Completely Wrecked: A Dramatic Romance

by Shayne McClendon

  His arms were tight around her as he finally pressed inside and began to stroke. When they learned that she didn’t react well to birth control, they’d returned to condoms and it was bliss to feel all of him again.

  “Dylan…” she moaned his name as pure joy washed over and through her and his arms kept her safe.

  “My Lizzy…my perfect wife. How I love you. More and more every day.” He released his control and kissed her as he throbbed deep and hot at the core of her. “There is nothing that compares to being held by you, to receiving your kisses and your love.”

  He leaned back to stare down into her face and she stroked her fingers through his hair.

  Dylan smiled at her slowly. “I hope I made you pregnant, Lizzy.”

  “We might have to try for a little while.”

  “I don’t mind.” He started kissing her again, relaxed and vibrantly happy. When he hardened, he took her again.

  “I didn’t mean all at once, darling. You haven’t eaten, Dylan.” She chuckled but as he took her up again it turned to sighs.

  * * *

  Thirteen months later…

  When the time neared for the NYC Marathon, they took a relaxed drive up to Long Island and she was finally able to walk through the home she loved.

  For hours, she went through her son’s things and packed many away as keepsakes. Others, she donated to families she knew had very little.

  It was cathartic.

  Her little boy had been gone more than three years and only in the last year had she truly started to heal from the deep fracture in her heart.

  She gave Davis a room and told him to make a list of what he wanted it to look like.

  “We’re going to be here more often. I want to show you all the places I loved as a kid. You need your own space when we come up.”

  At fourteen, her darling boy was finally gaining height and mass. Dylan liked to tease that both the men in her family were “gaining mass” from her delicious cooking.

  In a drawer in her craft room, she’d found the card RJ made his older brother before he died. It was long past due but she handed it to him with a smile.

  “He knew how to write his letters and asked me to spell for him. It had to be exactly the way he wanted it. I know he would have adored you, Davis. I certainly do.”

  There were tears in his eyes as he looked at two stick figures on the cover. One was taller than the other and there was a sun shining in the corner.

  Davis we will be best friends.

  We will go to the park and you will push me in the swing.

  We will ride bikes and you can help me get the baby wheels off.

  Happy birthday and I love you already!

  Riley Donovan Clayton (RJ)

  After he read the words written in red crayon on light blue construction paper, he hugged Elizabeth for a long time. They were the same height and his tears fell on her shoulder.

  “Thank you for being my mom. I wish he could be here but I’ll make you proud enough for both of us and I’ll always remember him.”

  “Having you to love when I lost him helped more than you will ever know, Davis. I’m so proud of who you are already. As long as you’re safe and happy – that’s all I need.”

  * * *

  The three of them stayed at Donovan’s place in the city so they wouldn’t have to commute the next morning. The traffic the day of the marathon was always insane.

  This year, Elizabeth stood with Riley at the finish line – worriedly watching the runners come in.

  “Do you think they’re alright?”

  “Those three? Yeah, I’m sure they’re fine.” Riley bumped her hip. “Any one of them could take out three muggers.” He wasn’t kidding.

  Donovan had started training with her men and the Marines when they were in Florida six months of the year.

  “Don’t even joke, damn it.” She couldn’t help but laugh.

  Due in a few weeks, Elizabeth wasn’t able to run herself. It soothed her nerves to stroke her belly where her little girl impatiently waited to meet them.

  Riley gently rocked Nanette’s stroller that also held the ridiculous amount of snacks all the men insisted she carry with her at all times.

  The little toddler was blowing a pinwheel and not concerned in the slightest with all the people and noise. Her red hair and bright blue eyes made everyone assume that she was Riley’s biological child and none of them disputed it.

  Again, she went up on tiptoe to try to spot the trio.

  Riley shielded his eyes and said, “I think…is that them?” He pointed at a group of three in the distance. Two men outside supporting one in the middle.

  “That’s them! Who’s hurt? I can’t tell if that’s Donovan or Davis.”

  The closer the men came, they were able to tell that it was Davis being held between the two older men. He was red. The moment they crossed the finish, he refused everything until he made it to Elizabeth.

  “What happened? Davis, are you hurt?”

  She hugged him tight and realized he was trembling. The other two men looked almost violent.

  “Davis. Sweetheart, whatever it is, I have you, and no one is going to hurt you. Not ever. It’s alright.”

  Stroking his head, she murmured soothingly until he began to calm.

  Against her hair, he said, “She’s out. Somehow, she got out and she was there on the sidelines.”

  Everything inside her stilled because there was only one person who would have this effect on her remarkable son who had come so far in his healing.

  “Dylan?” He nodded. “What happened?” Then she shook her head. “Never mind. It doesn’t matter because she isn’t getting near you. Let me get my phone, Davis. Stay with me.”

  Wrapping her arm around his waist, she called the one man who worked above…and often below…the law.

  “Elizabeth, why are you calling me instead of celebrating?”

  “Donna James is somehow out of prison three years before she was supposed to be and we didn’t know about it, Hollow.”

  “Impossible. I have her flagged.” She heard typing on the other end of the line.

  Cupping Davis’s head with her other hand, she kissed his temple. “Hollow? I need to walk Davis around before he cramps and I have to get some carbs in him.”

  Gripping her phone tightly, she whispered, “A solitary cell with enough food and water to keep her alive. One arm cuffed to the wall. No interaction of any kind with others. Whatever it costs.”

  “Consider it done.”

  “Hollow?”

  “Yes, Mama Bear?”

  “Leave her a fresh blade as long as she can’t hurt anyone else.”

  There was a long pause. “Elizabeth…a twist I would not have considered. I’ll keep you posted.”

  “Thank you.”

  They disconnected and the four men stared at her with their eyes wide.

  “She is not to be harmed or killed but she will live out the remainder of her life in a basement of her own making.”

  Holding her son’s face, she stared into his eyes. “You and your father beat her. Do you understand? You won and that terrifies her. I should terrify her more because love is far more powerful than hate.”

  She kissed his forehead. “I’m so damn proud of you, Davis. Never forget…you are my son, not that animal’s. Don’t let her ruin today.”

  After they walked for a bit and the medals were handed out, Dylan took her aside. “I didn’t see her until he swerved off the street and jumped the barricade. She yelled his name, Lizzy.”

  Despite his years in the Marines and the job he did in security, she knew that there remained a kernel of fear deep inside her husband for the woman who had tortured him.

  It was understandable.

  Elizabeth would not allow Donna James to steal their peace and happiness. “I need you to let me take this one, Dylan.” She stroked her fingers through his hair. “I imagine Hollow’s men will have her inside a day.”

  �
��I think he would have killed her. If he hadn’t slipped on the wet manhole when he came down and sprained his ankle, I think he would have killed her. When I realized, I wanted to kill her myself.”

  “Ssh, Dylan. We’re going to be fine. For seven years, she experienced incarceration. Now she’ll get to experience justice.”

  “If anything happened to you or Davis…”

  Placing her fingers gently over his lips, she used one of Nana’s sayings. “Let’s not borrow trouble. I want to celebrate three of my favorite people running the marathon.”

  Hours later, they returned to the apartment and the men took turns showering. Her phone rang and she answered immediately.

  “Elizabeth. We have her.”

  “Let me speak to her.” He started to interrupt. “Let me speak to the woman who tortured my husband and my son right now, Hollow.”

  There was the sound of shuffling, a woman cursing, then heavy breathing on the other end of the line.

  Elizabeth waited in absolute silence for ten seconds.

  “Donna, I warned you. When I told you to stay away from Dylan, you should have intuited that my warning would also include his son…my son.”

  Inhaling deeply, she asked softly, “Do you remember the words I said to you that day, Donna?”

  She started to curse and Elizabeth told her abruptly, “Stop.”

  The sudden silence on the other end was followed by crying. Elizabeth thought about how losing RJ had caused such soul-deep pain she’d tried to take her own life to escape it. How his loss could blindside her unexpectedly even three years later and make it almost impossible for her to function until the sadness ran its course.

  This woman had tortured the children in her care. Beaten and abused them sexually, barely given them enough food and water to keep them breathing, and chained them in a dark basement.

  All her life, Elizabeth had tried to do the right thing. There was no doubt in her mind that she was doing the right thing now.

  “You will not be starved to death. You will not be beaten. You will not be raped. That is the extent of my mercy where you are concerned, Donna. Your evil is getting ready to devour you in tiny pieces. For every cruelty, every abomination you visited on my husband and child, you will sit in near darkness with no hope of ever being released. It is less than you deserve.”

  Then she hung up.

  Turning, she saw Dylan in the doorway. Davis stood beside him. They hugged her tightly and she didn’t mention the tears they shed.

  For the rest of the night, she worked to clear the sadness and pain from their eyes and eventually, they started to interact with everyone again.

  When they went to bed, Dylan held her incredibly tight all night long. Several times, he murmured, “My Lizzy…how I love you.”

  * * *

  The next morning, she stood up, stretched, and water gushed down her legs. One side of her mouth lifted in a smile. Nudging Dylan awake, she whispered, “Get ready to meet your daughter, darling.”

  His expression was sleepy, then confused, then his eyes went wide and he exploded from the bed.

  “It’s fine. I’ll shower and get ready to go. Wake the others gently, Dylan.”

  Gathering her clothes, she walked to the bathroom. When she glanced back, he was looking at her as if she was completely insane.

  “Lizzy…?”

  “Everything is good. Get dressed and we’ll leave when everyone is ready.”

  Pandemonium ensued while she was in the shower. She could hear them shouting, running, bumping into things. It made her smile.

  Calmly, she dressed and grabbed the go-bag she’d brought just in case she went into labor during their trip.

  Out in the living room, she grinned at the chaos of three grown men, one semi-grown, and a toddler in various stages of trying to help each other.

  Sitting carefully on the edge of the couch, she held her hands out for Nanette. The little girl wobbled over and placed her chubby hand on Elizabeth’s belly. They chatted together while Elizabeth straightened the toddler’s clothing, took down her ponytail and put it back up, and stood.

  Smiling down at her, she asked, “All set?” Nanette nodded. “Let me help the others. They look nervous.”

  So saying, she smoothed Davis’s hair and helped him re-button his shirt. Dylan’s belt was twisted in the loop.

  Finally, Riley and Donovan caught her calm and moved deliberately and carefully to get them out the door. Twenty minutes later, she was walking through the emergency room doors.

  Four hours later, she delivered a healthy baby girl and they named her Julia Carol Lang.

  The new father and brother were fascinated by their newest member of the family and Elizabeth found it charming.

  “She’s so pretty and…really little. Davis, look how tiny her fingers and toes are. I’ve never held anything this small before. I’m slightly terrified, to be completely honest.”

  “Dad, do not hand her to me. I drop my phone all the time.” Her son was white as a sheet and his eyes screamed his certainty that he would likely drop and break his new sibling.

  They’d be alright.

  Dylan kept glancing down at their baby and up at Elizabeth. “Thank you, Lizzy. I love you so much. I’m going to take such good care of the three of you. You can count on me.”

  His happiness glowed from his stunning eyes.

  That was when a realization clicked into place. Something Elizabeth had never considered in almost twenty-five years slammed into her brain and filled her heart beyond capacity with love for Dylan.

  Since the first day she’d met him, she’d been taken with the beauty of his copper penny eyes. So rare and reflective, indicative of the soul he possessed.

  They never met outside school until that day in the park when they were eighteen and he always sat across the room.

  The only way Elizabeth could have spent so much time looking into Dylan Lang’s eyes was if…

  Every time she looked at him…he was also looking at her.

  About Dramatic Romance

  Completely Wrecked was my first true “romance novel” – most of what I write is erotica with a unique feel to it. I deal with difficult themes and put my characters through hell. I give them steamy sex scenes to make up for the bruises. There are “ugly cries” involved…and having tissues on hand is suggested.

  Dramatic romance is not so different. There is less sex because it doesn’t always “fit” the story but there remains strong characters as well as a story that might rip out your heart before putting it back together again.

  With that said, if you enjoyed Completely Wrecked – check out some of my other work. Right now, the most closely similar to this story is The Hermit – strong story, less sex – but others are also filled with ugly cries (if you’re into that).

  Keep reading for a free excerpt of The Hermit.

  Trigger Warning: This book deals with themes that may be difficult for some readers. However, know that scenes are not described in graphic detail nor are they glamorized for titillation.

  The Hermit: Prologue

  Steven was always so gentle.

  Daphne’s best friend often told her about explosive orgasms and she didn’t think she’d ever had one, but he was good to her and she loved him.

  She watched her husband above her, felt him inside her, and relished snuggling while he made love to her in a steady rocking motion that felt nice, if not explosive.

  “Steven, that feels really good. I missed you today. I couldn’t keep myself from thinking about getting you back in the tent,” she murmured and nuzzled his ear.

  He stopped his rhythmic thrusts and lifted his face with a frown. “Daphne, you know it breaks my concentration when you talk. I have to focus or I can’t go as long.”

  There was a little wrinkle between his eyes that announced he was truly annoyed with her.

  “I mean, if you want to talk after, or whatever, that’s fine. It’s weird to talk during. Normal people don’t do
that.”

  Placing her hand on his cheek, she smiled. “Okay, Steven. I’ll be quiet.”

  Daphne was a giver. There were some who had gone so far as to call her a doormat. Pleasing the people she cared about gave her purpose and made her feel like she had her own little place in the world.

  Her whole life, she’d been that way and she wasn’t about to start regretting it now.

  Steven made love for much longer than her first boyfriend did in high school. Henry only lasted about three minutes. Her husband could go as long as ten before the sexual tension built to a point where he had to climax.

  Wanting to touch him, to feel a stronger connection, she reached inside the sleeping bag they were cocooned in, put her hands on his ass, and pulled him harder into her.

  For one instant, she felt the beginning of something truly wonderful. The hint of a possibility she’d never felt before.

  “Daphne, I’m coming…oh damn, that feels so good. There it is, honey.”

  She felt his semen coat her body a moment before he collapsed over her chest. She sighed silently. They stayed that way until Steven had nothing left and then he rolled away to lie at her side. His forearm went over his eyes.

  His voice in the darkness several minutes later startled her. She’d been certain he’d fallen asleep as per his usual habit.

  “Did you do that on purpose, Daphne?”

  “Do what?” she asked him, honestly confused.

  “You pulled me…made me bump in harder and it made me come too soon. I only lasted six minutes that time. You know I like to draw it out.” He rolled on his side and propped his head on his hand. “Did you come?”

  She nodded, lying to him as she did so often to preserve his feelings, and rolled to face him.

  “I love when you make love to me, Steven, and it’s always very good. Why do you worry so much? Were you really timing yourself?”

  He closed his eyes. “I want it to be good for you. I know I wasn’t your first.”