Haven's mouth dropped open. A look of horror and pity drew over her face. No, he didn't want her pity.

"Oh my God!" Her hoarse whisper played havoc on his nerves.

"Don't do that," he growled. "Don't look at me like I am some sort of victim. I'm a grown man, I've lived my life. I've suffered no ill effects from my experience."

She shook her head. "That's not true. No ill effects? Are you kidding me? What your mother did, the fall out it left behind, is ...