Luna Tango by Alli Sinclair Read Free Book Online Page A

I’ve written it. I prefer to talk directly to the source. However, if you are willing to give me a heads up, I’m all for it.’ She placed her hands on her lap.
    â€˜Hmm.’ His brows furrowed and he paused so long Dani thought he’d given up on the subject. Taking a sip of wine, he put the glass down and said, ‘Carlos, he has toured the world, performed for dignitaries, including presidents, but it was a woman who was his undoing.’ He let out a low whistle. ‘This Cecilia Ortiz, she captured the hearts of thousands. Her beauty and talent was only second to La Gringa Magnifica .’
    She sucked in air so fast a sharp pain caught in her throat. Oh god. Change the subject. Change the subject!
    â€˜You are all right, Dani?’ He placed the back of his hand against her forehead. ‘Do you not feel well?’
    â€˜I’m fine.’ She breathed out. ‘This Cecilia Ortiz was Carlos’s fiancée, right?’ She already knew the answer but had to steer away from her mother becoming a topic of conversation.
    â€˜Yes.’
    â€˜And?’
    Gualberto cast his eyes around the room, no doubt searching for his cousin. Eventually, he rested his gaze upon her. ‘They were not perfect away from their adoring fans.’ He sighed. ‘Such tragedy.’
    â€˜So it wasn’t an easy relationship?’
    â€˜You are correct. Carlos, he is a private man and I do not blame him. I am still surprised he is talking to you. The journalists blamed him for things he did not do. This killed the relationship he had with Cecilia. Kaput!’ With his hands he mimed a bomb exploding. ‘She left him and now he teaches the dance that broke his heart.’
    â€˜Why does he teach if it gives him so much grief? He doesn’t give the impression of hating it.’
    â€˜He knows nothing else. Would you ask Sir Paul McCartney to plumb a sink? No, you would not. Plus he needs the money.’
    â€˜How badly does he need it?’
    â€˜It is not my place to say.’
    â€˜Sure, I understand,’ she said. ‘He’s got to live, right?’
    â€˜Ah, but it’s not for living, it’s—’ Wariness flashed across Gualberto’s face. ‘Do not worry what it is for. My cousin only knows tango.’
    â€˜So if he didn’t cause the accident why does he let the public think he did?’ she asked. ‘Was it Cecilia’s fault?’
    He mimed zipping his lip then gave a small shrug.
    â€˜If it was Cecilia’s fault and he loved her deeply he’d take the flak, wouldn’t he? The media would have crucified him for damaging their darling and so they’d take her side and ... wow.’ She paused to let her thoughts line up. ‘Why wouldn’t he hate the media?’
    Gualberto raised his eyebrows but his lips remain closed.
    â€˜And with the public and media blaming him for the accident, she probably believed them even though it wasn’t true.’ She studied Gualberto’s non-committal expression but his eyes told her what she needed to know. ‘How did the accident happen?’
    Gualberto exhaled and said, ‘You have to ask Carlos this. I was not there.’
    â€˜But you’re willing to believe your cousin. Because families stick together.’ If they’re not mine, that is .

CHAPTER
5
    A man coughed behind Dani and she turned around. Bright lights shone in her eyes and it was impossible to read Carlos’s expression but she figured he wasn’t impressed. It might have had something to do with his tapping foot and hands on hips.
    â€˜I see you have given up on this dancing business.’ Carlos took a seat on the opposite side of the table.
    â€˜I don’t think your cousin wants broken feet and split shins.’ She turned to Gualberto. ‘Sorry again.’
    He laughed and raised a glass in the air. ‘To foreigners and their inability to dance like an