Beloved Prey (Beloved Series #1)

Six

Ari

I glared at the display on my phone and tossed it down on the bed.  It had been three weeks since I received my first text from the unknown number.  I'd tried to ignore it, telling myself it was a wrong number, meant for someone else.  After the second text I received a week later, I told myself the same thing.  When I received the third text as I was getting ready to go out for Nat's birthday the following weekend, however, I finally had to accept the truth.

UNKNOWN:  Wish your friend a happy birthday from me, Beloved

The frequency had remained the same, at least one message every few days.  The problem wasn't that these I had started receiving these messages.  The problem was that I had started receiving these messages again.

The first time was right after Nat and Petey left for Toronto in October.  I had my suspicions then, just like now, of the culprit.  What I didn't have, however, was proof.  The messages had all come from disposable cell phones that were untraceable.  My only solution for the foreseeable future was to save the messages as evidence until I was able to prove the sender.  I'd even gone so far as to replace my cell phone while I was in Miami for the holidays.  However, I had to grapple with the fact that he'd somehow found me.  Again.

I knew I should tell Nat about the messages but wasn't prepared for her reaction and insistence that I report it to everyone just short of the Canadian Prime Minister himself.  I knew she was already worried about me and wanted me to be safe.  However, reporting it wouldn't bring me any kind of relief or security.  The report would sit in a file until there was proof.

I sighed as I finished putting on my makeup, desperate to finish getting ready before Nat arrived.  After one last look in the mirror, I ran to my bedroom to finish getting dressed.  That morning I decided on a black wool miniskirt with a grey sweater, along with a pair of black tights.  I grabbed my quilted boots and went downstairs.  For once I had my laptop bag and purse by the front door.  My phone buzzed while I was putting on my coat, causing me to groan inwardly when I saw the message.

UNKNOWN:  Good morning, Beloved.  Have a beautiful day.

Nat arrived a few minutes later, so I pushed the message from my mind and got in her car.  We didn't say much during our ride to work.  With the snow falling, I didn't want to interrupt her concentration while she drove.  She had always been an easily distracted driver, which was why neither Patrick or I ever let her drive our cars.

My phone suddenly buzzed, causing me to jump.

"Damn, girl!"  she said.  "You okay?

"Y-yeah," I stammered.  "I was just zoning out when my phone buzzed, and it tickled my leg when it went off."

I checked my phone and prayed it wasn't my "admirer".

Patrick:  Coffee run.  You want?

I tried to keep my face as neutral as possible.  The last thing I wanted was Nat to think anything was amiss, even if I was just relieved it wasn't my admirer.

Me:  Mocha, please.

We arrived at the office a few minutes later.  Nat and I had a meeting with the CanX Finance Department at nine to go over financials, so we talked about what we planned to bring up at the meeting during our ride in the elevator.  We went to our separate offices so she could print some reports for the meeting. 

I walked into my office, took off my outerwear, and sank into my chair.  As my laptop powered up, I took a deep breath and closed my eyes.  My mind was running in circles.  He had found me again, and he was too damn smart to ever slip up so I could prove it was him.  I walked over to the plant and looked out the window, wondering if he was somewhere outside watching me.