Completed By Love: Love Series, #7

By Ivy Blacke

Arianna doesn't trust easily.  She closed off her heart a long time ago after losing her mother.

She tried her hand at a relationship once before, and it didn't work out.  That was a mistake she'll never make again.

So, she wrote off love.  

That is until she met a one night stand that made her heart stop and her body ignite.  

One night of passion is all it was supposed to be.

 

Trae is an ex Navy Seal, and is working a private security job. 

He's good at what he does, but nothing can prepare him to come face to face with her again.

 

He couldn't get this girl out of his head, and now she's all he wants. But what you want doesn't come easy.  The girl of his dreams is being hunted by a Mafia madman with a grudge for her father.

 

What happens to Arianna when her walls come down?  Will Trae be able to protect her and give her the love she deserves?  Or will tragedy steal their chance to be Completed By Love?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ivy Blacke
• Release date: Apr 1, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201683818

Ivy Blacke

Ivy Blacke is from Pennsylvania and always enjoyed reading, writing and using her imagination.  She dreamed of publishing a book one day and decided to take a chance and started writing and hasn't stopped.  She enjoys sharing her stories with friends and family who have encouraged her to share with everyone because they laugh, they cry and they love the creativity of her writing.   She is married to a man who supports her in her love of writing and she loves that he tries to understand her creative side and encourages her to write what's in her heart.

Book preview

A person and person kissing Description automatically generated

Completed by Love

Trae & Arianna

By

Ivy Blacke

Copyright © 2022 Ivy Blacke

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, and places are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Cover by Leah Holt

Editing and formatting by Double A Author Services

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

Chapter 40

Epilogue

About the Author

Dedication

This book is being released on my Mom’s birthday. Completed By Love took me a bit to get just right, but like my mom always taught me, good things come to those who have patience. My mom is a woman who is stronger than I’ve ever known. Her life has never been easy.

Never having family to really be there for her. There were a few exceptions, but for the most part my mom was just a woman trying to find someone to love her for her.

My mom has always been overprotective and overbearing at times, but that’s my mom. She always teases me about my stubbornness and where it came from, because it certainly never came from her... uhhhhh guess again mom, lol. My stubborn streak is just presented differently than you, but it’s still a stubborn streak. No matter what, there is no denying that you are my mother. and I am your child, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

My mom had a bout with lung cancer last year and although she will hate that I’m telling the world this, I need to because after watching her fight through it, trying to process it, and seeing the love between her and my dad, I know that my mom is one strong ass woman. I’m so damn proud of her and so grateful for the life that she has given me, the lessons she’s taught me, and the unconditional love she’s always given me, no matter how crazy, bratty, bitchy or whatever I’ve been.

I love you mom for all your support, your strength, and your encouragement. You’ll always be a role model I can be proud of. Thank you for loving me and supporting my dreams.

One last dedication would be to my Uncle Bob who we lost sadly this year. He was a Vietnam Veteran and was a source of strength to my mom and me for many years. He was an amazing friend to my mom, husband to his wife, father and grandfather, and the best Godfather a girl could ever ask for. This dedication is for all the servicemen and women out there. You all give up so much to protect this country and the people in it. I can’t thank you enough for your service and dedication. From the bottom of my heart, I am eternally grateful for your service and sacrifices.

Thank you to all my readers out there and Tammy, I hope you agree that Trae was worth the wait!

Love,

Ivy

Chapter 1

The call finally came .  The call that Trae had been waiting for.  The call that would forever change his life and bring him face to face with her, again.

Her father was Trae’s boss now.  He was lethal and where his daughter was concerned, he could be brutal.  The man protected her with every ounce of his being. Never letting anyone doubt that he would have their balls bronzed and hanging in his home if a hair on his daughter’s head was ever harmed while they were protecting her. 

Trae Alan Porter was fierce as he was an ex-Navy Seal, and he loved his balls right where they were, so he had no explanation for why he was risking them for this woman.  Her father, Montgomery Santino, was a man to be feared.  If he suspected foul play, he was a force to be reckoned with.  If he suspected or found his daughter, Arianna, in tears or pain, hell hath no room, your ass would burn by his hand.  Arianna and Tap’s story is still brewing, and Mont would be watching it closely. Little did Tap know, the man knew everything. 

That call was the one which would bring Trae back into action and right into the path of one Miss Arianna Santiago.

Mont was Trae’s superior officer in the Navy.  When Mont left, he enlisted Trae, or Tap as he was known in the Seals, to head up his new endeavor.

Mont wanted his own security business and he wanted out of the service.  Mont was done with that life, moving from here to there.  He found a mountain retreat and he built a fortress like nothing Tap had ever seen.  He looked to this man as a father figure all through these years. But now, more than ever, he looked to him for guidance and direction, because he’d found out about the complete deception his own father had used to betray his family.

Tap went to Mont asking him for his help after finding out about his sister’s abuse.  He wanted to take his father down and he knew Mont would help him.  Only Mont, that bastard, wouldn’t let him know anything other than it would be handled and when it was done. 

Tap was pissed, but he knew it was for the best.  He never wanted his sister to know he had been the one to order their father’s demise, although he knew she wouldn’t truly care, she wouldn’t want Tap to suffer with any guilt. 

Miranda is Trae’s sister.  Although she is older than him and has always protected him as a child, it was now his turn.  He watched her with her now husband, Rod, and their son Trent.  Trae knew Rod was right for her.  He hated to see his sister broken and so fearful and alone while he was in the Seals, so he enlisted Rod to help watch over her, never envisioning that he was her everything.  Damn good thing too, because he still, some days, wanted to rip Rod apart for touching his sister. 

Trae is an overprotective, overbearing Alpha hole brother and now uncle.  That will never change, and he will never apologize for it.  Fortunately, Rod is not afraid of him and steamrolled his way right into Miranda’s life.

Those two were meant for one another from the beginning, but that is Miranda’s story to tell.  The fact that they belong together settles the beast inside of Trae to let his sister live her life.  But the hell that she endured will always break his soul.

Trae is the uncle to a precious young boy.  He’s been able to watch him grow the last four years.  Trae built a home — okay, more like a fortress — of his own with the help of his boss here in the town of Wellsprings, North Carolina, much to his sister’s delight.  She loved having him close to her.

Trae had enjoyed every second of watching Trent grow.  Miranda and Rod were blessed with an adopted daughter as well.  Lexi.  She was a tortured little girl who Miranda helped in the hospital.  Clara and Roger Matthew had adopted her.  However, after a tragic car accident when they left town to take care of Roger’s sister who had been ill, Miranda and Rod took Lexi in and adopted her as their own.  If you asked Trae, it’s how it should’ve been from the beginning.  Lexi belonged to them.

Trae wanted to heal their family.  He wanted Miranda to have her mother.  With being a new mother to a young boy and then gaining an eight-year-old-daughter to boot, he wanted her to have the support.  So, he took a trip to visit their mother, he should have known better.

Chapter 2

Trae stepped onto the front porch of the house he grew up in.  Unsure what he would be greeted with and unsure if he really cared.  He was doing this for his sister.  He raised his hand and knocked. 

The woman who answered the door glared at him as she said, What the hell do you want? 

Trae just shook his head and said, Glad to see you, too, Mom.  Aren’t you going to invite your only son in? 

She stepped back and motioned him inside.  Trae took the place in.  Didn’t look like much had changed, except it wasn’t as clean as when he lived there.  More clutter graced the living room and his Mom looked older, more worn, and wearier.

He turned at his mother’s words.  What do you want, Trae? 

He shook his head.  He hadn’t seen her in almost five years.  He stopped to tell them that Miranda was getting married.  That was the last time he stepped foot in this house until now, and he was only doing it for his sister. 

Nice to see you, too, Mom.  How are you, son?  I’m doing good, Mom.  What brings you by?  How’s my daughter doing?  He couldn’t help but be a smart ass, her demeanor and stance said it all.

Cut the shit, Trae.  What do you want?

Trae shook his head.  I wanted you to know that you have a grandson and granddaughter.  I wanted to see if you wanted to be a part of your daughter’s life.  Part of your grandchildren’s?

She scoffed and said in a dark, hard tone.  I only have one daughter and she doesn’t have children. 

Trae’s jaw dropped.  Seriously?  Just like that?  After all the hell Miranda endured through the years, you are going to act that way?  I don’t give a shit if you don’t want me in your life, but Miranda?  She didn’t do a damn thing to you, and you turned your back on her. 

His mom reared back and screamed at Trae.  She didn’t do a damn thing?  She’s a damn whore.  She spread her legs for my husband and let him screw her.  The little tramp didn’t even care that it was her own fucking father.  She just let him have her all the damn time.  She didn’t think twice about who’s man she screwed.  I wouldn’t doubt that she serviced the whole fucking town.

Trae saw red.  He never hit a woman, until now.  His hand flew out before he could think, and he backhanded his mother so hard that she fell to the ground where he towered over her. 

"Don’t you ever, ever speak about my sister that way.  A whore, no.  She was an innocent child when he touched her.  You ignorant bitch.  I hope you burn in hell with him.  If you knew he was doing that to her, why the fuck didn’t you stop it?  She let him do that to her because he wanted to do it to Jenna.  Your little fucking pride and joy.  The bitch that doesn’t give a shit about anyone but herself.  The one who now spreads her legs for the whole fucking town, that you accuse your other daughter of doing.  Only she was a virgin when your husband took her.  She’s only had sex with one man, her husband.  But yet you accuse her of being a whore?  Do you know what that man put her through?  Do you even know the demons that she faced because of his actions?’

Trae’s mother looked up at him, never spilling a tear and said, I hope the bitch burns in hell. 

Trae pulled her up to her feet and leaned into her.  You never deserved a daughter like her.  And mommy dearest, the only one that will burn in hell next to your husband is you and the whore of a daughter that you hold in such high esteem.

Trae let go of his mother and turned to walk out. Before he hit the door, she screamed at him.

Did you and your sister get it on too?  Is that why you were always with her?  Can’t stand to see her with another man?  Even though she’s a whore?

Trae stalked over to where his mother stood before him and barely contained his rage.  But his words hit their mark.

The. Fuck. Did. You. Just. Say?  Let me tell you something lady.  If I ever hear you say an ill word about my sister again, I promise you that seat in hell will be delivered to you by my bare fucking hands.  I will choke the last fucking breath out of your Goddamn lungs and then I will cut you to fucking pieces trying to find the fucking heart you never possessed. 

Trae watched the fear rear up in the woman’s eyes.  The woman who didn’t deserve to be called his mother and sure as hell didn’t deserve to be called Miranda’s. 

I was a Seal, lady.  Believe me when I tell you that I know how to do what I just said, and I know how to inflict the worst pain imaginable on my subject.  I would take great pride in doing that to you.  I would also take pride in knowing that my sister would never mourn the loss of you.  She would mourn the loss of a mother, but you, you venomous bitch, have never once been a mother.  You have no fucking heart and no clue how to love anyone other than yourself.  No wonder the only daughter you recognize is the way she is.  In case it’s not obvious to you, you are dead to me and my sister.  Fucking dead.  Never will you see either of us again. And if you do, you better move your ass as far away from us as possible, because I don’t want you anywhere fucking near us.  NOWHERE!

The last two words were said in a roar. Trae was sure the whole fucking block heard.

Trae turned and left the house.  The look in the woman’s eyes showed the fear she held of him, and the shuddering of her body showed him that she knew the truth behind his words. 

Trae left the house and the town behind, but the words tore his ass up.  He drove until he hit The Heartbreak Bar.  He pulled up on his bike, walked up to the bar and said, Jack and coke, heavy on the Jack, light on the coke, and just keep ‘em fucking coming.  I’ll call Rod to pour my ass into his car home. 

The bartender, Mike, his friend shook his head and said, Wanna talk about it?  Trae looked at him and said, Fuck!  Hell no, I want to drink.  I want to stop hearing what I heard, and I want to placate the fucking beast inside of me that wants to return to where I just was and do what I just threatened to do until I feel fucking better.  Now. Pour. The. Fucking. Drink.

Mike looked into the eyes of his friend.  Poured the drink, then went to his office and dialed up Rod.

Chapter 3

Until Rod arrived at The Heartbreak bar, Trae was about a quarter of a bottle into the Jack and his drinks were becoming more Jack than coke. 

Mike got tired of the mean-spirited Trae and just left him with a pitcher of coke and the Jack bottle.  He was done listening to his growls and pissed off tone.  He’d only seen him this bad off a few times, mainly when the ghosts of his Seal days haunted him.  But this, this was a whole new level of hell the man was enduring, but he wouldn’t share, so he called Trae’s brother-in-law and gave him what he wanted