Page 329 of Good Boys Don’t Bite

Elliot’s anger returned. Different now. Colder. Ronan saw.

“No.”

Elliot looked at him.

“You promised.”

The words stopped him. No more murders. Promise. Fuck. Elliot closed his eyes. Breathed once. Opened them.

“Fine.”

Ronan stared.

“Fine?”

“I’m not going to kill them.”

“Good.”

“I am going to find them.”

“That sounds suspiciously adjacent.”

“Finding isn't killing.”

“Elliot.”

“You asked for no loopholes. That isn’t one.”

Ronan stared. Then sighed.

“Okay.”

Elliot looked down at the phone. Saint sent another message. THAT’S BETTER. Ronan read it. His face hardened.

“They can hear us.”

Elliot stared at the device. Maybe. Maybe not. Ronan stepped closer. Then spoke directly toward the phone.

“Hey, Saint.”

Elliot looked at him. Ronan continued.

“If you can hear me, listen carefully.”

Silence. The screen remained dark.

“You don’t know him.”

Elliot’s chest tightened.

“You know what he did. You know what he hides. You know what scares him. Congratulations.”

Ronan crouched beside the container.

“But you don’t fucking know him.”

The screen illuminated. DON’T I? Ronan smiled. Not kindly. Elliot recognized that smile. His smile. Fuck. Ronan typed. No. Immediate response.