“I’m good.Busy finishing up a commissionedpiece, then I have another one to get started.And I’ll be workingon a new series for the exhibit in December.Other than that, theusual antics.A hot man here, a gorgeous woman there, a threesomeif they ask nicely.Oh, and I’m looking forward to Mac’s partySaturday night.Hopefully, there’ll be some pretty people for me tohave some sexy fun with.”Cal paused, and the lighthearted tone ofhis voice suddenly changed.“Anyway, besides saying hi, there was aspecific reason that I called you.”
“Sure, what’s on your mind?”
“Hmm, so,” Cal continued, “I’ve receivedthese text messages over the past month that are kinda creepy, andI wanted your opinion.”
“What do you mean?”Ryker asked, his bodytensing.“Creepy as in weird texts from someone you know, or creepyfrom an unknown number?”
Cal paused before he answered.“The latter.The messages tell me that I’m behaving like a whore.I’m cheatingon ‘my soulmate,’ and I should be punished for my sins.Shit likethat.It’s crazy talk, obviously, given that I’m not married or ina relationship and the very idea of having a soulmate gives me arash.I thought the first one was a sick joke.I blocked thenumber, but similar messages keep appearing from two differentnumbers.They all repeat the same story: I’m cheating and I’m goingto be punished.I assume this is just a weird joke, but I’m gettinga bit freaked out.What should I do, Ry?”
Ryker’s short stint covering the crime beatin New York City had led him to several horrible scenes he wouldrather forget, but it had also given him insight and made himparticularly aware of personal safety.
“Things like this can escalate quickly ifyou don’t take them seriously,” he said.“If you receive anotherweird text, tempted as you may be to delete it, don’t.A phone callfrom an unknown number, record it.If a physical threat is made, goto the police.Log everything.”Ryker paused.“And make sure thesecurity settings on your devices and at your home are updated.Don’t treat this as a prank until it’s proven otherwise.It couldbe a sick joke, and let’s hope it’s just that, but you need to beproactive.”
Ryker heard Cal’s sudden intake of breath onthe other end of the line and sought to reassure his friend.
“Hey, Mac and I are here, and we’d doanything for you.You know that, right?Just keep us in the loop.”Ryker got up and stared out his window.“Maybe you can join me atmy Krav Maga class on Friday.It never hurts to brush up onself-defense in this city.”
“Thanks, Ry, I appreciate your advice.Ihope I didn’t upset you, but I didn’t know who else to ask, and Ididn’t want to tell Mac.Not yet.You know how protective he gets.I’m sure it’s just a prank, but the last text kinda freaked me outa bit.”
Cal was such a happy, carefree person so forhim to admit he was scared was something.
“You can tell me anything.You know that,”Ryker said.“Say, do you want to meet up for lunch orsomething?”
“Thanks, but I’m not leaving my place untilI finish this piece, and then I have to contact the gallery.Let’sshare a ride to Mac’s tomorrow, okay?I’ll arrange it and text youthe info in the aft.”
“Sounds good.You sure you’re okay?”Rykerasked again.
“I’m fine, bud.I feel better now that we’vetalked.Later, gator.”Cal ended the call on a lighter note.
Ryker sent a quick text to Mac, letting himknow they needed to talk privately Saturday night.His nervousnessabout the party vanished, replaced with a very deep and realconcern over Cal’s safety.He hoped the texts were a prank, butRyker didn’t want Cal to take any chances.
Ryker’s phone buzzed with notifications fromhis editor, and he focused on work, pushing everything else out ofhis mind.Writing kept him grounded, no matter what.
He tried to imagine what a partner might doto his routine, and he didn’t like it.Not one bit.
Chapter Four
Wes
New grey herringbone suit—check.
Hair styled, fresh shave, breathmints—triple check.
Condoms and lube—here’s hoping.
Saturday night had finally arrived.Aftertwo days of meetings and interviews about his latest book, Wes wasready to enjoy some good food, lively conversation, and maybe somedancing and other physical pursuits later on.He glanced at hisreflection in the bathroom mirror, noting the circles under hishazel eyes.He was having trouble sleeping again, despite thesuccess of the last few days.
Doing his best to ignore the issue, hechecked his e-mail and opened up the document Luca had sent him.Not much to tell about R.D.Smith, except what was posted on hissocial media pages, which was likely controlled by his PR machine.Obviously, the author liked his privacy.Wes would be meeting theman in person tonight, anyway, and he would draw his ownconclusions about this potential partnership.Wes smiled,remembering Mac’s warning that Wes would need to sell himself.Well, he was really fucking good at that.He texted Grey to let himknow he’d be down in the lobby bar.
Half an hour later, Wes was sipping vodka onice and enjoying a live jazz trio at the bar when Grey walked inand sat down on the brown leather stool beside him.
“Gin and tonic with lime, please,” Greymurmured to the smiling female bartender, fiddling with the napkinplaced in front of him.“So, all set for tonight, Wes?Got yourpitch ready?”
“I don’t need to get ready.I’m just goingto be my amazing self and get what I want, as always,” Wes repliedwith a huge smirk and a raise of his glass.
Grey laughed and rolled his eyes.“I reallywish you had more self-confidence, Wes.”The bartender came backwith Grey’s drink, and Grey nodded his thanks.“I think one ofthese days, you’re going to meet someone who won’t be swayed byyour charm and give you whatever you want.I just hope I’m there tosee it.”He mirrored Wes’s actions and raised his drink.They bothchuckled and clinked glasses.They sipped on their drinks quietlyfor a moment until Wes broke the silence.
“How are you really holding up, Grey?Youseem tired.Are you eating and sleeping okay?”Wes remarked.
