“Denise clung to the feel of his hands as she pushed at her panic. It's okay. You're safe...and this has got to be the ugliest couch ever.”

“Devon? Are you okay?" For the first time, Dom's voice sounds unsure. Devon sats nothing, not one word. She pushes herself up. She slides the papers toward herself. She slowly folds them into quarters. She closes her hand around them. Devon lifts her face to Dom's. Is she "okay"? Will she ever, ever be okay?”

“She felt Jay squeezing her hand with his. It was warm.It made her feel safe and attached to the world.”

“But, you're his son," I said, trying really hard to hate him. "You're the son of Satan. Literally.""And you are the stepdaughter of Denise Davidson."Wow. That was a bit harsh, but, "Okay, point taken.”

“When you've got a real boyfriend, everything stupid is okay, and everything scary feels safe.”

“His chin rested on top of my head as he stroked my hair. "It's alright," he murmured. "I'll keep you safe.""She okay?"Ayden jerked away, dropping his hands. And me.”