Dark Lover (Black Dagger Brotherhood, #1)

by J.R. Ward

Some bridges you crossed on your own, no matter who drove you to the edge.

Z was one giant, violent fuck-you to the world. A walking, sometimes talking, usually cursing SOB who took hatred, especially toward females, to new levels. Fortunately, between his scarred face and his skull-trimmed hair, he looked as scary as he was, so folks tended to get out of his way.

Welcome to the wonderful world of jealousy, he thought. For the price of admission, you get a splitting headache, a nearly irresistible urge to commit murder, and an inferiority complex. Yippee.

The truth wasn’t a target he could eliminate. And it wasn’t her enemy, even though it hurt her. It just…was.

Humans are threatened by anything different, and their response is to fight. They’re bullies, picking on the weak, cowering from the strong.”