Page 334 of Good Boys Don’t Bite

The answer landed differently than expected. Not manipulation. Not excuse. Truth. Ronan exhaled slowly.

“Why?”

“I’d killed someone.”

“Yes.”

“And somebody saw.”

“Yes.”

“They knew what I’d done.”

“Yes.”

“And they weren’t afraid of me.”

There it was. Ronan’s chest tightened. Elliot continued.

“They didn’t call police. Didn’t threaten me. Didn’t ask for anything.”

“At first.”

“Yes.”

“So you liked them.”

Elliot looked uncomfortable.

“Not like that.”

“Elliot.”

“No.”

The answer sharpened. Ronan stopped. Interesting. Elliot could talk about murder with less emotion than the possibility Ronan might think he had wanted Saint.

“No?”

“No.”

“Then what?”

Elliot’s jaw tightened.

“I liked being understood.”

Ronan stared.

“We've talked about this.”

“Yes.”

“But you were obsessed with me.”

“Yes.”

“And also talking to Saint.”