AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“That’s scarcely a reliable source,” Santos complained.
“Nevertheless, what about Rosalba?” Rafael asked.
Santos rubbed his hands over his face. “The last I heard, she was living in Paris. We agreed to part company so she shouldn’t be out to kill me, or she would have done it sooner.”
Libby checked off her name. “Claudia Garcia?”
“I dated her before Rosalba. She’s the type to throw temperamental fits, but I’ve not heard a word from her in a couple of years.”
Libby crossed off her name. “What about Francesca Muñoz?”
“Give me the list,” Santos said. He took it from Libby and scanned it quickly. “I know a man who can ask questions discreetly. I’ll hire him to find out w
here these women were yesterday afternoon.”
“Would he know any of the protesters?” Rafael inquired.
“He might. I’ll have him work that angle too, but I don’t feel well enough to spend any more time on a tabloid’s questionable list of my exes.”
“I’m sorry if we’ve tired you.” Maggie moved toward the door.
“Just a minute,” Rafael urged. “It doesn’t have to be a woman. A man could hide a mirror in a jacket pocket. How many men would like to force you to retire?”
“Among the matadors working now? Quite a few, probably, and every one would have a brother or friend who’d volunteer to blind me on a sunny afternoon.”
“Gambling debts?” Libby asked.
“No, I work too hard for my money to risk it gambling.”
“Maybe there are people who just don’t like you,” Rafael posed.
Maggie took his arm. “Didn’t you hear him? He needs to rest.”
“Do you suppose you should have a guard?” Libby asked.
“Why? To keep out women putting on lipstick?” Santos snorted.
“Call Manuel to come get you and tour the city,” Rafael told Maggie. “I’ll wait here and see if we can convince Santos’s doctor to release him today.”
Santos caught his meaning and nodded. “I’ll ask. Kiss me good-bye, Libby. I still need more luck.”
“Wait a minute. What did Mr. Martinez say about your fan mail? Have there been any threats?”
“I forgot to ask him.”
While Libby was embarrassed she’d spent more time kissing him than her sister and Rafael might suspect, she leaned over the bed to kiss him good-bye. He didn’t raise a hand to touch her, so it was only a whisper-light exchange, but she still felt a glorious electric sizzle. She wondered if he charmed every woman he met and thought he must without making more than the slightest effort. Just like his father.
She stepped back. “A lot more women belong on that list, don’t they?”
“You expect me to admit it?”
Libby walked out the door without answering but paused to question Maggie once they were down the hall. “Was your father as charming?”
“He was even more so. The man was magic.”
“Then our mother never had a chance.”
“She would have been too sweet and innocent to realize what was happening,” Maggie agreed. “Let’s hope meeting Santos doesn’t bring back sad memories for her.”
