Read Online Fierce Love by Phoebe Conn - Free Book Online Page A

him. Santos had plenty of reasons for disliking him, and Fox didn’t appear to like anyone. But her father liked Rafael, and this was his home, after all.
    The bathroom’s marble floor was heated and the white towels thicker than birthday-cake frosting. She wondered if the twins noticed or if they’d always lived such a lavish lifestyle with their mother that their father’s home struck them as merely ordinary.
    She kept her towel tightly wrapped while she searched her wardrobe for something appropriate for both dinner and dancing. She’d packed the separates she wore to teach, and while they mixed and matched in numerous combinations, nothing struck her as fancy enough for her grandmother’s taste or dancing. She wouldn’t go shopping for something new when she’d soon leave for home.
    She donned red lingerie for courage and a black sundress with a sheer black jacket. She was dressed, at least, and started down the hall for the front stairs but heard a woman weeping outside her father’s door.
    She rushed to her. “What’s happened?” she whispered, fearing her father might have taken a turn for the worse.
    The young woman was tall and slender with beautiful peach-toned skin and huge green eyes. The soft curls of her honey-blonde hair bounced past her narrow waist. She was dressed in beige pants and a matching tailored top as though she wished to pass by in a caramel blur, but Maggie was sure the remarkable young woman could never escape anyone’s notice.
    She quickly dried her tears on the back of her hand and straightened up. “I’m sorry. I thought I could visit Miguel without making a fool of myself. You must be Magdalena.”
    “Yes. Would you like to come downstairs and have something to drink? Miss…?”
    “No, but thank you. I’m Ana Santillan, one of your father’s former favorites. There are so many of us, I’m surprised we haven’t worn out the carpet with our visits. Forgive me; I shouldn’t have said that.”
    Maggie recognized her now. “You’re even prettier than you are on magazine covers. Please don’t apologize. I know my father hasn’t led an exemplary life.”
    “Oh, but he has, only it hasn’t been the type of example most would admire.” She shifted her tooled leather bag on her shoulder. “Be careful with Santos. He’s falling in love with you.”
    Maggie was too stunned to reply and watched silently as Ana hurried toward the back staircase. She’d only arrived yesterday, so what could Santos possibly have said to give Ana such a ridiculous notion, and when had he done it? Did her father pass along his girlfriends to Santos when he tired of them? Even worse, until he’d fallen ill, did they share the same women? Surely fathers didn’t become involved in a ménage a trois with their sons. Unfortunately, with Miguel, she couldn’t be certain.
     
     
    Santos didn’t appear for dinner, but Fox joined them. He was dressed in a gray suit with a red tie, but his scowl marred his handsome appearance. He sat beside Maggie, spoke not a word and remained focused on his plate for the entire meal. One of the twins studied him rather than eat and Maggie assumed she must be Connie. Maggie didn’t feel much like eating, either, but the cook had produced a delicious roast, and she needed protein for courage.
    Her grandmother ignored Fox but repeatedly cautioned the twins to watch their posture. Cirilda spoke at length on a charming English play she’d seen with friends that afternoon. “We were lucky to find tickets available at the last minute,” she explained and smirked proudly.
    Maggie rested her fork across her plate. Apparently her aunt lacked the manners to include her, but she was relieved not to have to spend any more time than she absolutely must with her. “I love the theater,” she offered.
    “Do you?” Cirilda remarked. “I doubt I’ll be going to another production any time soon.”
    “How unfortunate,” Fox muttered under his breath. “I’m finished,