"If you need me to be doin' something like that, I ought warn you: I'm expensive," said Slade, smirking to hide his discomfort at the thought of burning children alive. He'd put plenty of men in the ground; women, too. He'd killed people who'd raised their guns and he'd killed people who'd raised their hands and begged. But he'd never harmed children. He had no intention to.
Sometimes, you got to cross a line. Best not dwell on it.
He tilted his head a little at her, watching the movement of those pretty, wicked lips and savoring the warmth of her breath so close. "Since you asked so nice," said Slade, taking a step back and looking at the approaching man. Something inside told him he could strike this man, and should. "Hey, partner. Eyes front." Slade tossed a heavy fist into the man's nose, dropping him easily. With just as much ease, Slade hefted the man's unconscious form up and around his shoulders.
"I gotta ask," said Slade, approaching Scarlett again. "There a purpose in this?"