Page 64 of Dangerous Rhythm

“Come on board. We have a timetable to follow,” Carmen said. “We’ll have plenty of time to catch up when we reach cruising altitude.”

Lina turned to Raul and hugged him. “Thanks for your hospitality, Raul. You know how to contact me when I can return the favor.”

Raul nodded with a grin. “For sure, be safe out there.”

The big guy turned and offered his hand to Curtis. “You got a good one here. You watch her back for me, will you?”

“Of course.” Curtis nodded. “Thanks, Raul.”

“Hope you get these people off your back soon,” Raul added. “Buena suerte.”

Yeah, I wish I knew how to do that.

A few minutes later, they were taxiing toward the lit-up runway. Unlike the first fancy jet they’d flown in from New York, this was a cargo jet with crates locked and strapped in the middle of the interior cabin. Instead of sitting in plush chairs, they were buckled in jump seats.

It didn’t take long to receive the okay for takeoff and be on their way. To Carmen’s credit, the process was smooth and less heart-racing than the last time Curtis was on a plane.

“You’re quiet tonight.” Lina covered his hand.

Curtis managed a small smile for her. “Sorry. I was just thinking about what a bizarre week we had.”

“It’s been nine days since we left New York,” she corrected.

“Has it? Jeezus. I don’t even know what fucking day it is.”

“It doesn’t matter. At least nobody’s shooting at us today.”

“I’m not sure I’m ready to joke about that,” he said, but smiled.

Even that response was weird to Curtis. The other night hadn’t been his first encounter with gunshots. Just a little over a year ago, a stray bullet had grazed his arm when he and Brandon had attempted to rescue Callie from her lunatic ex. He’d beenso proud of the possibility of getting a scar from it, but it hadn’t even left much of a scratch.

Man, I was such a moron.

“I’m worried when you’re quiet. Talk to me,” Lina said.

Curtis lay his head back against the wall of the plane. “Can you feel like an entirely different person from the one you were a year ago?”

“Yes, absolutely,” she said in a solemn tone. “I’m not the same person I was five years ago.”

Curtis knew Lina would get it.

“How were you then?” he asked.

She gave a short, bitter laugh. “Ambitious. I had to be the at the top of my class, or breaking a record, or getting a mission done. My pride and ambition played a part in my friend’s death. And I can’t forgive that person.”

“Lina—” Curtis squeezed her hand.

“How do you feel different?” she interrupted and turned the question to him.

“Ah, I feel it’s time for me to grow up,” he admitted. “I’ve lived my life like Peter Pan, without a care in the world. If I ever to get to return to my life, I need to make some changes.”

“What changes?”

Curtis looked at her and knew at least one change he’d like to make permanent. But instead of telling her, he shook his head. “I don’t know yet.”

“You’re not thinking about giving up music, are you?” she sounded alarmed. “Because that’d be a loss.”

“No, music is my life. But it can’t be the only thing my life is about. I need more purpose, something meaningful.”

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