Page 36 of Dangerous Rhythm

Curtis said nothing but keeping his eyes on her, silently encouraging her to continue.

“I suppose I’m like your mom in how we wanted to be accepted. Growing up, the way I looked, some people didn’t even believe I was born and raised in California. I was often asked where I originally came from. Sure, one set of my grandparents came from Hong Kong, and I still have extended family there, but the U.S. is the only country I belonged to. And I wanted to prove my allegiance to it.

“I was accepted to West Point. Got a great education, served my country. And here I am,” she concluded.

“Wow. How could your parents not be proud of that?” he exclaimed.

“They are, but they never wanted their only daughter to go to war zones.” Lina understood her parents’ feelings about her being in the Army better now than ever. The familiar tightening feeling around her chest crept over her.

“I see. But you’re obviously good at what you do.” Curtis’ voice distracted her from getting sucked into the melancholy. “What did you do in the Army?”

“I was in intelligence.”

“You were a spy?” His eyes rounded into enormous balls, all excited.

His reaction was classic Curtis, and Lina couldn’t help but laugh.

“No. At least not the way you’re thinking.”

But she didn’t elaborate or tell him she’d been approached to join a certain alphabet agency as soon as she’d retired from the Army. She’d been privileged to serve her country. She was lucky to have survived mostly intact. But after witnessing humanity at its worst, she needed a fresh path.

“What was your rank?” Curtis finally asked when she didn’t say more.

“I retired as a major.” That, at least, she could share.

“Why did you leave the service? And go into this work? Protecting the likes of me doesn’t seem worth your skills and capabilities. I could see you climbing up the ranks all the way to a four-star general.”

Lina shook her head with a chuckle. “Protecting you isn’t without its challenges. But it’s definitely a more entertaining job.”

Curtis twisted his lips into a sheepish grin. “You must’ve thought what an idiot I was after all the stuff I did during that first tour you were with us.”

“I think we’re even when it comes to stupid or embarrassing moves.” Lina smiled. “I still can’t believe you didn’t tell the entire crew what actually happened when we first encountered each other.”

His grin turned roguish. “I told you how we first met stays between us. It’s special.”

“Special? How could…thatbe special?” Lina couldn’t make herself say whatthatwas.

“You can say it, you know. Everybody does it. I’m not one of those men who think women shouldn’t have bodily functions.”

“No. Some stuff should stay private,” Lina insisted.

Looking bemused by her argument, Curtis said, “Repeat after me. Everybody—”

“Nope.” She shook her head vigorously with a laugh.

“Come on. It’s just you and me.” He leaned toward her and whispered, “Say it: Everybody farts.”

Curtis stared Lina down with an encouraging smile. A pink blush bloomed on her face as she laughed, still refusing to say the wordfart. He, on the other hand, was like a nine-year-old boy and found the word and the act funny. As an adult, of course, he’d learned to manage such bodily functions in polite company, but he wouldn’t chastise himself or anyone else for losing control sometimes.

Four years ago, Lina had lost control. He bet that was the only time that had ever happened to her. She had such a tight grip on her physical and mental acuity. It was hard to imagine Lina Cheung just letting loose.

But tonight was the first time she was so open. Perhaps pretending to be a couple in public allowed her to relax. Or maybe she was an excellent actress. Didn’t she say she’d been in intelligence? Maybe she’d played roles beyond his imagination.

I don’t care if she’s just pretending.

If it meant she’d let him in a little.

“Is Miss Untouchable defeated by one little word?” Curtis goaded.

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