Elemental Fear (39 page)

Then Dominic smiled and winked at Johan "sorry sugar but I'm taken.”

I gasped and Johan roared with laughter. Patting Dominic on the shoulder "happy for you man, but..
.” He cleared his throat and mimicked Dominic’s voice “may I remind you this is a work place not a dating service”

Both Johan and Dominic laughed and I smiled. Johan picked up his mug and walked out of the lunch room.

Dominic's mischievous grin was back as he leaned forward and whispered in my ear "am I in trouble for this? I couldn't resist"

"Mmm, we will see" I said trying to hide my smile.

He kissed the top of my head and hugged me tighter, then leaned down to whisper in my ear "You still love me though right?" Although his voice portrayed teasing, his eyes flickered with slight insecurity.

I schooled my expression into mock thinking and bobbed my head from side to side as if deliberating his words.

“I suppose.” I let out a laugh when he scowled, I linked my arms around his neck and pulled him down to me "always and forever. But you owe me breakfast in bed for real tomorrow after this spectacle.”

"For you baby, anything" His smile was breathtaking.

He grabbed our drinks and we left a silent lunchroom as everyone gawped after us. It was hilarious watching their expressions of shock, disbelief and in Rebecca’s case absolute rage.

I stopped halfway back to our offices and pulled gently at Dominic’s arm. He turned to face me
regarding me with confusion.

“There isn’t a policy forbidding inter office relationships is there?” I asked suddenly worried. Dominic laughed.

“I doubt it when Alistair’s secretary is his wife. Hardly a leading example is it? Come on.” He nodded his head gesturing for me to follow him back to our offices.

I smiled and followed gladly. Watching his pert bottom, rather jealous of the fabric covering such a tight –

“You pervert.” Dominic feigned annoyance. I laughed and took my mug from him. He leaned down towards me, looked conspiratorially to his left then right and pecked me on the lips.

“Oh I forgot, I have a meeting late this afternoon and I’m not sure I will be finished in time to give you a lift home –“

“It’s fine, I have to go out at lunch to go to the Doctors.”

When he frowned I clarified that it was to collect the results of the police STD test. He nodded and gave me another kiss on the mouth, lingering longer than was publically acceptable.

“I’ll see you at home?” He whispered. I nodded feeling a little dreamy. This day was so far perfect, nothing could spoil it. Dominic had officially taken himself off the market and announced he was finally mine.

I arrived home at lunchtime, to drop my shopping off before I returned to the office. It had been another perfect day so far, the only thing I could grumble about was having to sit next the smelliest old woman I have ever come across on the bus. She was pleasant enough, but my word did she need a bath and about a gallon of detol to disinfect her clothes. I shuddered as I unlocked the door.

I had bought Johan’s favourite wine, and Dominic’s favourite beer. Lou bless her could only drink juice. I placed my shopping bags on the floor and reached up to disable to alarm, but I must have forgotten to set it this morning because it wasn’t on. I picked my bags back up and headed for the kitchen.

I smiled to myself when I thought about earlier today when Dominic announced to the whole staff room we were together and the look on Rebecca’s face would forever cheer me up. Both hands full I kicked the kitchen door open and froze.

“
Hello Angel
”

I swallowed, my face paled and my heart stuttered. I dropped the shopping bags hearing the smash of the bottles, but nothing registered other than Elliott was s
itting at my kitchen table, staring at me.

“Elliott –“ I gasped and placed my hand over my heart. I could feel it pounding in my chest. He

regarded me like a lion watching its prey.

“Something happened to me the other day. Do you know what it was
?” He asked, he lifted his hands and inspected his nails.

“Elliott –“

“The police came to my office, MY. FUCKING. OFFICE!” He shouted and I physically jumped. I backed out of the kitchen slightly. “They arrested me because they said my girlfriend had made allegations of physical abuse and rape. At first I thought it had to be Ally, because she is one silly bitch and thick as fuck, but she spreads her legs when needs be so why not keep her around? But to my surprise, it turns out you said those lies about me. The one to betray me is the one I have loved the most. I gave you everything Angel and you betrayed me.”

“Elliott –“

“You had me arrested Angel. My own mother refuses to speak to me because of you. Why did you do it?”

“I –“

“Because you are an idiot, that’s why. How many times have I warned you what would happen if you ever told anyone what goes on in our private life? Ally may be stupid but she knows to keep her mouth shut, oh and the kid...he isn’t mine by the way. She’s a fucking slut like you too. But at least she knows how to toe the line and do as she’s told. Plus the lad is kind of cute, I’ll make sure he grows up to be a real man like me instead of a frigging pussy like my brother. Who by the way has surprised me, I never realised he had the balls to take me on. Suppose he is a little desperate for some female action if he’s going to fight over a whore like you. Does he know how vile you are? How I’ve spoiled you?” He let out a sickening laugh “have you told him how you like it rough? Hmm?” He stood slowly, he tapped the table with his finger tips as if he was hearing a rhythm and playing it out on the table. “Couples have arguments Eve, they fall out...that’s what people do. You have blown this whole thing out of proportion and caused a big fucking mess.” He walked slowly towards me, his finger trailing along the wood of the table.

“You hurt me by saying those horrible things about me Eve, I mean what kind of bloke do you think I am
?” He stopped and stared out of the kitchen window, he tapped his knuckles against the table.

This was one of those moments in horror films where you scream at the victim to run, to get out of the haunted house, and want to throw the TV through the window because they stupidly stand still, doing naff all. Well right now I was that stupid victim because my legs refused to work. I stood shaking against the door, terrified to move in case he pounced and caught me.

“Do you know what pisses me off more than anything?” He looked directly at me “I love you so fucking much, but I’m never enough for you am I? I’ve put up with your bullshit for nine years, I’ve been a good boyfriend to you. I’ve tried to make you happy but you always want him. It’s always my pissy little brother. He will never love you like I will, and now...now, I’m not even giving him the chance. You are mine Eve, I made sure of that. No one can have you.” His voice was eerily calm, low baritone that sent chills through me. “Has he fucked you yet? Have you let him in?”

“Elliott –“

“What made you think going to the police would keep me away from you? Hmm?” He looked at me, his eyes seemed dead. There was no emotion, no anger, no betrayal; no upset...nothing and that terrified me.

I stepped back and stumbled over the shopping bags. He remained standing next to the table. I turned to catch hold of something to stop from falling and caught sight of my mobile on the table in the hallway. I quickly turned to look over my shoulder. Elliott was looking out of the kitchen window again. I jumped forward stumbling, I grabbed my phone and practically threw myself through the doorway of the living room, I slammed the door and pressed my body against it. I woke my phone,
my hands were trembling so much I almost dropped the bloody thing. A loud bang behind me made me scream out. The door vibrated at my back.

I typed out a text and hit send just in time as the door splintered behind me projecting me across
the room. I landed near the coffee table with a painful thud.

“Seems I need to teach you a lesson you will never forget” Elliott stood in the doorway with a carving knife, an emotionless look on his face and all that was left for me to do was pray my text would be answered.

“Where’s Eve?”

I knew I sounded like a sulky prick but I didn’t care, Johan was seriously driving me insane with his constant flirting with my girlfriend, there’s a limit to how much a bloke can take, I get that he has a thing for Lou, but let’s face it given a choice any man would want my girl. I’ve reached my limit with this tiny fucking idiot making suggestive comments about Eve all the frigging time. I wouldn’t mind but he is kind of a decent bloke I could have a laugh with him if he wasn’t trying to get into Eve’s knickers all the frigging time.

“She went out to grab us some lunch, she should be back soon
.” He looked at his watch and scowled “hmm, I would have thought she’d be back by now though she went out ages ago.”.

His phone did an annoying jingle in his pocket, but he didn’t look at it. I didn’t like his unease about Eve being late though, that didn’t settle well with me, I know I over react with her but what my brother did to her makes me contemplate kicking the ever loving life out of him, the only reason I'm not is because I can’t love and protect her from a prison cell, it worries me that he is likely to be released l today. I still haven’t managed to persuade to her continue with the charges and pursue bringing the dirty fucker to trial, she just clams up on me and I get nowhere. I don’t want to force her, she’s had enough of that shit, but God it fucking kills me to know he will walk free, because he’s got some other woman so terrified of him she lied.
Bastard
!

“Will you tell her to text me when she gets in, I have to go into a meeting now. I've already instructed Emily that there are to be absolutely no interruptions. I don’t care if the building is on fire, this client is far too important to...”

“Interesting that the Managing Director is instructing his staff to disregard Health and Safety policies – “

“Stop being a prick. You know what I mean.” I snapped and the idiot fucking smirked at me.

“Yeah I got ya, if there’s a fire let everyone burn but Eve needs to text you to let you know she’s back safe and sound. Interesting.” He chuckled and grinned his goofy fucking grin. The twat knew every sodding button to push and he pushed them frequently.

I grumbled about him being a prick again and stormed away from him before I seriously stepped
over the boundary of professional etiquette.

*****

Three bloody hours I've been sitting in this board room going over these contracts and stipulations for our merger and still the old fart won’t sign on the dotted line. He’s either stalling so he doesn’t have to go back to the office, or he’s waiting for opening hours at his golf club. Because he sure as hell knows he’d be a stupid fuck if he doesn’t sign these contracts. This merger will bring both our companies into the major players market, making it a multi-million pound profit by Christmas. But money or no money if I have to hear him and Alistair drone on and on about golf and being over or under par I’ll stab myself in the eye with my pen just for something interesting to do. Golf is definitely not a sport I like or even understand so what the fuck ‘under par’ means I have no clue.

Talking of sport I’ll have to check see if tickets are on sale for the match we are all going to, the
lads haven’t been doing too bad of late, bit of a winning streak going on. I always look forward to going to home games, the crowd is amazing, should be an experience for the little shit. My phone vibrated in my pocket, the fucking thing has been going off every second, since just after the meeting started, Jefferson is going to think I’ve got a lucky egg in my pocket.

“Excuse me a sec
.” I held up my finger and grabbed my phone out of my pocket. Eleven missed

calls from Johan’s office, the little shit. No text from Eve though. Bet the idiot didn’t tell her to text me. I clear the missed calls and text Eve:

Babe in a meeting boring as hell

Hope you had a good lunch Miss you

Dx

“My apologies
.” I put my phone back in my pocket just as it started vibrating again, I quickly glanced at it and saw Johan’s Mobile flashing on the screen. The bastard is seriously pissing me off now, this is beyond a fucking joke.

“Where were we, ah yes. I think we are more than aware the money to be made from this
merger and I think it’s a no brainer not to join –“
what the fuck
!

I scowled when Emily came into the meeting room. I had specifically asked for no interruptions because I knew this guy loved distractions, especially petite blondes with sweet as can be smiles.
I’m a bloke so I can appreciate how gorgeous Emily is, but no one compares to my Eve, she is utter perfection.

“Emily
.” I gritted out through clenched teeth “I asked not to be disturbed.” I felt like a dick when I saw her visible flinch but this old fart has already wasted three hours of my life.

“I know, I’m sorry but...” when I looked up at her, I noticed she has tears in her eyes. I mean yeah I can be a moody shit sometimes but she generally shrugged it off. I’ve never upset her before, well I don’t think I have. I stood and fastened my suit jacket.

“Excuse me a moment gentlemen.” I said and walked towards Emily, I took her gently by the elbow and walked us out of the board room, she’s a tiny thing at the side of me. I closed the door behind us.

“Emily, what’s so important?” I turned to see she was shaking and tears rolled down her cheeks.

“Johan has been calling all afternoon, he’s rang your office, my office and every other member of this department to come and get you...” She sniffed and lowered her head. “I refused to let anyone in, I did what you asked Dominic.” another sniffle.

I frowned at her. “I asked you...you did a good job
.” I said completely dumbfounded. And more than pissed Johan would take ribbing me this far. Pissing me off is one thing but to upset Emily is another thing.

“Eve’s hurt...she...that’s why he needed to contact –“

“What do you mean Eve’s hurt?” my stomach plummeted and pulse raced, my ears buzzed making it hard to understand what she was saying. She sniffled some more, I took hold of her shoulders and shook her “tell me Em, what the fuck is wrong with Eve?”

“Her boyf...I mean ex, has hurt her. Johan got a text and ran out of here shouting we needed to tell you. But I thought...well you said to ignore anything he said, so I assumed he was joking. But he’s phoned none stop, he’s phoned everyone. But then...then Eve’s
mum just phoned...she said...oh God...” She covered her mouth and sobbed loudly.

“Emily for fucks sake...” I snapped. I didn’t mean to swear but rationality and fear rarely went hand in hand.

“Sh...she sssaid ttthat...” She took a deep breath and squared her shoulders “I said I couldn’t disturb you and would pass your messages on, she said that you needed to be told immediately because...because you had to get to the hospital immediately because...you may not have time to say goodbye.” Emily dissolved into a flood of tears.

My legs gave way and I stumbled and leaned against the desk. “Say goodbye
?” I whispered. My throat clogged with emotion. What the fuck had Elliott done to her?

I pushed off the desk and sprinted down the corridor to grab my car keys.

“She’s at the LGI...”Emily shouted.

****

I pulled into a space outside the hospital I d
on’t give crap I didn’t get a ticket, let them tow it. I sprinted to the A&E department, as I rounded the corner I saw Johan sat on the brick wall near the ambulance bays.

“Johan
!” I shouted causing him to lift his head.

“
YOU DIDN’T ANSWER YOUR FUCKING PHONE
!” He shouted across the car park. I was momentarily flabbergasted by him, I had never seen the guy even slightly pissed off before, now he looked ready to kill me. I regained my composure and glared my I'm going to kick you in the nuts glare and started towards him.

He practically ran at me waving his phone in my face. “Why the fuck didn’t you answer the fucking
PHONE!” his voice had risen to a screech, I looked at his hand gripping his phone and noticed the violent shaking of his hand. I looked back up at his face and the desolate fear and pain, made me suck in a breath.

“I was in a meeting
.” I growled, I agree it was a pretty lame answer. Why the fuck was he covered in blood?

“Johan, why are you covered in blood?” I asked looking him up and down. Fear sliced painfully through my body, where the fuck is Eve. “Who –“

“You see this, you’ve finally noticed this?” Johan stepped closer and was now pointing at his blood soaked shirt. There was a huge red-brown patch on his shoulder and chest as if he’d been shot in the shoulder and chest and it had seeped out. There was a smattering up both his arms and I noticed, now looking at him that his hands were covered in blood, it was in his nails and soaked into his skin. As I took him in I noticed splotches on his neck and chin up the same side as the blood on his shoulder. His trousers were plastered to his legs with what I assumed was also blood. Dread filled me, that much blood couldn’t be good, and I hoped it wasn’t –

“This you self centered arsehole is Eve’s blood, I'm covered in your –
.” He pushed my chest hard “girlfriend’s” again another shove “fucking blood. I held her –“

My daze abruptly over, fear accosted my senses “What?” I croaked out.

I looked straight into his eyes and watched them glass over and fuck me tears pooled in them. “She –.” He shook his head as his voice cracked and he dropped his head and stared at the floor. But when Johan raised his head to look at me, what I saw in his eyes stopped my heart with a painful jolt.

“She text, all she fucking said was help! I tried ringing her, thinking she’d forgot her purse and needed money at the store, or her car broke down but then I remembered she walked so I knew that –
.” He was rambling and I was losing my patience.

“Johan” I snapped

He looked up at me with desolate eyes and more fear iced through my veins

“I called her, at first it kept going to voicemail, so I kept trying. Then...then..
.” He took a deep breath “
he
answered.” Johan stared directly into my eyes and I knew exactly who he meant and my world tilted. “I could hear her fucking screaming Dominic, and the bastard just laughed down the phone. He said no one would want her after he’d finished with her. He said other stuff but all I could hear was her...oh God...she cried and begged...” He buried his head in his hands and a loud sob echoed in the cold air. My body locked in a state of shock, I couldn’t blink, I must still have been breathing because I’d not passed out but I don’t know how I had the cognitive power to do it, because time stood still. My heart beat furiously against my chest. I waited for him to tell me she was okay, I waited but he stayed silent and the longer he stayed silent the more dread crept into me.

“Johan
.” I managed to croak out.

“I tried ringing you, but you didn’t answer. I panicked so I rang the police and told them a serious domestic was happening at our address and I got in my car and left
.” He took a deep reassuring breath and lifted his head to look at me. “When I got there he...oh fuck...he...” He swallowed hard and glanced to his left as if noticing for the first time we had an audience. He tightly closed his eyes and I could see the muscle along his jaw clamped tightly shut. He opened his eyes, reached out grabbing my elbow and steered me closer to the building out of full view of the other hospital visitors. “He’d...there was so much blood Dominic, I didn’t think...it was everywhere. When I saw her...” again he closed his eyes and shook his head as if trying to rid his mind of the image “she was prone on the floor, he had...he...” Johan straightened his shoulders and looked me square in the eye “When the police got there he was...the officers caught him raping her.” He almost whispered “After struggling with the police he fled out the back door...”

My breath left me in a loud whoosh and my body crumpled. It felt almost like my bones dissolved within seconds of hearing that. I bent over resting my hands on my knees, not knowing whether I was going to pass out or throw up.

“Was she –“ I attempted a question but my throat was congested with tears.

“She was completely out of it. I believe at that point her heart had already stopped –“

I stood up so quickly I had a head rush and staggered. “What?” I gasped out reaching for him. I locked my hand on his shoulder “She’s...what do you mean? She isn’t...” I couldn’t say it. My girl wasn’t gone. Was she?

“She was unrecognisable Dominic, he’s messed her up so bad –“

“Is she...oh God...is she alive?” my voice cracked and came out in a sob but I didn’t give a flying fuck whether I sounded like a wimp.

He shook his head and I swear my heart stopped. “I don’t know...she –“

“For fuck sake Johan you are seriously killing me here.” I snapped.

“When the paramedics arrived they had to administer oxygen defibrillation to bring her back. They managed to get a weak heart beat, but due to the amount of time she was unconscious and...well truth is we don’t know how long her heart had stopped so they said if she regains consciousness – “