Jennifer Estep quotes:

Keep the change, Gin," McCallister said in a smarmy, mocking voice. "Consider it an early Christmas present." "Aw," I drawled. "A whopping thirteen cents. You're too kind, Jonah. Why, you'd put Ebezener Scrooge to shame with your bighearted generosity.

This is an Aston Martin, Gin.You don't run over dead bodies in an Aston Matin." "Tell that to James Bond

Keep the change, Gin," McCallister said in a smarmy, mocking voiceConsider it an early Christmas present.""Aw," I drawledA whopping thirteen cents. You're too kind, Jonah. Why, you'd put Ebezener Scrooge to shame with your bighearted generosity."

What did you expect? That he'd send you flowers and write you bad poetry? That dead Nemean prowler is pretty much as close to a stuffed animal as you're ever going to get from a Spartan like Logan Quinn.

He gave me his word. That means something to a man like Donovan Caine. Yeah, it means you'll realize he's an exceptionally good liar when you're clutching your intestines and choking on your own blood on his living room floor.

Logan Quinn was the kind of guy who could stab me in the eye with a freaking Twizzler.

She doesn't even know how to kill things properlike? What kind of girl have you given me to, goddess? Vic protested, fixing his eye on Nike once more.Nike let out a laugh Vic is a little bloodthirsty. You'll get used to it.

Donovan Caine wanted me, but he wasn't strong enough to accept me. Not my past, not my strength, not the woman I was. Bitter disappointment filled me, replacing my rage, but I forced myself to ask the final question I wanted an answer to..."

Quite a crowd tonight, Gin. Usually, it's just you and Finn." I shrugged. "What can I say? I seem to attract minions wherever I go these days. Kind of like the Pied Piper." Behind me, Finn huffed out his displeasure. "Minion? I am most certainly not a mere minion. Head minion, perhaps. At the very least.

He realized something was going on between Logan and me. I wish he'd clue me in on exactly what it was, because I had no idea.

It'll be okay, I promise. No matter what I see or feel. You'll still be Logan and I'll still be your Gypsy girl.

I pulled the trigger twice, cutting off his protests, and Finn joined my lover on the floor.

I didn't know what would take my mind off the sexy Spartan, except for maybe a total lobotomy.

I might be an assassin, but never let it be said I wasn't as gracious a hostess as the next gal.

All right, baby," Daphne crooned."Talk to Mama and tell me all your secrets. . . .

You're late.""Sorry. I was busy talking about my feelings and killing people.

There's nothing I can do that's going to drive you away, is there?" I murmured. Owen flashed me a sly grin. "Finally figuring that out, are you? I nodded. His grin deepened. "Well, it sure took you long enough.

You've got a thing for Donovan Caine. You have ever since you killed Ingles, his partner, and he went all dogged and determined on you."

All I'm saying is that I understand if the novelty's worn off and you want to get off the carousel ride now before it kills you.

Are you OK? I asked.I think so. Logan stared at me, and a smile pulled up his lipsBut maybe you should give me mouth-to-mouth, just to make sure.

Always take the most unexpected route

Just another part of that Spartan killer instinct. I can slay the ladies just as well as I can reapers.

Since coming to Mythos, I'd almost been run through with a sword and mauled to death by a killer kitty cat. Dirty looks didn't faze me anymore.

Instead, I cut him. Not deep, but there was enough of a sting in the wound to remind him of what I'd done to the dwarven mobsters in the parking lot - and that I wasn't just some chick with a knife who looked good in black.

Two students severely injured, you yourself covered in blood, a Reaper on the premises, a Fenrir wolf running around loose somewhere, and extensive property damage to the resort. Well?" Nickamedes snapped. "What do you have to say for yourself, Gwendolyn?" I thought for a second, then grinned at him. "I followed your directions exactly. I never set one foot outside the hotel.

This is really good," Donovan Caine said, attacking his third strawberry pancakeYou sound surprised," I said. He shruggedI just didn't think an assassin would be able to cook like this." "Well, I do get lots of practice with knives. You could say I'm multitasking." The detective froze, his fork halfway to his mouthI'm kidding. I enjoy cooking. It relaxes me."

Donovan Caine naked, water droplets sliding down his lean body, his muscles clenching and relaxing as he washes himself. Mmm. Nice image. Despite our earlier confrontation, I still found the detective extremely sexy. He'd be even more attractive if he'd lose the righteous anger and the stick up his ass. But no man was perfect."

Jonah McAllister regarded me with cold eyesOh, yes. That's her. The lovely Ms.Gin Blanco. The bitch who was giving my boy a hard time.A hard time? I supposed so, if you thought turning him in to the cops for attempted robbery, breaking a plate full of food in his face, and ultimately stabbing Jake McAllister to death was a hard time."

That's what this little conversation is all about. The talk about my knives, the stroll on the terrace, the handholding and come-on about what my scar sounds like. Interesting technique. Tell me, what was your next move? Maneuvering me up against the wall here? Or me accidentally falling on your dick?

I looked at BriaHow do you put up with him?Bria started to open her mouth, but Finn piped up instead.She puts up with me because I happen to be rich, handsome, charming, a witty conversationalist, and exceptionally talented in bed, he smirkedFlexible too.I groanedI did not need to hear those last two.

My heart lifted, and a matching grin curved my lips. He wanted to see me again. Maybe he really did like me after all. I felt like doing a happy dance, but of course, I was way too cool for that. I'd at least wait until I got back to my hotel room, alone, where no one would see.

Did she just call me a bleeding toothpick? Kill her! Kill her now!

I know that maniacal twinkle in your eye. You're up to something Gwen," he said.

Finn regarded pesky little things like wedding bands, engagement rings, and jealous, hulking menfolk more as amusing challenges than immovable obstacles that could be hazardous to his health.

I used to murder people for money, but these days it's more of a survival technique.

I eat haughty, arrogant, manipulative, self-important bitches like you for breakfast, sugar. And then I go back for seconds.

The two men eyed each other. Assessing strengths. Looking for weaknesses. Measuring dicks once again

Moonlight slipped in through the lace curtains, slicing everything with its sliver cracks. That's how I felt right now - cold and cracked and hollow and empty.

One by one, the others all nodded their heads again, as if we were talking about having a spring picnic instead of going up against the deadliest woman in Ashland and all of her men.

I know, I know. But I can always kill him later. This way, at least we get to humiliate him first." Finn eyed me. "Sometimes I think you're even more devious, twisted, and vicious than I am." I grinned. "You only wish you could be as ruthless as me." "Absolutely.

I will destroy you. No matter how long it takes, no matter what it costs me. I won't sleep, I won't eat. I won't do anything but plot your downfall. I will mow down your men like they're weeds. I'll kill so many of them so viciously, so brutally, so horribly that no one will dare to work for you. And sooner or later, I'll get you too.

Have I ever told you how scary it is that you think of heels in terms of their possible shiv potential?

Donovan Caine wanted me, but he wasn't strong enough to accept me. Not my past, not my strength, not the woman I was. Bitter disappointment filled me, replacing my rage, but I forced myself to ask the final question I wanted an answer to...

Are you coming along peaceful-like, or am I going to have to hog-tie you and put you in the car?

Rage filled me at her words - cold, black, unending rage. Whatever happened to me, Mab would not hurt my sister again. She would not.

I was so getting tired of fighting for my life in the library.

Oh, Finn isn't an assassin," I cut in. "He's much, much worse. He's a banker.

Killing people was far easier than making polite chitchat.

You picked that out?" Caine asked. "That pink, plastic toy?" I turned to look at him. "I happen to have been a little girl, once upon a time, detective. I know what they like. Every little girl wants to be a princess." A thoughtful frown overcame the angry tension on Caine's rugged face. "And what happens when they grow up?" I thought of my mother and sisters and all the horrors that had happened the day they'd died. A bitter laugh escaped from my tight lips. "Then they just want to be little girls again.

Can you play the piano like Beethoven? Or sing like Carly Simon? Can you take fie pages' worth of quotes and turn them into a usable story ten minutes before deadline? I don't think so, unless you have more hidden talents I don't know about. We all have our special sills. They don't make us better or worse than each other. Just different

You're just jealous." "Hardly. Been there, done you. Adequate, but unremarkable.

But I'd much rather face a dozen assassins like LaFleur any night than deal with something as tricky, convoluted, and fragile as my feelings.

You won't hurt me. I know you won't." Logan said. "How can you be so sure?" I whispered. "Because you're that Gypsy girl, and I'm the bad-boy Spartan. And I think it's time we were finally together, don't you?

I'm crazy about you, Spartan.

I'm going to untangle her deadly scheme, even if it leaves my love affair hanging by a thread.

I know that look. What are you up to, Gwen?" "What makes you think I'm up to something?" The Valkyrie snorted. "You're breathing, aren't you?

That's hard core, Gin," Finn replied. "Very hard core. Kind of kinky too." A grim smile tightened my lips. "That's me. Gin Blanco. Hard core and kinky to the bitter end.

Oh yes. You've caught me. I confess. My sole purpose in life is to gleefully, willfully, maniacally destroy all of your precious chrome babies.

Gin! Gin, are you here?" "Right behind you," I said. Finn shrieked and whirled around. I winced at the high-pitched sound. "Dammit, woman." He clutched the folder to his chest. "Are you trying to give me a heart attack?

That was my favorite dagger." She had a favorite dagger? Seriously? And she thought that I was a freak.

Are you OK?" I asked. "I think so." Logan stared at me, and a smile pulled up his lips. "But maybe you should give me mouth-to-mouth, just to make sure.

Burn, baby, burn," she muttered in a hard, satisfied voice. I cleared my throat. "As much as I hate to interrupt the supreme satisfaction you're taking in watching the mansion blaze to the ground, I'd really like to get out of here before the whole house collapses on top of us.

Y'all might as well come on out," I said. "I know you're there. I can smell you." "Smell me? But I just took a shower this morning!" an indignant voice drifted out of the shadows. There was a loud sound, like someone was getting smacked upside the head. Then another voice let out a low mutter. "Shut up, idiot.

What was it with people always trying to kill me in the library? Nickamedes so needed to put up warning signs. Danger: Working here could be hazardous to your health.

Don't you agree, fuzzball?

I did not glow with the thrill of battle. Cringe, yes. Glow, no.

Easy was for people too weak to suck it up and do what needed to be done. And I wasn't weak. Not anymore.

I hate to say this, but not everyone seems happy that you're still alive," Finn said, picking up on the glares coming my way. "You can't please everyone," I drawled. "And you know how much I hate to disappoint our dear friends in the underworld.

Her touch was as soft as a snowflake falling onto my skin.

Better be careful talking about how good my cooking is. Roslyn might get jealous." The vampire madam let out a soft laugh. "Oh, I'll freely admit that your cooking is much better than mine, Gin. But I have certain skills you don't, especially in the bedroom. I think that Xavier far prefers those, even over a plate of the Pork Pit's best barbecue." Roslyn gave Xavier a sly look, and the giant's grin widened. "Well played, Roslyn," I murmured. "Well played.

Any chance of getting something sweet to go with my coffee?" [Finn] asked in a hopeful voice. I arched an eyebrow at him. "You mean all those pieces of strawberry pie that you ate for lunch weren't enough?" "I'm a growing boy," Finn said in a sincere tone. "I need my vitamins." Bria snorted. "The only thing that's growing on you, Lane, is your ego." Finn sidled up to my sister and gave her a dazzling smile. "Well, other things of mine also tend to swell up in your presence, detective.

Art should look like art, trees and flowers and people, not weird shapes and splotches of color all smeared together.

Hey, are you okay?"he asked "Nickamedes told me what happened with Preston. He and the others were worried about you. They're out looking for you, along with Daphne, Carson, and Oliver."I let out a bitter laugh."I must have really freaked them out if Nickamedes was worried about me.

What can I say?" I grinned. I have a magic touch when it comes to animals." Daphne snorted. "You're touched in the head is more like it.

No matter what happens, I'll always come back to you." "Promise?" I asked in a shaky voice. Logan's eyes burned with icy determination. "Promise.

Let him look," he whispered and kissed me again.

I'm a figment of your imagination. You're only imagining that I'm sitting here eating with you. Because I'm just so freaking awesome that people daydream about being seen with me.

It was better to know what people were really like than put your trust in someone who just wanted to hurt you in the end.

And I was stuck here at Warrior Freaks R Us.

The band geek has liquor?

Don't make it a challenge. You know how much I like those.

Hope. An emotion that always kept suckering me in, time after time, despite my supposed retirement from the assassin business. Hope. The one thing that always seemed to get me into more trouble than just killing people for money ever had. Ah, hope. Sometimes, I really hated it.

Well, what did you have for lunch?" I snapped. "Surely that's not top secret superhero information." "Steak with mashed potatoes and a side salad," Striker replied. "And a piece of chocolate cheesecake for dessert." I gave up on conversation after that. I was too jealous of the cheesecake to continue.

I didn't know if he really meant talk, make out, or something else completely, but I'd be happy with any of them.

It didn't take long for the anger to put the happiness in a headlock.

I'd be damned if I let him see the tears in my eyes.

This is really good," Donovan Caine said, attacking his third strawberry pancake. "You sound surprised," I said. He shrugged. "I just didn't think an assassin would be able to cook like this." "Well, I do get lots of practice with knives. You could say I'm multitasking." The detective froze, his fork halfway to his mouth. "I'm kidding. I enjoy cooking. It relaxes me.

Finn did what he always did when confronted by an angry woman"?he checked out her boobs.

They'd played "Sweet Home, Alabama" so many times I wanted to crash the party, kill the radio, and knife whoever was selecting the music.

Emotions were for those too weak to turn them off.

Still, I'd do anything for him. Even smear his clotting blood inside the vehicle of his choosing.

You can work with me"?or you can wade through the blood and bodies after I'm done.

You've got a thing for Donovan Caine. You have ever since you killed Ingles, his partner, and he went all dogged and determined on you.

My name is Gin, and I kill people.

The panther prowled around me in a loose, wide circle. Its mouth turned down, almost in a pout, and it seemed disappointed that I wasn't going to run away. Or scream, at the very least. Its tail, which was at least three feet long, twitched back and forth in what seemed to be annoyance. Or maybe anticipation. I didn't know. I'd always been more of a dog person. I cleared my throat, and the panther stopped and flicked up one of its rounded ears. Listening. "Um, nice kitty?

Etiquette? What kind of etiquette was there in someone trying to murder me?

And that's when I snapped up my left hand and smashed him in the face with the hammer I'd grabbed.

Now, back to my vacation idea." Finn grinned, showing off his perfect white teeth. "Just think about it. You, Owen, me, and Bria, all happily ensconced in a swanky hotel by a beautiful beach. Bria in a bikini. You and Owen doing your own thing, Bria in a bikini. Did I mention Bria in a bikini?

I looked at Bria. "How do you put up with him?" Bria started to open her mouth, but Finn piped up instead. "She puts up with me because I happen to be rich, handsome, charming, a witty conversationalist, and exceptionally talented in bed," he smirked. "Flexible too." I groaned. "I did not need to hear those last two.

Kiss me or let me go. I don't care anymore.

You bruised my ego, you see, and there's just not enough money in the world to soothe my ego when it gets bruised

I don't judge you for what you've done, Gin. Why are you judging me for another man's mistakes?

You're mine," "Not his. Mine. Only mine. Always mine.

Too bad the smile was on the face of the wrong man.

Uh, what are you doing?" "Nothing much. Just erasing all of Calinda's good grades and replacing them with incompletes. Eventually, the administrators will figure out what happened, but I'm making it look like a computer error. Still, I imagine she'll get some nasty lectures from her profs and parents in the meantime.

The wolf stared down at me, paws still on my chest, its shaggy tail thumping from side tot side and spraying us both with snow. It seemed like...it expected me to do something. Maybe my mind was completley gone, because there was only one thing I could thing of right now that might satisfy it. I reached up en awkwardly patted the side of its head, since that was al i could reach. "Nice puppy," I whispered, and passed out.

I wouldn't say hate, exactly. You're kind of like fungus, Gwen. After a while, you just start growing on people.

She doesn't even know how to kill things properlike? What kind of girl have you given me to, goddess?" Vic protested, fixing his eye on Nike once more. Nike let out a laugh. " Vic is a little bloodthirsty. You'll get used to it.

Jasmine smirke at the weapon in my hand. "That little toothpick won't save you, Gypsy." "Touthpick?" Vic muttered in an indignant voice. "Did she just call me a bleeding toothpick? Kill her! Kill her now!

Come on, Gypsy girl. I'm bleeding to death here, in case you haven't noticed. At least make it worth my while and kiss me before I die.

Oh, baby. You have no idea what I'd do to get through those layers and down to the good stuff.

Really, Gin, did you have to ruin my suit?" he said. "This was a Fiona Fine original.