Page 20 of Dangerous Rhythm

“Well, I never intended anyone to witness what happened. I slipped into that dark room convinced it was empty.”

“Now, knowing how good you are at what you do, I’m surprised you didn’t clear the room before…y’know,” He winked. “You must’ve been desperate.”

Lina felt her face warm again, remembering the exact moment.

“You could’ve used that to blackmail me, but you never told anyone. Why?” she asked.

“I like knowing you’re human, like the rest of us.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I don’t think you know what an intimidating woman you are, Lina.” Curtis looked her in the eye. “Most of the guys on the tour wanted to get into your pants, but they were too afraid you’d kick their asses. They called you ‘the Untouchable.’”

Lina’s jaw almost dropped, but she quickly recovered. “Not sure that was a compliment.”

“They’re pussies, scared of a strong woman.”

“But not you?” Lina questioned

“You don’t frighten me,” he answered. “You fascinate me.”

Paris, France

The thirty-something-minute drive from Le Bourget Airport to Callie’s home in the center of Paris was a breeze at six o’clock in the morning. The sun wasn’t even up and the city was barely stirring, but Callie, Brandon, and Popo welcomed them with bright eyes.

Callie enveloped Curtis in a tight hug. “Glad you finally made it!” She then shook him. “What the hell did you get yourself into?”

“I didn’t do anything!” Curtis fell into his childhood reflexive response when something bad happened.

“When we were children, you definitely did something,” Brandon, his buddy and now brother-in-law, retorted. They bro-hugged. “For once, you did nothing, but still got yourself in trouble.”

“Leave him alone,” His grandmother, whom they called Popo, interceded. “Come down here,” she told Curtis. At six-four, he towered over his tiny Chinese grandmother. Obediently, he bent down to kiss and hug her.

Callie’s greetings to their parents were a tad stiff, but she gracefully ushered everyone into her house. Curtis was grateful Popo and Brandon were there to help ease the family reunion. Though they had patched things up somewhat, his parents’ and sister’s relationship would take time to rebuild.

The security detail stayed in their cars, watching discreetly. Lina was about to duck out when they were all piling into the house.

“Where are you going?” Curtis asked her.

Lina stopped and turned back to him. “I need to confer with my team.”

“Can you come in for a minute?” he asked. “I’d like you to meet my sister.”

She stared at him blankly for a few seconds before answering. “Maybe later. I need to make sure there aren’t any fresh developments that I need to know about. You and your family are safe here for now. Why don’t you go be with them and have some proper rest? I’ll touch base with you later.”

Disappointed by her answer, Curtis gave a quick nod. “You need some rest, too.”

“I’m used to this.”

“I know you are,” he said. “Doesn’t mean you should run on fumes. When you’re done, come in, have some food. Knowing my grandmother, she’s probably cooked enough for a battalion.”

Finally, a small smile emerged on her face. “I can smell it. It reminds me of home.”

It was the first time Curtis ever heard Lina mention anything about her personal life. Though it was barely a hint, he bit on it. “Where is home?”

“My parents are in the Bay Area.”

“Just your parents?”

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