Page 13 of Dangerous Rhythm

She took a deep breath. “I told you they were fine and we should go downstairs. You ignored me and barged into your parents’ private room. I guess you forgot my rule.”

Looking a little sheepish now, Curtis grumbled but was saved by his father storming out of the bedroom in a pair of grey sweatpants and haphazardly thrown on T-shirt. His salt and pepper hair was all mussed and his aged-handsome face was all red—from exertion or embarrassment?

Probably both, Lina mused as she noted where Curtis got his lean six-four and broad-shouldered stature. Professor Bisset still got it.

“Curtis, what the hell are you doing, storming into our house like this?” Curtis’ dad demanded.

“What the hell am I doing? What the hell are you and mom doing?” Curtis fired back incredulously. “It’s freaking three in the afternoon! I’ve been trying to reach you for hours.”

The blush on the Professor’s skin went a shade deeper. “Your mom and I were…I don’t have to explain myself to you in my own home!”

Not listening to his father, Curtis barreled through. “And what’s with the mess downstairs? I thought we were too late!”

“We were going through old pictures. And what are you talking about?” the professor frowned. “Too late for what?” As if she’d just teleported to the scene, he finally noticed Lina. “And who is this?”

Lina regained control of the situation. “Dr. Bisset, I’m Lina Cheung. I’m your son’s security consultant. I apologize for surprising you like this. Why don’t you and Mrs. Bisset get dressed and meet us downstairs? We’ll explain everything.”

“Security?” The immediate concern on the older man’s face almost mirrored his son’s earlier frown. “What’s going on?”

“We’ll talk about it as soon as you come downstairs,” Lina said. “And I must stresssoon. Time’s of the essence.”

Lina put a hand on Curtis’ arm to steer him back to the stairs, giving neither Curtis nor the professor room for argument. Without another word, the professor turned back into his room, but his son didn’t have the same self-restraint.

“I need to burn my eyes.” He shuddered as they climbed down.

“You’re overreacting.”

“You’re telling me you wouldn’t be traumatized after seeing your dad ramming your mom from behind?” he turned to her.

“That’s very specific.”

“Yeah. Because I can’t unsee that! It’s seared into my brain now.” Curtis gripped his skull dramatically.

“You should be grateful your parents are still into each other.”

“I can be grateful without having to witness them doing the nasty.” He stalked into the kitchen.

Following him, Lina said, “They’re humans. They have needs. You think you’ll stop having sex when you reach their age? How old are they? Late fifties, early sixties?”

Curtis glared at her. “They’re my parents. I don’t want to know they do that.”

She smirked. “How do you think you came about? Immaculate conception?”

“No.” Curtis grumbled. “But damn it! Doggy-style is ruined for life now.”

“You find this funny?” Curtis crossed his arms at his chest and stared at Lina, who was laughing so hard her whole body shook. He finally made her laugh, but at his expense.

“It’s a little funny.”

“You wouldn’t find this amusing if you were in my shoes.” He jabbed a finger at her.

“Fair enough.” She lifted her hands in a truce, though there was still a smile on her face. “Can’t say I didn’t warn you.”

Curtis stomped to the liquor cabinet and found his dad’s scotch collection. Not caring which bottle he grabbed, he poured a sizable amount into a tumbler and downed the whole thing. He didn’t taste the malty flavor, but he welcomed the burning sensation as it rushed down his throat.

“Hey, it’s better if we keep our heads clear.” Lina stopped him from pouring another. Her hand on his felt rougher than what he thought a woman’s hand ought to feel like, but he could feel its firm gentleness peeling his death grip off the bottle.

She looked up to meet his eyes—her gaze direct but not unkind. “Can you keep it together to talk to your parents about our situation? We need to move fast. We might have lost that Blazer for now, but there’s no guarantee they don’t know where your parents live.”

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