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The Castillo family is ruthless, and their life terrifies me, but Angel scares me the most, so why do I find myself watching him?
Craving his touch?
I should run, but Angel will never let me go.
I know I’m not meant to want it.
To dream of his sinful touch.
He wants to ruin me.
And I want to be ruined by this vicious heir.
Grab your copy ofVicious Heir
Available April 13, 2023
(Available for Pre-Order Now!)
www.relaypub.com/blog/authors/bella-ash
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EXCERPT
Chapter One
Emma
My calves and thighs burned as I wove my bike around the honking cars that clogged Ocean Drive.Five o’clock, Emma, move it, I reminded myself. I had until five to deliver the envelope that was in my backpack to Club Eliseo, or I could kiss the delivery bonus goodbye. With my looming rent payment in mind, I pushed myself to go faster, swerving around cars and slow-moving pedestrians alike.
The club was situated between two art deco buildings. In the daylight, they were polished white stucco, framed by palm and mango trees. The roar of the waves hitting the beach was behind me. At night, I knew that they would be candy colors, pinks and greens and blues, from the bouncing neon lights. My mom had always been a fan of the white stucco fronts; she lived to take the historic tours that wove their way around South Beach. I always preferred the neon, personally. It made the buildings look like they were alive.
As I slowed my bike to a stop, I checked the digital watch strapped to my wrist — 4:45. “Suck it,” I said to no one in particular and dismounted.
My legs wobbled from the workout I’d just put them through. I held onto my bike while I found my footing again and, after smoothing out my helmet hair, I approached the club’s front door. I pulled on the handle and…nothing. The door was locked.Damn it.
I knocked, and for a moment, nothing happened. I’d never delivered a package to a club before: were people here this early? Why put a five o’clock deadline on something if no one was here to sign for it?
I rapped my knuckles harder against the dark wood, and after a moment, the door swung inward to reveal one of the largest men that I’d ever seen in my life. If the essence of “intimidating” could be molded into a human shape, this would be the guy. “What do you want?” His voice was low and gruff, matching the rest of him.
I pasted a smile onto my face. “Hi, I’m Emma with South Beach Deliveries,” I said in my best customer service voice. “I have a package for Mr. Angel Castillo.”
The door guard — bouncer? — looked unimpressed. He held out a hand. “I’ll make sure he gets it.”
My grip tightened on the envelope. The manila crinkled a little in my grasp, and I had to force my fingers to relax. I wasnotgoing to lose five hundred bucks by not following protocol. “Sorry, sir, but my contract says that I’m to give it to Mr. Castillo directly.Hehas to sign for it.”
The man swore in Spanish, and while I didn’t speak the language well, I did know that he said “whore” and “mother” in the same sentence, so it probably wasn’t positive. “Does it have to beAngelCastillo? I’m his brother. I’ll sign for it.”
I looked at the package giving my head a quick shake. “Angel Castillo is the name on my slip,” I said. “That’s the signature I have to get.”
The massive man glowered at me but finally stepped out of the way. “Well, come on,” he said and ushered me into the gloom of the closed nightclub. “Go wait at the bar,” the man instructed, pointing in a vague direction across the cavernous space. “I’ll get the boss.”
My eyes took a moment to adjust — the world outside was bright and full of sunshine, but it might as well have been midnight here — but I didn’t have to have perfect 20/20 to see just how lux the place was. Everything, from the platinum finishes to the dark, shiny wood of the dance floor, screamedexpensive.
I crossed the empty space, heading towards the bar that lined the entirety of one wall. One bartender was already behind it, cutting garnishes for the evening. He smiled as I approached. “Can I get you anything?” he asked. “We’re not technically open for another hour, but I can make you something. Would you like to try one of the house specials?”
I shook my head but slid onto one of the plush stools.I could never afford a cocktail in a place like this, I thought,even the well drinks would be out of my price range. But now wasn’t the time. “I’ve got to be able to bike back,” I said.
