Twist of Fate

by Witek, Barbara

  Twist of Fate

  Barbara Witek

  7This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

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  TWIST OF FATE

  All rights reserved.

  Copyright © 2012 by Barbara Witek

  http://www.barbarawitek.com

  Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in, or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the publisher of this book.

  DEDICATION

  To Kari Lee Harmon, my partner in crime and my biggest cheerleader! I will never forget my first NEC Conference with you when I received my first “send me the full” for this story. Of course, it’s changed a lot since then and you’ve hung with me every step of the way. We’ve squealed over the good news and cried over the bad. I couldn’t ask for a better critique partner or friend. I’m glad we share a brain. And I’m glad we can keep Christine on her toes and smiling with our “one-brained-ness” as to who put what into whose story! Thanks for always being there. P.S. Is it toddy time yet?

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  To my husband Dave and our children Zach, Tyler and Lauren for understanding my many hours behind the computer and supporting me throughout this journey. Dave and Zach, you guys gave me great brainstorming ideas. I love you all! To my mom, Dorothy Mahoney, for instilling in me the values I have today that keep me strong (or stubborn) enough not to give up. You’re the best mom ever! To Christine Witthohn, for your constant encouragement, support and ideas, you are an invaluable resource, business partner and friend. Kelly Ferrera, I adore you! Your covers are as awesome as you. I’ve saved the best for last. Thanks to my extended family: Diane, Ron, Mike, Kristi, Tonya, Jim, Karen, Nick, Kristen & Kathy for your continued support, your love and laughter. You’ve always asked about my books and listened as I went on and on and on and on….. You guys are the best and I love each and every one of you!

  Chapter One

  Sam Hackett pointed past Rusty’s nose with the neck of his beer bottle as the tall brunette closed her umbrella just inside the door. For a quick second he wondered if he should duck for cover. Too late, even from across the room, her big blue eyes and creamy skin drew him in like a magnet. God, she was beautiful, and the last person he ever thought he’d see again. The polite smile she gave a passing stranger reminded him how persuasive those lips of hers could be. Shocked by the vision before him, Sam forced the half-eaten pretzel down his throat, trying not to choke, in order to find his voice. “Would you look at that?”

  “What the hell is she doing here?” Rusty’s jaw bottomed out like a trap door.

  They watched her follow a boot-clad barmaid through the crowd of Friday night dancers. She seemed eager to reach the dimly lit corner table. Thankfully, she hadn’t spotted them, which gave Sam the element of surprise.

  “That’s what I’m going to find out.” He narrowed his eyes. The past was the past, yet curiosity powered through him. Why would she be at Jed’s Bar, of all places? Last he knew a little dive like this wasn’t her type of social spot. Sam perched on the edge of the bar stool, ready to make a move, when Rusty’s hand on his forearm stopped him.

  “Do you think that’s a good idea? She might not want to see you, let alone talk to you.”

  “And your point?” Sam cocked a brow and Rusty released his hold.

  “Don’t you think those old ghosts are better off dead?”

  “Maybe.” Draining the last sip of lager, Sam set the amber bottle on the worn wood of the bar.

  “Maybe?” Rusty’s voice hitched. His empty bottle found its place next to Sam’s. “Listen, Ace, we’ve known each other too long. I know how she affects you.”

  “Don’t worry, I can handle it.” Sam held up a callused palm in reassurance. “I’m just gonna say hi, for old times’ sake, that’s all.” Sam noticed they weren’t the only ones staring at Kate since she’d come in. He didn’t have any claim on her, but that didn’t mean it didn’t piss him off. He’d claimed her six years ago and look where it got him. She’d married someone else. Hell, he wasn’t about to go there again. He cleared his throat to regain focus. Then, after giving Rusty a slap on the shoulder, he added, “If you’ll excuse me, I need to take care of something. When I get back, it’s your round.”

  Sam slid off his stool and sauntered toward her table, barely avoiding the barmaid with a tray full of the evening’s colorful shot specials. In one smooth motion, he snatched a glass and gulped down the burning mixture, placing the empty on a table as he passed by. This was insane. His heartbeat quickened and he wiped damp palms on the thighs of his faded jeans, hoping the liquid courage would kick in. He hadn’t felt this way since they were in school together.

  What if Rusty was right? Well, there was only one way to find out.

  She appeared to be in her own world, oblivious to the thumping base of the jukebox and dull hum of conversation. As he got closer, he could tell she’d been crying. Even with puffy eyes and lips, to Sam she was flawless. The hardness in his heart crumbled just a little.

  Her soft, dark curls tumbled over her shoulders. The black leather coat she wore hid the curves he remembered so well and made his hands itch to rediscover. He stopped for a moment to admire her when the barmaid returned with her drink. His mouth went dry as her slender fingers caressed the stem of the martini glass. She was the kind of woman who was sexy and didn’t know it. That quality still sent signals to certain parts of his body. Taking a deep breath, he prepared to make his move.

  He pitched his voice low and smooth when he reached the table. “What’s the matter, princess, trouble in paradise?” To his amazement she was on her feet and in his arms.

  Not the reaction he thought he’d get from her, but he’d take it.

  Instinctively he pulled her close. A ripple of shock waves coursed through his body, burning a hole right down to his muddy boots. Always the reaction he had from her. Damn, she could still do this to him after all these years.

  He breathed deep the scent of her. It seemed like forever since they’d been this close. The unforgettable smell of lilies and the feel of her body pressing against his was enough to push him over the edge. After the day he’d had, he didn’t need this. However, he had to admit he rather liked it.

  He always had.

  “Oh, Sam.” Her voice was barely a whisper as she buried her head in his neck. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

  He had to strain to hear over the heavy drone of music and chatter. She hadn’t been glad the last time they’d seen each other, and that was enough to make his sanity return. His sarcasm was impossible to disguise. “What are you doing here, anyway? Did Daddy take away your credit cards? Or did Versace come to the local strip mall?” He released her, forcing his hands into his pockets for lack of a better place to go.

  “What?” She sounded confused, and her eyes glistened as if she would burst into tears at any moment.

  Stepping back to clear his head, he saw her pain and relented a little. He’d never been able to deny her anything, and no matter what had happened six years ago, he sensed that she needed him now. He took both of her hands in his and eased her back into the c
hair. Keeping his hands on hers from across the table, he noticed she wasn’t wearing a wedding ring. So the tabloid rumors of her impending divorce were true.

  “It’s so awful. Why is this happening?” she blurted without looking at him.

  He followed the direction of her blank stare to the crumpled piece of paper on the table between them. This obviously wasn’t good news. His chest tightened and he closed his eyes. Not sure what to say, he let out the breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding and said the first thing that came to mind.

  “So what’s going on?” He rubbed her bare ring finger with his thumb, waiting for a reply. When she didn’t respond, he tilted her face toward his own. “Kate?” Their eyes met and he knew she felt it, too. That spark, the connection they vowed would always be between them.

  “It’s over.” Returning her gaze to the center of the table, she slipped a hand free and wiped a tear from her cheek as she whispered, “Yet it’s only just begun.”

  “What are you talking about?” A strange feeling stirred in the pit of his stomach. Or had the neon shooter finally hit bottom? He wasn’t sure.

  “It’s out of control. He doesn’t see it. I can’t get him to see what’s happening.”

  Sam watched tears trail down her face. He couldn’t imagine what, exactly, was out of control in her perfect little world. It had been so long since they’d been together.

  Ancient History.

  History he’d never been able to forget.

  Her quivering voice brought him back from his reverie. “He assigned me a bodyguard and never told me. He never told me.”

  “A what?” Sam shook his head and dismissed the barmaid who approached with her order pad. He was trying to make sense of Kate’s rambling. He didn’t need another drink and couldn’t eat even if he wanted to.

  “I know. I couldn’t believe it at first, either. He said it was for my own protection. If our personal business hadn’t become family business, I wouldn’t need protecting.”

  “Family business?” Sam didn’t like the sound of that. From somewhere in the kitchen, glasses shattered to the floor followed by a string of curses.

  Kate continued as if she didn’t hear. “I told him I wouldn’t give up custody. I wouldn’t come back to him. I wouldn’t take it anymore.”

  “What did he say?” While he waited for her answer, the mystery-shot from moments before warmed Sam’s insides like rising mercury in a thermometer, making him regret his impulsive move.

  “Nothing,” she said almost too flip. “His mind is made up. I know he’s using that thug to keep tabs on me.” Sam caught a hint of what he thought was contempt. Whatever she and her husband were going through must be as ugly as the gossip mags made it out to be. Not that he’d ever given those journalists any credibility or kept tabs on her for that matter. He watched her repeatedly fold and unfold the cocktail napkin as she said, “He’ll use anything against me and report to Carlo.”

  Sam forced the bile back down his throat.

  She couldn’t be talking about Carlo Santini, could she? He’d heard horrible stories about that family, not to mention the occasional connections reported on the evening news which law enforcement could never prove. What precisely was her high-powered husband into? Sam looked again at the piece of paper, the past coming back to haunt him with a vengeance.

  They’d been so young. Sam didn’t want her to study fashion design abroad. He’d tried to tell her it was her father’s way of keeping them apart, but she wouldn’t believe him. George Thompson was as good as God in her eyes. The silver-haired investment banker had warned him Kate would find someone better, more suitable. Sam remembered arguing with her for days over it.

  Then, after he’d made the biggest mistake of his life, she’d gone to Italy after all and turned his biggest fear into a reality. Sure hadn’t taken her long to get over him. She’d met the ‘Italian Stallion,’ gotten herself pregnant, and then married the guy. That alone had hurt like hell. Truth be known, it still did.

  Sam couldn’t get over the rise of emotions threatening to swallow him whole. He thought he’d worked through them long ago, but seeing Kate again brought it all front and center. After all those years he’d damned her to hell, her discomfort at the moment touched him in ways he’d never imagined. He remained still, fighting the urge to gather her in his arms and kiss her. What good would it do, anyway? That ship had sailed, or in Sam’s case, sunk.

  “I’m sorry.” He didn’t know if he was apologizing for his past mistakes or for the hurt she felt now. Her eyes softened as if she understood. In that one instance, he knew he’d do whatever he could to help her.

  “I guess you can say things are pretty messed up right now.”

  Sam admired her attempt at levity but clenched his jaw just the same. He didn’t like things being messed up. Then again, he had this uncanny knack for screwing up his life. Well, damn it, not this time.

  He hadn’t expected to see her tonight or ever again for that matter. How many times had he wondered what he’d do differently if given the chance? He was being handed a blatant opportunity to find out, even he could see that. Well, he wasn’t about to waste it. She’d said it was over with her husband. The only thing he had to lose was Kate, which wasn’t an option this time.

  “Dance with me.” Without giving her time to object, Sam was on his feet and leading her to join a small group of people on the tiny parquet dance floor. I’m sorry was merely the beginning.

  “W-what are you doing?” She stutter-stepped behind him, trying to put on the brakes, but he kept moving until they were deep in the center of the crowd. He placed her left hand on his shoulder and took her right hand in his left, resting his right hand against the small of her back.

  Fate may have intervened, but inside he was a nervous wreck. Six years ago he couldn’t have provided for her in the way she was accustomed to. He sure as hell hadn’t been ready to settle down. Maybe he’d needed to grow up. His life had been an emotional roller-coaster after she’d gone to Europe. Sam had more than matured since then.

  “Shhh, let me speak.” He pulled her against him, closing his eyes at the shower of memories while a love song played through the speakers. “I know things look bad right now, but something good will come from this, you’ll see.” As crazy as it sounded flowing out of his mouth, he honestly believed it.

  She leaned back enough to shoot him a look of disbelief. “Oh really, like what?”

  His finger touched her lips when she tried to speak again. “All I’ve ever wanted was the best for you. I don’t know why, or how, but things got messed up. I messed up. You came into my life, and the last thing I ever wanted was for you to leave.” Kate stared beyond his shoulder as if she were remembering what they once shared. He paused until she returned her gaze to his and continued with more determination, finding the beat once more to the music. “Something, fate, brought you here tonight. Back here to me. Timing, circumstance, it’s on our side now. Don’t you see? Everything bad is behind us.”

  She twisted out of his arms, mouth gaping. “I can’t believe what you’re suggesting. What kind of fool do you think I am? You honestly think I’m going to fly back into your arms? Act like nothing ever happened?”

  “Isn’t that what you just did?” He couldn’t help himself. This wasn’t going the way he’d imagined. He shouldn’t have been surprised by her reaction, but he was as reality once more set in.

  Kate strode to the table with Sam close behind. She took a quick drink then sat down, barely acknowledging him as she said, “I have a different life now.”

  “A life you seem to be running from.” Her eyes grew wide, and he knew it was true. Pounding his fist on the table, he yelled, “Damn it, Kate, don’t even try to deny it!” Several bar patrons stared in their direction. Sam returned the calm to his voice and sat across from her once again. “I see it in your eyes.”

  She pushed away from the table and stood, lowering her voice. “I should have walked away the minute you cam
e over here.”

  “So why didn’t you?” His bitterness echoed against the loud music as he lunged to his feet. “But no, you threw yourself into my arms instead. Why the hell did you come here, anyway? Aren’t you a little out of your element, princess?”

  Her eyes met his for a moment, and then she rubbed her temples. “I needed time to think, time to clear my head. I didn’t have a plan. The rain started coming down so hard, I couldn’t see, so I pulled off here.” She stopped and snatched the umbrella from the edge of the table. Her blue eyes turned icy as she spat, “I certainly didn’t expect to run into you.”

  Sam met her stare, squaring his shoulders. If a fight was what she wanted, he’d give it to her. She’d pushed him away six years ago and never looked back, never gave him a chance to explain, never cared enough to find the truth. There was a lot she never knew, and maybe now she needed to find out. She might not like what he had to say, but he would damn well make her listen.

  Then her tone softened and she closed her eyes when she continued, “When I saw you, I was so relieved. You’ve always been...thought that...Oh, what does it matter, I honestly thought I wanted to talk.” She sighed, sending his frustration into overdrive.

  “And you don’t now?” There were so many unanswered questions.

  “I don’t know,” she said and continued to avoid his gaze.

  “For God’s sake, Kate, open your eyes.” Blue eyes locked on blue as Sam willed her to understand. There was a brief flicker of recognition, as if she were picking up on his signal. He had to take what he was feeling inside and run with it. If she still hated him, then so be it. He would have to live with that. Right now, he had nothing to lose.

  “Sam, this isn’t the time or the place.” She looked down at her diamond-encrusted watch, and he noticed how her hand shook.

  When she raised her eyes to his, he saw the many questions swirling in their crystal blue depths. Lord knows he had enough of his own, and he couldn’t lose this chance. His stubborn pride had gotten in the way before. He wasn’t about to let hers be at fault this time. He damn well couldn’t let Kate get off easy. Something major was happening with her, and the knot in the pit of his stomach kept twisting tighter.