“Jared told her he used to be an exotic dancer in San Francisco.''My body is a gift from God,' Jared said gravely. 'Except for my hips, which are clearly a gift from the devil.”

“One of the lambs fixed its attention on Jared. “Baa,” it flirted. “Boo,” said Jared.“Oh my God, Jared. Don’t tough-talk the lambs.”"It was giving me a funny look.”

“If you weren’t there, how do you know someone pushed her?” Sergeant Kenn asked.“Well …,” said Jared.“And what were you doing, running through a strange town at night?”“I was jogging?” Jared offered.“Without your shirt or your shoes?”“Uh,” said Jared.”

“Kami drew in a slow shuddering breath, and reached out for comfort where she could always find it. I can hear him coming back, she told Jared. I'm scared.Don't be scared, Jared told her. He won't touch you. I'm coming, and I'm going to kill him.”

“He doesn't have to talk nonsense in a whisper in your ear," Jared said. "As opposed to talking nonsense in a whisper in my brain?" Kami asked.”

“Jared glared. Some people, Kami knew, had bedroom eyes. She was saddened to have to admit that Jared had filthy alleyway eyes. The thought reached Jared and he tilted his head, and Kami felt what he felt: startled and amused.”

“I was thinking.""I see no evidence of that, Jared." Kami said.”