The Witness Quotes

“But when two people feel something, they ought to respect that enough to figure it out”
― Nora Roberts, The Witness

“She wants to learn how to handle a gun.

Well, I want George Clooney naked in my bed, but I haven't attempted kidnapping. Yet.”
― Nora Roberts, The Witness

“Do you think I'd leave you alone when you're twisted up like this? I tell you I love you, and it feels like I broke your heart."
"No one has ever said that to me. In my life, no one's ever said those words to me."
"I'm making you a promise right here that you'll hear them from me every day.”
― Nora Roberts, The Witness

“Because you’re the one. Because I’ve never felt for anyone what I feel for you. I want a lifetime with you, Abigail. I want a home with you, family with you. I want to make children with you, raise them with you. If you truly don’t want any of that with me, I’ll give you the best I’ve got, and hope you change your mind. I just need you to tell me you don’t want it.”
― Nora Roberts, The Witness

“You're pretty sassy this morning, son. Is it all about Reingold's rulings?"

"That didn't suck, but I've got me a fascinating, beautiful woman I'm falling for. Falling hard."

"Quick work."

"In the blood. My mama and daddy barely did more than look at each other, and that was that. She's got me, Russ. Right here." He tapped a fist on his heart.

"Surely it's not considerably lower where she's got you?"

"There, too. But, Jesus, Russ, she does it for me. I just think about her, and... I swear I could look at her for hours. Days."

Brooks let out a half-laugh, edged with a little surprise. "I'm done. I'm gone.”
― Nora Roberts, The Witness

“And still she felt more confident at the prospect of taking on the Russian Mafia than she did attending a backyard barbecue.”
― Nora Roberts, The Witness

“Studies show adolescent males often make decisions based on sex. Many fail to grow out of it.”
― Nora Roberts, The Witness

“People say to someone they love: I'd die for you. They don't expect to, of course, have no plans to. They may believe it, or mean it, or it may simply be an expression of devotion. But I know what it means now, I understand that impossible depth of emotion now. And I know you would die for me. You'd put my life before yours to protect me. And that terrifies me.”
― Nora Roberts, The Witness

“He turned his head, kissed the top of her head. "I love you."
"It sounds lovely in bed, in the dark, when everything's quiet."
"Because it's true. And it'll be true in the morning.”
― Nora Roberts, The Witness

“After weighing the pros and cons, I’ve decided sex with you would be mutually satisfying. You’re attractive and pleasant. And clean. You kiss very well, and while I’ve found that’s not always a reliable gauge for skill in bed, it often follows. If you’re agreeable, we can finish dinner, I’ll show you the greenhouse, then we can go in and have sex. I’m on birth control, but I would require you wear a condom.”
― Nora Roberts, The Witness

“She left me because she could, because I made a choice that allowed her to walk away. I could make her proud of me, proud of what she’d accomplished in me, but I could never make her love me.”
― Nora Roberts, The Witness

“What good are laws if they're not human?”
― Nora Roberts, The Witness

“You can’t know everything. Sometimes you have to trust. Sometimes you have to just feel.”
― Nora Roberts, The Witness

“It didn’t take him long, and he pulled up nearly nose-to-nose with Ash as they came in from opposite directions.
“You shaved off your …” It couldn’t rightfully be called a beard, Brooks considered. “Face hair.”
“Yeah, it got too hot.”
“Uh-huh.”
― Nora Roberts, The Witness

“Love doesn’t turn on and off like a light switch.”
― Nora Roberts, The Witness

“She’d never been taken before, he realized. Not like this, where her surrender was complete, not when she couldn’t separate some small part of herself to reach for control. And God, he wanted to take her, to destroy that fascinating and innate control.”
― Nora Roberts, The Witness

“We can’t have choice and free will and still be fated.”
― Nora Roberts, The Witness

“Organized religion has an unfortunate history of fostering violence.”
― Nora Roberts, The Witness

“argumentative.” “Sorry. It wasn’t on the schedule.” “Sarcasm’s also typical, but it’s unbecoming.” Susan opened her briefcase, checked the contents. “We’ll talk about all this when I get back. I’ll make an appointment with Dr. Bristoe.” “I don’t need therapy! I need a mother who listens, who gives a shit about how I feel.” “That kind of language only shows a lack of maturity and intellect.” Enraged, Elizabeth threw up her hands, spun in circles. If she couldn’t be calm and rational like her mother, she’d be wild. “Shit! Shit! Shit!” “And repetition hardly enhances. You have the rest of the weekend to consider your behavior. Your meals are in the refrigerator or freezer, and labeled. Your pack list is on your desk. Report to Ms. Vee at the university at eight on Monday morning. Your participation in this program will ensure your place in HMS next fall. Now, take my garment bag downstairs, please. My car will be here any minute.” Oh, those seeds were sprouting, cracking that fallow ground and pushing painfully through. For the first time in her life, Elizabeth looked straight”
― Nora Roberts, The Witness

“pleasure had been so huge, she’d had to go into the bathroom, close herself in a stall and cry a little. The seeds of the rebellion had been planted that day, she supposed, or maybe they’d always been there, dormant, and the fat and salt had awakened them. But she could feel them, actually feel them, sprouting in her belly now. “Your plans changed, Mother. It doesn’t follow that mine have to change with them.” Susan took a moment to precisely place”
― Nora Roberts, The Witness

“Considering all the interruptions, she’d had a very good, very productive week. Her fee for the job she’d just completed would fatten her bank account and add to her peace of mind. And Sunday? She’d give the computer a rest. She’d clean her weapons, work in her garden and greenhouse, maybe get a little hiking in. Then settle down with her leftover soup and read the evening away.”
― Nora Roberts, The Witness

“Nothing drove sex out of a man’s mind surer than a couple of wild kids fighting”
― Nora Roberts, The Witness

“there was an itch, he couldn’t ignore it. One that told him if he kept scratching he’d uncover something … else.”
― Nora Roberts, The Witness

“Abigail Lowery”
― Nora Roberts, The Witness

“She had a feeling joining the FBI was no longer an option, but she didn’t ask. It might have been foolish, but not knowing a definitive answer left a sliver of hope.”
― Nora Roberts, The Witness

“prevaricated”
― Nora Roberts, The Witness

“This above all—to thine own self be true. And it must follow, as the night the day. Thou canst not then be false to any man. WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE”
― Nora Roberts, The Witness

“Listen up," He stalked back over to her, pulled her to her feet. "I expect -no, I demand--more respect than that from you. I'm not some weak-spined half-ass fuckhead who slithers off when everything's not just exactly perfect. I loved you an hour ago. I love you now. I'm going to keep right on loving you, so get used to it and stop expecting me to let you down. It's insulting, and it's pissing me off.”
― Nora Roberts, The Witness

“the fee would already be deposited. The mark would be out just under forty American dollars. Really, a small price for a lesson learned. He spoke briefly with the supervisor, made a note of the day’s take, then strode for the door. He enjoyed, too, the communal breath of relief behind him as he stepped out the door.”
― Nora Roberts, The Witness

“sorry to interrupt, but do you have a moment?” she asked Brooks. “Or two. Come on in.” He took her hand, kept it after he closed the door to his office. “What happened?” “It’s good, what happened.” The good made her a little breathless. “Garrison contacted me. Her report was very brief, considering, but inclusive.” “Abigail, spill it.” “I’m—oh. Yes. They’ve picked up Cosgrove and Keegan. They’re interrogating, and that may take some time. She didn’t mention the blackmail, but I’ve followed some of the communications in-house, so to speak. Naturally, they believe Keegan blackmailed Cosgrove, and they’ll use that to pressure each of them. More. More important. They’ve arrested Korotkii and Ilya Volkov. They’ve arrested Korotkii for the murders of Julie and Alexi, and Ilya as accessory after the fact.” “Sit down, honey.” “I can’t. It’s happening. It’s actually happening. They’ve asked me to meet with the federal prosecutor and his team to prepare me for testifying.” “When?” “Right away. I have a plan.” She took both his hands now, held tight. “I need you to trust me.” “Tell me.” ON A BRIGHT JULY MORNING, one month”
― Nora Roberts, The Witness