Page 62 of It Takes Three To Tango

“I come all this way and find my brother canoodling with the . . . Who are you?” She directs this at Rafe. I don’t know if he understands her, as she’s speaking Spanishveryquickly.

He doesn’t turn round, and he hasn’t taken his eyes off me, nor has he let me go. Which is probably a good thing, as I seriously might swing out at my sister.

“He’s a guest in this house. Which is more than you are,” I say through gritted teeth.

“I’m family.” She heads straight to the coffee machine as if she owns it. I don’t know what’s got into us because, despite my father’s games, I used to have a better relationship with my sister. I don’t remember her being such a bitch.

“Did you get what you came for?” I ask, knowing she’d planned to visit Estrella early.

“She’s tighter than a saint’s arse, that one,” she sneers. “I’m going to see her lawyer, so I’ll get the information I need.” I can’t believe how she referred to Aunt Estrella, but bite it back for now.

“When are you leaving?”

She sits down at the table with her coffee. “Our flight leaves tonight at seven.”

“I’m not going anywhere,” I state with some force. Rafe, possibly thinking I’m not going to do anything I might regret, though that’s too early to call, steps back and continues with making breakfast.

Martina swings her head between us, her eyes narrowing.

“What exactly is going on here?”

“None of your business.” I cross my arms, partly as a defence mechanism but also to keep myself from wanting to lash out at her.

“So all this time you’ve been here telling our father you can’t find anything out, you’ve found yourself a fuck buddy.”

“Martina.” I growl a warning at her.

“Where’s the hunky but grumpy looking one I saw last night? Is he a fuck buddy too?”

I don’t even bother to answer her.

“You’re not seriously imagining you’re playing happy family here, are you Florrie?”

“No.” I scowl, not wanting to admit how close she is to the mark.

“Florrie.” Her voice changes, which instantly puts me on alert. She’s even more deadly when her voice is sweet instead of sharp. “You know this can’t last, don’t you? Our aunt is dying. I’m surprised she’s still alive, to be honest. But then what happens? You’ll have to come back home, and this will all be over. You’ve had your fun, but you might as well come home now. It’ll be easier, don’t you think?”

Rafe puts the plate of pancakes on the table, adding honey and fruit.

“Flo, you should eat.” The first words he’s said since my sister entered the kitchen. I see the moment when she realises he’s English and her smile turns sickly.

“This is a dream, Florrie, an illusion. Your place is back with your family.”

I sit at the table despite having lost my appetite. Rafe offers a plate to my sister.

“Hello, I don’t think we’ve been introduced properly. I’m Rafe.”

“I’m Martina,” she says, putting on as much charm as she can. “I’m trying to convince my brother it’s time to come home.”

“And what does he say?” he asks in a neutral voice.

“He doesn’t believe in family duty and loyalty,” she says.

“I think he does, actually. I think he’d rather choose to be with a family who is loyal to him.” He calmly reaches for apancake as if he hasn’t just made my day, my year, my whole fucking world.

My sister stands, switching back to Spanish. “I have to go see this lawyer guy. The plane leaves at seven, Florrie.” I ignore her, and she flounces out.

I only have eyes for Rafe, and I stare at him as he tucks into his pancakes. “What did you say?” I whisper.

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