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CHAPTER FORTY

Olivia and Tyson reached his house. He parked, and they walked together toward his front door.

They paused before going inside and turned toward each other. As if it were as natural as breathing, they wrapped their arms around each other.

“Thank you for sharing,” she murmured. “I know the day didn’t end like you wanted.”

“I wanted to show you my passion. A lot of people think I’m all about fitness and nutrition. I would trade those things if I had to, to help these people. They’re the reason I started Body Press. All the proceeds go to this school.”

The more Olivia found out about this man, the more she began to fall for him.

Tyson kissed her again.

Olivia loved the secure feeling of his strong arms around her. It made her somehow feel like everything was going to be okay.

When they pulled away, Tyson opened the front door and led her inside.

“Don’t forget—the gala is in two days,” he reminded her. “And tomorrow, I’m headed to Atlanta for a seminar. I won’t be getting back in until late.”

He’d told her about both the gala and the trip a couple of days ago, but she’d forgotten. “Should I wait up for you to get back tomorrow night?”

A smile started at the corner of his lips, but it faded. “I love that idea. But I have to admit that I’m worried about you. I could cancel?—”

“Don’t you dare.” Her words sounded firm.

Tyson studied her face, his smile dimming. “I appreciate that you’re thinking of me. But you need to be careful—especially until we have some answers.”

“Chandler and Wes should be back tonight. They’ll be here with me. Plus, I have the security you hired here at the house.”

“I know.”

“You won’t be able to keep an eye on me forever.” Why did those words leave her feeling so empty? What kind of fantasy were she and Tyson living in?

What did they plan on doing when this assignment was done?

Olivia wasn’t sure.

* * *

As soon as Tyson knew that Olivia was safe in her room, he went into his office.

He made a list of everyone who worked for him.

Then he called his friend Mike, the one who owned the company doing security for him.

“What’s going on, man?”

“I need you to do me a favor,” Tyson started. “You’re the only one I trust to do this.”

“Sure thing. What do you need?”

“I need to send you a list of everyone who works for me,” Tyson said. “I know I’ve done background checks on all of them. But I need you to do another background check—a deeper one. And I need you to check their schedules.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean I sketched out some dates, dates when other women in other states have been murdered using methods that are eerily similar to The Admirer.”

“What? I haven’t heard about those.”

“It’s just come to light within the past couple of days,” Tyson said. “But I need you to cross-reference those dates with the schedules of my employees. I’m not worried about money. I’ll pay you whatever it costs.”

“Of course.”

“Your guys are also on this list, just to let you know.” Tyson explained the earlier situation to him.

“I’d be more than happy to look into everyone—even my own guys.” His voice hardened with conviction. “What’s going on isn’t okay.”

“No, it’s not.” He rubbed his neck, feeling the knots that had formed there.

Tyson was tempted to cancel his trip to Atlanta. Very tempted.

But Olivia wouldn’t forgive him if he did.

Just as he ended the call and leaned back, the guard stationed by the gate buzzed him.

Strange. He usually only did that if a visitor arrived or if something was wrong.

When he clicked on his phone to talk to the man face-to-face, he couldn’t believe who he saw on the other side.

It was the person he least expected to show up.

And he knew this arrival would only make his life more complicated.