Page 88 of When He Defends
As they approached the shore together, he watched the water roll off her skin. Watched the bikini bottom cling to her phenomenal ass. Glared when the too-eager twenty-something attendant at the booth—Theo, his name is Theo Spire—bounded forward.
“It’s easy to take a fall,” Theo assured her. “Happens to everyone.”
She smiled at him. “I just need a little break.” She waved toward Gray. “Wanted to say hi to the hubby.”
He lifted a brow.
“Hi, hubby,” Emerson murmured.
Theo handed Emerson a towel. “We have bottled water at the booth,” he told her. “Come this way…” He whirled.
Emerson followed, slowly, seemingly letting her gaze sweep over the beach and the three rental booths as a smile played at the edges of her full lips. But then, once she’d gotten the offered water bottle and was right next to Theo’s booth, Emerson frowned. “What’s that?” Her voice rose. She lifted a hand to shield her eyes and pointed with the water bottle. “Is that a video camera up there?”
Theo didn’t even look in the direction she indicated. “There are no cameras on the beach area,” Theo informed her as he bent behind the booth’s desk. “But for the safety of our guests, there are security cameras installed in various locations at the actual resort.”
“That’sa camera.” Emerson was adamant. “It’s like one of those spy cameras you see in the movies. Super tiny.”
Theo glanced over his shoulder. Finally peered at the top of the booth. “Sorry, ma’am, I don’t see anything.”
“It’s right there.” Her voice had grown louder. And it was attracting attention. “OhmyGod, it’s just like that little camera that was in that kid’s dressing room that time at the mall. Honey, honey, you remember, don’t you?” She spun to Gray. “It’s so small. It’s that little black square on the edge of the sloping roof. You see it, don’t you?”
“Yeah, I see it, baby. Right there. Watching everyone who comes up.” His gaze cut to Theo. “I mean, if you’re recording for security, it’s no big deal, man. You don’t have to lie about it.”
Theo crept out of the booth. A radio was attached to his waist. “But there isn’t supposed to be a camera out here.” He rose onto his toes and peered up at the small device. “That’s not one of ours,” he muttered.
No, it wasn’t.
Theo yanked out his radio. “Gonna need security.” A bark had entered his voice and suddenly, his thin body was tense. “Now.”
“Areyou absolutely certain of that fact?” Hannah asked as she held a phone gripped tightly to her right ear.
Gray and Emerson approached her desk with slow steps. Emerson had changed into regular clothes—another flowing skirt and a gauzy top—and Gray made certain he stayed at her side like the devoted husband he was.
Hannah’s gaze rose and crashed into them as she spoke into her phone. “How do you know?”
Gray and Emerson were about two feet from her desk.
“I appreciate the information,” Hannah assured the caller. “Thank you.” She placed the phone back on its cradle. A bright smile spread across her face. “Mr. and Mrs. Anderson. I hope you are enjoying your honeymoon time on our lovely island.”
“We’re here about the cameras,” Gray informed her grimly even as he watched closely for her response.
If anything, her smile grew bigger. “I have learned about the situation at the paddleboard rental booth. I can assure you that the unauthorized camera there has been removed.” Her eyelashes didn’t so much as flicker. “I am grateful to you for bringing the device to our attention.”
“Did you find more?” Emerson asked her. Just cutting right to the chase. “Because I heard some other guests talking about one being found near the dock.”
“We have located a few more devices. It is nothing for you to be concerned about.”
“Nothing for us to be concerned about?” Gray put his hands on her desk. “Lady, you are saying some random person put cameras all over the resort and was filming guests—filming us? Filmingmy wife?Hell, yes, I’m concerned.” Damn but he truly loved themy wifebit. Felt natural to say. Maybe too natural.
Her smile finally faltered. Hannah swallowed. “Our security team is checking the resort fully. Every unauthorized device is being removed.”
“How do you know that thesedevicesaren’t in the suites?” Emerson’s hand pressed to her heart. “Oh, darling, what if someone was watching…?”
“I’ll kill the sonofabitch.”
“Sir.”Hannah sucked in a sharp breath. “There is no need for that sort of talk. The facility is secure, but out of an abundance of caution, guest rooms will be checked.” A faint click as Hannah cleared her throat. “However, we have no reason to believe cameras areinside.The ones that we’ve located were all in public areas, easily accessed. All of our guest rooms are locked. Keys areonlygiven to individuals who show photo IDs at check-in.” The smile came again. It did not reach her eyes. “As I said before, I am grateful to you both for bringing this matter to our attention.”
“It was my wife,” Gray said. “She always notices the little things.” His right hand lifted from the desk and moved to rest at the small of Emerson’s back.My wife.He’d dropped the term again. It just rolled right off the tongue.
