“Pac-Man? Or is it Donkey Kong?” In truth, it looked a little more violent and military.A slow grin spread over his face. “Baseball. Think maybe you could stand behind me and give me a few pointers?”

“Anthony raised his red plastic cup to me and shouted something, but it was too hard to hear over the music. “What?” I called back. “You look great!” A goofy smile was plastered on his face. “Oh boy,” Vee said. “Not just a pimp, but a smashed pimp.” “So maybe he’s a little drunk.” “Drunk and hoping to corner you alone in a bedroom upstairs.” Ugh.”

“I turned my face up to his. I could hardly look at him the same way. I was crying without realizing I'd started. "You made a deal with Hank. You saved my life. Why would you do that for me?""Angel," he murmured, clasping my face between his hands. "I don't think you understand the lengths I would go to if it means keeping you here with me.”

“That was a good fight back in the gym,” he said.“But I think you could benefit from a few more boxinglessons.”

“I dug the untraceable phone Patch had given me out of my handbag and dialled his number."I have a free couple of hours," I told him, walking toward my car, which was parked on the next block. "There's a very dark, very secluded barn in Lookout Hill Park behind the carousel. I could be there in fifteen minutes."I heard the smile in his voice."You want me bad.""I need and an endorphin boost.""And making out in an abandoned barn with me will give you one?""No, it will probably put me in an endorphin coma, and I'm more than happy to test the theory.”

“Who wants to kill you?” the guy asked. He was still looking over his shoulder, but his expression was puzzled.“There’s nobody there,” the girlfriend told me.“You’re making them think they can’t see you, aren’t you?” I said to Patch, awed by his power even as I despised his use of it.”

“Angel," he murmured, clasping my face between his hands. "I don't think you understand the lengths I would go to if it means keeping you here with me.”