Page 16 of Dangerous Rhythm

They were aboard the private plane B&Y had arranged to take them to Paris. They’d taken off twenty minutes ago, and everything finally sank in. Surprisingly, his mother was more worried about seeing his sister. They’d always had a complicated relationship—for years, they’d had almost no relationship at all. But they’d made major strides reestablishing a connection in the past year.

His father covered his mother’s fidgety hands. “Just think, we’re going to see our granddaughter sooner than we thought we would.”

“Just don’t start putting Ella into genius kid classes,” Curtis quipped, which earned him a glare from his father.

Perhaps it was too soon to joke about it. One reason his mother and sister had a strained relationship was the crazy pressure she’d put on Callie from a young age.

“I’m such a failure as a mother. I drove one child away, and she ended up in an abusive relationship. Now my son is involved with the mob,” Mom sighed heavily.

Curtis almost rolled his eyes.And they say I’m the drama queen?But he kept his smart-ass remark to himself.

“Mom, this isn’t on you. If it is, it’s because you taught me to do the right thing,” he said instead. “Telling the court what I witnessed would’ve been the right thing to do.”

Dad patted Curtis on the shoulder. “That’s right, Curtis.”

“Why don’t you two rest? It’s a long flight to Paris,” Curtis urged and helped them recline their plush seats.

Curtis looked up when he heard the door to the cockpit open. Lina came out, looking steady like always. He’d barely done anything but sit in a car, and he felt run down. It’d been such a bizarre day. He couldn’t believe he’d started this morning by finding her at his door, and now he was on a plane with her to Paris. And it was barely after five in the afternoon.

He made his way to her, leaving his parents to themselves at the back of the plane. Lina glanced at his parents before she watched him approach.

“How are they?” she asked, taking a seat in the front chair.

“As well as you can expect.” Curtis shrugged and dropped into the chair facing hers. There was a small table between them. “My mom is more nervous about being reunited with my sister than being chased by the mob.”

“Ah, I thought I heard tension there,” she said. “That’s probably a better problem for her to focus on.”

“Yeah. She’ll forget I practically dragged her and my dad out of their house when she sees their granddaughter.”

Lina simply nodded.

“Hey, thank you for arranging this so quickly. I know getting my parents complicated things for you—”

“It’s important for you to know they’re safe,” she said. “And so you know, we have someone watching over your sister’s family as well. I don’t think Serafina has any power across the pond, but we’re being extra cautious.”

Curtis leaned over the table. “You’re awesome, you know that?”

A twinge of pink colored Lina’s stoic face. “I’m just doing my job.” Looking uncomfortable at the compliment, she straightened in her seat and folded her hands together on the table. As if appearing businesslike would make Curtis think her any less awesome.

“I don’t know what I’d have done without you today,” he told her. “I’m glad it was you who showed up at my place this morning, not Marcus.”

That was a hundred percent the truth.

“Marcus would’ve done the same,” Lina said.

“Marcus wouldn’t have let me get my parents.”

“He would’ve made sure they were safe as well.”

“I’m sure he would’ve, but he’s not here. You are.” He reached out and covered her clamped hands with his own. Her fingers twitched briefly under his.

She was probably surprised by the gesture, but her expression didn’t show it. She simply said, “I’m glad I can be of service.”

Curtis grinned at her boilerplate reply and pulled his hand away. “Talking about service, how does a guy get a drink on this flight?”

“It’s self-service to limit the number of people who know where you are. And we arranged this flight in a hurry. Wefocused on the essentials: We have meals, enough for the flight time. But don’t expect gourmet offerings.” She got up. “I think I saw a bottle of scotch and some other selections in the back galley.”

“You sit. I’ll get the drinks.” He stood, but then paused as he realized something. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you drink anything but water and tea. What’s your pleasure?”

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