Page 285 of Good Boys Don’t Bite

“He fucking watched.”

“I KNOW.”

Nathan disappeared downstairs laughing. Elliot fought Ronan for several seconds. Then stopped. Not because the anger disappeared. Because Ronan’s blood touched his hand. He looked down. Red across his fingers. Ronan followed his gaze.

“It’s mine.”

Elliot’s breathing changed.

“I know.”

“Shallow.”

“I know.”

“Stop looking like you’re about to kill twelve people.”

“I’m considering it.”

Ronan almost laughed. Then winced. Elliot immediately reached for his arm.

“Sit.”

“I’m fine.”

“Sit.”

Ronan stared. Elliot stared back.

“Please.”

That worked. Ronan sat on the edge of the bed. Elliot grabbed a clean towel from the bathroom and pressed it against the cut. Ronan watched him. The hallway remained full of police. Voices downstairs. Rebecca shouting. Thomas asking what happened. Vance somewhere among them. Everything was exploding. Elliot cared about the blood beneath his hands.

“You’re shaking,” Ronan said.

“I’m not.”

“You are.”

Elliot looked down. He was. Fuck. Ronan covered Elliot’s hand with his.

“Hey.”

Elliot looked at him.

“I’m okay.”

“You could’ve been killed.”

“So could you.”

“That’s different.”

“No.”

“Yes.”

“Why?”