Alpha Hero Quotes

Sweetheart, I have no intention of denying you a thing. ~ Rebecca Brooks

You will never have to worry about safety. Being a Dardano will buy you all the security you'll ever need."
Bree shook her head and threw her hands up. "Being a Dardano will put the bulls eye on my back, you asshole,"
"Really, darling, once you become Mrs. Dardano, we're going to have to work on cleaning up that saucy mouth of yours. At least in public," Alessandro purred, tapping her nose.
Bree saw red. But she smiled at him. She took the plate from him and set it down on the vanity table. Then she took the vitamin shake, pulled out the waistband of his pants and poured it down inside. ~ E. Jamie

Her heart unfolded in her chest, took in all of him, and closed tightly, unwilling to let him go ~ Justine Dell

Come see my mommy, Becky!" Will said and Bree stopped in her tracks. "Oh hell no!" she exclaimed staring at 'Becky'. Rebecca, the bane of Bree's existence. The blonde woman smiled mockingly at Bree. "How ya doing?" "What?" Bree asked but the question was directed at her brother and not the skank in front of her. "So how was Paris?" Rebecca asked moving right past Bree to practically press her body against Alessandro. "Seriously, what?" Bree demanded, glaring at Brian. "Hey, Alessandro. Great to see you again." "Stop talking. Stop talking now before I ram your botoxed head through this table!" Bree hissed lunging at her. Brian grabbed her quickly and held her back. "Sorry. Bree's a little bit touchy about that whole Vegas thing I guess. But hey, looks like it all worked for the best, huh?" Rebecca winked at Alessandro ~ E. Jamie

I like that," Bree admitted. "It's like…it's never too late to change." Her eyes met his, and she hoped he understood that she meant it for him as well as for herself. She wanted Alessandro to give in to the good she knew was in him and leave the Dardano family behind.
"I forgot about that. I feel rather ashamed of it now. Because of the things I've done. Then I was looking at this tiny creature here, and you're going to think I'm mad but…every time I look at him, he looks different to me. He's the same boy, but something in him is always changing. It's not a physical thing that I can explain to you, but it's…like…I don't know," Alessandro said shrugging and lowering his head. He sat on the bed next to her and stared at the incubator. The baby's eyes were open, staring back, blinking slowly, sleepily.
"You're seeing him become a person. Like all the parts of him are coming together and making this tiny person's soul. He was one person in here," Bree pointed to her stomach. "And now he's changing on the outside so he can be a part of the world."
"That's it," Alessandro nodded. "He's a part of the world now. My world, in a completely different way than when he was inside of you. It's like having two sons and watching them become one as a slow minute by minute process. He's never going to stop changing. What he thinks and feels now is not going to be what he thinks and feels tomorrow or fifty years from now."
"It's the same for you," Bree said, closing he ~ E. Jamie

What I am fucking tired of is seeing you hide behind dull clothes shaped like tents and sacks because you're afraid of being noticed. Like you're trying to disappear. And that's a damn crime. Screw this Bennett. I could give two fucks about Bennett. This is about you. About you seeing the beauty you are so maybe others will, too.--Niall Hunter to Khloe Richardson ~ Naima Simone

Faintly he smiled, but his voice was hard. "Lass, you do not want what I have." As if to prove it, he overturned his hand and dragged a calloused thumb roughly across her bottom lip.

All the breath came out of her in a hot rush. "Oh."
~From THE KING'S OUTLAW, part of the Captured by a Celtic Warrior anthology ~ Kris Kennedy

Will, was not as taken with the photo of the new baby as the grown ups around him. "It look like Mr. Potato Head." "I'm sure your baby sister will appreciate that," Alessandro said with a wry grin. "A girl? It's a girl?" Will asked with a grimace. "That's right," Bree announced as Vanessa and Brian congratulated them. "I can play wif Gianni but what we gonna do wif a girl?" he asked, handing the picture back to them. "Nope, send it back
and get another boy dis time. ~ E. Jamie

If you were truly 'here for me,' you would have a Kahlua in one hand and Henry Cavill's number in the other. Since I'm not having drunken phone sex with Superman, there must be another reason you're darkening my living room. ~ Naima Simone

If Shane had avoided her for years because of a kiss, he might leave the country over a blow and hand job. ~ Naima Simone

Guurl. Tell me. Do you keep your hair this long for religious reasons? Like, will you lose your strength if you cut it?--Terry, a member of the glam squad, to Khloe Richardson ~ Naima Simone

Her OBGYN, Dr Caroline Murdoch, popped in and asked if she could speak to Bree alone. Bree nodded and Tina left them. "I wanted to talk to you about why you fainted." Something in her voice made Bree's body go rigid with expectation. "I…thought maybe it was the shock of… everything," Bree whispered. Oh God. Oh God. She didn't know what she was bracing herself for. "I know you and Alessandro were trying to conceive again. I want to tell you that you were successful. You're going to have a baby, Bree," she said. Bree squeezed Gianni tighter and buried her face in his neck as the tears filled her eyes and streamed from her face. Oh God…Now? She was torn between joy and utter terror. They had done it, but how would Alessandro react when he found out, considering the condition he was in now. They had created another life. Another target for Arturo. ~ E. Jamie

Not…" Bree struggled for the right words. "All my life, I've just wanted someone to put me first. I thought Alessandro was that man. But even after everything Bernardo has done, I mean, Arturo wouldn't have ever shot Alessandro if Bernardo hadn't raised him to be a monster, even knowing that, Alessandro refuses to cut his ties with his father. So…yeah, I guess I do blame Alessandro for getting shot. God, that sounds so horrible." Bree covered her face with her hands again. ~ E. Jamie

I don't want to talk about it," she said. Once again he was close. Too close. So damn close. "At all," she added, hearing with some alarm that her voice had softened. Everything had softened, at just his proximity. "Ever," she whispered, and found her gaze locked on his mouth.
He had a really great mouth.
"I don't want to talk, either," that mouth said very seriously. And then he lowered his head and kissed her. ~ Jill Shalvis

She had no idea how long they kissed - and kissed - but she didn't think about stopping until she ran out of air. Breathing hard, she slowly opened her eyes and stared directly into his.
They'd heated. Darkened. And something else. He wasn't looking so relaxed now. In fact, he was looking the opposite of relaxed. He looked ... feral.
And she was his prey. ~ Jill Shalvis

I want to corrupt you, get dirty and rough with you because I know this sexy-as-hell body can take it."--Ciaran Ross, Killer Curves ~ Naima Simone

As Ian looked at her, he felt something in his chest slip and shift. The pressure came with a blood-tingling rush of triumph and satisfaction, pride and a deeply burning sense of possessiveness. His inner caveman warrior had been awakened and wanted to rush around the room, peeing into the corners, marking it - and her - as his own, while shouting Mine! and randomly smashing things for emphasis.
But he knew that was he was feeling was the equivalent of emotional and hormonal indigestion. He hadn't done this in a long time. And he particularly hadn't done it with a woman he liked as much as this one. In fact, he'd never had sex with anyone that he genuinely liked as much as he liked Phoebe. ~ Suzanne Brockmann

Sometimes you have to go 'yippee-ki-yay' on a person who deserves it. ~ Naima Simone

Bree arched, trying to stretch out her muscles and Alessandro gave her a dirty look as if she was displaying herself to him on purpose. Well, maybe she was a little. Even though he blocked her from the hotel attendant's gaze with his body in the doorway, Bree was sure to cover herself with the blanket. Alessandro turned around, pulling in the tray with him and his eyes flared hungrily as he looked down at her. "You look like a beautiful debauched angel," he said, his voice rough with desire. "And you're what, the demon that's corrupted me?" Bree asked raising an eyebrow and letting the blanket fall down to her waist, baring her to him. "It's my life's work, you know?" Alessandro grinned, going down on to his knees and leaning over her. Bree placed a hand on his chest, halting him. "Is that coffee, I smell?" she asked. "The debauched angel is kind of hungry." She bit her lip and smiled up at his frustrated face. ~ E. Jamie

Bree rubbed her belly. Figured; Alessandro wasn't one to live in quiet but strained tension. She stared up at the fabric of the canopy and then squeezed her eyes shut. "Alessandro, considering that the outside world has the sterile hospital rooms, not to mention the epidurals, yeah. For goodness sake, Alessandro. You know we can't stay here forever. I'm entering my eighth month here."
"I must say, I'm surprised you're so anxious to leave."
"Why?" Bree asked, turning to look at his strong profile.
"You know why, Brianna. As soon as we walk out that door, you and I are over."
Bree felt a guilty tightening in her chest.
"Perhaps that's what you want, though."
"That's not fair," Bree whispered even as she feared he was right. No. He's wrong. I love him. She wasn't going to let anyone shake what she and Alessandro had built here. She'd let her family know that she wanted Alessandro in her life and that she wanted to be a family with him. "Thanks for your confidence in me, though. Really. ~ E. Jamie

My lover is dead.
And they think I killed him.
I'm running rogue.
Hell bent on both revenge and redemption. Whatever it takes, I'm going to finish a job that began nine months ago. An unauthorized assignment that turned horribly, devastatingly wrong. My miscalculation.
My fault.
My heart left shattered into incomplete pieces which will never wholly fit back together again.
But first I have to outsmart my former organization and the hired killer they've sent after me; a ghost from my past who knows my every move, who's been inside my head, my heart, my dreams and memories: Jaxson.
I'm the traitor, Kylie. The rogue mercenary, Jaxon's newest assignment. And this is our love story. ~ Michele Mannon

Mmm," Bree licked the ice cream scoop and tossed it into the sink. "Let's just say that for the sake of the baby, Alessandro and I have reached a sort of…an...agreement, I guess."
"Does that mean I can't punch him anymore? 'Cause that was fun."
"Yes. It does. Sorry."
"So are you two…"
"No. Hell no. Not after him using Rebecca Malford as a scratching post," Bree grumbled, her stomach clenching tight at that little reminder.
"He's what? Alessandro and that...viper?"
"That's right." Bree clenched her teeth.
"Rebecca and Alessandro? Oh my God. Mental bleach! I need mental bleach!" Meggie rubbed her temples.
"Yeah, keep doing that for another week and you might be where I am right about
now."
"Oh, he's a smooth one, that's for sure," Meggie said with a sudden smile.
"What's with that look?"
"You're so jealous,"
Bree snorted, turning away from her and taking a seat opposite of Will. "That's ridiculous."
"And so true. ~ E. Jamie

You have that look on your face," Alessandro said, smiling as he tucked a damp lock of her blonde hair behind her ear. "What look?" Bree asked, resting a hand on his flushed chest, propping herself up on one elbow. She could feel the racing
heart beneath. "The look of a woman who's been rather well fucked, darling," he grinned smugly. She punched his chest lightly. "Ego much?" "I see nothing wrong with taking pride in a job well done," he pointed out. "Oh of course," Bree said, laughing and dropped her head on his chest. ~ E. Jamie

Alessandro gathered her into his arms and flipped her over so that she was on top of him, her blonde hair falling over him like a gold curtain. The strands tickled his face as she righted herself over him. She caught her lower lip between her teeth as he pushed up inside of her, and Alessandro reached up, bringing her mouth down, wanting to taste that swollen lip. Her breath wafted over his face, and he grabbed her hips, pulling her down as he pushed up deeper, wanting to fill her to her very soul. ~ E. Jamie

Alessandro shrugged and pushed the blade in, dragging it down the man's skin, making him cry out. He struck him again with his fist, blood spurting onto Alessandro as well. "Did Arturo tell you that the mother of my child was in that limo? She's carrying my baby inside of her, and that her son was in the limo too? I'm sure he did. I'm sure he left explicit instructions as to who exactly you were supposed to dispose of, didn't he?"
"He'll kill me. I swear, he'll kill me," the man cried, tears mixing in with his
blood.
"Next, I'll take an eye, you snivelling little shit!" Alessandro growled, raising his bloody blade to the man's left eyeball. The unmistakable scent of urine filled the air.
Alessandro stepped back in disgust and turned to Jason and his other man, Marty, two of the best Dardano soldiers, loyal and efficient. They took his cue and slipped on their brass knuckles.
"Just say the words, ol' boy, and we'll stop this,"
"Fuck you," the man shouted.
Alessandro smirked. "Such defiance for a man who just pissed himself." He crossed his arms as Marty and Jason went to work.
It only took a minute. "All right. Okay! Stop! Stop! Fine, I'll talk! ~ E. Jamie

What did you do to make him smile?" "Ah…" Alessandro bit back a grin and cleared his throat. "I might've sung a song." "Really? What song?" "As his mother, I don't think I should repeat it for you," Alessandro said, his cheeks and the tips of his ears pink. "Oh come on, Alessandro. The windows didn't break so you couldn't have done that bad a job." "It's not my ability that I'm referring to," Alessandro replied. Bree narrowed her eyes. "Just what were you singing to my son? And so help me if you say anything by Sir Mix-a-lot I'll castrate you," "Not quite," Alessandro said. "All right. But, remember you asked for it. Your cousin Max, taught it to me." Bree crossed her arms over her breasts and waited. ~ E. Jamie

Bree shot to her feet and glared at him.
"Look all you want, Brianna. That was the deal, remember? Until Arturo is found, I'm not leaving you alone."
Alessandro stared down at her with immovable stubbornness.
"How am I gonna explain you to my grandfather? And what if the rest of my family is there?"
"Hello O'Reiley family, you remember Alessandro, the father of my child, the man that I love, the light of my life, ma raison d'être…"
"Are you done?" Bree asked cocking an eyebrow.
"Depends, are you quite ready to go? Look, you can explain that I'm there for answers too. My father's involvement in this vendetta directly influences my own future and that of my child. ~ E. Jamie

We have nothing!" Bree reached out and slapped him with all her might. He couldn't know the baby she carried was his. Not ever.
Alessandro's dark eyes flashed angrily at her for a split second, making Bree's insides tense in anticipation of his rage, but then he smiled at her, his hand going to her thigh. "Well, I was hoping we'd get to know each other a little better before delving into S & M, but I'm game if you are, sunshine."
"I want you to get out,"
"And I want you naked screaming my name, now that you know it," Alessandro growled, leaning in so that his breath brushed across her face in a tantalizing caress. ~ E. Jamie

Wild need slipped into his mind as she moaned into his mouth and he fucking loved how greedy she was, but fuck, she was completely wrecking his ability to be easy with her. She was using her power and strength in a way that riled his beast. ~ Setta Jay

Well, no, Sister Brannigan was the one putting her name on the checks to the cemetery. Someone else was making the deposits into her personal account." "But now that she's gone?" "I suppose the Neapolitan benefactor will have to find someone else if he wants to remain anonymous." Bree snorted, "For a second I thought maybe it might be Bernardo." "Well, why not? I mean, a little bank fraud isn't likely to keep my father up at night," Alessandro said. "But he's in New York," Bree reminded him. "Geography, darling?" Alessandro asked amused. "You say that with such pride it scares me," Bree said rolling her eyes. "I love you too," Alessandro smiled. "But no. If he was, why let us go off on this whole journey?" "It's Bernardo. If there's something I've learned about your father it's that the rules of logic don't apply to him. Or any other kind of rules," Bree added, "Maybe this is all some kind of big elaborate plan and we're gonna go home and find out he's been keeping Francesca and Adriano frozen in his basement in one of those sci-fi freezers that they say you can buy and use to come back to life in a hundred years." Alessandro shook his head at her, not impressed with her sense of humour. ~ E. Jamie

Ben was in his truck, window down, idling at the curb, dark lenses hiding his eyes from her, looking effortlessly big and badass.
The way she wished she felt. ~ Jill Shalvis

This possessiveness you've unleashed and decided to toy with isn't tame. Keep that in mind when you poke the beast... If you let anyone touch you, they die. ~ Setta Jay

She loved this man. This wonderful, respectiful, willful man. And she couldn't even tell him. ~ Justine Dell

Do not push me," she warned in a shaky voice.

"Och, but I will." He shifted on his booted feet, pushed his hips harder against hers, until she felt a part of the wall. A part of him. "You lifted a blade to me, Katarina. I'm going to push you hard. ~ Kris Kennedy

It didn't matter that she didn't live here, that a relationship was out of the question. It was probably because a relationship wouldn't happen that he could let himself get this close. He wrapped his arms tighter around her as though this were all that existed in the world. Just the two of them, the mountain, the clean winter air. The taste of her tongue on his lips. ~ Rebecca Brooks

An arrow isn't the only thing I shoot straight. If you ever come near my wife, you'll be hauled off in a body bag. ~ Lucy McConnell

Fallon, you're my Achilles Heel. I want to fuck you senseless, until you feel me imprinted on you even when I'm not inside you. But that's all I want - all I can allow myself. ~ Naima Simone

Alessandro! Will!!" He could hear Brianna's voice a few seconds before his head came up through to the next floor.
Stubborn, bloody woman! he cursed.
"Oh God, Will!" Bree screamed. "What happened?" She rushed towards them, coughing as she grabbed for her son. He shifted his weight to hand him over to her, but the movement sent another bolt of screaming pain from his ankle up to his leg and Alessandro lost his footing, falling back into the basement.
Alessandro!" Bree screamed, and then he heard no more. ~ E. Jamie

Fair warning, baby. I'm in the mood for a fight, and I wouldn't play fair or nice.--Niall Hunter to Khloe Richardson ~ Naima Simone

That girl didn't have a moment's peace from the day Adriano Dardano set foot in Galway and started chasing her." Sister Brannigan said, as she led them around the convent garden. "Nice of Francesca to stay still for him to catch her then wasn't it?" Alessandro remarked dryly. "Mmph," the nun responded. "My grandfather loved Francesca," Alessandro insisted. "Far be it from me to speak ill of the dead. But let's call a spade a spade, hmm? Your grandfather was a charmer. Now perhaps he didn't realize just how naïve our Francesca was and how besotted with him she was." "Mmm, very generous of you," Alessandro grumbled. "I will say that on the times he brought some food he had made with Francesca up to the convent, it was clear he had a wonderful talent in the kitchen. Now mind ye, the Italian food was a bit rich for my taste but still, rather good." "I'm sure my grandfather's resting easier in his grave now that the holy sister has complimented his cooking," Alessandro whispered in Bree's ear making, her laugh out loud and Sister Brannigan turn to her in question. ~ E. Jamie

Alessandro…we should go down-" "Oh I agree." He smiled, mischievous brown eyes lifting to hers. "Downstairs," she corrected. "I like my meaning better," and with that he went down on his knees. "No!" Bree hissed even as her body was screaming YES! "Stop arguing with me, darling. ~ E. Jamie

Colin. Just the name made Alessandro's gut burn. He knew the man wanted his wife, even if Brianna was too blind to see it. The moron had been cuckolded by the paragon of supposed virtue, his wife Carrie and now he had finally opened his eyes and seen what Alessandro had known all along. Brianna put every other woman in New York to shame. No woman could come near her beauty, her passion, her fire. Colin had tossed her aside for the angelic Carrie and now he was changing his mind. Oh no you don't, you miserable fucker. "Her friend indeed," Bernardo drawled, his Italian accent thick with unmistakable implication. "Dat's da truth. He no make her cry all da time." That was directed at Alessandro, with small dark accusatory eyes. "He nice." Alessandro couldn't look at those eyes without feeling a sickening pang of guilt. She's mine! He wanted to scream. Mine! Mine! Mine! "Oh yes. Very nice. He was very nice when he held her at the cemetery and very nice when he was dancing with her at Adresca." That made Alessandro's head lift in surprise. "Oh yes, my boy. She's been there, cleaning up the rubble and word is that she's working on re-opening it. Her friend Colin has been quite helpful in that endeavour." "I don' like how you say dat," Will said scowling. "Really young William, I only speak the truth," Bernardo taunted. Alessandro's mind was racing. NO! Not Colin. He could not let that imbecile take Brianna away from him. He'd have to be eliminated somehow. Alessandro began to plot a ~ E. Jamie

The pain of it was crippling him. He couldn't breathe. Be a man! Be a Dardano. Alessandro felt the protective wall shoot up around his heart in one quick instant. Dardanos weren't weak and stupid like he had been. Dardanos didn't let their emotions blind them. Love was for fools. Love made men stupid. But oh, she would never make him stupid again. Oh, how Alessandro would make his darling wife pay. ~ E. Jamie

So that we're clear," Perry said, "I don't care if it means everyone on this earth loses any chance of surviving. If you mention her to me again, I will take your head off and watch your blood pool at my feet. ~ Veronica Rossi

I understand Mrs. Donovan is a free woman, Mr. Dardano. It's all for a good cause after all, isn't it?"
"Fifty thousand dollars," Alessandro countered, deadly calm though inside he was fairly trembling with rage.
"One hundred thousand dollars," Hadley countered, getting to his feet, appearing to enjoy the spectacle of all eyes being on the two of them now.
Alessandro stood, his fists clenched tight at his sides. "Two hundred and fifty thousand dollars,"
Bree was staring at them both, her mouth open.
Kevin smiled at him. "Three hundred thousand dollars,"
"One million dollars," Alessandro shot back, his eyes clouding with rage. So help him, if the son of a bitch opened his mouth, Alessandro was gonna shove his fist down his throat.
The entire ballroom was dead silent. Holding its breath.
"Uh…Going once?" Alex announced.
Kevin met Alessandro's gaze, smirking.
"Going twice?"
Kevin lifted his hands in surrender. "The best man won. I hope you get more than a dance, my friend,"
"Sold," Alex announced, slamming the little gavel down.
Alessandro felt a rush of both victory and relief as he stared at Brianna. He walked up to her and extended his hand. "Darling? ~ E. Jamie

Our quest for heroism is awkward. Not the obvious heroism that earns medals and applause but the heroism of daily life. Go to Princeton and you're an educational hero; run a marathon and you're an athletic hero; make loads of money and you're a financial hero--the alpha hero of our culture. Each occupation and role in life has its own exacting rituals for advancement and reward, from the employee of the month parking space to stock options. The point is not the Princeton degree or the marathon medallion or the money or the parking space, it's what these things say about us, that we are special and unique; that momentarily at least, we have risen head and shoulders above the clamoring masses to be giddily succored by premonitions of divinity. ~ Jonathan Hull

I'm quite certain offering to carry out a contract killing violates at least two of Emily Post's etiquette rules."--Sloane Barrett, Killer Curves ~ Naima Simone

She took one look at Alessandro and Bree and placed a hand on her chest. "Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Francesca, lass. Is that you?" And then she fainted. "Holy shit!" Bree rushed to the fallen nun's side, ignoring Sister McReady's scowl of disapproval at her language. "Mommy! You killed da penguin lady!" Will cried out in surprise. Bree lightly slapped the old woman's face and felt a rush of relief when the Mother Superior stirred. The last thing she needed on her conscience was a dead nun. The old woman's blue eyes opened and anger filled them when her gaze shifted to Alessandro. "You. You spawn of the devil. Why don't ye take yerself back where ye came from and leave our poor Francesca alone?" "Oh, Mother Superior, yer confused is all. Come now. On yer feet, mum," Sister McReady said helping the old woman up. "Uh, I'm sorry. Sister. Francesca was my great aunt. My name is Bree." "Bree? Jaysus but it's a ridiculous resemblance it is," the old woman panted, holding her chest. "And you?" She asked turning to Alessandro. "Of course yer not Adriano Dardano, of course but I'll be a drunken fairy if yer not the spitting image of that demon of temptation, sent to corrupt our poor Francesca. Such a good girl she was," Sister Brannigan murmured, tears filling her eyes. "Such a good girl. ~ E. Jamie

Rebecca glared at her. "Congratulations. You just cost me a million dollar account." Brianna crossed her arms over her chest. "Oh don't worry. I'm sure with your talents you could earn another mil in no time. I'll tell them to clear a street corner for you." Rebecca lunged for her and Alessandro stepped between the two women. "Brianna, come on," he said guiding his wife away from the table. "What? I'm not a child. I can handle her." "I'm sure you can." He informed the waiter they would be taking their bottle of sparkling cider home. "But you're letting your emotions get away with you. Your brother is a grown man and can handle himself." Brianna blew a raspberry at him. "Oh yes, quite mature. Let's go home." He guided her towards the entrance. ~ E. Jamie

... she was afraid of how he made her feel, because he made her feel way too much ~ Justine Dell

Jase opened his door, stepped down, and leaned into her window. "Hungry?"
Taking a big breath didn't help when his sexy scent of cologne had hit her in the face. Hallelujah. "Yeah, I'm getting there."
"Let's go. The cowboy just came to take you away." He reached in and turned off the ignition, clasped her keys and opened the door. When she stepped out, he didn't bother to move back any and they were close. This man was hot and not only his temperature. Whatever kind of chemistry radiated off him, soaked right into her. ~ Mary J. McCoy-Dressel

He lowered his head and shook it from side to side, giving her a rueful smile. "I find it so ironic that someone I think of as sometimes so brave to the point of stupidity could be so terrified of her own happiness,"
Bree felt the shot hit home, and she couldn't look at him. She ran her finger along the marble topped of the island. "That's ridiculous. Who in their right mind is afraid of being happy?"
"Someone who has lost too much," he moved slowly towards her in gentle careful strides as if he was afraid of startling her.
Fair enough, she did tend to attack him when he tried to corner her, but for some reason, Bree just couldn't tonight. The much too relaxing bubble bath must be making her sluggish.
"Someone who is so used to being told she caused too much pain to others to ever be worthy of happiness herself,"
Bree closed her eyes. "Shut up. Please, Alessandro. ~ E. Jamie

Bree crossed her arms over her protruding belly. "I'm fine. No one has shot at me in the last twenty four hours, and my family is talking to me again. Things are looking up."
He grimaced at the mention of her family. "How fortunate for you."
Bree narrowed her eyes at him, picking up on the derogatory tone. "Well, you should know all about the importance of family. You'd do anything for yours, right? Bernardo says jump, you ask 'how high?' "
Alessandro felt a sick twist of guilt in his chest, "Well, congratulations, Brianna. You've worked very hard for the title of O'Reiley doormat. I hope it's all you've ever wanted. I hope you're happy."
"Blissfully," Bree shot back and turned on her heel, leaving him there filled with anger and regret. ~ E. Jamie

Keep eating me up with those eyes, little Goddess, and I'll be so deep inside that hot little pussy you won't remember what you came here for. ~ Setta Jay

Darling!" Alessandro exclaimed with a cold sneer as a police guard led him into a holding cell. "What are you doing here? Did you come to tell me that the crazy fog has lifted and you're ready to resume your place by my side?" "Not in this lifetime. That nut house is not my home, and you really are crazy if you think I'm going anywhere with you." Alessandro's eyes flickered dangerously. "Careful, sweetheart. You are still my wife. Let's not forget that, eh?" Bree shook her head. "You are unbelievable. Do you feel any remorse at all for what you did?" Alessandro clenched his jaw. "I believe I expressed my remorse quite thoroughly if you recall. I begged you to forgive me and I beg for nothing, Brianna. I laid myself bare and pleaded for you to understand but all you had for me were hateful words." "Oh, was I supposed to believe that little performance?" Bree snapped, forcing herself to block out the image of his hands cupping her face, his tears mingling with her own. "It's hard to know because I believed you when you looked me in the eye and told me you had nothing to do with what happened to Colin. ~ E. Jamie

Bragging that you finished in two strokes. Just like a man."--Sloane Barrett, Killer Curves ~ Naima Simone

Bree grit her teeth and lunged for him but Brian held her back and Will spoke up instead. "You go away!" Will cried back angrily. "I know you did sumting dat made my mommy mad at my daddy. Is you fault!" "I suggest you put a muzzle on your brat and get back in the living room," Bernardo ordered. "Careful, Father. This is none of your concern," Alessandro said. "Are you kidding me?" Bree asked. "Of course this is his concern because he's the only one you give a damn about. You'll do anything for him. Absolutely anything even if it means betraying me or Will or God forbid Gianni." "That is not true. I would never - " "It is true!" Bree yelled. "Everything you've done has proven that." "Look, every marriage has problems and that is no reason to turn back on the vows you made to each other," Bernardo pointed out. "You made a promise to honor the terms of the O'Reiley/Dardano vendetta. Be careful before you renege on those vows, Mrs. Dardano." "You and your stupid vendetta!" Bree hissed. "Begun by a man who couldn't handle the fact that he couldn't have what he wanted! God it must be genetic. Well, I guess I shouldn't blame you, Alessandro. Knowing Bernardo and Adriano, at least you come by it honestly. ~ E. Jamie

My, my, and you accuse the Dardanos of trying to run the world. As you so succinctly put it, you have no desire to be a part of my life, which means you have no say in where I choose to live, sunshine. I, on the other hand, made no such declaration."
"God, I hate you," Bree seethed.
Alessandro smiled and tapped the end of her nose playfully, resisting the urge to tear her thick coat off of her and take her right against the wall. "You keep telling yourself that, love. We both know better. ~ E. Jamie

When you get down on your knees in front of me it won't be out of gratitude. It'll be because you want to be there."--Ciaran Ross, Killer Curves ~ Naima Simone

trailed off as her attention moved from Will taking his juice from the bartender to the glass behind the bartender. There were red dots on the glass. Alessandro brushed her shoulder again and Bree followed a row of red dots from the glass mirror to the wall. Some of the red dots danced over the guests and as an icy cloak of understanding fell over Bree, it seemed to grip Alessandro as well. Then she turned to face him and there were red dots on his chest, as well as her shoulder, which he had been brushing, thinking it was a speck of dust. "GET DOWN!" he screamed to everyone grabbing Bree by the waist and throwing her down while and trying to be heard over the music. Chaos erupted as gunfire drowned out the sound of music and people fell screaming on top of each other as pieces of the wall and glass from the doors and the mirrors rained down on them. The gunfire raged on and on for what seemed like an eternity. Then there was silence. ~ E. Jamie

Bree stared down at Bernardo's still form. The monitor was the only sound in the room apart from his deep breathing. Alessandro had gone down to the cafeteria with Will and Gianni to grab something to eat before they left for home. Bree lied and told him that she wanted to check in with Tina and her mother Roxanna for a few minutes before they left. Even unconscious, the son of a bitch was formidable and Bree felt nervous around him. "Why don't you do everyone a favour and just die already?" Bree said. No response. Bree sneered and shook her head, turning to leave. "You could always smother me with a pillow," a groggy voice said behind her, making her heart nearly stop. Bree whirled around wide-eyed and met Bernardo's dark gaze. She forced herself to shrug and crossed her arms. "Do you think Alessandro would forgive you for murdering his father?" Bernardo asked. They both knew the answer to that. ~ E. Jamie

His scowl deepened. "If he wanted to hurt Will, he could have easily come here when I was at work, but no, he respected your feelings, and he allowed us to come together in our own time."
"As opposed to what? Dragging me up by my hair to the altar?" Bree asked.
"Well that was his suggestion. I suggested a more diplomatic approach. ~ E. Jamie

She realized he wasn't listening to music and gave him a curious look of amusement as she picked up the cover to an audio book. 'What To Expect When You're Expecting.'
God forgive me, I love this man.
"Thought I should be informed, you know?" Alessandro explained sheepishly.
Bree tried to tear her gaze away from his gleaming chest.
"Plus all the lactating and dilating and placenta talk does wonders to crush any man's libido. ~ E. Jamie

They stared at each other, and Alessandro seriously considered turning away from his father's wishes and just taking this woman and running off somewhere with her. He could imagine being happy with her. He felt free, easy. The feeling was heady. But dangerously so. He could never just toss aside his father's demands that way, even if he wanted to. There would be too much at stake. ~ E. Jamie

Good morning, Sunshine," Alessandro whispered, dragging the satiny soft object across the tip of her nose. Curiosity made her open her eyes. A rose. A blue rose. "I figured a single rose was safer than a dozen considering the massacre of the last blue roses I gave you," he smiled sheepishly. "Happy birthday, darling." Bree blinked and tried to remember what day it was. The fifteenth apparently. She groaned and pulled the blankets back over her head. She was officially thirty today. "Come on now, up we go," Alessandro pulled the blankets off her face and grabbed her arm, bringing her up. "For my birthday, I want sleep," she groaned. Gianni had suffered through a painful night as another tooth was starting to come in and thus his parents had suffered as well. "Nope, we've got a long day ahead of us. Let's go." "Why?" Bree yawned. "Because thirty years ago you were born and my life as I knew it would never be the same," Alessandro explained, nuzzling her neck. ~ E. Jamie

He grinned at her. "Well, then I have a bit of a confession to make. Colin said some things to me and the sound of his voice irritated me so I had one of those clowns with the big red noses in the paediatric wing turn him into a balloon animal. A giraffe I'm afraid. Sad fate it was," Alessandro joked with no sign of remorse at all. ~ E. Jamie

Hello, darling," Alessandro smiled at her. Oh, that smile. Bree wanted to close her eyes, press her hands against her eyes and keep them shut forever so she wouldn't see that smile. She must have had the question on her face, the knowledge on her face because as she looked at him now, something flickered in his eyes. Guilt. Oh God. "Mommy, look. I make good bouncies. See?" Will said, dribbling the ball. "I gonna be a basset ball player when I gwoed up." The little boy's voice sounded far away as Bree narrowed in on Alessandro and the look in his eyes. "Brian. I want you and Vanessa to take Will and Gianni out for a little while." "Oh but we're having a good time out here, aren't we Gianni?" Alessandro asked, tickling Gianni who squealed and curled inward. "Now," Bree said, her voice tight. Will stopped bouncing the ball and held it against his chest looking at both of them, picking up on the angry tension that suddenly covered them all. "Uh oh. I tink mommy's mad." "I'm not leaving you alone in your condition, Bree. Alessandro, we just came from the hospital. Colin's awake," Brian informed him, his voice tight with anger. "You spoke to Colin?" Alessandro asked, meeting Bree's eyes. "I did. And Carrie." He looks like a cornered animal. And what do Dardanos do when they're cornered? They lie. They cheat. Oh God. "Fine, then can you just take the boys upstairs?" Bree said, speaking to Brian, but not moving her gaze from her husband. "Come on, guys. Let's go play upstairs for a w ~ E. Jamie

Lies. All lies. Bree was shaking so hard she bit her tongue, but she didn't even feel the blood in her mouth.
Kill her husband and seduce the widow. She thought she'd never felt as angry as when Michael died, but this, oh God, her entire body was a live wire of rage. She was so
furious, she was almost numb. So numb that she didn't even feel herself reaching for the gun she had pulled out of the glove compartment and pocketed.
So numb that she didn't feel herself lift the gun and aim.
So numb that she saw nothing, but his eyes, staring back at her in wide eyed surprise and confusion.
She felt so numb she didn't even feel herself pull the trigger. ~ E. Jamie

We've had this conversation already and watch your mouth, you fuckhead, there's a lady here. ~ Lisa Marie Rice

it was not the objective that made one a hero - it was the journey, the quest itself. ~ Morgan Rice

The difficulty with women in film and literature is similar to the cultural minority, in that they are often a plot device rather than a character unto themselves. For example, even a strong woman may appear alongside a man in a story, but she ultimately is part of the hero's overall goal; something to be won, or an element of his proving himself is winning her affections, or being captured or killed in order to send the hero into overdrive to complete his mission. In a story where she is the main protagonist, she often has to shed her femininity in order to complete the task. The fact that they are women overtakes from their serving the story as a character, rather than an object. Cultural minorities often appear to portray a view of their culture; the Russian will be a Russian and do Russian things. The woman will be contrary, or compensate for her womanhood by being overtly tough and masculine, or sexy and seductive therefore manipulative and ultimately something for the hero to either deny or conquer. A great example of the culture stigma NOT being exploited is in Wentworth: Doreen is an aboriginal, we see that, but being an aboriginal doesn't play as a device. It's a part of her, not the overruling definition of her, and while issues pop up regarding the fact, they are not at the forefront of the character. Women, it seems, are even more ingrained in our minds as elements or objects which only appear in order to have a titillating effect on the audience, or to serve anot ~ Max Davine

lets roll -todd beamer hero of united airlines flight 93 ~ Todd Beamer

You don't have a mommy," Gunnar proclaimed as he walked around Breccan. "Ok, I want my surrogate," Breccan said as he sped up to catch the other men. Darius came forward to walk in step beside Wharick and whispered in a discreet tone, "Please, let me kill him. ~ Madison Thorne Grey

I decided that if I want to write about a female hero in the 1920s, I'm going to have to give her all the advantages I can because she has serious disadvantages in being a woman. I wasn't going to have her cowed or overawed by class, so she had to be titled. ~ Kerry Greenwood

No, I'm not Byron, it's my role
To be an undiscovered wonder,
Like him, a persecuted wand'rer,
But furnished with a Russian soul.
I started sooner, sooner ending,
My mind will never reach so high;
Within my soul, beyond the mending,
My shattered aspirations lie:
Dark ocean answer me, can any
Plumb all your depth with skillful trawl?
Who will explain me to the many?
I ... perhaps God? No one at all? ~ Mikhail Lermontov

It will take time for you to get the recognition that you deserve.

This world will not recognize real people and their real struggle. Because the majority are fake here. They have sold their souls to live the life of luxury and comfort.
They deal in the currency of glitz and glamour. They are driven by the pettiness of greed and patheticity of selfishness. They don't recognize honesty, integrity, and real struggle!

But you do not become a cynic. You cannot give up on your idealism and integrity. Lend a hand to the poor and needy. Stand up for the Innocents. Be a voice for the voiceless in this world!

Let the fake heroes and heroines show off their fake happiness by gloating on social media. Don't let them take away the real hero or real heroine in you! Believe in yourself. Never doubt your capabilities. Stay real and stay humble.

Some of these fake people buy likes and followers to show a fake achievement on social media. Some even buy 'bought awards' to make themselves feel better! You will never do this I know!

Just don't give up on your struggle.
Stand alone. Stay strong.
Live a life of real achievement.
Fight On! ~ Avijeet Das

Fantasy works inwards upon its author, blurring the boundary between the visioned and the actual, and associating itself ever moreclosely with the Ego, so that the child who has fantasied himself a murderer ends by becoming a Loeb or a Leopold. The creative Imagination works outwards, steadily increasing the gap between the visioned and the actual, till this becomes the great gulf fixed between art and nature. Few writers of crime-stories become murderers
if any do, it is not the result of identifying themselves with their murderous heroes. ~ Dorothy L. Sayers

Don't judge people of what they should do, but ask yourself of what you should do. If you have an issue with your brother, don't let it be a distance between you. Have a heart and fix the issue yourself, regardless who's right or wrong. Don't wait for him to come to you, he might never come. Be a hero and go to him. ~ Fe Haghverdian

My heroes were Eddie Van Halen - especially after Van Halen I, II, III, and IV - Randy Rhoads, Ace Frehley and dudes like that. My brother played drums and we jammed in the garage and started writing our own stuff. ~ Dimebag Darrell

One of the most depressing features of the ethical side of the matter is that instead of such methods arousing contempt they are more or less openly admired. And this is logical. Canonise 'business success,' and men who made a success like that of the Standard Oil Trust become national heroes! ~ Ida Tarbell

Both villains and heroes need to have a steadfast belief in themselves. ~ Jack Gleeson

Baseball serves as a good model for democracy in action: Every player is equally important and each has a chance to be a hero. ~ Edward Abbey

The men I write can be intense, quiet, outspoken and outrageous, deadly or fun ... but I would never waste time on a hero who wasn't honorable, who didn't protect those who couldn't protect themselves, who didn't value children and pets, who wasn't independent and unselfish. ~ Lori Foster

The most interesting - in fact, inspiring - people I met there [Porto Alegre] are those who remain nameless: representatives of the international campesino movement, the East Timorese delegation, ... - the usual heroes, who disappear, unknown, apart from the consequences of their work. ~ Noam Chomsky

As subjects, we all live in suspense, from day to day, from hour to hour; in other words, we are the hero of our own story. We cannot believe that it is finished, that we are 'finished,' even though we may say so; we expect another chapter, another installment, tomorrow or next week. ~ Mary McCarthy

He who wins a thousand common hearts is entitled to some renown; but he who keeps undisputed sway over the heart of a coquette is indeed a hero. ~ Washington Irving

If I'm a hero of war, so is he. ~ Cassandra Clare

Richard Burton was Welsh; Tom Jones is Welsh, and we Welshmen like to think of ourselves as heroes - on screen and off! ~ Timothy Dalton

I don't have individuals that are heroes per say but I will suggest that teachers are heroes for me, our firefighters are heroes for me, our police departments are heroes for me and our leaders are heroes for me. ~ John Assaraf

Zhukov was the most successful commander of World War II, who fell from grace under Khrushchev, but never lost his place in the pantheon of Soviet heroes. ~ Georgy Zhukov

Every hero is scared. That-s what being brave is about - confronting fear. ~ Nely Cab

A kiss unlike any other kiss. There was no denying that. ~ Cristin Harber

The key to the age may be this, or that, or the other, as the young orators describe; the key to all ages is - Imbecility; imbecility in the vast majority of men, at all times, and, even in heroes, in all but certain eminent moments; victims of gravity ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Be not dumb, obedient slaves in an army of destruction! Be heroes in an army of construction! ~ Helen Keller

The real hero must fail in order to succeed. ~ William C. Brown

He did, in fact, look like a romance hero, all muscles and edges and chiseled bone structure. He also looked miserable. ~ Marissa Meyer

You're wrong about one thing, though," she said. Daniel looked quizzically at her. "What?" Etta reached up to his brow and brushed his hair off his forehead with a gentle caress that set his blood to pumping. Then she tilted her head back and met his gaze. "You are a hero. My hero." And ~ Karen Witemeyer

You. Aren't you one of those Morgan boys? You must be the bad one. ~ Teri Anne Stanley

But even in your world it's a byword. Men will fight bravely and be heroes, but for last-ditch defense against any odds ... get a Mother. ~ Diane Duane

Whether it's as the hero of an adventure story, as teacher and friend, as icon on watch, shirt or hat - everyone knows Mickey Mouse. ~ Warren Spector