He'd been dead for years.

Billy Pearson's cover for the work he did for the CIA had come at a high price. Betrayed by the CIA, he was dead to all who used to know him. Guardian gave him the opportunity to start over. However, the new doctor assigned to the training annex has an uncanny resemblance to the woman he once loved. That sucker punch left Billy raw. He didn't want to be around her, to feel the emotions again, or to grieve.

She celebrated the living.

Lillian Montrose loved working with warriors, especially her Guardian charges. But she'd never had one treat her like Billy did. The man had a chip on his shoulder from the moment she walked through the door. His negative attitude practically slapped her in the face. Putting aside her initial attraction, Lillian wasn't sure she wanted to break through the questions and disposition surrounding Billy.