Page 194 of Good Boys Don’t Bite

“Why?”

“Because our parents are right there.”

“Good.”

Elliot stared. Ronan shut the door without touching the box and locked it again.

“You are going to tell me exactly what that box is.”

“I told you.”

“No, you gave me six words designed to stop the conversation.”

Elliot folded his arms.

“I bought three of them.”

Ronan stopped.

“What?”

“Months ago.”

“Why three?”

“They came in a set.”

“Bullshit.”

“Why would I lie about packaging?”

“Because you lie about everything else lately.”

The sentence landed hard. Elliot’s face changed. Ronan immediately regretted it. Not enough to take it back.

“What did you use them for?”

“One has old receipts.”

Ronan stared.

“One?”

“Yes.”

“What about the others?”

“One is under my bed.”

“And the third?”

Elliot looked toward the door.

“I thought I threw it away.”

Cold moved through Ronan.

“You thought.”