Page 237 of Good Boys Don’t Bite

“I’m not giving you details.”

Ronan laughed incredulously.

“You think that’s where the line is now?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because you don’t need them in your head.”

Ronan stared. Somehow that sounded like protection. That made him furious.

“You don’t get to protect me from what you fucking did.”

“I know.”

“Stop saying you know.”

Elliot flinched. Good. Ronan hated himself for thinking that. He turned away. Walked toward the living room. Stopped. Turned back. His thoughts refused to stay in order. Mason. Lucas. Dylan. The mask found at North Ridge. Someone else watching. There was still someone else. That fact existed beside Elliot’s confession like two incompatible realities.

“Dylan.”

Elliot’s expression changed. Ronan saw it immediately.

“No.”

“What?”

“I didn’t take him.”

Ronan stared.

“You expect me to believe you?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because I didn’t.”

“That is not enough anymore.”

“I know.”

“STOP SAYING THAT.”

The shout hit the room hard enough to echo. Elliot went silent. Ronan breathed heavily. He looked at the floor. Glass glittered near the island. A tiny drop of Elliot’s blood marked one shard. Ronan stared at it. Then another thought arrived.

“How many?”

Elliot froze. Ronan looked up.

“How many people have you killed?”

Silence. The entire carriage house seemed to hold its breath. Ronan’s voice came quieter.

“Mason and Lucas.”