--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: They'd begun to back down the long drive…" description: "\"“They'd begun to back down the long drive when he saw two little boys run out from behind Nate and Tamsyn. The DarkRiver male picked up the children an..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2e3/nalini-singh-293_brenna-and-judd_they-d-begun-to-back-down-the-long-drive_1018878.jpg" --- # They'd begun to back down the long drive when he saw two… ![“They'd begun to back down the long drive when he saw two little boys run out from behind Nate and Tamsyn. The DarkRiver male picked up the children and said something that made both his mate and the boys laugh. Judd looked away. That wasn't his life and it never would be. Yet even knowing that…” quote by Nalini Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2e3/nalini-singh-293_brenna-and-judd_they-d-begun-to-back-down-the-long-drive_1018878.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2e3/nalini-singh-293_brenna-and-judd_they-d-begun-to-back-down-the-long-drive_1018878.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2e3/nalini-singh-293_brenna-and-judd_they-d-begun-to-back-down-the-long-drive_1018878.jpg) > ““They'd begun to back down the long drive when he saw two little boys run out from behind Nate and Tamsyn. The DarkRiver male picked up the children and said something that made both his mate and the boys laugh. Judd looked away. That wasn't his life and it never would be. Yet even knowing that, Brenna had made her choice very clear. And if she decided later that she wanted out? The darkness, the badness in him, bared its teeth. Tonight-maybe tonight-he could set her free. After that, she'd have to kill him to get away.”” [Nalini Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nalini-singh/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A character faces a moral dilemma, balancing personal freedom against dangerous consequences. **In simple terms:** Choosing freedom may require confronting darkness. Key Takeaway Weigh personal choice against risk. Themes morality freedom danger Mood thoughtful tense Type dramatic philosophical When to use this quote - relationship counseling - risk assessment - character development workshops Key Concepts Ethical dilemma personal agency Questions to Reflect On - What would you sacrifice for freedom? - How do you confront inner darkness? A Different Perspective Freedom can lead to unintended harm. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Brenna-and-judd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brenna-and-judd/) [Little boys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/little-boys/) [Long drive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long-drive/) [Motivation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motivation/) ## Related quotes > [“God, I love you." She kissed his temple and for a second it felt like something in him responded.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nalini-singh/god-i-love-you-she-kissed-his-temple-and-for-a-second-it-felt-like/) [Nalini Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nalini-singh/) > [“She nodded, lower lip trembling for an instant before she got it under control. "I'm such a baby. I was fine as long as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nalini-singh/she-nodded-lower-lip-trembling-for-an-instant-before-she-got-it-under/) [Nalini Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nalini-singh/) > [“He'd survived, his mind strong. Others...others were broken. The healing process was going to be a long one, but Judd had pledged himself to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nalini-singh/he-d-survived-his-mind-strong-others-others-were-broken-the-healing/) [Nalini Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nalini-singh/) > [“If the alpha tried to separate him from Brenna, he'd have a fight on his hands. A bloody one.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nalini-singh/if-the-alpha-tried-to-separate-him-from-brenna-he-d-have-a-fight-on/) [Nalini Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nalini-singh/) > [“Those unearthly eyes were so close, she could see the reflection of her own furious expression in their depths. “I’d rather watch you take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nalini-singh/those-unearthly-eyes-were-so-close-she-could-see-the-reflection-of/) [Nalini Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nalini-singh/) > [“Judd’s fists were so tight, he was in danger of fracturing his own bones. He understood why Brenna had needed to talk to Dorian.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nalini-singh/judd-s-fists-were-so-tight-he-was-in-danger-of-fracturing-his-own/) [Nalini Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nalini-singh/) > [“Are you particularly attached to these? He fingered the lace around the crease where her thigh curved against the most intimate part of her.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nalini-singh/are-you-particularly-attached-to-these-he-fingered-the-lace-around/) [Nalini Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nalini-singh/) > [“No conflicting loyalties?" "Not yet." But if it came to that, he had already made his choice. Her name was Brenna and she was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nalini-singh/no-conflicting-loyalties-not-yet-but-if-it-came-to-that-he-had/) [Nalini Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nalini-singh/) > [“He and Brenna were different in one crucial respect, a difference they had both gone to great lengths to avoid discussing - the lack…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nalini-singh/he-and-brenna-were-different-in-one-crucial-respect-a-difference-they/) [Nalini Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nalini-singh/) > [“He let her nipple slide out of his mouth. She pulled him back, but he was more interested in running his gaze over the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nalini-singh/he-let-her-nipple-slide-out-of-his-mouth-she-pulled-him-back-but-he/) [Nalini Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nalini-singh/) > [“A tear streaked down her face. I love you. You’re mine. She laughed at the possessive tone. "I've always been yours...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nalini-singh/a-tear-streaked-down-her-face-i-love-you-you-re-mine-she-laughed-at/) [Nalini Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nalini-singh/) > [“There was no bond, but she reached him in ways no one else ever had. "If you ever find your true mate," he said,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nalini-singh/there-was-no-bond-but-she-reached-him-in-ways-no-one-else-ever-had-if/) [Nalini Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nalini-singh/) > [“Oh, God, Judd.” She squeezed his hand. “I felt the…shadow of that, an echo. If what I felt was diluted, how are you still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nalini-singh/oh-god-judd-she-squeezed-his-hand-i-felt-the-shadow-of-that-an-echo/) [Nalini Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nalini-singh/) > [“Reaching up, he began using the exercise bar to do chin-ups. The repetitive act helped focus his mind as it multitasked. One thing was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nalini-singh/reaching-up-he-began-using-the-exercise-bar-to-do-chin-ups-the/) [Nalini Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nalini-singh/) > [I love just going out; long drives, the ocean, my kids, new music, new gear, new plug-ins, coffee, and donuts at four in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-feldmann/i-love-just-going-out-long-drives-the-ocean-my-kids-new-music-new/) [John Feldmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-feldmann/) ## More by Nalini Singh > [“Because as the moon followed the sun, when Illium ascended to become an archangel, Aodhan would go with him as his second.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nalini-singh/because-as-the-moon-followed-the-sun-when-illium-ascended-to-become/) [Nalini Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nalini-singh/) > [“Clay, if anyone followed anyone, it was me tagging along after you. I didn’t dare order you around.” “Load of shit,” he muttered, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nalini-singh/clay-if-anyone-followed-anyone-it-was-me-tagging-along-after-you-i/) [Nalini Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nalini-singh/) > [There's not much left inside me, Max" Sometimes, all she heard were echoes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nalini-singh/there-s-not-much-left-inside-me-max-sometimes-all-she-heard-were/) [Nalini Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nalini-singh/) > [I think Illium can take care of himself.” “Not if he keeps flirting with you.” A fine, almost elegant tendril of heat, champagne and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nalini-singh/i-think-illium-can-take-care-of-himself-not-if-he-keeps-flirting-with/) [Nalini Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nalini-singh/) > [“I'll enter first." "I'm the hunter", Elena reminded him. "I should go first" "Of course you may go first. When I'm dead”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nalini-singh/i-ll-enter-first-i-m-the-hunter-elena-reminded-him-i-should-go-first/) [Nalini Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nalini-singh/) > [“Smiling, she went for his throat and almost had him, when—using a move that was all sorts of illegal—he flipped her again so her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nalini-singh/smiling-she-went-for-his-throat-and-almost-had-him-when-using-a-move/) [Nalini Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nalini-singh/) > [“If you ever find something worth singing for again", she said, a silent, fierce hope in her heart for his song, "I hope you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nalini-singh/if-you-ever-find-something-worth-singing-for-again-she-said-a-silent/) [Nalini Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nalini-singh/) > [Animals obviously ranked higher in Michaela's world view than humans. Having seen some of the things humans were capable of, Elena couldn't disagree.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nalini-singh/animals-obviously-ranked-higher-in-michaela-s-world-view-than-humans/) [Nalini Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nalini-singh/) > [he was the monster that stalked nightmare and they both knew it](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nalini-singh/he-was-the-monster-that-stalked-nightmare-and-they-both-knew-it/) [Nalini Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nalini-singh/) > [“Morgan said that his mother said that Miss Kildaire is sitting on a shelf." Zach had to think about that one for a few…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nalini-singh/morgan-said-that-his-mother-said-that-miss-kildaire-is-sitting-on-a/) [Nalini Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nalini-singh/) > [“Oh, this is a special blend for you." Taking one of the fingers she hadn't licked, he rubbed it along her lips. "What we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nalini-singh/oh-this-is-a-special-blend-for-you-taking-one-of-the-fingers-she-hadn/) [Nalini Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nalini-singh/) > [“This time, his bear stayed quiet, finally getting with the “sneaky like a cat” program. Today”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nalini-singh/this-time-his-bear-stayed-quiet-finally-getting-with-the-sneaky-like/) [Nalini Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nalini-singh/) > [“Yes, she’s coming home for a visit. No, I will not give you a free pass. You put one finger on her, I’ll beat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nalini-singh/yes-she-s-coming-home-for-a-visit-no-i-will-not-give-you-a-free-pass/) [nalini singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nalini-singh/) > [I look into my heart and see the abyss looking back at me.' 'I won't let you fall.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nalini-singh/i-look-into-my-heart-and-see-the-abyss-looking-back-at-me-i-won-t-let/) [Nalini Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nalini-singh/) > [“Am I invited to this movie night,” Sam interrupted to say, “or were you planning to ignore me sitting right here?” “The ignore one,”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nalini-singh/am-i-invited-to-this-movie-night-sam-interrupted-to-say-or-were-you/) [Nalini Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nalini-singh/) [Explore all 682 Nalini Singh quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nalini-singh/) ## More Brenna-and-judd quotes > [“Reaching up, he began using the exercise bar to do chin-ups. The repetitive act helped focus his mind as it multitasked. One thing was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nalini-singh/reaching-up-he-began-using-the-exercise-bar-to-do-chin-ups-the/) [Nalini Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nalini-singh/) > [“Oh, God, Judd.” She squeezed his hand. “I felt the…shadow of that, an echo. If what I felt was diluted, how are you still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nalini-singh/oh-god-judd-she-squeezed-his-hand-i-felt-the-shadow-of-that-an-echo/) [Nalini Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nalini-singh/) > [“There was no bond, but she reached him in ways no one else ever had. "If you ever find your true mate," he said,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nalini-singh/there-was-no-bond-but-she-reached-him-in-ways-no-one-else-ever-had-if/) [Nalini Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nalini-singh/) > [“A tear streaked down her face. I love you. You’re mine. She laughed at the possessive tone. "I've always been yours...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nalini-singh/a-tear-streaked-down-her-face-i-love-you-you-re-mine-she-laughed-at/) [Nalini Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nalini-singh/) > [“He let her nipple slide out of his mouth. She pulled him back, but he was more interested in running his gaze over the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nalini-singh/he-let-her-nipple-slide-out-of-his-mouth-she-pulled-him-back-but-he/) [Nalini Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nalini-singh/) > [“He and Brenna were different in one crucial respect, a difference they had both gone to great lengths to avoid discussing - the lack…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nalini-singh/he-and-brenna-were-different-in-one-crucial-respect-a-difference-they/) [Nalini Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nalini-singh/) > [“No conflicting loyalties?" "Not yet." But if it came to that, he had already made his choice. Her name was Brenna and she was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nalini-singh/no-conflicting-loyalties-not-yet-but-if-it-came-to-that-he-had/) [Nalini Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nalini-singh/) > [“Are you particularly attached to these? He fingered the lace around the crease where her thigh curved against the most intimate part of her.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nalini-singh/are-you-particularly-attached-to-these-he-fingered-the-lace-around/) [Nalini Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nalini-singh/) > [“Judd’s fists were so tight, he was in danger of fracturing his own bones. He understood why Brenna had needed to talk to Dorian.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nalini-singh/judd-s-fists-were-so-tight-he-was-in-danger-of-fracturing-his-own/) [Nalini Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nalini-singh/) > [“Those unearthly eyes were so close, she could see the reflection of her own furious expression in their depths. “I’d rather watch you take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nalini-singh/those-unearthly-eyes-were-so-close-she-could-see-the-reflection-of/) [Nalini Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nalini-singh/) > [“If the alpha tried to separate him from Brenna, he'd have a fight on his hands. A bloody one.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nalini-singh/if-the-alpha-tried-to-separate-him-from-brenna-he-d-have-a-fight-on/) [Nalini Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nalini-singh/) > [“He'd survived, his mind strong. Others...others were broken. The healing process was going to be a long one, but Judd had pledged himself to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nalini-singh/he-d-survived-his-mind-strong-others-others-were-broken-the-healing/) [Nalini Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nalini-singh/) > [“She nodded, lower lip trembling for an instant before she got it under control. "I'm such a baby. I was fine as long as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nalini-singh/she-nodded-lower-lip-trembling-for-an-instant-before-she-got-it-under/) [Nalini Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nalini-singh/) > [“God, I love you." She kissed his temple and for a second it felt like something in him responded.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nalini-singh/god-i-love-you-she-kissed-his-temple-and-for-a-second-it-felt-like/) [Nalini Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nalini-singh/) [Browse all 15 Brenna-and-judd quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brenna-and-judd/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“They'd begun to back down the long drive when he saw two little boys run out from behind Nate and Tamsyn. The DarkRiver male picked up the children and said something that made both his mate and the boys laugh. Judd looked away. That wasn't his life and it never would be. Yet even knowing that, Brenna had made her choice very clear. And if she decided later that she wanted out? The darkness, the badness in him, bared its teeth. Tonight-maybe tonight-he could set her free. After that, she'd have to kill him to get away.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Nalini Singh" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nalini-singh/they-d-begun-to-back-down-the-long-drive-when-he-saw-two-little-boys/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Brenna-and-judd" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nalini-singh/they-d-begun-to-back-down-the-long-drive-when-he-saw-two-little-boys/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2e3/nalini-singh-293_brenna-and-judd_they-d-begun-to-back-down-the-long-drive_1018878.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2e3/nalini-singh-293_brenna-and-judd_they-d-begun-to-back-down-the-long-drive_1018878.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2e3/nalini-singh-293_brenna-and-judd_they-d-begun-to-back-down-the-long-drive_1018878.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“They'd begun to back down the long drive when he saw two little boys run out from behind Nate and Tamsyn…” — Nalini Singh", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Nalini Singh", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nalini-singh/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“They'd begun to back down the...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nalini-singh/they-d-begun-to-back-down-the-long-drive-when-he-saw-two-little-boys/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nalini-singh/they-d-begun-to-back-down-the-long-drive-when-he-saw-two-little-boys/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```