Page 64 of Before the Night Falls
His expression darkened. “You should tell Scarborough.”
“I will. Tomorrow.” She sank onto the edge of the bed. “I just needed to be sure first.”
Tyson hesitated, then sat beside her, careful to maintain a respectful distance. “What did you find out?”
As she recounted what Marcus and Jenna had told her, Tyson felt all the emotions—horror, anger, disgust. But most of all, his resolve hardened with each detail.
“We’ll find him,” Tyson told Olivia when she finished. “Whatever it takes.”
She studied his face without apology. “Why do you care so much, Tyson? Really?”
He met her gaze, feeling vulnerable enough that he should know better than to speak. “Because no one should have to face darkness alone.”
The simple answer seemed to crack something inside her, and she looked away.
He wanted to take the words back—yet he didn’t. He meant what he said.
More than anything, he wanted to be there for Olivia.
Olivia finally cleared her throat. “I should get some rest. Tomorrow’s going to be a long day.”
Tyson nodded and rose. “I’ll be down the hall if you need anything.”
“Thank you.”
He paused at the doorway. “Olivia?”
“Yes?”
“We’re going to stop him,” he promised. “He doesn’t get to break you. Not again.”
CHAPTERTHIRTY-TWO
The next morning,life felt heavier than usual.
Maybe Olivia just had too much on her mind. Or maybe too much had happened. She wasn’t sure.
After church, Tyson turned toward her.
“I want to take you somewhere,” he told her. “Get you away from this place for a while.”
Olivia raised her eyebrows, hesitating a moment. Getting away might be nice. The walls of Tyson’s house, once a sanctuary, had begun to feel like a beautiful prison.
“I’m game,” she finally said. “Can I ask where?”
He shook his head. “It’s a surprise.”
“How should I dress?”
“Casually.”
“You’ve got it,” Olivia said. “Just give me a few minutes to get things ready.”
Ten minutes later, they climbed into his F-350 and started down the road. The tinted windows provided some sense of security, though Olivia couldn’t help glancing at the side mirror occasionally, watching for vehicles that might be following them.
“Does this destination have anything to do with food?” Olivia raised her eyebrows hopefully.
Tyson chuckled. “You’ll get food there.”
