Perfect Enemies Quotes

“I needed a focus. A purpose in life. I’d assumed I’d go to college because I was a high achiever, but none of it truly interested me. How could I decide on a life path when nothing fit? The only time I felt perfectly at ease was sitting at my piano. When my fingers danced across the keys, the world around me melted away until all that was left was the comforting embrace of a haunting melody. Some people wrote in a journal or talked to a therapist. My coping mechanism was the piano. Every emotion under the sun was there to be drawn forth with the right combination of ebony and ivory. A lively Chopin mazurka for bright sunny Saturdays. Beethoven or Rachmaninoff when my emotions were dragging me under. Music was everything to me. But if I didn’t want to play for others, how could I ever take my music further? Being a music teacher was one thing, but being at a university would require performances. Just the thought terrified me.”
― Jill Ramsower, Perfect Enemies

“I could see hints of my mother in Connor’s profile, but he had to have taken strongly after his father. I wondered who the man had been. I couldn’t imagine not knowing my past. Had that uncertainty molded Connor into the guarded man sitting at our table, or had his newfound Irish family been at the root? While he’d relaxed enough to converse, he was by no means at ease. Connor was a fortress of a man. I could only hope he’d let us in one day because he was our blood—our family—no matter who had raised him. Getting to know him might not be easy, but it would be worth it. And if the Irish became a part of our world, I had a feeling life would never be dull. Although, we Genoveses never had a problem keeping things lively. Yeah, I had a feeling Connor was going to fit right in.”
― Jill Ramsower, Perfect Enemies

“No wonder Dad had been so wary about our dinner. Neary’s was owned by the Irish mob. I didn’t know much about them, but I’d heard whispers of the Byrnes. Had Dad told Mom his suspicions? Just how thoroughly had he investigated Connor before tonight? Giada, being Giada, was the first to break the spell. “First the cartel, then a federal agent, now the Irish. We’re like Rudolph’s Island of Misfit Toys.”
― Jill Ramsower, Perfect Enemies

“And how does your godfather feel about this little family reunion?” “He thinks it’s fate.” “And you?” Connor lifted a shoulder. “What else could it be when the long-lost son of the Italian mafia is raised at the table of the Byrne Brothers?”
― Jill Ramsower, Perfect Enemies

“His tone was businesslike. Confident. He didn’t seem affected by my father at all, which said a lot about him. Dad’s intensity was often more than most could bear. Dad lifted his chin. “I’m aware of its ownership, but I wasn’t aware of your connection to the family.” “I suspected as much. The Byrnes’ are my godparents.”
― Jill Ramsower, Perfect Enemies

“Just as we took our seats, a tall man in a gray suit strolled over to our table and placed his hand on the back of the empty chair. He was fair-skinned with neatly trimmed black hair and the most radiant blue eyes I’d ever seen peeking beneath a deep-set brow. The stark contrast of his bright stare against the backdrop of such harsh features was an unsettling juxtaposition. Control warring with passion. Beauty marred by ferocity. The man was utterly captivating. “I suppose this one’s for me.” He nodded stoically. “Connor Reid, and you must be the Genoveses.” My father rose swiftly, followed by my dumbfounded mother, whose trembling hand clutched at her chest. “Connor,” she breathed. The breadth of emotion contained in that one exalted word brought tears to my eyes. She was finally getting to meet the child she’d missed for so many years. My brother’s face softened when his eyes fell on her. “Mia, it’s good to finally meet you.”
― Jill Ramsower, Perfect Enemies

“If I could, I’d fuck you night and day. My cock was made to be inside you.”
― Jill Ramsower, Perfect Enemies

“I found myself looking for Kane but couldn’t spot him in the crowd. As my eyes scanned the room, I happened to catch Chloe snag Gio’s tie and pull his lips to her in a scorching kiss. My jaw dropped to the floor. Where had that come from? I’d had no idea Chloe was even interested in Gio—they seemed so contradictory. She was feisty, even bordering on the demanding side, while he was chill to a fault. Judging by the panty-melting grin he gave her when they pulled apart, their differences weren’t an issue for him. Maybe a better word for them was complementary. The unusual flush coloring Chloe’s cheeks indicated I was right. Graduation might be the start of more than one new adventure for those two. Gio’s gaze collided with mine. I grinned and shook my head playfully. He returned my grin with a wink, then focused back on his newest pursuit.”
― Jill Ramsower, Perfect Enemies

“His hand traced over the watch I’d gotten back from Reyna and kept on at all times. I was happy to wear it and loved seeing the peace of mind it gave him. Not long after she came to live with us, Reyna had been given a similar watch of her own. “Thanks, Daddy. You guys ready to head to the school?” Xavier's graduation was small enough to be hosted in the school auditorium. It wasn’t fancy but considering it might be the last time I ever had reason to walk those halls, I was glad graduation would be in the same building where I’d grown up. Santino put his arm around Reyna proudly. “Let’s do this. I’m ready to see my girl cross that stage.” Reyna’s grin filled my chest with happiness. Without the burdens she’d carried for so long, she’d spread her wings in the past months. I was getting used to the more lighthearted version of her but still paused to appreciate each of her unguarded smiles.”
― Jill Ramsower, Perfect Enemies

“Will I see you tomorrow?” I slipped my hand around the back of her neck and pulled her in for one last lingering kiss. “Tomorrow and every day after. I’m yours, baby girl, and nothing’s going to change that.”
― Jill Ramsower, Perfect Enemies

“I’m done. You will always be more important than any job. I’d already come to that realization but seeing you in danger today and facing the fact that I could have lost you made it all that much more real. You’re it for me, beautiful girl. You sucked me into your orbit, and now, I couldn’t imagine a life without you. I love you, Valentina Genovese—from those quicksilver eyes of yours to the tips of your toes and every molecule between. I love every damn piece of you, forever and always.”
― Jill Ramsower, Perfect Enemies

“a familiar form filled the doorway. How many times had I seen that figure watching me from the shadows? Not as many times as I’d seen him in my dreams. I would have recognized that iron stance anywhere. Santino had come for me, and my father’s bullet would be his only reward.”
― Jill Ramsower, Perfect Enemies

“My face crumpled with grief as I prayed for the bullet to take me quickly. Please don’t think this was your fault, Val. You did everything you could. My thoughts wouldn’t reach her, but it was all I had. Valentina was the one person who had tried to help me, and I didn’t want her to carry the guilt of my death. I was just sorry I would never see her again.”
― Jill Ramsower, Perfect Enemies

“Please, Papá. Please don’t do this.” I hadn’t called him Papá since I was a little girl. The word held no sentiment to me now—it was purely a tool I’d employed to keep myself alive. Something that poured from my lips out of desperate necessity. “Why not? What use could I possibly have for a treacherous whore? Your mother may be worthless, but at least she’s loyal.” “Because I’m your daughter—” “You’re nobody’s daughter,” he growled, hatred glowing in his eyes. “I can get information about the Genoveses. I can … I can still be useful. I can …” My breathing hiccupped, cutting off my rambling plea. I detested my pathetic groveling, but I didn’t want to die. I’d tell my father anything he wanted to hear if it kept me alive for a few minutes longer.”
― Jill Ramsower, Perfect Enemies

“My gaze trailed back to Javier, who stared back at me in challenge as if to say, “Just try to be upset with me.” I rolled my eyes. He never made me any promises of confidentiality, so I couldn’t entirely blame him, but I would remember his duplicity. I’d also remember my father’s generosity and the respect he showed me in letting me live my life. His actions gave me the confidence to consider being more forthright in the future. If I had faith in his ability not to overreact, maybe we could forge a bond worthy of a father-daughter relationship. If there was anything that would test that theory, it was Kane. My hands clutched each other in my lap. “How long have you known about Kane?” Dad raised a brow. “Javier came to me after you gave him those plates to run. He kept me informed on your little … charade.” He glanced down momentarily before meeting my gaze. “I have to say, I’m not sure I’ve ever been so fucking proud.” My dad, the consummate businessman, nearly lost his voice with emotion. Tears flooded my eyes. “I wanted to tell you, but I was scared you’d hurt him.”
― Jill Ramsower, Perfect Enemies

“We’ve tried very hard, despite how it may have felt, to let you three live your lives without us looking over your shoulders. It hasn’t been easy to balance your safety with good parenting, let me tell you.” Dad’s eyes flitted to my mom’s in an uncharacteristically touching”
― Jill Ramsower, Perfect Enemies

“We hired security.” Dad glanced at Javi. “Viper Operations has been tracking you night and day, ensuring your safety. If you left the house, their monitoring equipment alerted them. You were never without a set of eyes protecting you, aside from your time at school.” Viper 10k weekly. The note in my father’s desk. Viper was Javier. Dad had been paying them to keep me safe. I gaped at Javier and Santino. “The party. You were there watching Reyna. And the dance …” Santino’s head moved side to side. “No, I was there watching you.”
― Jill Ramsower, Perfect Enemies

“my attention turned to my motorcycle. It wasn’t the most secure way to transport an individual wanted by an angry cartel. “Can you drive us?” As I jumped in his car, I prayed that my instincts were right and that I hadn’t just aided in my own kidnapping … or worse.”
― Jill Ramsower, Perfect Enemies

“Listen,” he growled. “We have word that Vargas is on his way back. Reyna is in immediate danger, and I need to know if you can keep her safe.” His voice was ragged with desperation.”
― Jill Ramsower, Perfect Enemies

“How do you know who I am?” Did he work for her father? Surely not. If her father knew I was a federal agent, they never would have allowed her near me. “I work for a man named Javier. Have you heard of him?” “The man who’s dating Valentina’s sister? Ex-cartel, right?” He nodded. “Valentina has been keeping him apprised of the situation. We helped orchestrate the small … production at the airport the other day.” I glared at him, confused. “Why the hell would Val go to him?” “That’s irrelevant right now,” he spat with a flare of anger. “We are wasting valuable time. I need to know if you can get Reyna to safety or if I should do it myself.”
― Jill Ramsower, Perfect Enemies

“The next morning, I had a meeting set up with Javier to discuss our upcoming week. I debated all night how to tell him about my change in plans. My upbringing had taught me it was disloyal to end my service to a man who had saved my life on more than one occasion. Javi was more family to me than my blood relatives had ever been. He’d understand my need to go, but that didn’t make it any easier.”
― Jill Ramsower, Perfect Enemies

“I’d always seen the irony in my name, considering the ugly things I’d done in my life, but in Reyna’s eyes, I finally lived up to my namesake. The Saint and the Queen, an unlikely pair in so many ways.”
― Jill Ramsower, Perfect Enemies

“If I do this … if I entered witness protection …” Her hands worried at one another, and her eyes searched the darkness for words she didn’t know how to say. “What, princesa? If you do this, what?” I placed my fingers at the back of her neck and ran my thumb along her delicate jaw. “Then … I’ll never see you again.” Her words were a whispered confession—an admission and a plea—so unexpected they winded me. Reyna Vargas was drawn to me enough that she was wary to take her best chance at escape for fear she’d lose me. Any man would be a fool to let such beauty and fidelity slip between his fingers. “Then I’ll just have to go with you,” I said without reservation. I was spellbound by the woman before me and could think of no better purpose in life than to stand by her side.”
― Jill Ramsower, Perfect Enemies

“the US government could make her disappear more effectively than if she’d tried on her own. She’d have resources. A future. What if you were with her? If you disappeared with her, she’d have you.”
― Jill Ramsower, Perfect Enemies

“I have an opportunity to get away and escape my family.” “You mean the papers Javier is getting for your new identity?” She shook her head. “No, it’s another option to disappear. Something that just came up.” My gut churned with unease. “The undercover fed,” I murmured without needing to ask. It was the only obvious explanation, but the two hadn’t been in contact since Valentina’s big showdown. How had this come about? More importantly, if Reyna became a witness for the state, she would be in grave danger. Assuming she made it out alive, her next step would be WitSec. She’d be untraceable. I’d never see her again.”
― Jill Ramsower, Perfect Enemies

“SANTINO I watched Reyna more than I should have, but I told myself it was a part of the job. If I was being honest, I didn’t need to sit outside her house to follow orders. But how could I leave her alone in that house when I knew her father’s depraved cruelty all too well? I’d grown up around the Vargas family. For years, I’d felt like I owed them for helping me off the streets, but nothing about their actions was altruistic. The Vargas men were only out for themselves. That became clear over the years, making my departure an easy choice. I was now free of them, but Reyna still had the Vargas gun at her head. I didn’t want to abandon her to that fate. You sound like a Vargas. Don’t gloss over your selfish motives. My conscience was right. I didn’t just want her freedom; I wanted to be the one to free her. I wanted to make her mine.”
― Jill Ramsower, Perfect Enemies

“This has been absolutely perfect, Kane.” My fingers feathered over the stubble on his jaw. “But there’s nowhere for it to go. How could a DEA agent ever tie himself to a mafia family?”
― Jill Ramsower, Perfect Enemies

“Did I ruin your sheets?” He gingerly swept the wet cloth along my slit. “One, it’ll wash out. But two, the mark of your virginity is evidence of something special. If my sheet was ruined in the process, I would hardly cry about it.” Then he winked before taking the cloth back to the bathroom.”
― Jill Ramsower, Perfect Enemies

“The moment was utter perfection. Never in a million years would I regret giving myself to this man, no matter what our future brought us.”
― Jill Ramsower, Perfect Enemies

“Look at me, beautiful.” I hadn’t realized my eyes had closed, but I followed his instruction immediately. Kane’s fingers sank deep inside me, his palm pressing down to cup my entire sex. “This is mine. I’ll be the first and only man to touch you here. Understand?” There was nothing casual or hazy about his declaration. Only perfect clarity and absolute conviction. Kane intended to make me his, but I couldn’t fathom how that would work, and this wasn’t the time to hash out the details. All I knew was that I wanted to be his, so I let my heart give him what he wanted to hear. “Yes, Kane. I’m yours.”
― Jill Ramsower, Perfect Enemies