Page 333 of Good Boys Don’t Bite

“Then what?”

“Tyler went toward his car.”

“And?”

“I followed.”

Elliot’s voice had changed. Not clinical. Quieter. More careful.

“There was somebody across the alley.”

Ronan’s pulse shifted.

“Watching Tyler?”

“I thought they were smoking.”

“What did they look like?”

“Dark jacket. Hood. Taller than me.” “Nathan?” “No.” “You sure?” “Yes.” “How?” “Nathan is taller.” Ronan stared. Elliot shrugged faintly. “I noticed.” “Of course you fucking did.” He rubbed one hand over his mouth. “Did the person see your mask?” “Yes.” “Did they see you kill Tyler?” Silence. Then: “Yes.” Ronan closed his eyes. Fuck. “What did they do?” “Nothing.” He opened them. “Nothing.” “They watched.” “While you—” “Yes.” “And afterward?” “They stayed there.” Ronan stared. “What the fuck?” “I know.” “No, that’s insane.” “Yes.” “Did they follow you?” “No.” “Talk to you?” “No.” “Move?” “Barely.” Ronan felt cold. Someone had watched Elliot murder a man and simply remained there. No panic. No police. No shouting. No attempt to run. That was not a random witness. “You thought it was Saint.” Elliot’s face changed. There. Ronan knew. “When?”

“Later.”

“How much later?”

“The next day.”

“What happened?”

“I got a message.”

Ronan’s stomach dropped.

“From Saint.”

“Yes.”

“What did it say?”

Elliot looked away. Ronan already knew he wasn't going to like it.

“Tell me.”

A pause. Then: You looked beautiful when you stopped pretending. Ronan stared. Every hair along his arms lifted.

“That was the first message after Tyler?”

“Yes.”

“And you didn’t think Saint was the person in the alley?”

“I did.”

“Then why did you keep talking to them?”

Silence. Ronan stared. Elliot’s expression tightened.

“Because I wanted to.”