As the Dawn Breaks Read online

  Contents

  Dedication

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Two Years Later

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Epilogue

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  CONSPIRE

  As the Dawn Breaks

  © 2014 Erin Noelle

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in retrieval systems, copied in any form or by any means. Electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise transmitted without written permission from the author/ publisher, except by a reviewer that may quote brief passages for review purposes only. This book is licenses for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be resold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each participant.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used factiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, is entirely coincidental.

  All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author of this story. The author is no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any previously copyrighted material. No copyright infringement is intended.

  Cover Photography: Toski Covey

  Cover Design: by Hang Le

  Editing by Kayla Robichaux and Mandi Gibala

  Formatting by Kassi Cooper

  *DPGROUP.ORG*

  SILENT ON THE COOL, brown leather couch in Green’s home office, I anxiously wait for him to enter. The light of dawn breaks through the single window in the dark room, and shortly thereafter, the shrill ringing of his alarm clock follows. I hear him get up and move around, then the sound of the shower. I’m growing impatient. I want this done.

  Nearly thirty minutes later, he waltzes into the room in his navy bathrobe, completely unaware of my presence. The mere sight of him disgusts me, and instantly, I reach for the 35mm stowed in my jacket with my gloved right hand. As much as I want to end it right now, I need to follow the plan I’ve spent so many hours devising. I can’t afford to fuck this up.

  Still oblivious I’m in the room, he plops down in his massive desk chair and turns the reading lamp on.

  “Good morning, Robert,” I greet him, my voice laced with malice. His body jolts with terror and his eyes scan the room, searching for the bringer of his demise. The moment he sees me, he stiffens and begins to reach down under his desk.

  Lifting the gun, I point it directly at his head. “Hands on top of the desk. Now.”

  He obeys my command, his fingers trembling against the papers strewn atop the wooden surface. Good. I hope he’s got piss running down his leg too. Standing up, I stalk over to him like a predator approaching its prey, with only one thought in mind—death.

  “Leo, you don’t want to do this. You’re not thinking clearly. I’ll give Katrina whatever she wants. Please,” he pleads, his stare locked on the barrel of my gun.

  “Shut the fuck up, you piece of shit,” I spit. “You got one out of three right. I do want to do this. I am thinking clearly. And, your one correct answer—you will give her exactly what she wants.”

  Once I’m standing directly next to him with the gun pointed straight at his temple, I continue, “I’m feeling generous today, Governor Green. I’m actually going to give you the option of how this will all play out. Option one: you write a letter explaining you can no longer live with the guilt you feel over murdering your first wife and ruining your daughter’s life, and then you shoot yourself in the head. Option two: I tie you up and gag you while we wait for your wife and son to get home, which I believe is in just a couple of hours, and then you can watch me have my way with her before I kill all three of you.”

  “There’s no way you’ll go through with it,” he challenges me, but his shaky voice betrays him.

  The pounding of my heart echoes loudly in my ears, and I remind myself to breathe. I will not allow him to call my bluff. Pressing the cold metal firmly against his temple, I clear my throat. “Think again, asshole. You remember Principal Mathews, the one you were paying to keep tabs on your daughter? Let’s just say he had a surprise waiting for him in his evening cocktail last night. The school system will need to fill that position before the fall semester begins.”

  His jaw clenches and his hands tighten into fists. Leaning down close to his face, an evil laugh escapes my throat. “If you want to know my preference, I’m leaning towards option two. I really want to know how your wife’s tight cunt feels in comparison to your daughter’s—”

  “Fuck you!” he exclaims, slamming his palms down on the desk as he tries to stand up.

  I dig the gun further into the side of his head, pushing him back into his chair. “Choose. Now.”

  Closing his eyes, he inhales a deep breath. “Option one,” he cracks.

  “How noble of you,” I reply, my voice thick with sarcasm. “Now, you’re going to write out the letter exactly as I say, and then you’re going to retrieve the gun you’ve got in the bottom drawer of your desk—yes, I know it’s in there—and make this quick. My generosity is beginning to dwindle.”

  Ten minutes later, I text Travis to let him know I need the surveillance cameras to be turned off again. Slipping out the alternate side door I let myself in through, I leave his lifeless body slumped over a suicide note on the desk and a growing pool of blood. Adrenaline courses through my veins as I quickly make my way through the hallway. I know I’ve got roughly three-to-four minutes to get out of the building before being detected. I check my watch; my flight leaves in an hour and a half, and I think to myself that the entire morning couldn’t have gone any more smoothly. This time tomorrow, I’ll be digging my toes into warm sand while staring out over picturesque waters, and Katrina will finally be able to move on with her life.

  Mission fucking accomplished.

  ONE COULDN’T ASK FOR A more ideal day to get married. Perfectly placed white wisps adorn the early evening sky that’s beginning to shift from cerulean blue to a deep shade of amethyst. The sea breeze flows through the southern Florida town at the precise moment the heat from the July sun becomes a little too stifling, encouraging an all-embracing tranquility and relaxation for the body and soul, which is essential for me before seeing her.

  After over two years in hiding on a miniscule island nestled in the teal waters of the Adriatic Sea, I’ve flown halfway across the globe to watch the love of my life marry the love of hers. Most would assume this day would be full of sorrow and misery for me, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth. Seeing Katrina Foster get the happily-ever-after she always assumed she’d never have fills my heart with untainted joy. The fact I get to be a part of it brings me an awe-inspiring sense of fulfillment.

  She has no idea I’m here, much less that I’ll be the one walking her down the aisle. It’s been difficult not to contact her since I landed in town a couple of days ago, but Lucca and I both agree the surprise factor of me appearing just before the ceremony will be unsurpassed. To say I’m crazy excited to see her after all this time is the understatement of the century. There are no words in the English language—or in any language, for that matter—that can accurately express the ov
erwhelming, soul-crushing devastation I felt after leaving her.

  Desperately alone in a country where I knew not a single person and didn’t speak the native tongue, I struggled months upon end to be able to make it through a day without breaking down. Call me weak…call me a pussy…take my fucking man-card—I don’t give a shit; if you’ve ever truly loved someone and willingly walked away from that person, only then can you understand the shattered pile of ruin my heart was in. But slowly—and boy, do I mean excruciatingly slowly—did I pull myself up from the despair and desolation, and found my will to live again. Now, seven hundred and fifteen days later, I get to see my Katie-bug again. However, this time, it won’t be her wearing that ridiculous swimming cap and goofy goggles on her head like she did as a child, nor will it be her dressed like a seductress of the night in a garter belt and stiletto heels, but instead, in a white wedding gown as flawless and pure as the tendrils of clouds gliding above.

  Dressed in my light linen slacks and pale blue button up shirt, I retreat from the spacious patio of the lavish resort Lucca insisted on setting me up in, and I head downstairs to the front entrance, where he’s scheduled to pick me up. As soon as I step outside, I spot him in a silver SUV coming to a stop in the front U-shaped drive. I swiftly climb into the passenger seat, and we immediately embrace each other in a man-hug across the center console.

  “Leo, man, I don’t even know what to say. It’s so great to see you. Katrina is going to be beyond thrilled,” he greets me, smiling brightly. “I can’t even begin to thank you f-for everything you did for her…for us.”

  I hear the slight cracking in his voice, and whether it’s from nerves over the big day or the memories flooding his mind recalling the time we were a part of each other’s lives, I understand completely, because that same threatening lump rests in the back of my throat. “Of course, I’d do it all again in a heartbeat,” I reply, looking dead in his eyes. “Everything. Without question.”

  He nods understandingly, shifting the transmission into drive as we pull out onto the main road. “Well, just know I realize I’m here with her because of you. Everything you did in getting us back together, and then—”

  “I did it for her,” I cut him off abruptly. “I would’ve done anything for her then, and I’ll do anything for her today, which is why I’m here.” Softening my voice a bit and smiling sincerely at him, I add, “Now let’s forget about all of that other stuff. This weekend is about celebrating the two of you and the rest of your lives together. All I care about is you guys being happy.”

  The tension slides off his face as he replaces his slightly clenched jaw with a boyish grin. “You’re right. Now let’s go give her the wedding of her dreams. She’s gonna die when she sees you.”

  We ride the remainder of the short trip to his parents’ house in comfortable silence, each lost in our own thoughts as the reality of the moment sets in. Pulling up to the Ellis’ residence, I’d be lying if I said I’m not impressed. The house appears to have been taken straight from the pages of a home and gardening magazine. A massive, Mediterranean-style villa framed with a variety of palms and other vibrant, tropical flowers sprawls out across the manicured lawn. I was already aware Lucca came from an affluent family based on personal research I’d done when Katrina first began dating him, but I had no idea the extent of his parents’ wealth. However, instead of feeling any form of jealousy, the realization helps assure me he’s in no way interested in her for her money.

  “Here we are,” he exclaims eagerly as he kills the engine. We both unfold our legs, get out of the SUV, and begin striding towards the front door. Three large vans are parked on the far left side of the driveway, and a small army of workers are unloading tables, chairs, decorations, and who knows what else from the back of them. Once we reach the heavy wooden door, Lucca opens it and swings his arm out in front of him, inviting me inside. “Katrina, Lauren, and my mom should be isolated to the upstairs portion of the house. We guys have been given strict orders not to go up there for any reason, but I’ll text Mom to let her know you’re here,” he says as he enters behind me. “Dad and Stephen should be around here somewhere.”

  “What time is everything supposed to start?” I ask, looking around the vast greatroom. The interior of the home is immaculately decorated with luxurious furnishings and coordinated trimmings, yet still emits a cozy, lived-in vibe.

  “The ceremony starts at seven-thirty and the reception will begin immediately after, since both are being held in the backyard. We’re expecting maybe a hundred people, and most are from here in the neighborhood, so they’ll walk instead of drive.”

  Glancing down at my watch, I see there’s still a little more than an hour before the festivities are scheduled to begin. A rustling at the top of the staircase draws my eyes upward, where an attractive older woman stands grinning, motioning to me to meet her at the top landing. Eager to finally lay my eyes on Katrina, something I wasn’t sure would ever happen again, I look over my shoulder at Lucca and nod my head once at him in appreciation. I bound effortlessly up the stairs taking two at a time until I’m towering over the petite Mrs. Ellis.

  “Leo, it’s so nice to finally meet you,” she says is a hushed whisper while wrapping her arms around my waist. The warm and welcoming smile spreading across her face reaches her striking eyes, which precisely match the sapphire-colored, sleeveless dress she wears. “Katrina is going to be tickled pink when she sees you’re here.”

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you as well, Mrs. Ellis. Thank you so much for including me in this important day.”

  “Please, call me Sarah, and my husband is Christian. We don’t do that formality stuff around here; plus, you might as well be family.” Grabbing my hand, she leads me across the open-spaced game room to the one closed door. With every step I take towards the woman I once loved more than life itself, a woman I’d kill for, my pulse increases exponentially and another drop of moisture in my mouth evaporates until I’m standing frozen in front of the single piece of wood that stands as a barrier between us.

  Sarah, obviously understanding my inability to make the crucial motion, taps several times on the door and calls out, “You girls dressed? I’ve got a visitor here.”

  “Yeah, come on in,” she hollers back. Her voice, her sweet, angelic voice, sings a heartwarming melody that not only my ears, but my entire being has yearned to hear for way too long. It doesn’t matter what her answer is; the moment my brain registers she’s mere feet from me, I lose complete control of my actions. Unable to wait another second, I throw the door open and drink in all that is Katrina Foster.

  Her eyes land on me and I’m overcome with emotion. Rushing over to me, wedding gown and all, she hurls herself at me and I engulf her in my arms. As we tightly embrace one another, a nuclear explosion could occur directly outside the house and I wouldn’t know any better, because I’m in my own personal heaven.

  We stay like that for several minutes, and when we finally pull apart, I notice Sarah and Lauren have graciously left us to our reunion. Still unable to speak, she pats and touches all over my face and head. “It’s really you? You’re here? You came?” she manages to whisper through choked sobs.

  “It’s me, Katie-bug. I’m here,” I reassure her, tucking a loose tendril of her long, flaxen hair behind her ear. “Please don’t cry, baby. You’re gonna mess up your makeup.”

  “Screw the makeup! You’re back; I thought I was never going to see you again!” Her words are now mixed with an I-can’t-believe-this laugh and an I’m-going-to-kill-you glare. Then the questions begin spilling from her mouth. “Where’ve you been? Do you know how worried I was? What were you thinking?”

  Cupping her delicate, now tear-stained face in my hands, I tenderly kiss her forehead. “I promise I will answer every question you have in due time, but right now, we have a wedding to get ready for. I’m going to head back downstairs and have a shot or two of whiskey with Lucca to help calm my nerves, while the women help you finish whatever you
need to do.” I tap the end of her nose with my fingertip. “Today is about you and Lucca, not about me. There will be plenty of time to catch up.”

  She grabs both of my hands, squeezing as tightly as she can. “You’ve made this day absolutely perfect for me, Leo. Thank you for everything.”

  Pivoting around to leave the room, I pause briefly before exiting. “Make sure you dry up all of those tears, young lady. Mama Rosa wouldn’t want me walking a weeping bride down the aisle.”

  All I can hear is her squealing with delight as I let myself out of the room and back down the stairs to join the other men. As promised, several shots of warm bourbon later, any lingering jitters have been drowned, and I’m ready to embark on a night I won’t soon forget.

  I’LL BE THE FIRST TO ADMIT I haven’t been to many weddings in my life, but that being said, I know without a doubt, the ceremony between Katrina and Lucca was undeniably the most genuinely heartfelt exchanging of vows in the history of mankind. With great pride, I escorted her down the aisle to the only man I know can love her as much as I do. And now, with an even deeper gratification, I recline back in my chair, sipping from a near-empty glass of expensive champagne, and watch the two of them waltz fluidly across the patio-turned-dance-floor for the first time as a married couple.

  Blanketed across the cloudless, midnight sky are millions of shining stars, glittering and glimmering as if the man upstairs himself added his own personal touch to the celebration. A tender love ballad resonating from large speakers strategically placed around the lawn serenades the dancing newlyweds along with the rest of the guests, who are all swaying slightly in their chairs as they gaze idyllically at the couple. I look around the expansive yard, in awe of how incredibly breathtaking the entire scene is. Twinkling white lights spiral tightly around the base of the palms scattered about as elegant azure and silver decorative fabrics flow freely in the night wind. Part of me is still in disbelief I’m even here.