Page 103 of Dangerous Rhythm

“Hey, they have ‘Witness.’ Great movie. Haven’t seen it for ages,” Bill said.

Curtis glanced at Bill and nodded approvingly. He loved anything with Harrison Ford, so he clicked and played the 1985 movie.

“I think we’ll get along okay, Bill,” he said as he settled back into the couch and tried not to worry about Lina.

forty

Kate parked the car on the east side of Sofia Stiletto’s apartment building in Brooklyn and killed the engine.

“There’s usually a Stiletto guy sitting in a car, watching the front door,” Kate said. “But Sofia must have ways to leave undetected if she’d been frequenting the Morrigan’s every Thursday night.”

“She hasn’t been back to the Morrigan’s since Rocco got arrested,” Lina pointed out. “What made you think she’ll break out tonight?”

“Unlike the other Stiletto family members, Sofia actually lived a pretty normal life, which can’t be that easy to manage with her last name. She’s a corporate lawyer, working mostly for the family business, of course, the legitimate side. From what we can tell, her dealings have been clean so far. I don’t know how she managed that.

“In fact, except for Rocco, the Stiletto kids don’t have a criminal record. Neither Tony Jr. nor Sofia had even a speedingticket. Either they’re great at hiding things or Serafina protected her children well,” Kate said.

“I read that in the files. Pretty bizarre,” Lina noted. “Still doesn’t answer my question. You’re sure she’s going out tonight, or are we just sitting here all night, hoping she’ll appear?”

“Ye of little faith,” Kate teased. “I intercepted a text from a burner phone asking her to meet tonight. She never answered, but the texter said they’d wait until midnight. How romantic, right?”

Lina chuckled lightly. “I’m not even gonna ask how you intercepted the text.”

“Better not,” Kate agreed. “So we’ll see if she’s going to meet this mysterious person. Should we bet who it is?”

“I have a pretty good idea who it is,” Lina said. “I just need confirmation.”

For the next five minutes, they sat in silence, watching the side and garage door.

“So,” Kate broke the silence. “You finally tapped a hottie, huh?”

Lina sighed but didn’t reply. Kate laughed at her unresponsiveness.

“If I had to spend days locked up with Curtis Bisset, I’d jump his bones, too,” Kate said casually.

“You’d jump anybody with a boner, Kate,” Lina said drily, but not cruelly.

Again, Kate laughed. “True that. Seriously though, I’m surprisedly impressed. I didn’t think you swung that way.”

“Swung what way?” Lina frowned at her colleague.

“I thought you were gay. You never showed interest in any guy, even Raul. That man has the body of a god, the face of an angel, and the personality of the devil, and you never stopped to admire him once.”

“We’re friends,” Lina scoffed, thinking of their mutual Spanish friend. “We had too much of a history. I just don’t think I can date someone with the same background.”

Lina didn’t say she’d had no interest in anyone until Curtis had broken through her wall with his small efforts at making her laugh. Even then, she’d stayed away from him.

“You sound interested, though,” Lina said. “He’s still single and as devilish as you say. Maybe you should do the European trips next. I’m thinking of taking a long PTO when this is over.”

“I’m up for it.” Kate grinned. “What are you and your rock star gonna do during this PTO, huh?”

“Be normal,” Lina said wistfully. She would really like to do normal things with Curtis without having to worry about anyone trying to jump them.

“You’re really into him, huh?” Kate asked. “Good for you. You look happier than I’ve ever seen you.”

Lina twisted her lips in an almost smile when the garage door to Sofia’s building started opening. Both she and Kate focused on the opening.

“She drives a black BMW i5,” Kate said.

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