Page 34 of Spring Break with a Bodyguard
And no one, not even Preston Hollister, can take that away from me.
TEN
JAVI
When Preston Hollister enters a room,the atmosphere changes. I’ve observed this countless times as his security detail—conversations pause, postures straighten, attention shifts.
The Sandpiper lobby is no exception. Twenty-three minutes after his call to Teddy (I’ve been counting every second), Preston strides through the front doors in a perfectly tailored suit, followed by Karina Clark-Randall, Hollister Hotel Group’s head of PR. Her expression reveals nothing as she surveys the media circus.
“Wow,” Teddy murmurs beside me. “He brought in the big guns.”
I maintain my security stance as Preston’s gaze sweeps the lobby, taking in the police officers interviewing staff, Roberts being escorted toward a patrol car, before landing on Teddy in her housekeeping uniform with me at her side.
The subtle tightening at the corner of his mouth is the only indication of his anger as he approaches us.
“Theodora,” he greets her, voice measured. “Javi. Quite the situation you’ve created.”
“Actually,” Teddy responds, straightening her shoulders, “I think we’ve solved a situation. The hotel manager was running a theft ring targeting guest valuables.”
Preston’s gaze shifts to the police activity. “So I see. And the media presence?”
“Roberts’ doing,” Teddy replies. “He discovered my identity and thought he was exposing some scandal about me being disowned and forced to work as a housekeeper.”
Karina steps forward, her professional mask softening. “Which you’ve apparently transformed into a story about progressive management training. Quick thinking, Teddy.”
Relief flickers across Teddy’s face. “I improvised.”
“Effectively,” Karina acknowledges, glancing at her phone. “The hashtag #HollisterHousekeeper is trending locally, and the initial coverage is surprisingly positive. People love the ‘privileged heiress learns the value of hard work’ angle.”
Preston’s expression remains unreadable. “We’ll discuss the complete situation privately. Karina will handle the press from here.” He turns to me. “Javi, secure a private space.”
I nod, smoothly shifting to executive protection mode. “The manager’s office is currently a crime scene, but there’s a conference room on the second floor.”
“Perfect.” Preston turns to Karina. “Give us thirty minutes, then we’ll provide an official statement.”
Karina nods, already moving toward the reporters with a practiced smile. I’ve seen her work before—in thirty minutes, she’ll transform this chaos into a perfectly orchestrated PR opportunity.
As I lead Preston and Teddy toward the elevators using service corridors, I notice the change in Teddy’s posture. Gone is the slightly hunched stance of “Theresa Holden.” She walks with her chin up, shoulders back, even in the rumpled housekeeping uniform. Eight days of physical labor haven’t diminished her; they’ve strengthened her.
My fingers itch to touch the small of her back as we walk, a protective gesture I’ve allowed myself only in moments of crisis. I keep my hands firmly at my sides.
The conference room is empty. I check connecting rooms and position myself near the door as Preston and Teddy settle at the table.
“You should join us, Javi,” Preston says, surprising me. “Since you’re clearly involved in... whatever this is.”
I take a seat beside Teddy, close enough to catch the faint scent of industrial cleaner and something distinctly her beneath it, yet maintaining enough distance to appear professional.
Preston leans back, studying us both. “Start from the beginning. The actual beginning, not whatever story you’ve concocted for the press.”
Teddy takes a deep breath and launches into the full account—her first days as a housekeeper, the discovery of the thefts, Roberts’ increasing suspicion of “Theresa,” our investigation using the tracked jewelry, and today’s confrontation. Her hands move animatedly as she speaks, occasionally brushing mine when she gestures. Each contact sends a current through my skin that I struggle to mask.
I contribute occasionally, filling in security details. Throughout the explanation, Preston’s expression remains neutral, though his eyebrows rise when Teddy describes earning the respect of the housekeeping staff.
When she finishes, Preston is silent. Then, unexpectedly, a small smile touches his lips.
“You uncovered an organized theft ring that our regular security audits missed,” he says. “Found evidence solid enough for police action. And turned what could have been a PR nightmare into a potentially valuable marketing angle for Hollister Hotels.”
Teddy blinks, color rising in her cheeks. “You’re... not angry?”
