The Rising Quotes

“They’re reloading. James looks back at me and jerk his head, sending me to the other end. We crouch behind the booth. Then he holds up two fingers. Drops one. Then another. I nod, we stand, and point our guns over the top. “Hi.” I smile, my cigarette between my teeth, and we start raining bullets down on them,”
― Jodi Ellen Malpas, The Rising

“And how much is making it work going to cost me?” “I’m in negotiations,” she declares, a strongness to her voice that doesn’t bode well. It’s cocky. “But I’ve assured the proprietor that money isn’t an issue, is it, darling?” No, it’s not, but her having an interest other than me is. “Rose?” “Yes, darling.” “You’re pregnant.” “Am I?” she cries, sounding surprised. “Shit, I wondered what the fuck was going on with my body.” I look up at the ceiling. God, please, make her stop before I do something I regret. Like kill her. “You’re blackmailing me.” “I’m harnessing my power.” I laugh. “Oh, baby, you sure do have power.”
― Jodi Ellen Malpas, The Rising

“She’s got a bit attached, yes.” I laugh. “And what lesson have we learned today, students?” Nolan rolls his eyes and trudges off, and I ignore the looks of utter disbelief coming at me from everyone else. They can fuck off. Rose is different.”
― Jodi Ellen Malpas, The Rising

“All the girls are out for a pamper day.” “Not true,” Ringo nods to Goldie, who gets herself back on the stool next to him, her lip curled in disgust. “Since you find me so repulsive,” he goes on, “why don’t you join the girls for a pamper day?” “Why don’t you,” she retorts, looking down at her watch, “have a colonic, since you’re so full of shit too. It’s nearly time to evacuate.”
― Jodi Ellen Malpas, The Rising

“Are you sure you only shit every three days?” “Yeah.” “You know what that means, don’t you?” I say, toasting Nolan’s shitting habits. He looks worried. “What does it mean?” “It means that more often than not, you’re full of shit.” Everyone laughs, including James and Brad, which is an achievement on my part.”
― Jodi Ellen Malpas, The Rising

“She probably needed her morning poo,” Ringo mutters, and we all turn half amused half questioning looks onto him. “What?” he asks. “Women are like clockwork, aren’t they? Same time every morning?” “And men aren’t?” Goldie looks at Ringo like he’s another species. I’m beginning to think he is. “No, men shit in the evening.” I laugh, looking at the others, hoping I’m not alone. They’re all looking at Ringo with expressions that basically say what the fuck? “You shit in the evening?” Otto asks him. “Yeah, I shit in the evening. Don’t you?” “No, I shit in the morning.” “I shit every three days,” Nolan says, thoughtful. “Could be morning or evening. It’s a bit inconvenient, to be honest.” He looks at Goldie. “When do you shit?”
― Jodi Ellen Malpas, The Rising

“Here comes the manipulation. I pull away, solemn, and leave the shower. “I was only trying to do something nice for you.” I grab a towel and yank it down. “I know it’s not easy being married to me, Rose.” I throw it over my shoulders and tug it from side to side. “I’m trying here.”
― Jodi Ellen Malpas, The Rising

“So let’s get the fuck on with rising and make sure we never fall, because that, my friend, is the closest we’re ever getting to normal.”
― Jodi Ellen Malpas, The Rising

“The challenges we’re facing now won’t be around forever.” Something tells me he’s not just talking about business. “Work, family, wives, kids.” Danny pulls on his cigarette and pouts, looking up at the ceiling and exhaling. “This is the rising, mate.”
― Jodi Ellen Malpas, The Rising

“I pull some confidence from nowhere and dial Danny, taking my cell to my ear. “Miss me?” he asks in answer as I start to pace in front of the fireplace. “It’s painful.” He laughs softly. “What do you want, baby?” “To take Daniel out for pizza.” I hold my breath, turning away from Tank and Daniel so they can’t see my screwed-up face. “Okay.” My face drops. “What?” “I said, okay.” Okay? Just like that?”
― Jodi Ellen Malpas, The Rising

“Does Danny know?” I ask Nolan. “Know what?” I turn and find my husband at the door again, his legs wide, his hands in his trouser pockets, relaxed. “Will you stop doing that?” I say, swiveling on my stool and facing him. “You never mentioned Brad said I could work at the club.” The dark look Danny throws Nolan’s way is lethal. It tells him he better leave or he’ll die. Not surprisingly, Nolan abandons his coffee and makes a hasty exit.”
― Jodi Ellen Malpas, The Rising

“He went straight to your office after he grilled Rose.” “Bet that went down well,” I muse, looking toward my office. “Where is she?” “Running her palm under the cold tap.” “Oh, fucking hell,” I breathe, heading to the kitchen. I find my wife looking fucking livid. “Hey, baby.” Glancing up, her lips twist more. “He deserved it.”
― Jodi Ellen Malpas, The Rising

“I take a seat in the cozy chair in the corner and cross one leg over the other, resting my gun on my knee. “What a lovely reunion.”
― Jodi Ellen Malpas, The Rising

“I dial Rose. “Baby,” I say when she answers. “Baby to you too,” she replies sweetly, definitely through gritted teeth. “A little tip if you wish to remain married.” “What’s that, sweetheart?” “Answer my fucking calls.”
― Jodi Ellen Malpas, The Rising

“I’m typing away but lose my screen when Rose tries calling me. “Forgive me,” I murmur, rejecting her call and carrying on with my message. She calls again. “Not now, Rose,” I say quietly, hitting the red, forbidden button and continuing with my message. It rings again. “I’ll call you back, I promise,” I say, rejecting her once again and getting back to my message to James. Ring!”
― Jodi Ellen Malpas, The Rising

“Can we stop off at Best Buy?” Otto asks as he slips onto the passenger seat, looking at me for an answer. He’s serious. He’s fucking serious. “No, we can’t fucking stop at fucking Best Buy,” I yell, starting the car and slamming it into drive, screeching off. I drum my fingers on the steering wheel as I wait in the carpark outside Best Buy,”
― Jodi Ellen Malpas, The Rising

“You know,” Danny says, motioning to the card as Mr. Foster removes it from his mouth, “there’s this great little device on the market that holds business cards in a handy pocket-sized contraption that you can actually keep in your pocket.” He plasters on an amazed expression. “Maybe put it on your Christmas list and if you’ve been a good boy, Santa Claus might leave one under the tree for you.”
― Jodi Ellen Malpas, The Rising

“What did I do?” “What did you do?” Danny seethes, standing up from his chair slowly, his fists clenching. “What did you fucking do?” Poor Nolan is as still as an ice sculpture, and probably feeling as cold too. “You fucking died, you moron!” “I did?” Nolan looks down his front, dismayed, as if checking he’s actually here. “When?”
― Jodi Ellen Malpas, The Rising

“I settle back in my chair and collect the wine Brad left at his place and sip around my smile. And nearly spit it out when someone—not Brad—walks into the kitchen, cool as can be, casual, even a fucking smile on his face. And all eyes follow him from the door to the seat that Brad just vacated. So close to me, I can smell him. Clean. Fresh. Not dead. “Hmmm, looks yum,” Nolan says, diving into the stew Brad left a moment ago as we all stare, mouths hanging open.”
― Jodi Ellen Malpas, The Rising

“I pull out the pack of pills from a cosmetic bag and pop one, pushing back the stupid guilt. Stupid because James didn’t want to try. And now, neither do I.”
― Jodi Ellen Malpas, The Rising

“Volodya?” We both nod. “So they are turning on each other.” We both nod. “And Sandy must know what’ll happen if he makes false promises.” We both nod. “So he knows who The Bear is?” We both shrug. “I’d love to stick a corkscrew in Volodya’s eye.” Only Danny nods. “And I bet you’d love to chop up Sandy into a million bite-sized pieces.” Brad looks at me, and this time only I nod.”
― Jodi Ellen Malpas, The Rising

“Are you taking me home or not?” I yell, and he smiles, trudging down the steps and scooping up a bag. “Yes, princess,” he coos, as Leon scurries along beside him, opening the driver’s door for him.”
― Jodi Ellen Malpas, The Rising

“Motherfucker!” James yells on an exhale, coughing, choking, shaking his head. I swear, every muscle in me turns to mush, and I flop forward over the handlebars, suddenly out of breath. “Were you worried about me?” he pants. I don’t look up, too exhausted. “Fuck you.” And then laughter. Brad breaks out, James too, and I look up, seeing them in pieces. Relief. It has to be, because I’m suddenly laughing like a twat with them.”
― Jodi Ellen Malpas, The Rising

“So we’re stuntmen now, are we?” Brad asks, locking and loading. “Hey, Rambo Junior,” James bellows, easing off the door a little, revealing endless bumps from endless bullets. “Don’t miss.” Brad laughs. It’s sardonic. “Ready when you are.”
― Jodi Ellen Malpas, The Rising

“Threw?” Rose says, outraged. “There’s a Jo Malone Candle in there, Black.” She starts rummaging through the dozens of bags, looking for her candle. “I know.” Danny laughs. “It hit him on the head.” I look between Danny and Rose, then to James, absolutely . . . amused. I’m amused.”
― Jodi Ellen Malpas, The Rising

“I’m going back to St. Lucia.” This makes her blink in surprise. “I think it’s for the best.”
― Jodi Ellen Malpas, The Rising

“I know I’ve always said she can take everything out on me, but there’s only so much a man can stand. Yet at the same time, the twisted fuck in me loves being the one person who gives her the chance to fight back, even if she’s out of line. Like now.”
― Jodi Ellen Malpas, The Rising

“Is that why you called him too?”
― Jodi Ellen Malpas, The Rising

“Where the fuck have you been?” he yells over the music, turning to face me. I ignore him and order a vodka, perching on a stool. The music is so loud, I can’t hear myself fucking think. It might be a good thing. “And who the fuck is Beth?”
― Jodi Ellen Malpas, The Rising

“If James and I were women, I’d be giving his hand a reassuring rub about now.”
― Jodi Ellen Malpas, The Rising