Page 298 of Good Boys Don’t Bite

“Police?”

“No.”

That answer surprised both of them. Ronan heard it. Elliot stared.

“Then who?”

Ronan looked at him.

“I don’t know yet.”

There it was. We. Again. He hated how easily it returned. Elliot noticed too.

“You’re staying.”

Ronan’s expression hardened.

“Tonight.”

Elliot smiled faintly.

“Right.”

“Don’t push.”

“I’m not.”

“You are with your face.”

“My face is innocent.”

Ronan laughed.

“Your face has killed five people.”

Elliot went still. Wrong. Ronan immediately regretted it. Then Elliot started laughing. Actually laughing. Ronan stared.

“What?”

“That was terrible.”

“I know.”

“Really terrible.”

“I fucking know.”

Elliot laughed harder. Ronan tried not to. Failed. For several seconds, they stood in a kitchen full of secrets at four in the morning laughing like fucking idiots. It felt wrong. Maybe everything did now. Then Elliot’s phone vibrated. Both stopped. Not unknown. Detective Vance. Elliot answered.

“Hello?”

Her voice was loud enough that Ronan heard.

“Nathan Reed is asking for you.”

Elliot went still. Ronan stepped closer.

“Why?”