“I didn’t mean to suggest there was anything wrong with Victor when we were in the garage,” he started in a growl that didn’t quite sound like an apology. “I’d trust him with your life.”“That’s reassuring,” I muttered with more than a trace of cynicism.“I just wouldn’t trust him with the rest of you.”

“I didn’t like trusting, I didn’t like setting greater than mild expectations”

“I just wanted so badly to start over, be someone new, and then he came into my life. I didn’t expect him, never even wanted anything like him before, but here he is. Now I kind of need him.”

“That was a nice save,” Harlin says, sounding amused. “So detailed. Like a nurse.”“Shut up, Harlin,” I say, trying not to smile. “I didn’t hear you offer anything better.”“You sure you didn’t want to tell him we were playing doctor? That might have sounded more believable.”

“I’d never trust a surgeon who didn’t wear gloves when he operated. Even if those gloves he didn’t wear were boxing gloves. He might as well, because I know he’s going to beat me up over the price.”

“Usually he didn’t bother the gods, and he hoped the gods wouldn’t bother him. Life was quite complicated enough.”