From the beginning of this story my heart and soul hurt for Malakai, for innocence lost, for pain endured, and a life no one should have to endure. I was so sad that he went through so much from an early age I wanted to fight for him, love him, and console him. Then when he gets a chance to change his life around, he does and meets Charlotte randomly saving her from falling into traffic while admiring his graffiti and the connection is instant between them. Years later fate seems to be bringing these two together as their paths cross in more than one way, but Malaki can’t fight his demons and doesn’t want to break Charlotte because to him she is perfection. Fighting attraction and chemistry he tries so hard not react to what he is feeling for her, but he can only be so strong against her. Malakai’s past still dictates his every move and decision still and the only way he knows how to handle his feelings to be cruel and ruthless, this causes Charlotte’s heart to break. Charlotte comes from a good family but in recent years it has slowly been declining with a mother sick, a twin brother fighting addiction, and falling for the guy she knows she shouldn’t her life feels in shambles. Yet, she is a fighter with strength like no other and she is willing to fight for her love if he would let her, but she knows she deserves it all or nothing. Can Malakai give her his love and heart, or his past going to drown him and haunt him forever? Can they find a way to be together or is all they can have are few fleeting memories? I enjoyed this emotional read so much, this is the first book I’ve read by this author, but I will be reading more. ( )