Page 1 of Outcast

PROLOGUE

MATÍAS

4 years ago

My heart pounded in anticipation.

From both the soft curvy body pressed between me and the wall, and the near discovery of Tomas stumbling across us. The man was an idiot, but he was dangerous because he’d sing like a canary to my father to get more power.

My father, Vicente. Head of the Institution, otherwise, known as the Castillo cartel.

"What the hell are you doing here?" I growled against Rita's ear. Tonight was another festival, one of many that Father held in his city.

Rita shouldn't be here. The Dirty Dogs weren't enemies, but they weren't exactly welcome when Vicente wasn't given explicit details about why they were here and when they'd leave.

Or what was in it for him.

She laughed, the sound full and throaty as her nails dug into my chest before she slid her hands up around the backof my neck. Never mind that some ass might wander down the alley and see us. We were barely out of the light and every fucking person here would recognize me.

I was the spitting image of Vicente, unfortunately.

"Don't be such a fucking coward." Her dark brown eyes twinkled as she leaned up on her tiptoes, pressing her succulent lips against mine. Anger in my gut whipped alongside desire.

She was delicious.

Ever since I'd met her, she'd had a fire about her that was wild and thrilling. The woman was every man's temptation with curly, black hair and miles of curves. To top it off, she wrapped up her sex appeal in bright red gloss that was just as addictive as she was.

I licked my lips, tasting that sweet, cherry flavor as I grabbed her hips and pressed her deeper into the wall.

"That was Tomas who just passed us. You know who that is?"

In the dark light of night, I could just make out her eyes rolling. "No, nor do I give a damn."

"You should. He's a weasel who'd do anything to climb the ladder. And finding the gang princess under the heir to the Institution would be like candy to a pedophile. He doesn't want it, but he'd use it to get exactly whathewants." My words were low and forceful. I wanted her to understand exactly how dangerous this was.

Except, she huffed. Like I was an idiot.

"You worry too much."

"You don't worry enough!" I fired back.

Pausing, she studied me in the shadows. Her thumbs made soft sweeps against the column of my neck as her lips drooped and I shivered in the cool, night air.

"Then let's get out of here, Matías. Let's go strip on thebeach or tear it up in one of my clubs. That way you can breathe and lose that giant stick up your ass."

I chuckled, shaking my head as I pulled her away from the rough concrete wall. Graffiti art shimmered in the few places the light touched as we headed deeper into the alley and away from the main celebration.

There was no winning with her. She was a spoiled brat at the best of times, but damn did I love her.

Sliding my fingers down her arm, I caught her hand in mine. She started swinging our joined hands like we were a bunch of stupid teenagers.

We were. We were being stupid. Her for coming here in the first place, and me for entertaining her when anyone could see us.

But no matter how dangerous this was, I couldn't turn her away. I wouldn't.

"Beach or club?"

"What?" I glanced at her before scanning the alley ahead and behind us.

---