Page 325 of Good Boys Don’t Bite

“And I don’t want either of you confusing intensity with something healthy just because the world feels dangerous right now.”

Elliot almost smiled. Too late. Rebecca saw.

“What?”

“Nothing.”

“Apparently I hate that word too.”

Elliot laughed. She did too. Small. Then she hugged him. This time Elliot didn’t hesitate. He hugged her back. For several seconds, he allowed himself to be somebody’s son. Not murderer. Not golden boy. Not Ronan’s obsession. Just hers. It hurt. When she released him, she touched his cheek.

“Whatever this is, you can come to me.”

Elliot nodded. He would not. But he loved her for offering. She left at 9:31. Ronan came downstairs immediately.

“You listened.”

“Yes.”

“Asshole.”

“Yes.”

Ronan walked into the kitchen.

“She knows something.”

“Yes.”

“How much?”

“Nothing useful.”

“Yet.”

Elliot looked at him. Ronan’s expression was serious.

“We’re running out of room.”

The words settled. Vance. Rebecca. Nathan. Saint. Every secret was closing inward. Elliot looked toward the storage room. Ronan followed his gaze.

“No.”

“I didn’t say anything.”

“You thought it.”

“We need to move the mask.”

“No.”

“Ronan.”

“No.”

“If Vance gets a warrant—”

“Then we deal with that.”