“I don't know what to do about Justin continuing to fleece my family. How much did you lose?"Alan shrugged and sipped. "About one seventy-five." Catching Shelby's eye, he grinned. "I only play with Justine for diplomatic reasons." As she continued to stare he leaned back against the buffet. "And, dammit, one day I'm going to beat him.”

“Now, remembering Daniel's blustering description of Grant's weekend companion, Justin controlled a grin. "Daniel mentioned you were bringing-an artist."Grant recognized, as few would have, the gleam of humor in Justin's eyes. "I'm sure he did," he returned in the same conversational tone. "I haven't congratulated you yet on ensuring the continuity of the line.""And saving the rest of us from the pressure to do so immediately," Shelby finished."Don't count on it," a smooth voice warned.Gennie looked up to see a blond woman descending the steps, carrying a bundle in a blue blanket."Hello,Grant. It's nice to see you." Serena cradled her son in one arm as she leaned over to kiss Grant's cheek. "It was sweet of you to answer the royal summons.”

“Pops: How about you finish this sentence for me, Jason? When a girl says no she means...Justin, looking desperately at me: No?Nana: Are you sure?Justin, shifting uncomfortably: I'm sure. No means no.Nana: Well look at you. You got one right. Now here's another, even tougher sentence for you to finish. Premarital sex is...Me: Nana! I'm so sorry Justin.Nana: Unlike Pops, I'm not moving on. Justin?Pops: His name is Jason.Justin:Uh....uh....Pops: While you think about that, why don't you tell me how you feel about drinking and driving?Justin: I'm totally against it, I swear!Nana: Methinks he protests too much.”

“A pair of aces," Daniel said with a fierce look in his eye.Justin set his cards down quietly and faceup. "Two pair.Jacks and sevens." He sat back as Caine swore in disgust."You son of-" In frustration, Daniel broke off, shifting his eyes from his daughter to Shelby. "The devil take you, Justin Blade.""You're sending him off prematurely," Shelby commented, spreading her cards. "A straight,from the five to the nine."Alan walked over to look at her cards. "I'll be damned, she drew the six and seven.""No one but a bloody witch draws an inside straight," Daniel boomed, glaring at her."Or a bloody Campbell," Shelby said easily.His eyes narrowed. "Deal the cards."Justin grinned at her as Shelby scooped in chips. "Welcome aboard," he said quietly and began to shuffle.”

“You did this on purpose," I said to Justin as the man continued to strap me in."Maybe," he said."What is it you're playing at? Your girlfriend is down there at the river.""Let's jump together.""Come on Lenah!" Tony called from below."If you jump with me, Tracy will know."Justin stood up. "Know what?""I mean , she'll think you did it on purpose.""I did do it on purpose," he said."You two," the bungee man said. "Keep you eyes open if you're jumping together. Don't bash heads or anything. I hate cleaning up blood.""If you jump with me-" I started to say."I don't care anymore.”

“What is this,a summit meeting?" Alan demanded as he strode down the hall. "It's one thing to be the advance man," he continued as he cupped a hand around the back of his wife's neck, "and another to be the sacrificial lamb.Dad's doing a lot of moaning and groaning about this family scattering off in all directions.""With Caine getting the worst of it," Serena put in."Yeah." Alan grinned once, appealingly. "Too bad he's late.”