Page 68 of Dangerous Rhythm

“Let’s just get noodles, then rest. Curtis and I are exhausted,” Lina changed the subject.

“I’m actually feeling okay right now.” Curtis looked out as the brightly lit tall buildings of Hong Kong came into view. They shone against the dark mountainous background and reflected beautifully on the dark water of Victoria Harbor.

As they got closer into the city, he could see the festive, colorful decorations for the Lunar New Year and he felt a burst of optimism. He didn’t really know where it came from. Maybe it was the new year magic.

Popo always told him the Lunar New Year was the time for sweeping away the old bad luck to make room for the new good luck. It was also the time to make significant changes in one’s life.

“I have a real good feeling for this coming new year,” Curtis said, squeezing Lina’s shoulder. “A real good feeling.”

twenty-eight

Hong Kong Island bathed in the morning light across the harbor was something else. Lina sat up in bed, marveling at the view out of the floor-to-ceiling glass windows surrounding the bedroom. Sunlight sparkled against the rows of skyscrapers like diamonds and lightened the hue of Victoria Harbor.

She’d been surprised when Uncle Ed had dropped them off at an apartment building near the harbor. He’d told her a British expat family whose son was a student of his had left for a monthlong home visit. They were kind enough to let Ed’s niece use the apartment. It was more than a kind gesture. It was generous, seeing how spacious and fancy the apartment was by Kowloon standards.

Maybe Curtis was right. Maybe good tidings are coming. Maybe I can give him his life back.

But how? As long as Serafina Stiletto still had revenge on her mind, Curtis would never be safe. Even if Serafina was eliminated, who could guarantee the rest of the Stilettoswouldn’t continue her mission? Would Curtis have to look over his shoulder for the rest of his life?

“You’re thinking too loud,” a sleepy voice startled her.

Lina turned her head to Curtis, who was still lying on his stomach next to her, his head half-buried in the pillow.

“That brain of yours must be huge, if you can tell what I’m thinking.” Lina smiled.

“I don’t know what you’re thinking, but I can feel you thinking.” He flipped over and rubbed his eyes.

“That doesn’t make sense.”

“It makes total sense. You can feel your opponent thinking when you’re in a fight. You said it yourself. It’s the vibe they give. You gave me a vibe.”

“You always wake up this chatty?” she asked with a smile.

“I dunno. I don’t wake up next to you nearly often enough.” He sat up, leaned in, and kissed her shoulder. “What time is it? My body clock is so out of whack, I’m shocked I’m awake at all.”

“It’s close to seven-thirty,” Lina said. “Sorry my thinking woke you up.”

“You were thinking about me, weren’t you?” He smiled.

“I was,” she said. “I was trying to figure out how I let you into my bed.”

“Let me? You ordered me,” he quipped. “Besides, this isn’t technically your bed.”

Lina laughed. “Right.”

Curtis snaked his arm around her and looked out at the view. “Wow, look at that.”

“Isn’t it something?”

“When was the last time you visited?”

“This is my first visit in years. It’s been hard. But I texted with Ed here and there.”

He nodded. “It’s good you kept up with this side of your family. I’ve never met most of my extended family.”

“You never visited Shanghai with your grandma?” Lina asked, remembering Popo mentioning her hometown.

“No. She moved back there when I was in college. At that time, I was too wrapped up in my own stuff to even think about visiting her. I didn’t even know she moved to Paris to help Callie.” His voice was heavy with regret.

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