Light the Dark

By Lee R. Roberts

Few people know about Cyndi Hawthorne’s dark past and she prays it will stay that way so she can move on in a new town, try to forget, and start over. Although her tormenter died over a year ago, his evil machinations unfortunately still follow her. Cyndi’s past has unquestionably taught her that few people can be trusted, especially men. The dark and brooding John Hawke is a wealthy, powerful, and successful entrepreneur who draws the attention of women wherever he goes. But his failed marriage to his one-time best friend has taught him an important lesson that women are for pleasure, not for forever. Both John and Cyndi are convinced that they are on the right paths, dictated by the valuable lessons they have learned. But when John finds himself inexplicably drawn to the one woman he believes in and Cyndi’s past catches up with her and places her life in danger, will either be able to move past their beliefs and trust issues to find much-needed light in the darkness? In this suspenseful romance, fate brings a woman with a shadowy past
together with a wealthy entrepreneur determined to protect his heart, and leads them on a journey frought with peril.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Jul 7, 2022
• ISBN: 9781663241733

Lee R. Roberts

Lee has been happily married for thirty years and is the mother of three adult children and a pack of fur babies. Since her teenage years, Lee has enjoyed creating strong, swoon-worthy men who evolve through the love of a good woman. Light the Dark is her debut novel.

Book preview

Prologue

‘No! Dear God, please!! No!!’, Cyndi’s inner voice cried in horrified disbelief, while remaining outwardly silent. She tried to school her features and not show the rising panic and anguish coursing through her, but failed. Dropping her chin with a shake of her head and squeezing her eyes shut in an attempt to stop the threatening tears and tamp down the pain trying to bubble its way to the surface, she thought, ‘This can’t be happening!’, her heart pounding so hard her pulse thundered in her ears.

Why was this happening to her? All she wanted was to live a normal life! Was that too much to ask? And for the hundredth time she asked herself how? How had her life had come to this?

While Cyndi Hawthorne’s life had never been the perfect world people assumed she lived in, over the past two years it had become an absolute nightmare! She’d always been the ‘good’ girl, trying her best to please, to make good choices, to be perfect. And being exceptionally smart, she’d graduated college a year ahead of schedule, with a 4.0. But maybe intelligence wasn’t the problem, but more a lack of common sense, or being too trusting, or just a poor judge of character. Either way, she really didn’t know exactly how she’d been caught up in this never-ending nightmare.

The things you hear about human trafficking, sex trade, forced prostitution? It was all true. Many victims were runaways and drug addicts, but there were also the vulnerable and innocent, taken against their will, the worst being kids sold by their own parents for drugs or money.

But it was never anyone you knew. And never in her life would she have thought it could happen to her. But it had, and at the hands of her husband, bringing back the question of common sense for ever marrying him in the first place, the pain of that mistake a constant reminder to never be taken in again.

Very few people knew what had happened and she’d prayed it would stay that way so she could move on and not have to endure the whispers behind her back, the looks of pity, or worse, the suspicious glances. In a new town she could try to forget and start over. But the accusation that had just been flung at her and being called ‘a whore’ by the man standing before her, had sent a shocking jolt throughout her body, resurrecting the pain she’d tried to bury and driving home the realization that this would never end. Even though her husband, her tormentor, had died over a year ago, his evil machinations still followed her.

A single tear escaped as her head hung in overwhelming despair and defeat. She’d never be free.

Chapter

One

At least twice a week they came in for lunch. Every Tuesday and Thursday like clockwork, the same two women, same time each day, sitting outside if the weather was nice, if not, inside at a corner table near the tall windows that faced the garden area. Today was a beautiful day, so they sat outside enjoying the last days of the warm, mid-September sun.

Over the past few weeks he’d observed them with interest and curiosity. While both were pretty and blonde, they were as different as night and day.

The one girl, a platinum bleached blonde, could be a fitness model. Her trendy, almost hard look suggested she could be tough and high maintenance. Judging by the muscles in her arms and legs displayed in the sleeveless, green shorts/dress outfit she was wearing, it wouldn’t surprise him if she was a competitive body builder or cross fit addict.

The other was inarguably the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen and the main reason he came in every Thursday at lunchtime, to pick up the weekly report from his manager.

Her fair hair, not quite as light as her companion’s, cascaded down her back in thick waves. As he surreptitiously observed her through the windows, one long lock hung in front, curving around her breast, drawing his attention to the perfect body displayed in the pale blue dress, that clung to her lithe form and accentuated every curve. And even though he couldn’t tell from this distance, one day when she’d come inside to use the ladies room, he’d caught a glimpse of light-colored eyes, and with her coloring, he suspected she was a natural blonde.

From his subtle observations, he also knew that while she didn’t do it often, when she smiled she was somehow even more beautiful. It was a sweet, almost shy smile, as if she was unaware of her own beauty and the impact of that smile. He knew the recipient of those smiles would feel honored to be given that special gift. His cousin Shawna used to say that he had that very effect on people, since he rarely smiled. Looking at the woman who practically glowed as she sat in the sun, he finally understood what Shawna was talking about, and wanted one of those smiles directed at him, and only him.

He found himself totally intrigued by her, his intense interest surprising even himself. Over the last few years, building his business had been a priority, so John had put women on the back burner. Now that he’d achieved success, women sought his attention in droves, mostly for his power and money, or his looks, or all three. Unfortunately, most were superficial, money hungry gold diggers on the lookout for a rich husband, and except for providing a brief physical release, not one had interested him beyond a one-night stand.

This girl was different though. She exuded a softness, a quiet demeanor and something he couldn’t quite put his finger on. Perhaps innocence? All he knew was that even though that physical pull was undeniable, he sensed that a one-night stand with this girl might not be enough. And that realization confused him. Since he had no intention of ever getting into a relationship or marrying again, not being sure what it was he wanted from this girl outside of the physical, he’d kept his distance and hadn’t approached her, especially since she didn’t seem to be aware of him at all. She certainly didn’t go out of her way to get his attention, even though she completely had it.

Shaking his head and trying to focus on the invoices before him, he questioned his sanity for the hundredth time as to why he held on to this place. While the business was a successful venture, it wasn’t his passion. Of course, if it wasn’t for this restaurant and sports bar he had been saddled with, thanks to his ex-wife, he might never have seen her. Right now he was actually almost grateful he’d gotten stuck with the place.

Arora, the restaurant named in short after the Tuscarora Native American people he and his ex-wife were descended from, was one of his ex’s many ideas that she’d lost interest in. She’d easily lost interest in everything; college and getting her degree, the art classes she insisted she had to take so she could ‘open a gallery’, dance classes, acting classes, her attempt at interior decorating, her myriad of get-rich-quick schemes, this restaurant, and their marriage.

With raven hair, dark eyes, and exotic looks, Cecelia, or CiCi as she liked to be called, in theory had been John’s perfect match. Childhood friends, best friends in fact, John was the biggest and best looking of the boys who visited their families on the reservation during summer breaks, while CiCi was the prettiest of the girls. All the girls vied for John’s attention, while all the boys trailed CiCi like devoted puppies. However, for CiCi, only the best would do, so after somehow ending up at the same university, she’d made it her mission to convince John how perfect they were together. When John graduated, Cici, who still had another year, dropped out of school vowing to finish her degree online so she could devote herself to being with John.

Even though he knew he wasn’t in love with CiCi, he did care about her and having grown up with a similar background, figured she understood him in ways a lot of girls couldn’t. An added bonus was that she had a great body, and all too happy to use it to get what she wanted. And CiCi was used to getting what she wanted. John, being the guy he was, was happy to oblige his wife for the benefits in the bedroom. ‘Dance classes? Yoga classes? Fine. But what do I get out of it?’ John would ask her. CiCi would happily show him what he would get out of it, and John didn’t complain.

On the down side, Cici was also impatient, manipulative, and always wanted what she couldn’t have. In the early days of their marriage, she’d enjoyed the turned heads and envious looks of other women when they saw John. At six feet, four inches, with his dark hair, naturally tanned skin, high cheekbones, and chiseled jaw, he drew the attention of women wherever they went. CiCi reveled in the disappointed looks on other women’s faces when she flashed her wedding band, but over time that thrill lost its luster, especially when Cici enjoyed the looks from other men directed at her a little too much. Added to that, John couldn’t get rich enough or fast enough for Cici, causing her to get frustrated, bored, lonely, and whiney, while John was working non-stop trying to grow his business.

When John noticed her complaining had all but ceased, he started having suspicions as to the reason, questioning what she did all day while he was working extra-long hours. She wasn’t big on cleaning their fairly large home, and hated to cook, so he knew it wasn’t menial chores keeping her busy.

One afternoon he decided to surprise her, getting home early, only to have his suspicions confirmed when he caught her in bed with a blonde haired, blue eyed, man-child she’d met in one of her acting classes.

Her shock and dismay at being caught, not necessarily guilt for the affair, quickly turned into a pouty tearful tirade about how lonely she was, how he never had time for her, and how they never went out and had fun anymore. She tried to make it out as it was all his fault for not paying her enough attention.

When she saw in his hard look that he wasn’t yielding, she turned the tables and flat out told him she wanted a divorce. So John gladly grabbed as many of her things as he could in one load and tossed them into the trunk of her car. Without another word, John got back into his own car as a confused, sputtering CiCi, shocked by his easy dismissal, watched him drive off to return to work without a backwards glance.

Within the hour he had the locks changed, contacted his lawyer and a realtor, and had put the house on the market. He knew he would never want to sleep in that bed, that room, or that house ever again. Not that it was even his taste to begin with. It was just something else that CiCi had to have.

In the divorce, CiCi got half of what the house sold for, but since John’s business was just getting off the ground, and not worth the millions it eventually would be, she was more than happy for the large cash settlement and quickie divorce so she could marry her aspiring actor/boy toy.

Sadly for CiCi, she found herself stuck in a sham of a marriage to a B-rate actor, who ended up being more lazy and vain than she was, and happy to live off his wife until her money ran out. And when the money ran out, he moved on to another lonely, wealthy, married woman, leaving CiCi with nothing more than humiliation and another divorce. By that time, Hawke Engineering and Architectural Firm had become one of the most prestigious in the industry and was amassing the kind of fortune CiCi had always dreamed of having, and John no longer took her calls.

Karma was definitely a bitch to CiCi, but she had made her bed and she had to live with the consequences. She was no longer John’s problem and he was all too happy to be free and clear of his cheating ex. The restaurant and a lack of trust towards women, were the only remnants of his poor judgement in marrying CiCi.

Even though he’d thought about selling Arora many times, as he watched the stunning blonde who’d captivated him, sitting on the patio practically glowing in the last days of the warm September sun, he was actually glad he still had the place.

Chapter

Two

"Don’t bother to look. He’s here." Tia said, as Cyndi’s gaze darted around the restaurant for the tenth time in as many minutes.

Best friends since elementary school, Tia could read her like a book, so Cyndi didn’t even try to pretend she didn’t know to whom she was referring.

Every Thursday, the big, beautiful, dark-haired man came in and had lunch and talked to Jamie, the restaurant’s manager. From a conversation with Jamie, Tia’d found out his name was John Hawke and he owned Arora, and was quite possibly the hottest man they’d ever seen. That last part obviously hadn’t come from Jamie, just the girls’ personal observation, but they enjoyed making that observation every week on their lunch hour.

"So Jamie said he’s divorced and on top of Arora, he owns an engineering firm. And when I asked about his nationality he told me he’s half Native American. What do you think the other half is? I mean, Native Americans aren’t usually that big, are they?", Tia mused elbow on the table, her chin resting on her hand, as she looked longingly through the window at the large, gorgeous man seated at the bar.

I don’t know., Cyndi answered, still slightly amazed at how Tia had gotten all of that information out of one short conversation. There was that famous Native American football player…What was his name? Anyway, he was over 6 feet and like 200 pounds., Cyndi replied. "And there was that actor in the movie, Predator. He was really big too."

Well, with that body, I guarantee he played football. And the football player you’re referring to was Jim Thorpe., she said as an aside. All I know is I wish he would look at me like he looks at you. And boy do I wish I was single., Tia sighed, practically drooling as she gazed over Cyndi’s head at the object of her musings.

Cyndi blushed furiously. "You’re ridiculous. First of all, I’m widowed, not single. And there is a difference. Second, he doesn’t even know I exist!"

Oh he most certainly does! You’re the one who’s ridiculous if you haven’t noticed the looks he gives you!, Tia exclaimed, sitting up and piercing her friend with a look of disbelief. "I seriously can’t believe you haven’t gone up in flames by the heat coming out of those gorgeous dark eyes every time he glances at you. And widowed is single., she insisted. So, I think you should get your cute little butt in there and meet that gorgeous hunk of a man! Maybe accidentally trip and fall into his lap?", she said with a smile, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively.

Cyndi looked down at her lap, shaking her head, her face turning pink as she practically whispered, Oh my gosh! I can’t do that!

As soon as Tia heard her tone, she reached across the table and grabbed Cyndi’s hand, forcing her to look up. Cyndi, I was kidding. Well, sort of anyway., she snorted.

Seeing the shadow that crossed her friend’s eyes, Tia continued, Cyn, you know I love you and I’m saying this with only your best interests at heart, but not all men are like Troy. In fact very few are, thank God. she added with another snort. I know this has been difficult for you, but I just want to see you happy again. I want my best friend and my roomie back. My partner in crime who, when we were little, used to do all those crazy dares with me. I miss my girl who loved to laugh, and pulled all-nighters with me in college, got drunk with me..., and seeing the raised eyebrow, "fine…who took care of me when I got drunk. I want to see you fall in love, crazy in love, with someone who will love and cherish you and protect you from the Troys of the world. Sitting up, letting go of her hand, and with a little more force she said, Now, since it’s your turn to pay and we need to get back to the shop, please go ask Jamie for the check and if ‘Mr. Hottie Hawke’ says ‘Hi’, then say ‘Hi’ back! You can at least manage a simple hello!"

Tia was forceful and relentless, and Cyndi knew if she didn’t go, judging by the unyielding look in her eyes, Tia might actually drag her over to the man.

Fine, but if I faint it’s on you! And you better come up with a good excuse. Like I’m diabetic and my blood sugar dropped or something!, she said jokingly, although she thought it was quite possible that if he spoke to her she might actually pass out.

I promise!, Tia laughed. Now get in there before he leaves!, she said, with a shooing motion.

Standing up and smoothing down her dress, Cyndi took a deep breath to muster up whatever courage she could find, and walked into the bar.

Chapter

Three

"So what’s the story with the two blondes?" John asked Jamie, nodding to the two women visible through the tall windows.

Jamie, who was behind the bar gathering up the rest of the reports from the past few days, looked up and grinned from ear to ear. I was wondering when you were going to ask. You’ve only been staring at them for a solid month now. Seeing the scowl on his boss’ face, You can give me that look all day long, pointing at him, but it’s the truth and I’m totally not intimidated. You can’t run this place without me and we both know it. he said in complete confidence. Besides, you aren’t the only one around here who stares.

At yet another stern look, he threw up his hands with a laugh. Hey, just tellin’ it like it is.

The story Jamie? John growled, growing more impatient by the second. Jamie was a great manager but sometimes a real pain in the ass.

Grinning, Jamie finally gave in, still laughing at the looks he was receiving. Alright, I’ll stop., he promised, putting the papers down. Leaning towards his boss, his elbows on the dark wood bar top, in a confidential tone, he said, "The one hot blonde is Cyndi. She’s a widow, and co-owner of some lady’s boutique that all the women around here rave about. She’s partners with that other one, nodding toward the women, Tia, the pretty, real blonde one. I don’t know much about Cyndi because, other than being beautiful, she’s pretty private. Actually, they both seem to be pretty private, but anyway, from what I’ve overheard, Tia’s married. I don’t think it’s a happy marriage because she doesn’t wear a ring, and I’m pretty sure she dates. I see them and a few other girls at a club I go to on my nights off, and the guys go nuts when those girls take the floor, especially Tia. She’s got some moves and with that body, she has the guys lined up to dance with her. And, on more than one occasion, I’ve seen her leave with one of her dance partners. That’s what makes me think that Tia isn’t happily married."

Down at the end of the bar, a new customer arrived, waving Jamie over. Hang on a sec while I get this guy’s order. Jake went to get ice and who knows how long that’ll take., he huffed, rolling his eyes.

Digesting what Jamie’d just told him, John felt instantly disgusted and pissed off. He wished he’d asked Jamie about the girls before now, before he’d wasted any more time studying and lusting after the gorgeous Tia. Any illusions he’d had to pursue and get to know her over the past month had just been crushed in less than a minute. She was fucking married! And a cheater!

Glancing out the window, he watched her stand and head inside, towards the bar. Watching her, he completely understood why the guys went nuts over her. With that face and incredible body, she would make any man drool. God knew, he’d been drooling himself.

Damn! Why did it have to be that the first woman he was actually interested in pursuing, was an unfaithful bitch like his ex-wife? No wonder she rarely smiled. It was probably guilt. At least with the widow it was understandable. Why couldn’t he have been attracted to the bleached blonde widow instead of the beautiful tramp? He was growing more angry at himself by the minute, for having the worst taste in women.

Ready to get back to work and as far away from this frustration as possible, he was reaching over to gather the reports Jamie had left on the bar, when the beautiful object of his disgust, appeared at the bar not three feet away from him.

Jamie? Can I have the check please?, she asked, her voice soft and beautiful, the sound causing a physical reaction, making him angrier.

Jamie looked up with a big grin and said, Sure thing. Let me get this order turned in and I’ll get it for you., before disappearing into the kitchen.

John noticed the furtive glances she directed his way in the mirror behind the bar, but kept his gaze averted, not wanting to get caught up in her incredibly blue, but lying eyes.

When he turned to grab his jacket off of the back of the high barstool, he noticed the guy at the end of the bar. With one arm leaning on the polished, dark mahogany bar top, the somewhat large man was turned sideways looking the girl up and down.

Well hello there! the idiot practically drooling as he appraised her body, his gaze lingering on her breasts.

Surprising himself by his immediate protectiveness, John mentally shook the desire to knock the guy off of his barstool. In light of what he’d just found out, she might actually be interested, so trying to tune out the conversation, he rifled through the paperwork, making sure everything was in order.

The guy, however, persisted. Hey sweetheart, how about I pay your tab and you pay me some attention? he said suggestively, trying to be clever, making John snort and roll his eyes.

Looking impatiently at the door Jamie had gone through but not at the man, the girl replied, Thank you, but I’ve got this., with a tight smile.

Awww, come on honey. Free lunch for a phone number. That’s a pretty decent trade.

John found he was now starting to get angry at the guy, as he listened to the asshole’s slimy voice. Not only was the jerk too old for her, he wasn’t much in the looks department with a beer gut and thinning hair. He should know better than to think he could ever get a girl like her, so his persistence was becoming annoying.

Her face turning pink, she said in a quiet voice, Thank you, but it’s my turn to buy lunch. I wouldn’t cheat my friend by letting someone else pay.

John almost snorted at that, but checked himself. Even though it wasn’t really any of his business, he continued to silently observe the situation unfolding.

Just a number? I’m a nice guy. Swear!, he insisted, his words sounding perhaps a little slurred.

I’m sure you are, but I don’t give my number out to people I don’t know., she replied with growing unease in her voice.

The guy at the end of the bar, starting to get frustrated at the continued rejection, and possibly a little affected by the two beers he’d already downed, edged his way closer. John could tell this guy wasn’t going to stop, and no matter what she was, he was not about to allow him to continue to harass a customer in his place of business.

Just as the guy was about to say something else, John spoke up without looking at either one of them. "I think the lady said ‘no thank you’ enough times now. So you should go back to your seat and wait for your food, which will be out shortly." he said in a deep, intimidating voice.

The guy, unaffected due to the beer he’d drunk on an empty stomach, practically sneered at John before saying, I’m just trying to get to know the pretty lady here, so why don’t you butt out and mind your own business!, moving even closer to the girl in almost outright challenge and defiance.

‘Buddy, that was a big mistake!’, John thought. Standing up, he walked past the girl, approaching the jerk and stretching his full 6'4" frame to tower over him. Crossing his arms over his chest, he kept his chin raised so he was looking down his nose at the slob.

With a look in his eyes that caused grown men to shake, he quietly said, "I own this place, so this IS my business. And since you obviously don’t want to behave in a respectful manner and insist on bothering the other patrons, I’d say it’s time to leave. Now, you can get up and walk out of here on your own, or you can be escorted out. Your choice, but I suggest you choose wisely. Practically growling as he leaned ever so slightly towards the guy And by the way, you’re no longer allowed in my establishment.", he said with finality.

The guy stood up looking as if he was about to come back at John, but then looking at the dark angry giant hovering over him, appeared to think better of it. Turning and taking his sweet time, he gathered his newspaper and keys off the bar, and with a snide look said to the wide-eyed woman, You will most definitely be sorry you turned me down, sweetheart., before stalking out the door, letting it slam shut behind him.

Shock was written all over her face when John turned towards her. He saw that she’d been watching the exchange with wide eyes, and now she turned that gaze to him.

He felt a jolt through his body when she looked up at him with eyes the color of a crystal blue lake which appeared even bluer by the darker outer rims. Up close she was even more beautiful. In fact, she was perfection. Except now he knew her looks were superficial. She was far from perfect and disgustingly lacking in the fidelity department.

Almost seeming embarrassed, he saw a small shiver and her voice trembled a little when she said, I don’t know what to say. Thank you doesn’t quite seem enough, but I’m extremely grateful to your coming to my rescue. That was…disturbing., a small bashful smile gracing her beautiful full lips.

His next words caused that smile to falter. I wasn’t sure you wanted to be rescued., he said in a slightly sarcastic tone, as he walked past her to gather the papers he’d left on the bar.

Clearly not knowing how to take that remark, she stammered, I-I don’t…I mean…why would you say that?

Rounding on her, Maybe I should ask your husband that question?, he bit off, fixing her with a look of such derision that she immediately stepped back, looking confused and frightened at the same time. As she took another step back, he went in for the kill. But maybe he’s ok with his wife being a whore?, shocking himself at callously throwing out the demoralizing comment.

Her shock was immediate, evidenced by her red face. In fact she looked like she’d just been slapped. The look of shock was quickly replaced by a look of…hurt? He didn’t quite know how to interpret that reaction, but could see his comment hit its intended mark. So why did he instantly feel remorseful? It had to be the tears threatening but which she’d held back.

Shit. He never could handle seeing women cry, but her next comments just about dropped him to his knees.

I guess we’ll never know., she said in a shaky voice.

She looked like she was going to be sick, or start crying, or both as she hung her head. Refusing to look at him and shaking her head, she quietly said, Troy is dead.

Turning without looking at him, she put $50 on the bar for the less than $20 tab. Tell Jamie to keep the change., she whispered, rushing out the doors before John could even process what had just transpired.

Staring after her, his confusion immediately giving way to shock. ‘What?! SHE was the widow? She was Cyndi not Tia?’

John’s mind and heart were racing. ‘What the hell did I just do?’, he asked himself feeling his face turn hot with the sickening realization. The