Now Julie could stay here, in the Keep full of homicidal maniacs who grew teeth the size of switchblades and erupted into a violent frenzy when threatened.

What's so funny?" "Your panties have a bow," he said. I looked down. I was wearing a short tank top -not mine- and my blue panties with a narrow white strip of lace at the top and a tiny white bow. Would it have killed me to check what I was wearing before I pulled the blanket down? "What's wrong with bows?" "Nothing." He was grinning now. "I expected barbed wire. Or one of those steel chains." Wiseass. "I'm secure enough in myself to wear panties with bows on them. Besides, they are comfy and soft." "I bet.

...they tended towards the simple pleasures in life: drinking, whoring and fighting, preferably all three at once.

You know anything about investigative work?" "Sure. Annoy the people involved until the guilt party tries to make you go away.

They hold a grudge like it was their family treasure.

Wanna spot me?" "No thanks. How about I just scream verbal encouragements at you?

And then what?" "I'll burn that bridge when I cross it.