Page 60 of Dangerous Rhythm

“I wanted to learn to fight, defend myself, protect my loved ones from harm,” Curtis said. “You know what happened to my sister?”

“I read about it.”

“I was devastated when she’d told me about the abuse she’d endured. I wasn’t there to protect her. And when I was there, they’d taken her right from under our noses. I felt useless. Callie knew how to defend herself better than I could. She’s amazing,” he said.

“She and Brandon seem happy now,” Lina observed.

“They are. They were always meant to be together. If it weren’t…” he faltered.

“If it weren’t what?”

“If it weren’t for me, breaking them up before they even began. Because I was petty, selfish, and immature.”

Lina turned to her stomach and looked at Curtis. “What do you mean?”

“It was a long time ago, but I caused a rift between Brandon and Callie. They lost contact for years—we all somewhat did with Callie. I didn’t blame her for not wanting to have anything to do with me.”

“Your sister loves you, Curtis. I could see that.”

Curtis smiled. “Yeah. I love her, too. I’m glad she and Brandon reunited and somehow helped us patch up our imperfect family.

“When I returned to New York from Paris after that situation, I felt listless,” he added. “Everybody had something else they were focusing on. Brandon with the family and painting. Ram was DJ’ing on the side and doing a sci-fi podcast with Justin.”

“Ram and Justin have a podcast?” Lina questioned. The other two quarters of Canis Major were the ones who had never given Lina headaches when she’d toured with them. When they hadn’t been performing or doing any official band things, they’d been happy reading their books or playing video games.

“Yeah. Remember they always read those sci-fi books and keep talking about them?” Curtis asked. “So, one time I told them they should talk about them somewhere where the other nerds are. They took it to heart.” He chuckled. “It’s actually gotten pretty popular. They’ve had celebrity guests and all.”

“Good for them!”

“Yeah.” His smile dimmed. “So…the MMA stuff helped somewhat with letting off steam, but I felt untethered when we’re not in session working on new materials or on the road performing. That’s how I ended up hitting clubs and, as you called it, in the wrong place, at the wrong time.”

Lina didn’t like it when Curtis looked this solemn. He was the guy who had a joke for every situation, who was the life of the party, who cheered a strange girl who badly needed to fart.

“I know what you’re thinking.” His lips twisted in a self-deprecating smile. “Boohoo, woe is me. I have nothing to complain about when I have everything I wanted.”

“I don’t think that at all.”

The look on his face showed he didn’t believe her. “I won’t blame you if you think of me as a dumbass musician. You gave your life to the service of our country, while I played music for a crowd of people.”

“We all walk our own paths, Curtis. None is better or worse, just if it’s right for you. Your calling is music, and it serves the need of humanity. Truthfully, I wish for the day when we won’t need people like me.”

Curtis brushed his knuckles against her cheek. “I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for you. The Stilettos probably would’ve already had my head on a platter by now.”

“Don’t say that.” Lina shuddered as she wrapped her arm around his chest and kissed his neck. “I won’t ever let them get to you.”

I will kill them if they ever touch him.

And she meant that wholeheartedly.

Curtis relished having Lina snuggle against him. To have her lie there with him just as a woman whose skin turned out to be as smooth as silk, whose flesh was as vulnerable as his, and whose needs matched his, was humbling.

Ever since he’d known her, she’d never shown much of the woman inside, only the solid, confident person they all depended on to keep them safe. None of his bandmates nor he himself had ever really thought their safety was ever in jeopardy, but that was because Lina and her team had made sure of it.

He’d often wondered why she’d left the armed services. Someone like Lina shouldn’t be wasting her time protecting the likes of him. But every time he’d asked, she’d redirected him to something else altogether. He wondered if it had something to do with the turmoil he’d seen in her eyes before—and more since they’d started on this crazy ride.

“Lina, did you quit the Army because something bad happened?” Curtis asked point blank. He felt her shoulders tense against his arm, but she slowly loosened her muscles as she thought of a reply.

He waited patiently. Was she going to give him a genuine answer this time, or another non-answer?

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