Page 99 of Before the Night Falls

No, Tyson wouldneverdo this to her. Besides, their paths hadn’t even crossed until recently.

The thought was absurd, and Olivia chided herself for even considering it.

However, the truth was she needed to seriously examine everyone in her life.

She didn’t want to just sit back and wait for this guy to find her.

No, Olivia needed to be proactive and do what she did best: research.

* * *

Tyson lifted his head as he sat at the kitchen table reading his Bible.

Footsteps padded down the hallway.

His breath caught when he saw Olivia. She looked sleepy and somber but not quite as in shock as she had yesterday.

He rose to his feet. He was hardly ever unsure of himself, but right now Tyson didn’t know how to greet her. More than anything he wanted to pull her into his arms. But he wasn’t sure that would be the right choice given what she’d gone through.

Instead, he shoved his hands into his pockets and observed her. “How are you?”

She paused in front of him and crossed her arms. She wore black yoga pants with an oversized sweatshirt that swallowed her small frame. Her dark hair was pulled into a sloppy ponytail, and her skin still looked pale.

More worry coursed through him.

“About as well as you might expect,” she started, her voice soft. “Thanks for the nightlights you left around the house.”

“I thought they might help.” He’d been desperate to do whatever he could to help.

“They do.” She glanced around. “Where are we?”

“Ocracoke Island, off the North Carolina coast. The place is only accessible by plane or boat, and only two people know I bought this beach house a few years ago. You should be safe here.”

He wanted to say shewouldbe safe here. Looking at all the facts, that assessment was correct. But Tyson couldn’t afford to let down his guard and feel too comfortable.

Olivia’s gaze drifted out the window to the waves as they crashed against the sand. “It’s beautiful.”

“And secluded. I thought we could lie low here. Let the police do their work. Let them follow clues until they catch this guy.”

Olivia frowned, the expression clearly showing her doubt.

But they couldn’t lose hope. This had to end somehow, and it couldn’t be with Olivia being hurt.

She moved to the kitchen table, and Tyson pulled the seat out for her, tucking her chair in with her. Then he went and poured her some coffee, placing it in front of her.

“So what do we do while we’re here?” Olivia wrapped her fingers around the warm mug.

“You’re welcome to do whatever you want. I just don’t think you should tell anyone where you are.”

She frowned. “I don’t plan on it.”

“I’m able to work from wherever I need.”

Her intense gaze bore into him. “But don’t you have interviews set up?”

He shrugged. “I already rescheduled them. It’s really not a big deal.”

Alarm filled her eyes. “But it is. You have a lot going on and?—”