Chapter 1
Grayson "Bruiser" Titus sat on the bench and carefully unwrapped tape from his hands. Teaching both self-defense and boxing in one day was exhausting; especially when you considered he did physical training or PT every morning with his SEAL team at Coronado. Crumpling up the sticky mess, he tossed it toward the back wall. "Two points," he muttered as the ball landed smoothly in the waste basket. Sitting back, he relaxed against the wall and stretched his legs out in front of him. Cracks and pops sounded loudly in the empty locker room when his abused joints complained. He may only be thirty, but getting older was hard on the body, even one in as good a shape as he was. Six foot, three with a well-defined physique, short, brown hair and dark green eyes, Bruiser knew he was a bit of a chick magnet. With his classical good looks, he could have just about any woman he wanted. The trouble was, he was getting tired of one night stands and dates that went nowhere. Seeing his longtime friend and former teammate, Maddox "River" Benson marry a few months ago had brought that fact home. He wanted the same kind of commitment that River and his wife, Joselyn, shared.
He ran his hand through his hair and realized he needed a haircut. Though encouraged by the Navy to not cut it military short to blend in better on their missions, Bruiser preferred his to be shorter than most. He would run by tomorrow and take care of it before the next class. He looked around the locker room and smiled. Spending time in community outreach was good for him. It kept him centered. Bruiser spent a good portion of his teenage years at a facility much like this one back in Atlanta where he met his mentor. Felix took time with him, teaching him how to be the kind of man Bruiser wanted to become. As a retired Navy officer, Felix had filled Bruiser's head with stories of exotic places and the overwhelming need to give back. It only stood to reason Bruiser would emulate his idol both in profession and morals. Bruiser wrinkled his brow as the familiar ache of loss clutched him. Losing Felix to cancer eight years ago still hurt.
Shaking his head, he brought himself back to the present and chuckled. His SEAL team thought Bruiser taught the class on fundamental self-defense to meet women. The truth was, he did it in honor of Felix and because it made him feel good to help a community. He loved to empower these women with the tools to defend themselves should the need arise. Bruiser had not once looked at any of his students with anything other than pride. Seeing a sixty-something woman take down a man twice her size and half her age was enough reward. He rubbed his chest through his dark blue tee-shirt and grimaced. That lucky shot hadn't exactly hurt, but it had caught him by surprise. He wasn't a fan of surprises. If there's one thing his twelve years in the Navy had taught him, it was that surprises could kill.
"Bruiser?"
Not even realizing he had closed his eyes, Bruiser was alert immediately. Sitting upright, he grinned at the fifteen-year-old boy standing in the doorway uncertainly bouncing from foot to foot. "Hey, Jayden. What's up?"
"Auntie Nat isn't here," Jayden said as he chewed on his thumb. "I'm supposed to go."
Jayden Parker was one of the regulars to the Community Center where Bruiser volunteered. Developmentally challenged, the boy was something of an artistic savant and took classes every day after school. Mrs. Claymore, the art teacher, swore he had already surpassed her abilities, but he continued to come every day. Bruiser, like every adult there, was completely awestruck by his ability. The boy's talent seemed limitless. Bruiser had a framed caricature Jayden had given him several months ago on his mantle at home. In it, a teenager was flinging Bruiser over her shoulder with a surprised look on his face. It always made him chuckle and remained one of Bruiser's favorite possessions.
Bruiser rose from his seat and crossed the room. He placed one massive paw on the boy's slight shoulder and squeezed gently. "No problem, I'll take you home."
Jayden's smile brightened the room. "Okay, Bruiser. Can I do the lights?"
"Sure. Let me get my bag first."
Retrieving his workout bag from his locker, Bruiser slung it over his shoulder and motioned for Jayden to precede him out of the room. Once they reached the door with 'Community Center' painted in faded and peeling black letters on the steel reinforced glass, Bruiser nodded toward the panel. "Go ahead. Do you remember which ones?"
Jayden grinned and pulled the access door open so quickly it bounced off the wall. "I remember," he called out over his shoulder. Sticking his tongue out of the side of his mouth, he punched the buttons causing the overhead lights to die until only three remained - the ones at each door of the room.
"Good job, buddy," Bruiser gave his brown hair a tousle. "You remembered exactly right."
Picking up his worn denim backpack covered in hand drawn artwork, Jayden rolled his eyes. "I told you I knew." Threading his arms through the straps, he wiggled his shoulders slightly until it settled between them. He waited as Bruiser stuck his head in the office to tell the manager he was leaving and was taking Jayden home. With a wave, Art wished them a good night and returned his attention to the computer on his desk.
Together they wound through the crowded lot until they reached Bruiser's maroon SUV. He unlocked the door, watched Jayden climb inside and buckle the belt. Bruiser dropped into his seat and looked over to the passenger side to ensure they were ready to go. He shook his head as the boy glanced at the cheap watch clasped on his wrist and sighed dramatically.
Bruiser started the engine and pulled out of the lot. "You're in a big hurry tonight."
Jayden grinned. "Livy is coming home." By the time the two pulled into the small bungalow owned by Jayden's great-aunt Natalie, Bruiser knew all about the girl home on leave from the Army. Or at least, he knew as much as Jayden did.
"Livy, Livy, Livy!" Jayden bolted out of the vehicle as soon as it came to a stop. Chuckling softly, Bruiser reached over and snagged the boy's backpack from the floorboard where he had forgotten it. He must be excited. Jayden never took more than three steps away from his beloved art supplies.
Exiting the SUV, Bruiser walked to the open door and knocked on the frame. A woman in her sixties with gray, curly hair and a pale, weathered face appeared.
"Bruiser, thank you for bringing Jayden home." Her eyes fell to the backpack, and she chuckled. "That boy would forget his head if it weren't attached. Won't you come in?" She took the bag from Bruiser's hand.
"Thank you, Auntie Nat. Only for a minute. I need to get back to base soon. Oh-four hundred comes early in the mornings." He followed her into the house, pausing a moment to close the door behind. She didn't live in the worst of neighborhoods, but it wasn't the best either. Leaving a door open, even with someone at home wasn't smart.
"Is your car acting up again? I can find the time to change out the starter this weekend."
She shook her head. "No, Livy's flight was delayed. I called the center to let them know I'd be late and Art said you had already left with Jayden." She motioned toward several bags on the floor. "We only arrived a few minutes before you. Have a seat, and I'll get you a glass of lemonade." She walked down the small hall toward the sound of voices in the back. "Jayden? Livy? Come out here. We have company."
Jayden appeared in the hallway. She lifted his pack and held it out. "Did you forget something?"
"Thank you, Auntie." Jayden grinned and took the bag from her. "Here it is, Livy. I need to show you my new ones. Come on." He waved. "Hi, Bruiser."
"I'm coming! Give me a second to put my civvies on!" A sweet voice exclaimed.
Jayden rolled his eyes as he dropped onto the sofa. "Girls..." he complained loudly.
Bruiser laughed and clapped him on the shoulder. "One day, you may not mind so much."
"Eww!" The look of pure disgust on the young man's face made Bruiser snort.
"Keep thinking that," Livy called out from the hallway. "Girls are all eww."
"Maybe not all." Bruiser nodded toward Olivia. "Your sister is a girl."
"No, she's a sister." Jayden retorted vehemently.
"Well thank you, Jaybug." She stepped into the room and smiled warmly at her brother. "It's nice to know I'm just a sister and not a girl."
Bruiser had seen photographs of Olivia on many occasions. Jayden had several he kept in his sketchbook along with the caricatures he created from them in his drawing class at the center. In them, the young girl had been shy, reserved and almost afraid. Given the life she had come from, it was no wonder. He didn't know a lot about their life before coming to live with Natalie, but he did know there was some incident with their mother resulting in Jayden leaving her care. However, he was having a hard time reconciling the photograph with the reality that currently stood in the room.
"Mr. Titus? I'm so pleased to meet you finally. Jayden and Auntie Nat have told me all about you." She held her hand out.
Dear Lord! The woman standing before him took his breath away. She was an angel, straight from Bruiser's dreams. Five foot-six with a lush, curvy frame. Her arms were toned where they showed below the sleeves of her pink shirt. He remembered that she was in the Army. That would explain her physical appearance, and though he was not normally one to pay attention to such things, he approved. As nice as her body was, it was her face that captured his attention. Skin the color of smooth dark caramel, large eyes of deep hazel with gold flakes, a cute button nose, full, lush lips a dark coral color and a heart shape face topped with a mass of chestnut hair falling to just above her shoulder blades. She was breathtaking. Feeling like an idiot for staring, Bruiser jumped to his feet and shook her hand. "Nice to meet you, as well, Miss Parker. Please, call me Bruiser."
"I'm Olivia or Livy." She volunteered as she sunk into a chair next to the sofa.
Jayden opened his pack and pulled out his sketchbook. Animatedly, he sat on the arm of the chair and started to flip through the pages, pointing out different things and methods he had learned. Bruiser watched her as she looked over the pages, a smile on her face while she asked him questions or made comments on his work. Bruiser could tell she loved her little brother very much.
Natalie entered the room with a tray which she placed on the table. "Freshly made lemonade. Well, fresh from the freezer. My old hands can't squeeze the lemons anymore."
He smiled at her as he took the glass. "It's perfect. Thank you, Auntie Nat."
Bruiser enjoyed listening to the family. It was something he missed. Well, maybe not exactly "missed" because how could you miss something you never had? There was a sense of belonging shared between the three. He mentally shrugged. He belonged to the U.S. Navy and his team. They were as close as any family could be. Realizing the direction his thoughts had turned, Bruiser stood. The last thing he wanted was to rain on Olivia's first day home. "I should be going."
Olivia escorted him out the door and to his vehicle. "Thank you for taking such good care of Jayden. Auntie Nat talks about you almost as much as she does Jayden. She thinks highly of you."
He laughed. "Natalie is quite the lady." He stood by his SUV and pressed the fob to unlock it. Stopping, he turned and looked at her. "Welcome home Olivia. I hope you have a wonderful visit."
"Thank you, Bruiser."
He glanced over and saw her watching him intently. Was it his imagination or was there a flicker of interest there? Her gaze traveled down his body and back to his face as she nibbled on her bottom lip. She blushed when he caught her checking him out, but didn't look away. His lip lifted in a grin. Oh yeah, there was interest in those deep hazel pools.
He hesitated a moment. Ah, what the hell, go for it. "I know you just got home, and you don't know me, but I'd like to change that. I was wondering if I could interest you in a cup of coffee tomorrow?"
Her eyes sparkled, and her face lit up. "Why, Mr. Titus, are you asking me out on a date?"
He scratched his bottom lip with a thumbnail then arched one eyebrow. "Maybe?"
Her laughter was light. She nodded. "I would love to have a cup of coffee with you. I only have a week home so was planning on spending tomorrow with Jayden. How about Saturday? We could start with coffee and see what happens."
He grinned and held out his hand. "Let me have your phone, and I'll put my number in."
She slid the device from her back pocket and handed it over. Bruiser punched in the digits and sent himself a text. "There, now I have yours as well. I'll see you Saturday about eleven? I have PT in the morning."
"Sounds good." She pushed the cell back into her pocket and left her hands in there. The position pushed her chest out slightly, causing the shirt to hug her body. Damn, she wasn't wearing a bra. The thoughts that raced through his mind made Bruiser bite back a groan. Olivia wasn't the type of girl who he could pick up for a single night. He had just met her, but already, he could tell she was something special. She was strong and resilient yet soft. There was a quiet strength he could already detect. He should be puzzled by the way she affected him. An enigma. Blowing out a breath, he turned and climbed into the SUV. Rolling the window down as he started the engine he gave her a wink. "See you on Saturday."
She waved with a big smile on her face. "See you then!"
Livy watched the huge SUV pull out of the driveway and disappear. Once it was gone, she squealed softly, and fist pumped the air. Bruiser had asked her out!
She felt she knew Bruiser pretty well from the letters and emails sent to her by Auntie and Jayden. She even knew what he looked like thanks to her little brother. Normally, he only drew a caricature of people, but six months ago his usual stack of drawings had contained a beautiful pencil sketch of the man who so influenced him. She had to admit, Jayden's talent was astounding. He had captured not only Bruiser's face but also his inner persona. Secretly, she had thought the artwork was exaggerating. No man could be as handsome nor have the honest sincerity Bruiser showed. Jayden once again had floored her in seeing his surroundings and portraying them with elegant precision. He had even managed to capture Bruiser's smoldering sexiness perfectly.
Thinking of her brother reminded Livy he was still inside, drawing "something special." She returned inside and sat beside him. Immediately, Jayden grabbed his sketchbook and clutched it to his chest. "Livy! You can't see yet," he cried out. Throwing her hands up she got up and went to help Auntie finish dinner. Jayden had the temperament of an artist to go along with the phenomenal talent.
Later that night, with dinner dishes finished and Jayden was tucked safely into his bed, Livy sat on the sofa talking with Auntie. They stopped mid-conversation when whimpers and cries from Jayden's room sounded in the air. They were quickly followed by a shouted, "No, don't." Livy looked at Auntie and saw the worry on her face.
"He still has the nightmares?" Livy hopped up from the sofa.
"This is the first one in weeks," her Aunt agreed. "Perhaps he got a little over excited today."
The line of worry deepened in Livy's face. "Or maybe it's me. My being here may be reminding him of how it was."
"You being here is good for him. Don't you dare think differently! That was a lot for anyone to suffer through, much less a little boy. It was hard for you both. I may not have been there that night, but I remember how shaken you both were when the police brought you to me."
"Old ghosts, Auntie. I just wish I knew how to exorcize them for him. I've learned to cope, but it still hurts him. I should have gotten him out of there sooner." Livy's voice broke at the last words.
"You did what you could. I shouldn't have allowed Nadine to take you away that last time. We both harbor a lot of guilt over things Nadine did. She's the one to blame here, Livy. Not you and not me."
Together, the two hurried down the hall. Livy disappeared into the bedroom she shared with Jayden when she was home. Sitting on the side of his bed, she pushed sweat-soaked curls from his face. "Jaybug?" she murmured.
"Livy! Don't hurt her please!"
Pain gripped Livy's heart. He was reliving that night again. Gently she shook him. "Jayden, wake up, honey. It's just a dream."
Jayden's eyes snapped open as panic filled them. Gasping for breath, he shot out of bed and bolted for the door. Thrusting his hands over his head, he cried, "Run, Livy!"
She vaulted over the bed and caught him. Wrapping her arms around him, she pulled him to the floor and rocked gently. "Jaybug, my Jaybug, it's me. It's Livy. We are safe."
Slowly he pulled his hands down and glanced around wildly. "Where's Momma?'
Her heart lurched. There was so much pain in his words. His suffering tore at her. "She's gone, honey. We live with Auntie Nat now, and we're safe."
Tears poured down his face as he clutched at her. He quietly sobbed as she continued to rock him. Looking over at the door, she saw Auntie standing with anger on her face. "He's okay, Auntie. Why don't you go ahead? I'll get him back in bed."
Auntie disappeared down the hallway, and Livy heard her in the kitchen puttering around. Soon, the sounds of the mixer came from down the hall, and she knew Auntie was baking something or another. It was a coping mechanism for her. She still blamed herself for not getting the two of them out of that apartment sooner. Livy sighed and pressed her lips to her brother's hair. Nadine Parker had almost destroyed three lives that night five years ago. Even though she and Jayden survived, they all still carried deep scars and she wondered if they would ever heal.