Jackson asked, "Where'd the water come from in your house?"

"A pipe." Then he explained to Jackson, "Water travels in pipes.

Goody Two-shoes Evie Greene got herself pickled, for true. If I'd known you were such a juvenile delinquent, I might've asked for a new history podna."

"Juvenile delinquent? Hmm. Aren't your initials J.D.? If the shoe fits...

When Matthew merely stared at him, Jackson reached into the weapon box and pulled out a sheathed machete, handing it to the boy.

Matthew laughed and dropped it.

I woan let you go back to that boy--not until you give me one bec doux." A sweet kiss. Then he reached forward, unlacing the ribbon from my hair.

"What are you doing?" I murmured.

"Souvenir." He put it in his pocket, and for some reason that struck me as the sexiest thing I'd ever seen.

Damn, cher, you still smell like a blossom. Been so long since I've seen a flower that I'd nearly forgotten what they smelled like." He took a lock of my hair, rubbing it between his thumb and forefinger. "You're dressing up and using expensive perfume? Ole Jack senses a trap. Consider me snared.

Jackson snorted. And Selena play-slapped his chest, like he was her mischievous boyfriend.

At that, the inital mrowr pfft pfft I'd felt transformed into I will cut a bitch.