Those were the Adam Parsons who were listed on public employee records.There would be dozens more.Even plugging in the details he knew, Nash hadn’t been able to locate the correct man yet.
Olivia said Adam stood over six feet and was heavily muscled.Nash had scoured the employee lists of gyms and personal trainers but hadn’t found him yet.He’d started in the Bronx and was expanding the search further afield, but there were a lot of gyms in New York.
Olivia didn’t have any photos of Parsons, and Nash hadn’t found anything online that confirmed his appearance.When they got Marcus involved, he was sure that would change.As a police chief, his friend would have access to mug shots.With a restraining order in his past, Parsons had to have a mug shot.
He and Olivia had planned to speak to Marcus before leaving, but Olivia’s agent had wanted her immediately, so they’d had to push that off for until they returned.In the meantime, Nash was alert to anyone who paid them any attention at all.
Nash’s body reacted at the first sound of the knob turning.His body was sure it wasn’t a threat, but he was ready in case his instincts were wrong.
They weren’t.Olivia entered the room with Rika Yoshito, her agent.The woman was warm and welcoming.She’d talked Norissamin with Charlie for a full ten minutes before taking Olivia to her interview.
Nash rose.“How did it go?”
Olivia’s eyes were wide.“I have no idea.I barely have any memory of what I said or did.No one laughed me out of the room, so I think it went okay.”
Rika grinned at Nash.“Livie was amazing.Charming and humble.It was a terrific interview.”
Olivia blew out a breath.“I hope so.Being in the spotlight is scary.”
Charlie laughed.“I bet Rika’s right, and that you were great.You obviously know everything about Norissamin so it’s not like you were going to mess it up.”
Everyone laughed and Ella looked up.“Mama.Mama.”
Olivia scooped her daughter up and kissed her cheek.“Hello Ella.I missed you.”
Ella hugged her and then pointed at Charlie.“Lee.”
The rest of the babble didn’t make sense to Nash, but Olivia nodded along as she spoke, repeating Lee a few times.
Olivia kissed Ella’s cheek.“It sounds like you and Charlie had a good time.You like it when Charlie reads you books, don’t you?”
Rika patted her arm.“We’ll need you back here for two interviews tomorrow.They’ll be a print interview and then back-to-back tapings first thing in the morning so you’ll have the rest of the day free to explore.”
Nash wasn’t sure how far they wanted to travel with the threat of Adam hanging over their heads.Not that the man would know Livie Sanchez’s identity.Rika never used Olivia’s new legal name.All their interactions were with Olivia being Livie.He assumed the official paperwork was under either Carmen or Olivia, but when dealing with her author world, everyone called her Livie.
Still, Nash couldn’t squash the worry.Adam sounded like an obsessive man.Obsessive people didn’t give up easily, and it hadn’t even been a year since Olivia had taken on Ella.
Hopefully, Parsons’s obsession was limited to Mary Mae and not her daughter, but Nash wouldn’t relax while they were here.
Probably not even when they reached home.Not until he knew exactly where Adam Parsons was and what he wanted.If he wanted anything at all.
Two of the men at the apple farm had once worked with bodyguard firms.Gray in Chicago and Knox in Boston.Both would have contacts who could look into Parsons.He’d check with Olivia, then get that started as soon as they were back home.If he could get privacy for a call, he’d do it sooner.But he didn’t want Charlie overhearing and worrying.
They left the news building in time for lunch.Charlie wanted to try a New York hotdog from a cart, but they didn’t spot any on the walk back to the hotel.Instead, they found a pizzeria that claimed the best slice in New York.
Inside, Charlie asked the hostess for a booster seat for Ella.The woman smiled.“You’re a good brother.”
None of them corrected the woman as she turned to lead them to a booth.Charlie’s smile was almost wider than his face.
Olivia’s smile was misty, and Nash rubbed his hand over the small of her back as they crossed the restaurant.
Just like a real family.
The hostess set the booster seat into the booth, and Charlie asked Olivia if he could sit next to Ella.
When she nodded, he scrambled in, and Olivia bit her lower lip.Nash wanted to soothe it with his tongue.Instead, he rubbed her back again and followed her to the same side of the booth.Where he sat a little closer than strictly necessary.
Olivia stayed where she was and didn’t slide closer to the window.Instead, she sent him a smile and bumped her shoulder lightly with his.
