You picked that out? Caine ...

You picked that out? Caine asked. That pink, plastic toy? I turned to look at him. I happen to have been a little girl, once upon a time, detective. I know what they like. Every little girl wants to be a princess. A thoughtful frown overcame the angry tension on Caine’s rugged face. And what happens when they grow up? I thought of my mother and sisters and all the horrors that had happened the day they’d died. A bitter laugh escaped from my tight lips. Then they just want to be little girls again.
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 Jennifer Estep

Quotes from the same author

And I was stuck here at Warrior Freaks R Us.
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 Jennifer Estep
This is really good, Donovan Caine said, attacking his third strawberry pancake. You sound surprised, I said. He shrugged. I just didn’t think an assassin would be able to cook like this. Well, I do get lots of practice with knives. You could say I’m multitasking. The detective froze, his fork halfway to his mouth. I’m kidding. I enjoy cooking. It relaxes me.
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 Jennifer Estep
Donovan Caine wanted me, but he wasn't strong enough to accept me. Not my past, not my strength, not the woman I was. Bitter disappointment filled me, replacing my rage, but I forced myself to ask the final question I wanted an answer to.
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 Jennifer Estep
The panther prowled around me in a loose, wide circle. Its mouth turned down, almost in a pout, and it seemed disappointed that I wasn't going to run away. Or scream, at the very least. Its tail, which was at least three feet long, twitched back and forth in what seemed to be annoyance. Or maybe anticipation. I didn't know. I'd always been more of a dog person. I cleared my throat, and the panther stopped and flicked up one of its rounded ears. Listening. "Um, nice kitty?
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 Jennifer Estep
I looked at Bria. How do you put up with him? Bria started to open her mouth, but Finn piped up instead. She puts up with me because I happen to be rich, handsome, charming, a witty conversationalist, and exceptionally talented in bed, he smirked. Flexible too. I groaned. I did not need to hear those last two.
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 Jennifer Estep