Prologue
Justin Bieber. A 25-year-old boy, who was abandoned too soon from his parents. He felt lost and unloved. Finding his destiny in serving his country. He wasn't worth to be loved, at least that's what he himself believed. So what would it matter if he dies overseas fighting for the US Army? But he didn't give up, he wanted to become a better person, for himself and for his parents. Always hoping they would come back. What he didn't know was that the reasons for the disappearance of his parents wasn't him.
Leah Jackson, 22 years. Abused by her father, hoping never to see him again. In her early years, head over heels in love with a boy called Malakai Smith who was more dangerous than she had initially may expected. He protected her with his own life not just once and she felt safe with him. She shared everything with him, her first kiss, her first dance, even the first sex. She knew he was in danger; she knew she was too. Not realizing that he was the one who was dangerous. Being a target to everyone who wanted to hurt him, that's what she is. She believed he would be the love of her life, she was willing to do everything for him, until he changed. Brash and unpredictable gets Malakai to be her living nightmare. Reminding her more and more of her on father.
Olivia McMillen, a 23 old beauty from Las Vegas. One should think that such a beautiful woman, gets it all. But no, her naive and good-natured kind gets exploited, one to many times. From her family disgraced and expelled. Similar to Justin. With her low and broken self-confidence she is looking for support and love in males, who don't want to offer her any of that. Used and abused she is still trying to make the best out of everything. With the heart in the right place, she still believes in the good in people. Selfless and always willing to help others, she meets Justin. The man who needs someone currently. Who could be better than Liv?
"If you love me, you won't leave me."
Jessie has believed those words from her boyfriend, Josh, since senior year of high school. She loves him and doesn't want to leave him. Not even when he shouts at her and hits her. Jessie's best friend, Kolleen, can't stand seeing her in that situation.
With a bit of convincing - and the worst beating she'd ever received - Jessie agrees to move into an apartment with Kolleen. But not long after, Jessie is scared the worst of her nightmares will soon become a reality. Josh goes missing, and suddenly Jessie would swear she's being followed. One night changes everything, and one person soon changes Jessie's outlook.
A responding officer from that fateful night begins to seek her out, at first claiming it's part of his job. As she spends time with her new friend outside of his job, she starts realizing that her feelings are evolving. After being abused for over a year, Jessie is terrified she's falling in love. What's even more terrifying is that he might be, too.
She isn't ready for love. Not yet. She makes up her mind that if he is falling, and if he does love her, he'll wait for her to be ready, and if she loves him, she won't let herself hurt him.
Can the words that used to cage her in really be the key to her freedom?
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