Gabby:

My father always told me I was his princess.

In his eyes, I could do no wrong. He said I was destined to have anything I wanted in this world.

All I wanted was the undying love of one man. Dominic West. He gave me part of him, but no matter how hard I tried, he would never give me more.

I should have walked away. Instead, all I did was make mistake after mistake.

When Dom continued to slip away, I got desperate. My play destroyed everything and completely annihilated my world and the people I loved.

Looking back, I don't even recognize the monster I became. Now I'm completely alone and that's for the best. I'm too empty for more.

King:

A good woman. A good life. Something real.

Those are the things I've always yearned for. I thought I found it, only to have it blow up in my face.

The day I was served divorce papers is the day I decided to stop reaching for more.

My brothers try to argue with me. They don't get it-even when I tell them I'm not the kind of man good things happen to.

Only one person has ever understood what I mean when I say that.

Gabby Cruz.

She gets it. She's damaged-just like me.

We spent one night trying to hold one another together. That's it.

Yet it meant more than I was prepared to admit.

I didn't think I'd see her again, but when I did, I felt something inside of me spring to life.

Everyone warns me to stay away from her. They say she's bad news.

I just see someone as broken as I am.

Tropes:

Older man younger woman

Broken heroine

Second Chance

Cinnamon Roll/Possessive Alpha Hero

Hard Fought Happy Ever After