Luna Tango by Alli Sinclair - Chapter Sampler

7/21/2019 Luna Tango by Alli Sinclair - Chapter Sampler

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First Published 2014First Australian Paperback Edition 2014

ISBN 978 174356864 4

LUNA ANGO

2014 by Alli SinclairAustralian Copyright 2014New Zealand Copyright 2014

Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilisation of this work in whole or in partin any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented,including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrievalsystem, is forbidden without the permission of the publisher.

Tis book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, belent, resold, hired out or otherwise circulated without the prior consent of the publisher inany form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similarcondition including this condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.

All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form.

Tis is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the

authors imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living ordead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Published by Harlequin MiraAn imprint of Harlequin Enterprises (Australia) Pty Ltd.Level 4, 132 Arthur StreetNORH SYDNEY NSW 2060

AUSRALIA

and M are trademarks of Harlequin Enterprises Limited or its corporate affiliates. rade-marks indicated with are registered in Australia, New Zealand and in other countries.

Printed and bound in Australia by Griffin Press


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C H A P T E R

1

Dani McKenna stood on the stone steps of Escuela de Danza Vida,the Vida Dance School, still unsure which was the lesser of twoevils: ditching her first assignment and killing her career as a fea-tures writer, or diving into the world of tango and dredging uptorturous memories. Glancing at the grey sky, Dani willed a beamof light and a choir of angels to sing and deliver an answer in a silver

box with a blue bow. She got nothing other than a pigeon flyingpast and pooping next to her new red heels.

Fine, she huffed, and yanked open the heavy wooden door,keen to be rid of the diesel fumes spilling from buses, the headache-inducing horns, and suffocating midday heat. After two days inBuenos Aires shed yet to discover why this city was known as the

Paris of the Americas.Dani took tentative steps into the expansive foyer, where pristine

marble covered the floor and a wrought-iron balustrade snaked upthe wide staircase. Cool air soothed her hot skin and she relaxed hershoulders, happy to be free from the craziness outside, including

wayward pigeons.


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2 A l l i S i n c l a i r

highlighted blonde curls behind her ears. Shed much prefer fadedjeans, ballet flats and a retro -shirt but this assignment requiredher to dress like a professional, despite feeling like a phony. Danisqueezed her eyelids tight, remembering how much money shed

just spent on a new wardrobe. But if all went to plan, her newgarb would convince the world, and herself, that she was more thancapable of doing this jobshe hoped.

A gust of wind rattled the door leading to the street. She couldstill chicken out. After all, if her colleagues at the magazine were

right, her mission was doomed anyway. But she chose to ignoretheir warnings, even though her interview subject, Carlos Escu-dero, hated the media with more passion than hed ever dancedthe tango. His refusal to talk about the motorbike accident thatdestroyed his dancing career and ruined the relationship with hisdance partner only motivated journalists to dig deeper. Tey were

determined to unearth the story that lay beneath the well-rehearsedstatements from the estranged couple. So far, the journalists effortshad smashed into a wall of anger and silence.

Pushing out a long sigh, she adjusted the shoulder strap of herhandbag. As much as she wanted to be the one to finally discover

what happened on that fateful day, Dani wasnt so nave she thought

she could succeed where so many seasoned journalists had failed.Besides, his personal life wasnt why she was here. Her job was toget Carlos Escudero on board with her history of tango articles andnothing else.

She lowered her head and shook it. Seriously? Shed taken tolying to herself now?

Te tango history stories were importanther career dependedon themand uncovering the mystery behind the motorbike acci-dent appealed, but they were nothing compared to the opportunityto learn about Carlos Escuderos mentor, Iris Kennedy. Hed beenprivy to a side of Iris the rest of the world hadnt seen, a side Danidesperately needed to discover. If she could get some understanding


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L u n a Ta n g o 3

stage, then Dani might finally exorcise the demons that had chasedher since childhood. She had no intention of finding and meet-ing the elusive Iris as, even after two decades, the pain remainedraw. Trough Carlos, however, Dani might finally comprehend hermothers actions.

She narrowed her eyes at the ancient lift cage. No matter howmany times she chastised herself, Dani just couldnt enter one ofthese boxes without being slammed by the memory of the last fieryargument her parents had. No child wants to witness such venom,

especially from her own flesh and blood. She planted her foot onthe marble steps, even though her mind tried to convince her thatdashing out the door, sight unseen, was the best option. Perhapsit would be better if she knew nothing about Iris, as the truth hadthe potential to rip Danis heart out. As much as she tried to denyit, the stars had aligned and Danis arrival in Argentina offered the

perfect chance to build her career and heal old woundsor makethem deeper.

Ah, to hell with it.She powered up the stairs and arrived on the eighth floor. Pant-

ing, she wiped the back of her hand across her wet brow then on hernavy linen pants. She placed her hand on the ornate brass knob but

froze when the slow whine of the bandonen slipped through thegaps around the doors. Te accordion-like instrument had thou-sands, possibly millions, of fans all over the world, but for Dani,the music of the bandonen was akin to fingernails scraping acrossa blackboard.

She grimaced then turned and scooted to the edge of the staircase.

Te thick wooden door swung open.Para! a voice barked. Stop!She spun around and came face to face with Carlos Escudero.God, hes more beautiful in the flesh.Beautiful wasnt a word she normally used to describe men,

but he qualified. His dark eyes hinted at the untold stories she so


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S? He spat out the word as he leant slightly to the left andrested his hand casually on a wooden cane.

You are Carlos Escudero? She gave him her friendliest smile,hoping he didnt notice the slight waver in her voice.

I am he, what is your business? His frown deepened yet didntdiminish his attractiveness.

I believe you worked on the UNESCO application to get thetango listed as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Tat

was a mouthful.

S.My names Dani McKenna. Im here as a guest of ourism

Argentina and Im writing articlesI cannot help.But you dont know what I want to ask.I am done with the journalists. Tey are nothing but parasites.

Bubbles of indignation rose in her belly. What cheek he had.Just so you know, Im not

No. He turned and limped back through the doorway, dis-appearing from view.

Dani stared at the entrance to his studio, her feet itching to high-tail it out of there.

Come! Carloss voice echoed in the hall and down the stairwell.Who did he think he was? If it had been anyone other than him,

shed have bolted and found someone else to interview. But no oneelse had the tango experience and knowledge he possessed, so shehad to stay and suffer his rudeness. And no one else knew Iris likehe did.

aking a deep breath, she strode across the landing, into the stu-dio and halted. Bright daylight streamed through arched windowson the southern side of the room and the scarred floorboards toldof passionate stories that had unfurled across them. ango musicplayed through tinny speakers as a young couple floated across thefloor and memories of her mother and father in happier days rose


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L u n a Ta n g o 5

Carlos stood in the corner with crossed arms, not acknowledgingher presence. Te track finished and the couple split apart, wipedthemselves with towels and took long gulps from drink bottles.

Carlos angled a finger at her. Your turn.What? Oh no. She shook her head and backed away. Te tears

that had threatened to spill quickly disappeared. I have two leftfeet and

Nonsense! You want to write about tango? You must dance it.He pointed to the young man, who stared at her with wide eyes.

Te heart, Carlos said.What?Te heart. Tis. He thumped his closed fist over his chest. Dan-

cers must have their hearts facing each other. He motioned for herto stand chest to chest with his student. Jorge will assist.

Was this some sadistic torture he lumped on every journalist

who dared cross his path? She shuffled into position, annoyed withthis grumpy Argentines arrogance. Tough for as long as she stoodon his dance floor, she had a chance of getting what she wanted.

It does not matter what the feet are doing, he said. It is unim-portant. You are not two dancersyou are one heart. His flowery

words were a stark contrast to his gruff demeanour.

But I dont know howBasta! You will learn. Allow the music to flow into your soul.

Let the melody, not the rhythm, dictate your dancing. Tis is whatmakes the tango unique. You dance now.

Carlos limped over to the stereo, punched a button, faced thehesitant couple and raised his eyebrows. Dani let go of Jorge, shoved

her hands on her hips and raised her eyebrows back at Carlos.You choose not to dance?She pursed her lips.Okay. Goodbye. He gave a dismissive wave and turned to the

stereo.Te obscenities wanted to burst out but she willed them to


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Te music started and the melancholic notes floated through thestudio, goose bumps sprouting all over her body.

Jorge offered a gentle smile. Do not worry, I will help you.I hope you can work magic, she said.He held out his hand and Dani took it, their fingers entwining in

a clammy mess. As much as she wanted to escape this humiliation,Jorges eyes reassured her.

Dance! Carlos yelled.Dani flinched then squared her shoulders. Jorge placed a hand

on her waist and with a small movement, guided her in the direc-tion he chose. Te haunting combination of violins, piano andbandonen filled the room, washing over her, although the whin-ing bandonen made Dani grind her teeth. She closed her eyes, andconcentrated on the soulful notes of the other instruments and thesingers passionate voice. She felt Jorge move slightly to the left and

Dani followed, placing her foot with care. As much as she wantedto hate the tango she

Mierda!Her eyes flew open at Jorges expletive. Im sorry!Carlos banged his cane on the floorboards. Keep going!

Jorge let go, rubbed his foot then held her again, determination

renewed. Tey moved to the right and this time Dani kept hereyes open. She took a hesitant step, pulled back, leant forwards andsmashed her head into something solid.

Argh! Jorge rubbed his forehead.Oh god, Im sorry! She turned to Carlos. I cant do this. Hes

going to end up in hospital before the end of the song. Listen, Im

not here for a lesson. All I want is to ask a few questionsA smile raced across Carloss lips and his eyes sparkled. A belly

laugh followed.What?I never thought I would see the day, Carlos spoke between bursts of

laughter, when there would be evidence of a person with two left feet.


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L u n a a n g o 7

My listening skills are very good but I chose not to believe you,yes? I find you amusing. ell me your name.

Dani McKenna. Like I said before, if youd paid attention.Dani is short for Daniela, s? He stroked his chin with his

thumb and forefinger.She nodded.Daniela is a perfectly good name. Tis is what you were born

with, this is what I will call you.She wanted to argue but had no desire to explain why she detested

her full name. Sorrow wrapped around Dani as the last words hermother said echoed in her heart. Ill love you forever, Daniela.

Have you learned the martial arts? Carlos asked, saving herfrom jumping into the all too familiar well of grief.

No. What does that have to do with tango?In martial arts you must be completely focused on the other

person at all times. You have to adapt and pay attention to what theopponent is doing. A slip of focus means defeat and inevitable pain.It is the same for tango.

But you said tango is a meeting of two hearts. Whats this oppo-nent business?

ango, like love, is complicated. ell me, Daniela McKenna,

why should I talk with you?I work for Te Edgemagazine and ourism Argentina has spon-

sored me to write about the evolution of the tango lifestyle over thepast hundred years.

Not interested.Why not?

I am not interested.Tats it? Panic grew within at the possibility that her chance

for career success and personal healing had just started a slitherydescent into the Valley of Failure.

I will tell you thisthe foreign journalists think tango is aboutsex, sex, sex. He pounded his fist against the wall and Dani flinched


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with the physical and everything to do with the spiritual but noneof you people understand.

Im not like other journalists. Of course she wasnt. Other jour-nalists wouldnt endure this humiliation. Perhaps he was testing herresolve. I want to immerse myself in the tango culture and appreciate

why people the world over are enchanted by this dance and music.My articles will depict what its truly like to live and breathe and lovetango. Ten I might finally understand why my mother did what she did.

No.

Are you always this difficult or is it only when you speak to jour-nalists? she asked and he gave a half shrug. Surely misunderstand-ing the meaning of tango is not enough to hate journalists withsuch fervour. If you had no intention of helping me then why didyou make me dance?

His lips twisted into a smirk and Dani grabbed her bag and

marched to the exit.Ill be back, she said over her shoulder.Ill be locking the doors.

* * *

Dani sat in her hotel room and stared at the laptop, willing her

inbox to ping with incoming mail. Shed sent a message to Adamonly minutes ago and even though she didnt expect an instantreply, she wanted one.

She leant against the pillows and studied the flocked red flow-ers pressed onto the pale gold wallpaper. Somehow, the retro roomcomforted her.

Te bell sounded on her laptop and her heart tripped and bangedagainst her chest when she read his name in bold. Te bastard stillhad an impact on her life.

She clicked on the email and sucked air between her teeth.

Dani,


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L u n a a n g o 9

way I could help you see why this is right for everyone and I hopeone day youll understand my actions.

How are the stories? No doubt ourism Argentina is treatingyou like a queen. Use your fluency in Spanish to woo the locals,get the scoop and write me some killer feature articles. I like youridea of digging deeper with Escudero. As we discussed, though, hes

going to be a hard sell and Im not sure you have the chops for it.Tough I wouldnt mind you proving me wrong.

Tis is your only chance at that break into features youve been

nagging me for. We both know making coffee is not one of yourstrong points. ake advantage of your time there and make sureits the best damn writing youve ever done. Make Escudero talk.Youre a smart girl. Figure it out.

Cheers,Adam

She stared at his sign-offcheers. Her jaw tightened and tearsburned her eyes. Cheers? Cheers! Where did he get off sayingcheers? Cheers you say to mates. Cheers you say to work colleagues.Cheers you say to Oh. Well, technically she was his employeeand nothing else now. Life had gotten complicated way too quickly,

although she should thank her lucky stars for her timely escape.Dani ran her fingers over the bare skin that once proudly dis-

played an engagement ring. Trowing it at Adams head had givenher little satisfaction and she still couldnt get used to seeing hernaked finger.

Even though shed witnessed her parents relationship fall apart

and her own attempts at love had been pretty pathetic, shed givenin to Adams charms and allowed him to enter her life with anestranged wife and son in tow. A tinge of guilt raced through herfor being part of the reason Adam hadnt reconciled with his wifeearlier. After all, she knew what it was like for a parent to take offand leave a kid wondering what theyd done wrong. She didnt even


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getting married andwhoops!accidentally sleeps with said exthen decides the relationship is back on?

Te only reason Adam let her branch into features was becausehe felt guilty for dumping her and going back to his wife. He prob-ably thought that once Dani had established herself, shed leavethe magazine anyway. Tat would be easier than him inventing areason to fire her.

Clicking onto her bank account, Dani checked the balance thenread Adams email again. Reaching out to her ex had been a mistake.

She logged off and slammed the laptop lid shut. Carlos Escuderodidnt know it yet, but hed just met his match.


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Luna Tango by Alli Sinclair - Chapter Sampler