“Women who have been disappeared by violence are howling. The voices of disappeared women are echoing. I sing with these voices.”

“Glenn... I wasn't expecting this. He's not after my blood, and we like the same stuff." From the rearview mirror, Jenks snickered. "Guns, violence, crime scene photos, leather, sex, and women. Yeah, I can see that."(Ivy and Jenks)”

“In novels, women run off with their lovers. In real life, women stay.”

“Gabriel?” I said.“Yeah?” His voice was breathless.“Kiss me.”

“She just threatened to throw the next man who shoots at you out the window. Megan is awake. She offered to help. God, Trent, what is it with you and women?”

“Rachel,” came a raspy voice from the upper level, and both Trent and I turned. It was Quen, wrapped in a blanket as if it was a death shroud, the black-haired intern at his side, supporting him. His hair was plastered to his skull with sweat, and I could see him wavering as he stood there. “Don’t touch Trenton,” he said, his gravelly voice clear in the hush, “or I’m going to have to come down there…and smack you around.”

“You’re the most important person in the world tome.” I quickly added in a hushed voice, “Don’t tell Mom. She’ll be jealous.”