TWISTED FATES BOOK 1: THE FIRST TWIST by Jacklyn Rogers (e book reader for pc txt) 📗

"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.

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Sammie's POV

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