He laughs. “You really want to defend him? C’mon, Delilah. Ask him about Lockton, South Dakota. Ask him about Worthington, Minnesota. Oh, see if he wants to tell you all about what happened in Jessup, West Virginia, that’s a fun one.”
I blink, my pulse racing. “What?”
“Ask him why they ran him out of town on a fucking rail, Delilah,” he snaps. “Maybe it’s because he bled them dry? Or because he fucked the minister’s wife, or the mayor’s daughter.”
My face falls, and he just shakes his head.
“You think Gabriel is just trying to make a buck? Just selling some pseudo-religious bullshit to hillbilly and podunk towns like Canaan?” His eyes narrow. “He’s a parasite, Delilah. And if you’re smart, you’ll stay away. But do what you want, I really don’t care anymore.”
I start to tear up, and I look away. Paul sighs.
“I’m not trying to hurt you, Delilah,” he says quietly. “But if you’re gonna cast me as a sinner, go look at the devil sitting under that tent.”