Page 58 of Before the Night Falls
He let out a breath, signaling a conversation shift. “I’ve reviewed the new evidence. There could be something there, Olivia.”
Her heart pounded harder. “That’s what I’m afraid of.”
“I’m going to keep investigating until I find out what’s going on.”
“Thank you.”
Silence stretched a moment.
“Listen, I’m sorry about what happened between us,” Paul finally said. “I know my apology is coming too late, but I had to try things out with Danielle. Otherwise, I’d always wonder what if . . . you know?”
No, Olivia didn’t know. Part of her wanted to confront him again. Another part knew it would be a waste of time. “It’s water under the bridge.”
He paused as if he wanted to say more.
Before he could, she rushed, “Thanks for calling me back. Keep me updated if you hear anything.”
Then she ended the call.
Although she respected Paul’s skills as an FBI agent, his betrayal instantly dissolved any other respect she’d once had for him.
Olivia stood where she was, letting the conversation sink in. She hadn’t heard Paul’s voice in a long time.
And she didn’t even mourn the end of their relationship. Not anymore.
In hindsight, she could see where their relationship had been doomed from the start.
“You okay?” Tyson asked from behind her.
Olivia had almost forgotten he was still in the kitchen. Her cheeks flushed when she remembered he’d heard everything.
She turned to face him, leaning against the counter. “Just an old . . . the FBI agent from New York.”
Tyson’s face showed that he picked up on the conversation enough to know he was more.
Olivia chuckled self-consciously. “Okay, and an old boyfriend. I guess dating the FBI agent on the case seemed like the thing to do. Isn’t that what happens in all the movies? The helpless female falls in love with the only man who can protect her—the dashing FBI agent who’s determined to get to the bottom of things.”
“Except you’re not helpless.” Tyson smiled.
“I’ve learned that.” Her eyes widened to drive home her point. “Believe me, I’ve learned to keep my wits about me.”
Some lessons she never wanted to repeat.
Falling for a man in an adrenaline-fueled situation was one of them.
Never again, she mused. Never again.
CHAPTERTWENTY-NINE
Tyson had watchedOlivia’s face as she listened to the person on the other end of the line. Every muscle in her body had tensed at the caller’s first words, and the color had drained from her face.
He’d guessed there was some type of romantic tension between Olivia and the person she’d spoken with even before she’d admitted as much.
So this Paul was both an ex and the lead FBI agent on her abduction case.
Tyson’s professional curiosity mingled with a more personal interest he wasn’t ready to acknowledge. Yet he felt a strange mixture of sympathy and relief.
“If it makes you feel better, some people can’t separate the trauma from the person.”
