Code of Conduct (Cipher Security, #1)

by April White

I didn’t know what to do with the thought that someone else could keep me safe. No one had done that in a long time, and honestly, the job hadn’t really been open for applicants.

“You ever notice that it’s the people who are most afraid who are also the most dangerous with weapons?”

As a white man in America, he’s at the top of the food chain, so his check was for dominance. Mine as a woman is usually for threat level, and I can only guess at yours.”

We both agreed that it would be far more interesting if more of history was written by someone other than the victorious white guys.

“You can be afraid and still strong, still fearless and indomitable. You can be afraid, and you can trust, and then when you’re ready, you can let go of the fear. Fear muffles you. Let it go, and then you can live out loud again like you’re meant to.”

“As a black man, I hope one day I have as many rights as a gun.” – Gabriel Eze

“We’re taught that parents are the ones we’re supposed to trust to protect us, and if they do their jobs right, we get to learn self-reliance in a safe and secure environment. But when they screw up – and boy, do they screw up – parental betrayal is possibly the worst thing a person can ever go through. When the person you trust most in the world tells you you’re shit, you either believe them, or you break.”

“Whatever words get said in the heat of anger, or cold fear, or even calm conversation, it is your choice to believe them, and your choice to give them meaning. Because you know what? They are just words, and the only power words have over us is the power we give them.”

“We have trouble believing the good things people say – how smart, or interesting, or remarkable we are – but we have no trouble totally owning the bad stuff. If I’m going to give words any power at all, I’m going to make damn sure it’s the ones that light me up like a sunrise, you know?”

“Dude, you’re Gamora. And that hunky bastard is your Star-Lord, whether you admit it or not. And here’s the deal. Star-Lord is the only one who can save Gamora from herself, because without him making her laugh and sticking by her no matter how tough and crusty she gets, she’d be a bitter assassin with no life and no fun.”

“Here’s the thing. Characters who don’t change and grow with each life experience turn into caricatures. They’re cardboard cutouts of people who eventually become boring because they’re predictable. But to grow you need to take risks, and this thing with the hunkster was the first real risk I’ve seen you take in a long time. Gamora takes risks, no matter how scared she is, and that’s what makes her interesting. Be Gamora, Shane. Take the risk.”

Greg spoke between her kisses. “Whatever groveling must be done, my love, I’ll do on my knees in front of you, worshipping your body as befits the goddess you are.”

“Like many males of the species, his inner caveman has no concept of how condescending and infuriating his words may have sounded to the capable woman he loves.”

“You’ve been alone too long. Apologies are what inevitably happen when you allow people to matter to you.”

“I want you.” I said, meaning it to depths of my soul. “I want you to be the first person I speak to every morning, and the last one every night. I want to kiss you, and touch you, and make love to you, and I want to laugh, and dream, and plan with you. I’ll probably make mistakes, I’ll be afraid for your safety, and I’ll be annoyed that I can’t do anything better than you except pee standing up, but I’ll grovel for all of it if only for the make-up sex and the chance to become a better person in your eyes.”

“I have a dirty mind, and right now you’re running through it naked.” – Gabriel Eze