AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Santos straightened to his full height. “My brother-in-law is proud of his Gypsy heritage, but you’re dead to him. We won’t dispute whatever lies you’ve told your husband. We came to ask who followed us, that’s all.”
Her gaze narrowed, but after a painfully long pause, she opened the door and smiled as they stepped out into the hall. She raised a hand to her upswept hair and instantly became a doting wife and mother. “Thank you so much. Our boys will be thrilled to have your autograph.”
She walked them to the elevator, and her husband rode it down with them. “My wife is the joy of my life. I know more about her than she suspects, and that’s something she need never know. Do you understand me?”
“I’ve no interest in blackmail,” Santos responded. “Neither does Rafael Mondragon.”
“I’m pleased to hear it. You must come visit us again, but Mondragon will never be welcome here.”
Libby caught the threat in his voice, but Santos led her from the elevator and out of the building before he gave her a chance to speak. “Carlotta is terrified Orlando will learn she’s Rafael’s mother, and he already knows? So she’s desperate to please her husba
nd, and he soaks it all up,” she said. “I don’t know which of them is worse.”
“He is,” Santos insisted. “He’s made a puppet of her and enjoys pulling the strings.”
“Secrets are toxic,” she mused thoughtfully.
“Tell your parents everything when you get home.”
Libby nodded, but she wasn’t certain where to begin the strange tale of the Aragon family. She couldn’t disclose Maggie and Rafael’s secrets, and her mother and father wouldn’t be pleased to learn she’d stayed with Santos when the danger surrounding him could have easily harmed her. Santos wouldn’t have to know what she’d told her parents, which would be another secret piled on the top.
Manuel waited for them at the curb. “The beach house, or would you prefer somewhere new?”
“Somewhere new,” Libby posed, “if you’re not too tired, Santos.”
“I’m tired of being trapped at home. We’re here at the harbor; let’s take a cruise with the tourists.”
“Will they let you on board with your leg brace?”
“Let’s ask and see. Manuel, please take us to the Golondrinas’s dock. It’s right at the end of Las Ramblas, Libby. You walked down it with your family.”
“That was a wonderful day. There was so much to see, but by the time we’d reached the last plaza, I was too tired to gaze beyond it to the sea.”
She turned to look out the back window, but no one appeared to be following. “I’m sorry, you’re watching for a tail, aren’t you, Manuel?”
“Yes, I am. Always.”
Libby sat back. When Santos turned to grin at her, she continued their earlier conversation. “Carlotta is very attractive, but when she spoke to us in her sons’ bedroom, she was an entirely different person.”
“She let us see her true self. Forget her, and don’t tell Rafael we’ve met her. If she were plotting anything, her husband would know. He’d not allow her to jeopardize his business interests to satisfy her petty concerns.”
“Killing you isn’t in the category of petty concerns.”
“To Ortiz, it might be.”
Golondrinas, named for swallows, were double-decked boats designed for sightseeing around the harbor. Santos was immediately recognized and welcomed on the next boat boarding. They had to take seats on the lower deck, but it was as comfortable as the upper deck and provided more shade. Surrounded by tourists who had no idea who they were other than a handsome couple, Libby allowed herself to relax.
“Thank you, I needed to get away from the house too,” Libby told him.
“What do you mean? I can’t get you to stay in it.” He slid his arm around her shoulders. “If you like, we’ll just stay on board when they return to the docks to let off these passengers and pick up more.”
“That would be so nice.” She liked being a tourist and having no cares as they explored the harbor. “Do you often bring girlfriends here?”
“I prefer to take them sky diving, but…”
Shocked, she sat up. “Sky diving? Are you serious?”
“I’m teasing you. You’re the only girl I’ve brought here since the twins were little, and I took them on outings. Fox wouldn’t appreciate this now.”
