27. Chapter 27
twenty-seven
Hong Kong—Thirty-something hours later.
L ina looked out of the window as their plane landed. Beyond the brightly lit international airport, dark water and mountains surrounded them. Though she knew in a quick thirty-minute train ride, tall, bright buildings and civilization would welcome them.
After a nearly thirty-hour trip out of Europe, she and Curtis were ready to stop moving for a while. After flying to Dubai with Carmen, she’d arranged for Lina and Curtis to catch rides with her associates through Mumbai and Bangkok before arriving at their destination. She’d strategized between the different cargo flights, waits, and under-the-table custom necessities; the Stilettos would have a hard time following them this time.
She turned her gaze to the sleeping man sitting next to her. It’d been difficult to rest in these uncomfortable seats, but Curtis hadn’t complained. In fact, he’d become quieter with each leg of their trip, which concerned her.
He can ’ t go on like this for much longer .
Though the travel, long hours, and minimal sleep weren’t anything new to him, being hunted by a criminal family was taking its toll.
I have to find a way to give him his life back .
She might be used to this nomadic life, not seeing friends and family for months or years at a time. But Curtis couldn’t keep on living this way. He needed his music, friends, and family.
The plane touched down, waking Curtis. His eyes startled open and blinked rapidly as they adjusted to the dim light.
“Are we there yet?” he asked.
“Yes. We’ve arrived.”
It took a little more time to clear their papers. It’d taken some grease to smooth the process, but Lina would do whatever she could to keep Curtis’ arrival under wraps as much as possible.
They were escorted out through the side doors. Outside, her uncle, káuhfú Ed, greeted them with a huge smile.
“Lina, you’re here!” he said in Cantonese and slapped her upper arms enthusiastically. “Did everything go well? You could’ve given me more warning. My friend took care of you, didn’t he?”
“Yes, Uncle. He did.” Lina smiled and thanked him. “ Do ze. ”
“Good.” He beamed.
Lina had gotten word to Ed that she was coming his way but would need some help with discretion. Her uncle was not in her line of work, but he was well-connected. He was the type of guy who knew a guy who could help with something you need. She’d been sad when he’d moved away, but she was glad she could call him now.
“Uncle, this is Curtis, my friend.” She turned to the tired but patiently waiting Curtis and explained he didn’t speak Cantonese. “This is my uncle, Ed.”
“Ed as in Edward?” Curtis shook Ed’s hand.
“Yes. Ed or Eddy. Whatever you want,” Uncle Ed said. “Welcome to Hong Kong.”
“Uncle Ed is my mom’s brother,” Lina explained.
“Ah. Thank you for meeting us,” Curtis said.
Ed waved away Curtis’ formality and slapped his arm. “Friend of Lina is always welcomed. Let me help with your bag.”
He led them to the parking structure. “I borrowed my friend’s taxi. You said you needed privacy, right? And boy, did I find a private place for you.” Ed walked fast and with purpose, and quickly the tired travelers were a few steps behind.
“Is he on speed or something?” Curtis asked her with a little frown. “Does your uncle work for B&Y too?”
“No, but he really should.” Lina grinned. “He’s very energetic. He’s a jack of all trades. His primary income is his dojo—he was my first sensei —but as long as I’ve known him, he always has some kind of side hustle.”
“And he lives in Hong Kong?”
“Kowloon. Most of my mom’s family still lives there. My mom and Ed were the only ones who moved away for college. My mom met my father and stayed in California, while Ed stayed for a while but eventually moved back in his thirties.”
“Did you come visit often?” he asked.
“We did when my brother and I were growing up. But I haven’t been back for a while. It’ll be nice to see some family.”
“Wow, you’re taking me to see your family,” Curtis teased her. “So soon.”
“I’m taking you to my family because it’s easier to blend in when we look similar to everyone else,” Lina pointed out. “That Chinese tourist group in Barcelona gave me the idea.”
His smile dimmed, and Lina felt bad for reminding him of their situation.
“But my family will enjoy meeting you,” she added as they caught up with Ed by the car.
“If Ed is any indication, I’m positive I’ll enjoy meeting them, too.”
Ed smiled. “You come at the right time. Just in time for the new year.”
“That’s right,” Curtis said excitedly, but then his shoulders dropped. “Damn it. Will I be able to call my Popo?”
Lina rubbed his back. “I’ll make sure you get to talk to your family, okay?”
Curtis nodded at her appreciatively. She remembered Curtis had been excited about spending the Lunar New Year with his whole family for once, but now he’d be the only one missing.
Soon they were on the road. Lina, for one, couldn’t wait for a shower and a bed. After a good night’s sleep, she’d be ready to see her family.
“Oh, by the way, your parents are here, too,” Ed announced, like the news was an afterthought. “So are Ben and his family.”
Shocked, Lina turned to Ed. “My whole family is here? I didn’t know they were coming to Hong Kong for the new year. I didn’t get that memo.”
“You haven’t been home for a while, have you?” Ed replied disapprovingly. “They told me you’ve been distant.”
Then he changed into Cantonese. “Is it because of the tall guy?”
“No.” Lina quickly replied. “It has nothing to do with anyone but me.”
“What’s wrong, Lina?”
“Nothing, Uncle. It’s just something I had to sort for myself.”
“You know your family is here for you.”
“I know.”
She knew full well she could always go home to her family. But after having to tell another family their daughter would never come home to them ever again, Lina couldn’t help but feel a survivor’s guilt to still have the privilege.
Curtis felt a second wind coming as the cool breeze hit him in the face. He closed his eyes and relaxed in the backseat.
Or is it the third or fourth, by this point?
He didn’t even know how many hours had passed since they’d left Madrid, how many hours had he been awake, or what time zone he was in. He knew he was dead tired but glad they were done flying—at least for now.
Lina and her uncle talked spiritedly in Cantonese. They’d been talking about family—he wasn’t really paying attention—before they switched to Cantonese. Either they were talking about something private or about him. He didn’t care.
He was just excited about getting some superb food. He was famished. The recent food options had been slim pickings, and he could really eat right now.
“Sorry to interrupt,” Curtis said. “But is there any chance we could stop somewhere for a meal?”
“Of course! What do you want?” Ed asked. “Noodle? Rice bowl? Or a full table meal?”
“We shouldn’t be out in public,” Lina objected.
“It’s almost midnight. What public? Besides, you came here to blend in. You’ll be fine,” Ed said. “Don’t worry, Curtis. I know just the place. It’s small, but their noodles are the best.”
“Noodles sounds awesome.” An image of a bowl of noodles in steaming broth popped into his brain, and he started drooling.
Lina didn’t look happy about the decision, but she didn’t protest.
“So, have you been to Hong Kong, Curtis?” Ed asked.
“Once. It was a brief trip, and I didn’t see enough of Hong Kong, but I remember how good the food is.”
“You’ll get a taste tonight. Tomorrow…” Uncle Ed paused. “Well, we’ll worry about that tomorrow. But food isn’t something you’ll have to worry about.
“The family’s getting ready for the new year. So there’ll be a lot of cooking happening,” he added.
“I’m excited.”
“Everyone’s going to be surprised,” Ed added. “Lina has never brought a suitor home before.”
A suitor? That ’ s a word I ’ ve never used.
Curtis glanced at Lina, who looked annoyed.
“He’s not a suitor,” she said. “This isn’t the 1950s.”
“Well, that should be your story. How are you going to explain to the whole family the first time you bring a man home and he’s a client? It’ll be easier if you tell them he’s your boyfriend.”
“Actually, it’ll be easier to tell them I’m his bodyguard because then at least they won’t get any ideas when I have to stay near him twenty-four-seven,” Lina argued.
Ed shrugged dramatically. “I suppose it is up to you.”
Curtis leaned toward Lina and whispered in her ear. “Maybe your uncle’s right. That way, I won’t seem like I’m intruding.”
“You’re not intruding. This is my idea. This is my family. You’re…” she faltered.
“…the man you’re sleeping with?” Curtis’ lips touched her lobe just a tad. He could hear the change in her breathing and how her face reflexively moved toward his touch.
“They’ll ask a bunch of questions if they think we’re together.” Lina shook him off. “No. We’ll stick with the truth.”
“Okay,” Ed said, but obviously he didn’t agree.
“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.”