Shattered Lives

<p><strong><em>Some damages can't be hidden...</em></strong></p><p> </p><p><u><strong>CHARLIE</strong></u></p><p> </p><p><strong>PTSD is a bitch.</strong></p><p> </p><p>I lived through sadistic horrors no one should be forced to endure. After my medical discharge from the military four years ago I thought my physical scars were the worst souvenir I'd have.</p><p> </p><p>I was wrong.</p><p> </p><p>Now I teeter on an emotional razor's edge. I'm terrified of men. I can't handle darkness. I battle night terrors flashbacks and panic attacks and I'm always armed to the teeth.</p><p> </p><p>Those bastards didn't just rape me. They destroyed me.</p><p> </p><p><u><strong>MARK</strong></u></p><p> </p><p> </p><p><strong>Career-ending life-changing injuries are a bitch.</strong></p><p> </p><p>An IED on a routine mission in Afghanistan left me fighting to survive. A lot of days I wish I hadn't. I lost everything - my career my home my brothers-in-arms my purpose.</p><p> </p><p>And of course my leg.</p><p> </p><p>Now I'm half a man useless worthless destined to spend my life alone. If it weren't for Charlie my best friend for more than two decades I'd end it all.</p><p> </p><p>Then I end up with a front-row seat to her devastating night terrors.</p><p> </p><p>Charlie's pain gives me a new purpose. She's helping me with my physical recovery. I'll help with her emotional recovery. I owe her too much to do anything else.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Especially since every bit of the hell she's been through is my fault.</strong></p><p> </p><p><u><strong>NOTE:</strong></u> This is Book 1 in a completed three-book series. These books need to be read in order. Charlie and Mark's journeys to self-acceptance will conclude in Book 3 of the SHATTERED trilogy.</p><p> </p><p><u><strong>NOTE:</strong></u><strong> </strong>This <u>series</u> ends with a HEA in the third book but the first and second novels do not have a HEA. </p><p> </p><p><u><strong>TRIGGER WARNING:</strong></u><strong> </strong>Please read the note from the author to see if this book is a fit for you. Specific trigger warnings are located inside this book. </p><p> </p>