Ashley

“So, let’s move down the checklist, shall we, Sean?” “Let’s,” he says, as he holds a struggling Antoine in his iron grip. “We stole his money?” “Yep.” “Palo took his wife?” A nod. “We’ve trashed his reputation?” “He’s a fucking laughing-stock, but in truth, he did that himself.” “We stole his kingdom and gave a set of keys to the lieutenant fucking his wife, and positioned him to our advantage?” Sean’s menacing smile appears, and he nods. “Palo is going to have a damn good year.” “Did I leave anything out?” “His mistress just fled France.” He shrugs. “Something must have spooked her.” Antoine snaps his gaze between the two of us, his features twisted in utter defeat as I step toward him and press the barrel of my Glock to the center of his forehead. “And I didn’t have to lift a finger because I’m just a pawn, who managed to find a queen and make her fall in love with me. But what good is a pawn, who can check, without a mate?”
― Kate Stewart, The Finish Line

“He stole your smile,” she whispers, tears clinging to dark lashes. “No wonder you didn’t have one to give me.” Regret rams into me once again, her words a reminder of every missed opportunity to make her smile with one of my own. “I’ll find one,” I murmur. “Steal it back if I must. For you.” Her lips lift, eyes shining with tears. “And I’ll cherish it.”
― Lauren Roberts, Powerful

“I rub my forehead. Is this what happens when two rambling idiots decide to have small talk?”
― Meghan Quinn, Merry Christmas, You Filthy Animal

“I don't want bright and happy,” he whispered roughly. “I want real.”
― Callie Hart, Quicksilver