. I can tell he’s judging me. I’m judging me. I can’t believe how stupidly reckless I’ve been. I sit down in the back of the cab and give him my address. As the taxi pulls away from the kerb, I close my eyes and silently cry.

  My climb of the carpeted stairs in my building is like an uphill hike. As I reach my door, I get my keys out and, with shaking hands, unlock the door. I dump my bag in the kitchen next to the wine glasses that are still there from last night and
head for the bathroom. I turn on the shower, kick off my boots and get in the shower still fully clothed. Letting the spray of the warm water run over me I cry loudly, huge heaving sobs wracking my body. I feel disgusting and dirty. I don’t know what has happened to me. I used to be such a happy person until I met Mike. He has destroyed me and somehow, I don’t think I’ll ever recover from it. There will always be a part of me that thinks I’m no good for anyone.

  As I strip out of my wet dress and knickers, I get a flashback to last night…being alone with Dan at the club. Oh good God that’s why this happened. He walked away from me and I couldn’t handle it. I dread to think how much I actually had to drink last night but I don’t remember anything after Dan left me in the corridor.

  My shower has made me feel more human and I’m slowly going through my texts from last night. The ones from Damo started at about midnight so that must be when I lost touch with him.

  Nikki where are you?

  Nikki? I’m worried here can you call me?

  Nikki will you please get in touch with me? We are going home now but I would really like to know you’re ok. X

  I’m going to call you in the morning. Whoever you’re with better be worth my death. I’m having a heart attack here. X

  The text from Charlie came in at half four.

  Morning sis. Phone me when you get up we need to organise a dress shopping day. Love ya darling. Xx

  I call Damo. I have to let him know I’m okay. His phone rings and rings and just as I think it’s going to his voicemail, he answers it.

  “Oh my freaking God Nikki!! Are you okay? I was frantic last night.”