“He smiled and extended a hand. "I knew you would do it, ma petite.""You arrogant son of a bitch." I smashed the shotgun butt into his stomach. He doubled over just enough. I hit him in the jaw. . He rocked back. "Get out of my mind!”

“He laughed, and it raised goose-bumps on my arms. "Oh,ma petite ,ma petite , you are precious."Just what I wanted to hear. "So how are you getting here?""My private jet."Of course, he had a private jet. "When can you be here?""I will be there as soon as I can, my impatient flower.""I prefer ma petite to flower.”

“You are an irritating son of a bitch.”“Ah, ma petite, how can I resist you when you whisper such sweet endearments to me?”

“Oh, ma petite, you are growing gargantuan."I looked at him and it was not a friendly look. "Never tease a woman about her weight, Jean-Claude. At least not an American twentieth-century one."He Spread his hands wide. "My deepest apologies.""When you apologize, try not to smile at the same time. It ruins the effect.”

“He squeezed my shoulder and smiled at me.I realized that I hadn't kissed him hello, I always kissed him hello. Of course, I was still covered in blood and other bodily fluids, and none of them were his, but he might not understand that that was why I hadn't wanted to get too close. Some of my confusion must have shown on my face, because his smile widened. He turned me around by the shoulders, gave me a little push towards the bathroom, and slapped me on the ass. "Get cleaned up, I'll take care of things here.""I can't believe that you just did that," I said."Did what?" he said, and he was grinning at me.I could probably count on one hand the number of times Micah had grinned at me. His eyes were sparkling with laughter as if it were all he could do not to let it out. I was happy to see him having a good time, really I was. But I wasn't sure what was funny, and I didn't have the courage to ask. It was probably something that would be at my expense, or something I'd just done that he found cute. I was not cute. Confused, fucked-up, bruised, but not cute. Nathaniel and Damian knew better, but as I passed Gregory, I had to say, "If you touch my ass, I will rip you a new one." I said it as I moved past him, not even pausing."You're no fun," he growled.I looked back just before I turned out of sight of him. "Oh, I'm a lot of fun, just not around you."He snarled at me. "Bitch.""Woof, woof," I said, and finally made it into the bathroom.”

“Ma petite ...''No, you've done enough talking. It's my turn. If you harm Richard Zeeman, I'll kill you.''He means that much to you?' There was surprise in his voice. Great. 'No, you mean that little'.”

“He balled his hand into a fist. "You are such a bitch." "Woof, woof," I said.”