Page 32 of Dangerous Rhythm

Curtis hugged his grandma last and told her he loved her. He promised her she’d see him in the new year.

“I’ll hold you to that,” Popo said. “Or you won’t get ahóngbao.”

Curtis laughed at her threat.Hóngbaowas the red envelope filled with cash that elders give out to the children and any unmarried young people in the family during the Lunar New Year celebration. The money itself, though it was fun to collect as a kid, was only a symbol of the elders’ prayers for the youth.Being a successful thirty-something musician didn’t stop Popo from gifting him ahóngbaoeach new year because he was still unattached.

After the hugs and goodbyes, Paul’s four-man team whisked his family to their private flight to southern France in the dark of the night. Next to him stood Genevieve, Anaïs, Madeleine, and Julien. They all collectively heaved sighs as they turned away.

“I’m sorry I brought this to your doorstep,” Curtis said to the French family. “You must think we Americans are trouble.”

“Curtis, you are family,” Genevieve said. “Don’t you forget that. Callie felt we could provide a haven for you and your parents, and we’re glad we could.”

“But it seems we’re dealing with a more determined adversary than we anticipated,” Anaïs added.

“Thank you for your hospitality. Lina and I will be out of your hair soon. Hopefully, our leaked misinformation will lead them away from Paris,” he said, hoping their plan would work.

“Don’t worry about us, Curtis,” Madeleine assured him. “We can take care of ourselves.”

Curtis could only nod. If anything happened to any of them, he’d…what would he do?

What could I do?

From the corner of his eyes, Curtis spotted Lina coming toward them after putting her phone away. Dressed like a backpacker trekking through the continent, complete with the backpack, she looked younger than she really was.

“We’re good. Things are in place. Whoever is leaking information to the Stilettos will hear you’re heading to Amsterdam for a hop to Norway,” Lina said.

“Where are you really going?” Julien asked.

“We’ll decide when we get to the train station,” Lina answered, then she looked at Curtis. “You’re ready?”

He picked up his own pack and guitar case. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”

fourteen

Barcelona, Spain—Two days later

Lina walked behind a group of tourists alongLa Rambla. Even in the middle of January, pedestrians strolled the popular street. It wasn’t as packed as it would be in the middle of the summer, but savvy tourists who knew how to save on costs and avoid crowds took advantage of the cooler temperatures.

This was perfect from Lina’s perspective. The city centerPlaza de Cataluñawas busy enough that people were always around. It was easy for her and Curtis to blend as a couple of backpackers, just traveling through. But it wasn’t so packed that she wouldn’t catch someone out of place.

She and Curtis had chosen the earliest train out of Paris, which had led them here. During the six-hour-or-so train ride, she’d gotten them an apartment two streets over from the plaza. Her cover ID and special corporate card couldn’t be connected to Curtis at all.

He was waiting for her back at the apartment. She made a left turn toCalle de Pelaitoward their building. She’d taken the roundabout way to her destination rather than the more direct route which would've taken her only three minutes by foot. Even if she was sure no one but her people knew where they were, she stayed vigilant.

She checked the street for anything suspicious before she crossed the road and went into the building on the corner. Choosing to take the stairs to the fourth floor allowed her to keep an eye out for anything odd on the other floors.

Everything’s quiet.

Lina unlocked the door and entered the apartment. It was a modern one-bedroom with clean lines and not a lot of personality, but they only needed a comfortable place to hunker down. There was only one bed, but they’d made it work so far.

Curtis had refused to take the bed. As their first line of defense, she’d explained she needed to be in the outer room. But the stubborn guy wouldn’t let her sleep on the couch, though she’d told him she was used to worse accommodations.

Lina found him sitting by the door that opened to the narrow balcony. Chilly air filled the room, but she didn’t mind it. The lazy, almost melancholy melody he was playing on his guitar stopped her midway to him and she just stood there, watching him.

He hadn’t left the apartment since they’d arrived yesterday afternoon. For obvious reason, she’d contained him there while she went out to buy food. They’d spent the time playing cards,talking, and watching movies, but she felt he’d become more withdrawn since they’d left Paris.

The high-spirited man she knew wasn’t here at all. And though she’d told him he needed to stop flirting, she’d expected him to ignore that admonition altogether. But he’d in fact dropped the teasing, the innuendo, the heated looks, or even the most innocent touches. And damn it if she didn’t miss them.

He’s not happy.

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