Page 265 of Good Boys Don’t Bite

“You’re stepbrothers.”

“We know.”

Thomas looked at him sharply.

“Ronan.”

“What?”

“Do not get smart.”

Ronan’s temper flickered. Elliot touched the back of his wrist. Tiny. Hidden by the island. Stop. Ronan hated that it worked. Rebecca noticed anyway. Of course she did. Her eyes dropped to the touch. Then lifted.

“How serious?”

Elliot answered.

“Very.”

Ronan looked at him. Elliot didn’t. Something tightened in Ronan’s chest. Thomas dragged a hand over his face.

“Jesus Christ.”

Rebecca looked at Elliot.

“Does Claire know?”

“No.”

“Anyone?”

“Not really.”

“Not really?”

“Dylan suspected.”

Ronan immediately wished Elliot had chosen literally any other name. Rebecca’s face changed.

“The boy who is in the hospital?”

“Yes.”

Thomas stared.

“And now someone is photographing the two of you through a bedroom window.”

“Yes.”

“And police are investigating murders involving people you both know.”

“Yes.”

“And somehow nobody thought this relationship might be relevant?”

Ronan stiffened.

“To what?”