Haya

“She saw Derek and without so much as a hello, leaned to look behind him. "Where's Simon?"
"He's—"
"Is he okay? Why isn't he here?" She glared up at Derek. "Where'd you leave him?"
"Passed out in an alley." Derek frowned in thought. "Not sure where, though ..."
"He's kidding," I said as Tori sputtered.
"We need to get moving." Derek hooked a thumb as Tori while looking at me. " She's your responsibility."
"Excuse me?" Tori said.
Derek didn't even glance her way. "Make sure she keeps up. And shuts up." ”
― Kelley Armstrong, The Awakening

“ “I think Mr. Thierry wants to speak to Derek alone.”
“Why? I was the one trying to start a fight.”
“Now, Simon . . .” Thierry said.
“I was. Derek refused, so I said, ‘Bring it on.’ ”
The secretary blocked Simon as I followed Thierry into the office. As the door closed, I heard her whisper, “I think it’s very sweet, sticking up for your brother like that.”
“I’m not trying to be sweet," Simon said, raising his voice so Thierry could hear. “I’m trying to be fair. But apparently no one’s interested in that.” ”
― Kelley Armstrong, Dangerous

“ "It's me," whispered a familiar voice.
"Der—"
Thwack. He stumbled, Liz behind him, a sturdy branch raised.
"Liz, it's—"
She hit him again, a home-run swing between the shoulders, and he went down with an oomph and an oath. She recognized the voice—or the curse—and leaned over, getting a look at him.
(Liz) "Whoops."
(Simon) "I'd say he deserved that, always sneaking up on people." ”
― Kelley Armstrong, The Reckoning

“I knew Derek didn't lack empathy—he couldn't forget what he'd done to that kid who attacked Simon. But it was like what he held some weird list of checks and balances, and if you got on the wrong side, like Tori had, he had no problem 'kicking you on the curb,' to face whatever fate waited.
"No," I said.
"It isn't up for negotiation. She's not coming."
"Okay." I stood and brushed off my jeans. "Come on, Tori."
When Simon rose, I thought he was going to stop me. Instead, he followed me to the door. Tori caught up, and we made it into the next room before Derek jogged out, catching my arm with a wrench that yanked me off my feet.
I winced and peeled off his fingers. "Wrong one."
He dropped my arm quickly, realizing he'd grabbed my injured one. A long minute of silence, then, "Fine." He turned to Tori. "Three conditions. One, whatever your problem is with Chloe, get over it. Go after her again, you're gone."
"Understood," Tori said.
"Two, get over Simon. He's not interested."
She flushed and snapped, "I think I've figured that out. And number three?"
"Get over yourself." ”
― Kelley Armstrong, The Awakening