Destructive Silence: Based on a True Story

By L.U. Ann

If you never speak of the past, can it be erased?

Lacey Edwards has a past.

A past that changed her life forever.

A past she wants desperately to forget.

Lacey is quiet and reserved compared to her best friend Becca Fox. They became instant friends when Lacey moved to Maryland nine years ago. Becca helped pull Lacey out of her introverted shell to experience life. By high school, Lacey was active in the club scene and would occasionally have to drag Becca with her. One night, Lacey realized she might be able to run from her past with the help of Becca and sexy Caine Rogers.

Lacey didn't know just how much emotions, honesty, and heartbreak, could change a person. Lacey has Becca’s support, but is that enough?

Will Lacey sacrifice her own happiness to do what is expected?

***Warning***This novel contains explicit language, sexual situations and abuse that some might find offensive.

• Language: English
• Publisher: L.U. Ann
• Release date: Aug 16, 2013
• ISBN: 9780989849630

L.U. Ann

Author L.U. Ann recently moved to Colorado from the Eastern Shore of Maryland with her husband and two children. Life in Colorado is so much different. In Maryland you would find her in the garden tending to her vegetables and flowers, sea glass and shark tooth hunting once a week and enjoying the kids swimming in the backyard. Our lives took a drastic change moving to "Our Little House on the Prairie" at an elevation over 6,000 and the semi-arid climate makes it hard to grow anything. While barely anything can grow where she resides now, the wildlife makes up for it. Mountain Lions and coyotes and rattlesnakes, oh my! She tries to spend a little time each day writing but domestic chores around the house usually take precedence. She would much rather hide them from her husband. She tends to her loving four-legged friends, who at times become much too demanding when she locks herself in the office. This often results in MORE domestic work; cleaning up after their deviant behavior. At night, you’ll find her begging the kids to go to bed so she can catch up on the latest book before her sister can. Yes, she is an avid reader who escapes her chaotic but wonderful home to the feisty depths of romance land in search of her newest book boyfriend. Shh, don’t tell her husband! She is an artist by the grace of God. She worked as a set designer for six years, helping establish a local children's theatre where she was the scenery artist, set, and prop designer. Before that you would find her covered in paint so engrossed in painting a mural, time didn't exist. Graphic design is her guilty pleasure. Destructive Silence is her debut novel. It is one of three books in The Destructive Series. Each book will hit its reader with lots of angst hoping for a happily ever after.

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Destructive Silence

By L U Ann

Destructive Silence Copyright © 2013 by L U Ann

Smashwords Edition

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the authors’ rights.

Disclaimer: This is the work of fiction. All characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or locales are entirely coincidental.

The author acknowledges the trademark status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

ISBN-13: 978-1500485849

ISBN-10: 1500485845

Cover Artist: Lori Hall-Underwood

Cover Photographer: Desiree Delgado

Published by L U Ann at Smashwords

Smashwords Edition License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your enjoyment only, then please return to Smashwords.com or your favorite retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Dear Readers,

Thank you so much for purchasing Destructive Silence and wanting to read Lacey’s journey from a naive teenager to adulthood. Many scenarios might appear far-fetched to the average reader. I ask that you keep an open mind as people react differently to each and every situation.

This is not only Lacey’s story, it’s mine. I hope you can take something away from this book and use it as a gift, if not for you, but possibly a friend or family member.

Happy reading!

LU Ann

aka Lacey Edwards

*~*~*

Disclaimer

This is the first book in A Destructive Novel Series. Reading order: Destructive Silence, Destructive Choices and finally Destructive Release. This series contains mature adult content which at times is dark. Hard life events are discussed and briefly described. If you are unable to read the material with inferences of rape, suicide, physical and emotional abuse, please do not purchase. If you can handle it, welcome to destruction aka the fact-based fictional world of LU Ann.

THE WORLD OF BECCA

Glossary of Becc-lish

Lacey’s best friend Becca has a language all of her own which she refers to as Becc-lish.

‘Becc-lish’ is derived from words spoken in today’s society that are defined in the Urban Dictionary. Below is a list of the words used throughout the story.

Smexy: Smart and sexy.

Screwphemism: A euphemism for having sex.

Shituation: A bad situation.

Worricane: An intense and long lasting bout of worrying.

Fapulous: Orgasmic, amazing, and awesome.

Date-a-thon: The act of dating on a regular basis.

Bang Piece: Something you consider totally awesome.

Grabbastic: Having the qualities of a playground game of grab-ass except this is more intimate.

Fuckwit: A person who is lacking a clue but apparently unable to acquire due to having it handed to him on a plate in generous portions.

Domestic Blindness: Can’t find an item.

Annoyer-in-chief: Top asshole in power, dedicated to making the lives of people under his power as miserable as possible.

Keep it 100: To keep yourself real and true, to be honest and stick to the way you are, no matter what anyone thinks.

Annoyertating: Annoying and irritating at the same time. Total frustration.

Ear Worm: A song that is stuck in your head.

Puzzle Butt: A girl with an ass that is kind of unattractive but you can't stop starring at it. And later when you think back to the event you find yourself puzzled as to why you looked for so long.

Circle the Drain: To gradually die.

Hit me on the Hip: Calling someone on their cellphone.

E-void: To avoid someone electronically such as on Facebook, email, IM or text message.

Deligious: A food or beverage that is so delicious that ingesting it is akin to a religion experience.

Sucka free: Single Status, female.

Break the Glass: Pulling out the big guns, emergency plan.

Sexpectation: The state of anticipating or expecting sexual intercourse from a social encounter, be it a date, a party, or a booty call. It describes a period of optimistic waiting that is just shy of a sure thing.

Assvice: The unwelcomed and unsolicited advice given to someone.

Eyeolating: When you’re checking out a guy so vigorously that you violate them.

Window Eating: Act of standing in front of the fridge with the door open over-excessive amount of time and then closing the door without getting anything.

Snarf: To take something that one perceives as off limits. Usually having to do with food and beverage.

Prexhausted: Preemptively exhausted by just thinking about something.

Wallblocker: Someone who stops suddenly in front of you making you crash into them.

Quarter Life Crisis: Mid-youth crisis.

Kissalicious: A state of euphoria coming from two sets of lips meeting that match unlike any other in the history of the Universe.

Fabularious: Fruity combination of fabulous and hilarious.

Get buck/Buck on his ass: To become extremely angry and vow consequences upon those who have caused you nuisance.

Earjacking: Eavesdropping on a conversation that you have no business hearing.

PROLOGUE

What is life all about? Is it a journey or just something that you have to get through? It seems like a voyage to everyone around me. A blissful life filled with happy memories occurring on an indefinite timeline. To me, life is more like a struggle to get through each day. Timelines don’t exist for me; instead, I just make an educated guess as to when and where I will do anything.

Ten years ago, I moved here with my family from the great sunshine state, Florida. Dad had gotten a new job, so the entire family packed up and moved. Our family consisted of Mom, Dad, and my older sister, Lane. We left behind extended family, friends, and the only place I’d ever known to move to Maryland, the Old Line State. I wasn’t thrilled to be leaving the white sandy beaches for the hectic lifestyle and smog of Baltimore, but I met new friends along the way and tried to make the most of the move. Everyone told me I had an accent, which I thought was loony because everyone else sounded funny to me.

There was one thing I needed, more than anything, to leave behind, but as long as I was silent, I could try to pretend it didn’t happen.

A couple of years before we moved, Mom had a serious spill on the stairs at work. She suffered a number of neck and back injuries because of the fall. She had two surgeries before we moved and was scheduled for another a month or two after our arrival in Maryland. Because we were new to the area and knew very few people, Mom asked the mother of one of my classmates’ to watch over Lane and me for the weekend. Even though Lane and I were fully capable of taking care of ourselves while she recovered and our dad worked, I was so happy she did.

The girl from my class with whom I stayed was Becca Fox. We became the best of friends ever since that weekend. It just so happened that Lane and Becca's sister, Trish, became friends, as well. The Fox family and our family became extremely close; this helped ease some of the hardships of the move. What wasn't so great was that Lane and Trish were so close too. I loved my sister, but I couldn’t be around her all of the time. It didn’t take long for the four of us to get on each other's nerves and to begin raising hell amongst one another. Becca and I snuck around and spied on Lane and Trish; it was so much fun to use what we found out against them! Sometimes we even pulled pranks on them. There was nothing like watching your sister’s eyes pop out of her head when she opened a drawer and found a live snake inside. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, sometimes a little too much, until it was time for them to exact their revenge. All four of our parents were ready to pull out their hair, but Becca and I couldn’t understand what the big deal was. We thoroughly enjoyed torturing our sisters and felt they should appreciate our creative efforts, though we were less than fond of the retaliation; after all, we were little kids. So our parents came up with a plan wherein we would alternate weekends at each other's house. If Becca and I were at my house, Lane and Trish would be at hers. It worked out great. Boring, but great. And it made life much easier for our parents.

Upon moving to Maryland, mom and dad transferred me to another Catholic School. I’d been attending private schools since preschool, and I’m in my senior year now, attending an all-girl Catholic Prep School with Becca, which also happened to be the same school Lane graduated from two years ago along with Becca’s sister, Trish. I spent my school days engrossed in my class work. Never an overachiever, I got good grades, and for the most part, I did what I was supposed to do. Art was my favorite subject and I could easily lose myself in painting. I was actually in the gifted and talented program at school for my artwork. It was a nice distraction from the normal teenage drama of boys, and I avoided that particular drama like poison.

My parents owned two boutiques in the area. One store was close to our home in Elkridge and the other was on the opposite side of Baltimore city. It was a great business for them and I helped by covering shifts, stocking merchandise, cleaning, inventory, and the whole nine yards. Lane and I had a strong work ethic. We also knew how much pain our mother endured every day, which was another reason we were so willing to help. Lane and I were extremely close to our mom. Although our dad had been around all of our lives, we were just closer to our mom. I didn’t know why, but he had a hard time holding down a job for most of my life. For now, he ran the store on the other side of Baltimore while mom stayed close to home managing the one in Elkridge. Lane and I traveled between the two as needed.

Keeping busy helped me to find solace in my solitude. I didn’t like sitting around doing nothing or being bored, and I never relaxed. All that did was give me time to think, which led me to mentally torment my mind, body and soul. I needed a distraction to escape and to hide from my silence. Lately, that distraction involved extremely loud music and hours of endless dancing. I loved going to the local clubs. I never went to flirt or meet boys; I went to lose myself in the music running through my body on the dance floor.

My fight with silence and boredom caused me to act out impulsively, which resulted in a chain of events that changed the fantasy plan that my parents had for my life.

CHAPTER ONE

The Meet

The late-November cold air attacks me as I get out of the car, causing me to pull the edges of my coat tighter. Becca and I run up to the long line of shivering people waiting to get into the club that looks more like an abandoned warehouse than a thriving nightclub. The bouncers at the door check everyone’s ID, giving a stamp for those ‘21 & up’. I don’t feel like drinking tonight, so I’ll refrain from using my fake ID. I am only nineteen years old after all. Security cameras litter the outside of the warehouse in this shady part of the city. I don't know why, but I always feel safe coming here. It's not the best location in Baltimore because it sits on the outskirts of the Inner Harbor. The parking lot has barely any lighting and I’ve never once seen a police car patrol the area, but that doesn't faze me. I guess I'm dumb and naïve, but I always try to be aware of my surroundings. If my mother and father knew where their youngest daughter actually was right now, they would have a heart attack for sure. I guess they think they've raised me to be more responsible and level headed, but we all have to live a little, right? Right.

I crave excitement. I've always been the wild child of the family. Lane walks the straight and narrow, whereas I take the road with lots of twists and turns. I am a good girl, though. I believe in God and try to live my life right. I have a big heart and attend church every Sunday, maintaining a solid B in my religion class. Unfortunately, this does nothing to curb the wild streak inside me that aches for release. I especially have a tough time controlling myself around music. That is why I am here after dragging my best friend Becca out to enjoy the night with me. Clubbing, dancing, and throbbing music are the only things that seems to satisfy my craving.

Tonight Becca and I are dressed to impress. I am wearing a simple black dress that fans slightly from the waist down, making it easy to dance, and black boots that stop just below my knee. They aren’t the most comfortable shoes to dance in, but they complement my outfit beautifully. Sometimes fashion must override comfort, in my opinion. I pinned my loose red curls back to give myself some relief while dancing my ass off. Becca is dressed a little more daring in her red form fitting dress and matching heels. How she is able to dance in an outfit like that is beyond me. I would feel constricted and uncomfortable, but Becca wears it well. Her beautiful jet-black hair falls gently around her shoulders, in its usual large curls. I’m sure we’ll turn a number of heads tonight.

The club is packed and the scent of sweat attacks my nostrils. Walking through the large sea of bodies quickly warms me from the frigid temperatures outside. First things first, we stop at the coat check. I place my coat ticket, along with my money and license, securely in my cleavage since my outfit is lacking pockets. Becca and I settle for a spot in the back just off the dance floor where we can take a moment to absorb the sights. It’s still early, and there aren’t many people dancing, so I make my way to the bar. After ordering our waters, I head back to our table. We take in the crowd while sipping our drinks, noting the faces around us and growing antsy to get our groove on the dance floor. Some people I recognize from previous visits, but there are a number of fresh faces. Not everyone is dressed to make an impression; some are a little too casual for this scene and my taste. They make no apologies for their appearance and to me that speaks about their confidence and self-image. Becca puts her hand on my arm, bringing my attention away from the room.

You ready? she asks. I nod. It's high time we get out there.

Nothing can get me on the dance floor faster than hearing ‘You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)’ by the British band Dead or Alive stream through the loud speakers. More bodies appear to be joining the fray. I close my eyes to let the music flow through me and take over my body. My hips, arms, and legs are moving in sync with the beat. Another song smoothly transitions over the loud speakers. The lights skipping across the club pulse in time with the music. I've completely lost myself, unaware of anything other than the music running through my veins. This is my escape, my heaven. I'm not timid or shy on the dance floor. I may not be one of the best dancers, but based on the number of guys pooling at my feet, I would guess I'm not half bad. Not that I care one way or another. Dancing should always be fun. It doesn’t require a special skill; just relax and feel the beat.

Several songs later, Becca nudges me and mouths 'let's take a break.' It isn't until I stop that I consciously feel the effects of dancing. Sweat is beading on my skin and trickling down my back. The underside of my long red hair is wet. I think I need a break too. Becca orders us waters, getting a saucy smile from the bartender who winks at her when he returns with our drinks. I smile, catching the unspoken language between them. Maybe Mr. Bartender will get a break later and join her on the dance floor. We step aside to enjoy the sight of the dancing masses, observing the sea of bodies gracefully expressing movements like the waves of an ocean.

I was more than aware of Becca sneaking glances back at the bar. She wasn’t watching the mob of people ordering drinks. Instead, she was watching Mr. Hot Cheeks Bartender. He was such a hotass. Turning my attention back to the dance floor, I watch the seductive yet sweaty mob move to the beat. Some of the couples look as though they need to get a room. People are not shy, and I cannot believe what I'm seeing. A smile creeps on my lips as I witness the audacious behavior of certain dancers this evening. It must be a full moon. A few of these moves are mind blowing. It's difficult to stand still with the distinct melody vibrating in my ears. I find myself swaying back and forth, following their movements in time with the music. I need to let loose the pent up emotions in my body threatening to raise hell. Yep, this Catholic girl is tapping into her wild streak.

Becca moves to throw her bottle of water away, breaking me from my inner thoughts. As she walks back to where I'm standing, I see her take another glance at the bartender. She definitely has the eye for a certain man tonight. As Becca turns away, I watch her give him a sexy, unabashed smile. With twinkling eyes, she looks over her shoulder to flirt and turns her head slightly to expose her neck. She is such a fucking tease! Becca is gorgeous with her natural loose curls framing her face. Her large, dark eyes sparkle with so much life. Most of us would die for a rocking body like hers, and she carries herself with such confidence. We've been best friends since elementary school so I know that she has one of the biggest hearts and is a total catch for any guy.

Becca tries to talk over the music and says what sounds like, Lacey, come on. It’s time to get back out there, while pulling me onto the dance floor.

Okay! I yell back smiling.

I feel like I can breathe again as soon as I plant my feet on the dance floor and begin to get lost in my bubble. Bodies are everywhere, invading my personal space. Moving my arms fluidly towards the ceiling, I allow my shoulders and hips to pump to the beat. God, I love this feeling... Whoa! I yell, startled by the break of my bubble. I cannot stand it when guys think they can just grab your hips as an invitation to start dancing with them. Hello? As if!

Turning around to push off the jerk wad who is trying to feel me up, I stop dead in my tracks. I've never seen him before. His gaze is soft and sexy as hell, allowing me to drink in his features: dark, gorgeous hair with matching thick brows, heavy dreamy eyes, and long narrow nose.

Holy shit, this guy is every girl’s fantasy come true! He’s sporting a tight, faded, blue t-shirt that shows off his defined muscles. Paired with it are dark jeans slung below his trim waist and boots that finish the look. He’s fucking sex on a stick.

I cannot take my eyes off him. His amber eyes, surrounded by thick eyelashes, are staring into mine. Damn, he has bedroom eyes. He slowly begins to move closer, allowing our bodies to slightly touch while a smile plays on his lips. Oh those lips! He has perfectly plump, kissable lips that I want to taste... What? Lacey stop! Holy shit, he wants to dance with me.

After what feels like hours, days, weeks, or months, he puts his hand on my hip to pull me in and remove the remaining space separating us. I gasp at the shot of electricity that runs through my body. We begin to move. Our eyes lock on one another. I can feel the strong, emotional desire in his firm stare. It takes everything I have in me to blink. His grip is powerful, and when he takes control of our movements, I feel as though I'm spiraling into an abyss.

I've never experienced such an intense emotion of wanting before. Oh my God, can he move! My mouth goes dry, and my heart races. We move together in unhindered beauty and harmony. He suddenly runs the back of his fingers down my cheek causing my lips to part. My chest is heavy. I reach up and place my hands on his upper arms to steady myself. Oh my, his arms are big! Thinking about what Mr. Dreamy can do with those arms causes me to catch my breath. He moves his thumb along my bottom lip. The simple touch makes me close my eyes for a moment and I allow myself to feel the passion. I’m numb to the crowd and activity surrounding us. His gaze moves to my lips as he licks his perfect mouth. My blood is pumping fast and quickly heading to the pit of my stomach.

Mr. Dreamy captures me in his trance as he lowers his head. Oh my God, he's going to kiss me! His lips are soft, only gently brushing mine. Even though he was gentle, we are both out of breath from one brief kiss filled with so much anticipation. We rest our foreheads together, staring into each other's eyes. We've yet to speak as our bodies imply the unspoken words, conveying pleasure, surprise, desire, and an unmistakable need. He brings his hand around to the small of my back, intensifying the electricity running through my body. The moment is stimulating. He moves his other hand to the back of my neck, reaching under the length of my hair and pulling my head forward. I lean, in accepting his invitation. He probes my bottom lip with his tongue, requesting entrance. My body gives up all conscious thoughts and I let him in. His tongue slowly slides in to meet mine. Our tongues dance, and I think my legs are going to fail me. Oh my, he can kiss too! I have no idea what happened to the good Lacey. Desire has taken over, and I am no longer responsible for what is happening. Oh dear God! I need to get myself together before I have my way with him on the dance floor. I don't know this guy, but there is definitely a physical attraction. Oh...

Mr. Dreamy twirls my body around so that my back is against his chest. He places one of his hands on my lower stomach, shooting flames through me with his touch. His other hand takes mine, lifting it to wrap around his head. Oh my God! I can feel his excitement against my backside. His fingers slowly skim their way down my arm, proceeding to the side of my body and upper thigh, finally coming back up to rest on my hip. His shoulder supports my head, allowing me the opportunity to look up at him. I can see the intense need pooling in his dancing eyes. I think I've lost all inhibitions as the tingles increase on my stomach where his fingers touch. Our legs tangle and we grind into one another as if we cannot get close enough. We have disappeared into our own ecstasy. When the song ends, I try to step away, attempting to regain my composure. I turn around to look up at him through my eyelashes. We still haven't spoken

Reviews for Destructive Silence

[Sarah · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Ok I enjoyed this book thanks. Very scary man Caine is