NOTE: To lessen any confusion, all the books are told from Anita's point of view, which is in first person.

The Killing Dance

"I figure I'll get to kill more people guarding you. If I take the contract, I only get to kill you."
    - Edward on why he refused a contract to kill Anita

• • • • • • • • • •

"You are the only person I know who leads a more interesting life than I do."
    - Edward after seeing Anita and a werewolf crash through a window

• • • • • • • • • •

"Wait a minute," Richard said. "You're betting that the two of you are better than a professional assassin. That you'll get to him before he gets to Anita."

We both nodded.

"What if you're not better?"

Edward looked at him like he'd said the sun wouldn't rise tomorrow.

"Edward will be better," I said.

"You'd bet your life on that?" Richard asked.

"I am betting my life on that," I said.
    - Anita, Edward, and Richard

• • • • • • • • • •

I watched the humor drain from Edward's eyes like the sun sinking behind clouds, leaving them pitiless and empty. "Think what you like, loverboy, but Anita could have chosen another line of work, one that wouldn't put her in harm's way. But she didn't. There's a reason for that."

"She's not like you."

Edward looked at me with empty eyes. "Closer than she used to be." His voice was soft, almost neutral, but it made me shiver.
    - Richard and Edward debating over Anita's line of work

• • • • • • • • • •

I was putting myself in Edward's hands tonight, trusting him like I'd never trusted anyone before. Scary thought, that.
    - Anita on having Edward as a bodyguard

• • • • • • • • • •

"Some bodyguard I turned out to be, letting you get dusted in the ladies' room."
    - Edward to Anita after he arrives a tad too late when she nearly gets shot in the ladies' room at a club

• • • • • • • • • •

"I'm not worried about your virtue, Anita. I'm worried about keeping you alive. And I'm admitting that I can't keep you safe. I'm good. I'm the best money can buy, but I'm only one person. One person, no matter how good, isn't enough."
    - Edward admitting to Anita that he is in over his head

• • • • • • • • • •

I froze as Edward stared at me. He didn't say a word, just sat there with a sort of half-smile on his face.

"Well, say something, dammit."

"I would say it isn't you, but in a way, it is."

I took a deep breath. "Yea, it is."
    - Anita and Edward when he sees her VERY revealing leather outfit

• • • • • • • • • •

"I'm your bodyguard. If you die under my protection, the other bodyguards will make fun of me."
    - Edward cracking a small joke to Anita

• • • • • • • • • •

I walked towards Edward. The leather made that little creaking sound it makes. I stopped in front of him, legs apart, staring down at him.

He widened his eyes a little. "Yes."

"I can't imagine anyone making fun of you, Edward."

He touched one of the leather straps. "If I went around dressed like this, they might."
    - More with Edward and his sense of humor

• • • • • • • • • •

It was one of those rare moments when you understand how great trust can be. Edward knew nothing about the ceremony, yet he didn't argue. He accepted what I said, and simply did it. I wasn't a hundred percent sure it would work, myself, but it had to.
    - Anita when she tells Edward to enter a circle of power

• • • • • • • • • •

"Oh, I'm a much better sociopath," he said. "I'd never let a vampire sink his fangs into my neck. And I wouldn't date the terminally furry."

"Do you date anyone, ever?"

He just smiled that irritating smile that meant he wasn't going to answer. But he did. "Even Death has needs."
   - Edward when he visits Anita in the hospital