Page 59 of Loving a Billionaire

It was hard for him to watch the monitor screen instead of the beautiful woman next to him. She wasn’t dressed fancy. But she still looked adorable in her gray T-shirt and faded jeans that fit nicely to her hips. She’d pulled her hair back into a ponytail, but he was getting used to that quickly. There was something different about her face, too. He didn’t see that much make-up, but because she was a naturally gorgeous woman, it really didn’t matter. He wasn’t used to seeing her wearing her shoulder holster with the gun tucked inside, and her badge clipped to her pocket, however, he thought it made her more adorable... if that was possible.

In such a short time, Talia had become very dear to his heart. He couldn’t imagine his life without her in it. Was it possible he’d fallen in love so quickly?

“We’re looking for a person carrying something long and bulky,” she told the security guard.

Austin forced himself to watch the monitor. He hoped it wasn’t Ariki, and yet... he didn’t know who else out of all of his friends knew that Austin was a collector of ancient weapons. If it was his friend, Ariki, Austin just wanted to knowwhyhe’d set him up.

“Pause it,” Talia said in a raised voice.

Austin snapped out of his thoughts again and concentrated on the monitor. A man wearing a black hooded jacket had entered through the front doors, carrying an oblong box. His ancient weapon would definitely fit in that. Holding his breath, he leaned closer as he tried to see if the person looked familiar.

“Keep playing it, but go slowly,” he instructed the security guard.

“He’s carrying what appears like a flower box,” Talia said. “Would the weapon fit in something like that?”

“It would.”

The security guard, Rod, played the recording slower. Austin watched as the man walked up to the front desk. The hotel clerk chatted with the man for a few minutes. She pointed at the box. The man said something, and she laughed. Then the man moved toward the elevator. Why couldn’t Austin see the person’s face? He still didn’t think this was Ariki.

“The desk clerk knows who that is.” Talia tapped her finger on the monitor.

Austin moved his attention to her. “How can you tell?”

“I can read body language really well.” She met his stare. “Did you notice the way the clerk smiled and batted her eyelashes at him? She also flipped a lock of hair over her shoulder. She wagged her fingers at him as he left. That tells me she’s familiar with this man, and...” she placed her hand on his, “that also tells me this man comes to the hotel frequently.”

He frowned. If this wasn’t Ariki, then it was someone else close to him. He looked at Rod. “Let’s see the recording for the hallway in front of the penthouse. And play it slow.”

“Yes, Mr. Reeder.” The guard quickly switched a few screens, and then pulled up the footage.

Austin studied the monitor again. The elevator doors opened and the man stepped out of the elevator, keeping his head lowered so it was impossible to see the man’s face. When he reached Austin’s door, he took out a key and slipped it in the keyhole. Immediately, something on the man’s hand caught his attention. “Stop it!”

“What do you see?” Talia asked.

“Rod, zoom in closer.”

“Yes, Mr. Reeder.”

As the picture grew larger, Austin recognized the man’s hand. Ariki also had a tattoo of an eagle on his right hand. Groaning, Austin covered his face with his hands.

“You know who it is, don’t you?” Talia touched his shoulder. “Is it Ariki?”

He nodded his answer. “Rod, Detective Russell needs these tapes ASAP.”

“Yes, sir. I’ll get them ready for her right now.”

Austin took Talia’s hand and walked out of the security guard’s station. She cuddled against his arm, rubbing the palm of her hand up and down his limb.

“Are you going to be all right?” she asked in a soft voice.

“Eventually. I just want answers. I still can’t understand why Ariki would do all of this.”

“We’ll get answers, I promise.”

Her sweet smile lightened his heart. He stopped their progress toward the lobby, and pulled her into his arms. “I trust you. You’ve not failed me yet.”

“And I won’t, not ever again.”

Gazing into her amazing rusty colored eyes, he stroked her cheek. “Talia? Is it too soon to tell you I love you?”