Page 95 of Dangerous Rhythm

“We designed the protection software on all of your company’s phones, Mr. Rowland,” Ken said. “It should be safe to call your wife.”

“Besides, we don’t believe the Stilettos have the technological sophistication to monitor everyone’s phones,” Marcus added to Curtis, “But we’ll still keep your phone off the grid. We want them to be blind to your whereabouts until we decide what course we’ll take.”

“If we can call Rae, can we call Brandon and my sister?” Curtis asked. “They need to know what’s going on.”

Marcus exchanged glances with Lina and Ken. “Why not? Let’s have a party. Briefly.”

“Let me patch everybody in.” Ken whipped out the heavily encrypted laptop that never left his side. In a few minutes, they were in a videoconference with Rae in Georgia and Brandon and Callie in France.

“Curtis!” Rae, Brandon, and Callie said almost simultaneously when they came on.

Hearing their voices, seeing their faces, almost overwhelmed Curtis. He was getting used to not seeing Rae and Brandon for months at a time, but he’d never had to stop communications completely since they’d all lived together. He hadn’t seen Callie for years until recently, but now they were texting daily and talking on the phone weekly.

“Are you okay?”

“We heard you were jumped in Barcelona?”

“We were all so worried.”

They all talked at the same time. Then they all looked at each other again, realizing the others were on the phone, too. Rae hadn’t been able to contact Brandon and Callie, either. It must’ve been tough, as they’d previously been on a constant chat thread hourly, especially with Rae this close to labor.

Curtis couldn’t help but laugh. “I’m okay. I’m safe. We’re back in New York.”

“Wait? What happened? Is everything good now? We can all go home?” Callie asked.

“You’ll be able to go home soon,” Curtis promised.

“Soon? What changed?” Brandon asked.

“Nothing yet, but we’re here with Lina, Marcus and Ken from B&Y. We’re going to end this stupid threat.”

“How?” Rae asked.

Curtis glanced at the grim faces of the B&Y people and said, “We’re working on it.”

“You’re not risking yourself, are you?” his sister demanded.

“What?” Rae questioned.

“Curtis, don’t play the hero,” Brandon urged.

“I’m not,” Curtis assured his friends. “That’s why we have the professionals here. They’ll know what to do.”

Curtis looked at his friends and sister with a smile. First to Rae, he said, “Look at you. All ready for this baby?”

“Hell no,” Rae said. “Just like I wasn’t ready for Maya, either.”

“You’ll do fine. I heard your sister is there. I can’t wait to meet her. Say hi to her and Chris for me?”

“Of course.” Rae frowned in her little box.

“Hey, guys, they wanted to keep this brief. I just wanted to see your faces. Give Ella, Popo, Mom, and Dad a hug for me, okay?”

“Curtis,” Callie said sharply. “Do not do anything reckless.”

“Come on, Sis. Me? Reckless?” Curtis scoffed, brushing away their worries.

“Dean,” Rae addressed her husband. “You make sure Curtis doesn’t do something stupid.”

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