TWISTED FATES BOOK 1: The First Twist

Sammie was enjoying her third date with Jareth at one of her favorite establishments, Manny’s Steakhouse. They had just finished their meal and were enjoying a glass of wine; until they were rudely interrupted by a loud group of very intoxicated brawny men a few tables away closer to the bar.

Shit! Sammie thought, recognizing the rowdy group’s main protagonist to be none other than Justin, her former WWF patient/lover. She tried to avert her eyes and pretend that she hadn’t seen him; meanwhile, her discomfort was making itself quite perceptible to her dinner date.

“Is something wrong, Samantha?” a concerned Jareth asked.

Sensing her unease, Jareth tenderly reached across the table and placed his hand on top of hers, and began circling the back of her hand with his thumb. “N-no, Jareth, everything’s fine.” She answered, trying to put on her best casual smile, hoping that Justin and his friends ignored her and remained at their table.

“Very well, Samantha, if you insist. Although, something most certainly seems to have troubled you. I shan’t press further, but please know if there is anything I might be of assistance with -” Jareth responded worriedly.

“I swear, Jareth, I’m fine. Promise.” Sammie once again tried to reassure her date that nothing was afoot and smiled as she gave Jareth’s hand a light squeeze. The last thing she needed was to scare him away with drama from her scandalous past.

A small frown appeared on Jareth’s lips as he dabbed the corners of his mouth with the linen napkin then stood up. “Well then, love, if you’ll excuse me while I head to the privy and upon my return, why don’t we set out to our movie a tad earlier?”

“Sounds lovely, Jareth. I’ll flag down the server and get the check while you’re away.”

“No need, the bill has already been taken care of, love. I’ll be back in a jiff.” Jareth gave a quick nod and headed towards the men’s room.

Sammie bit her lip, feeling agitated. She could tell Jareth didn’t buy her ruse, and it seemed to upset him that she wasn’t forthcoming with him.

Sammie sighed as she shifted in her seat, assuring herself that she only had to remain oblivious to Justin and his cronies until she and Jareth exited the building. Any second now, she internally chanted to herself. However, Sammie’s fears came true when a heavy, rugged hand was placed firmly on her bare shoulder. She shuttered at his touch. “Well, well, if it isn’t Sammie Hunter in the flesh. Hello baby, don’t tell me you’ve forgotten me already?” Justin slurred mockingly and sat himself down in the seat previously occupied by Jareth. “I mean, unless, of course, you just make it a fucking habit of yours to fuck your clients and break up relationships by sending photos and text messages to their girlfriends. If so, then yeah, I could see how a slut like you could easily not recognize me, Sammie.”

The heat began to rise in Sammie’s cheeks. Justin did not make any attempt to restrain his booming voice. She was sure the nearby dinner guests overheard his cruel words. She felt humiliated and had to do something to diffuse Justin’s belligerent ranting.

“Justin,” she regarded him coolly and retorted, “I have no idea what the hell you are talking about. I never sent anything to anyone other than letting you know I wasn’t about to be played by a cheating douche like you. I also don’t think this is the place, nor the time, for you to be causing a scene. If you want to blame me for your ass getting dumped, then you’re sadly mistaken. That would have to mean that you held some significance to me, other than a human dildo, which you didn’t. So, I truly don’t appreciate – ”

“I don’t give a FUCK what you appreciate, you lying bitch. I saw the texts and photos you sent to Candie,” he growled menacingly as he leaned towards Sammie. His hot breath wreaked of alcohol.” You are the reason my fiancée and I broke up. I always knew you were a who- ”

“Samantha.” Jareth, who had suddenly appeared beside Justin, interjected. “Is this rake bothering you?”

Justin stood up from where he was seated, looked Jareth’s lean frame over, and scoffed.

The man was a behemoth. At 6′7, he towered over Jareth, and yet, Jareth showed no sign of being intimidated as he rolled his eyes, unmistakably bored already.

“Look here, pretty boy, me and Sammie here have a little unfinished business to settle. Why don’t you -” Justin went to poke Jareth in the chest, but Jareth’s quick reflexes immediately intercepted his hand.

“No.” Jareth coldly spat, swatting Jareth’s massive hand aside as if it were a mere fly buzzing in his direction. “Why don’t YOU leave Samantha’s sight this instant, and I promise things will go a lot more swimmingly for you. I assure you, I will only allow you this fortuitous opportunity once, as my patience is wearing quite ... thin.”

Justin looked down and glared at the cool, collected Jareth while he clenched his jaw and massive fists until his knuckles turned white. His equally brawny cohorts, who had been eyeing the situation, were suddenly looming nearby in the background.

Jareth just shook his head and sighed, not bothering to acknowledge their daunting presence.

The man was cool as a cucumber while Sammie was getting ready to dial 911. Jareth noticed Sammie reaching for her cell phone. He winked and shook his head, reassuring her that a call would be unnecessary.

**********************************************************

Sammie

Justin’s overconfident manner reached full throttle.

I mean, he was a big WWF fighter, and now he had his Gigantor friends as backup. Clearly, Jareth was no physical match for him, let alone all three of the big oafs. It was apparent Justin was not going to stop his tirade any time soon. “You know what, GQ ... I suggest you run along and wait till I’m done talking to the little skank here. When the adults are done talking, you can have her back; then she can suck you off since I’m sure you’re paying her good money for her services. I know I did. Besides, you don’t want to piss me off, buddy. You have no idea who you’re fucking with!”

Seriously?!

What a Douche! I gasped under my breath.

“Regale me,” Jareth haughtily countered, “who am I, as you so eloquently put it, fucking with? Because all I see is a pathetic human trying to intimidate a woman half his size. Which I must admit is rather pitiful. Is that whom I am fucking with, sir, a laughable wag?”

Despite his challenging quip, Jareth looked as if he was trying to maintain his unruffled composure, yet his aura grew dark and menacing. Regardless of the fact that he was visibly outnumbered, it felt like Jareth was the person that should be feared.

Justin eyed his friends, and the three of them encircled Jareth in a threatening stance. Each one of the men was clutching their big hands in fists, ready to strike.

“And I told you,” Justin muttered angrily as he glared at Jareth, “to leave!”

In an instant, Jareth’s back was to me as he faced Justin’s buddies. He let out a low growl, and I saw their faces turn white with fear. The two men looked like they were going to shit themselves as they bolted towards the exit.

What the hell?

Justin, who was utterly taken aback by his friends’ cowardice, went to take a swing at Jareth, who dodged his attempt and suddenly stood behind Justin, gripping his arm forcefully behind his back. The veins popping in Justin’s enormous neck told me that Jareth was holding this giant gorilla’s arm firmly enough so that the fighter was unable to escape his stronghold.

Holy shit, Jareth had to friggin be like Mr. Miyagi or something, I concluded. While still maintaining his tight hold of Justin’s arm, Jareth leaned in very close to his ear and spoke inaudibly enough so that I wasn’t able to make out what was being said. Jareth’s calm expression was never faltering; whereas Justin looked terrified, the man literally pissed his pants. Cautiously, Justin nodded his head in agreement. He actually looked like he was about to burst into tears.

I almost felt sorry for him.

Well almost.

Jareth released him, and Justin bolted out the door faster than you could say, señor pissy pants. Completely dumbfounded, I sat there with my jaw dropped, trying to comprehend what just happened.

**********************************************************

Jareth turned towards Sammie and brushed off his suit jacket. He then held his pale hand out for a speechless Sammie to take.

A content smirk curled up on his lips as she took his hand and walked with him to the front of the restaurant. He stepped away to talk to the establishment’s night manager, leaving her alone with her confused thoughts about the recent events that had transpired. The two men seemed to appear laughing as Jareth warmly placed his hand on the man’s back and gave him a quick nod. Jareth then handed the stocky man his business card, and the two shook hands amicably.

Jareth casually strode back, returning to Sammie’s side, and held out his arm to her. She shyly laced her slender fingers gently around his arm, clutching his muscular forearm. He gave her one of his megawatt smiles, making any discomfort she felt prior simply vanish entirely, then spoke.

“Well, now that it seems all the unpleasantries are out of the way, shall we head out to the cinema Samantha? I do believe we have a movie to catch.”

Sammie blushed and nodded as she allowed Jareth to lead her out of the building and onto their next destination.