When Sebastian pulled into the parking lot of the apartment complex where he hoped to start a new life after six years trapped in an emotional hell, all he wanted was to live out his days in quiet solitude.

That went out the window when he came face to face with Aria, a leather-clad goth transgender woman who towered over him and whose dark brown eyes burned with the anger that had been her constant companion since childhood.

But the flames of that anger were doused the instant Sebastian told her, "You're beautiful." No one had ever spoken those words to Aria. Considered a freak by most people, she had few friends and intimidated everyone she met.

Except Sebastian.

Neither of them wanted companionship or expected to ever find happiness. And yet, as the unlikeliest of pairs who shared common interests and deep emotional and physical scars, they did.

At least until the nightmare of a past they unknowingly shared caught up with them.