Julianna Ortiz gave up her hopes for a perfect life long ago. She's 32, and alone, and she's accepted that. For how could she ask anyone to share in the absurdity that has become her life? Her twin brother is languishing in a Mexican prison. His fellow gang members are constantly harassing her. And her father, who was absent for so long, has finally returned.

As if Julianna needs another aggravation, along comes a notorious gunslinger who goes only by the Spanish name DelNorte. Their first meeting is frustrating. So much so that she'd rather see him dead than talk with him again—a wish that almost comes true.

Yet this enigmatic man just may hold the key to saving all that matters most to her.