Page 62 of Dangerous Rhythm

“Just me!” Raul called from the back of the house.

Lina relaxed and sat down. Raul strolled in casually a few seconds later.

“Buenos días, mis amigos,” he greeted with a toothy smile.

“Morning,” Lina said. “Want some breakfast?”

“No. Just coffee.” The big man sat. “How are you, Curtis? Did you get some rest?”

Curtis just grinned and glanced at Lina. And Raul burst into a laugh.

Lina frowned at the odd exchange.Did I miss something? Is there an international bro code I don’t understand?

She placed a mug in front of Raul with a little too much force, and he stopped short and cleared his throat. “Gracias.”

“Did you get it done?” she asked.

“Did I get it done? Of course I got it done. Who do you take me for, Lina? I’m not an amateur.” Raul pulled a large brown envelope from his pack and pushed it across the table to her.

“What is it?”

“IDs and cash,” Lina said. “How about transport?”

“I got you set with our oldamiga, Carmen. She’s got you covered to Dubai, but has contacts to get you wherever you want to go from there. It’s not gonna be a comfortable trip, though,” Raul said.

“We can deal with that,” Lina said.

“Wait. What’s happening?” Curtis asked.

Ignoring his question, Raul eyed Curtis. “You’ll have to change his looks in case you’re caught in surveillance. If the bad guys are still searching him through any database, they still can find him.”

Then Raul turned to her. “You probably have to do the same if they’ve seen you with him.”

Lina knew that.

Curtis glared at her, then Raul. “Will somebody explain to me what’s happening?”

Raul slapped Curtis on the shoulder with his big hand. “What do you want to be? A blond or a ginger?”

“What the fuck?” Curtis turned to Lina. “Where are we going?”

“Out of Europe to Dubai. We’ll figure out our next destination on the way. It’s safer to keep things compartmentalized.”

“Are you serious?” Curtis looked unhappy. “Why can’t we stay here? Nobody knows we’re here.”

“They might’ve known Lina contacted me,” Raul said. “Those guys who showed up the other night were after me from another mission I had last year. Sorry,amigo. You’re not safe here, either. Not in the long run, at least. I have to go after those assholes from the other night myself and get that loose end tied up.”

“When do we leave?” Lina asked.

“Tonight. Twenty-three-hundred hours,” Raul said.

“We’ll be ready.”

“I picked up some supplies I thought you might need.” He handed Lina a brown bag.

There were some hair dyes, wigs, and a box of condoms. She glared at Raul.

He winked at her. “I got a vibe.”

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