Chapter 67

• **Gabe's POV**
• I gently combed my fingers through her hair, holding her close in an attempt to comfort her as best I could. She deserved a father who loved her unconditionally, not that penedejo Joel. I might be a ruthless killer and many other vile things, but I’d fight to the death for her. I’d kill for her. I’d do whatever it took just to see her smile. Joel’s world revolved around drink. Mine revolved around her. We were not the same.
• “You are stronger than you think,” I whispered, my lips grazing her cheek as I spoke. “And you deserved so much better than what he did to you.” I hesitated a beat before finally revealing, “I didn’t know…the role my father played in slandering your mama’s name. Evelina…when I came to your Quince’…I was an angry, desperate young man. My mamma pinned all her hopes on me. Getting back at Sinclair was my responsibility…” I took a steadying breath, realizing I was sharing parts of myself with her I’d never shared with anyone. “I realized later how wrong it was to try to kill an innocent person to get revenge. You were faultless. Everyone was. But I was misguided and so full of hate. I still am…but I don’t want to be a monster for the innocent.”