Page 370 of Good Boys Don’t Bite

“Your eyes.”

“What about them?”

“You’re gone.”

“I’m thinking.”

“You’re planning violence.”

“Yes.”

“At least honest.”

“She could drown.”

“I know.”

“There’s a manual release.”

Ronan frowned.

“For the tank?”

“Emergency flood gate.”

“What does that mean?” “The observation chamber can be flooded.” Ronan went pale. Vance heard. “Explain.” Elliot did. Saint had chosen perfectly. A room Elliot knew. A mechanism he understood. A threat tailored exactly to force him into direct action. Ronan looked at him. “You’re going.” Not a question. “Yes.” Vance said, “No.” Elliot stared. “Yes.” “Absolutely not alone.” “If Saint sees police—” “We don’t know they can.” “They always can.” Ronan stepped between them. “Then I go with him.” “No,” Elliot and Vance said together. Ronan laughed. “Cute.” Elliot grabbed his arm. “No.” “You don’t get to decide.” “Yes, I do.” “Why?” “Because Saint asked for me.” “And specifically told me to stay.” “Exactly.” Ronan stared. Then understanding. “If they’re separating us, that’s part of the test.” “Yes.” Saint wanted Elliot alone. Without Ronan’s restraint. Without the promise standing physically beside him. Ronan looked toward the phone. Then at Elliot. “What if that’s why I need to go?” Elliot’s jaw tightened. “If Saint sees you, Mom could die.” “What if Saint only said that because they know you believe it?” Silence. Vance watched. Ronan continued. “Everything is about control.” Elliot stared. “Yes.”

“Saint controls you by controlling the people you love.”

“Yes.”

“So stop letting them set every rule.”

The sentence landed. Hard. Elliot looked at him. Ronan’s expression changed. Not gentle. Not commanding. Certain.

“You don’t go alone.”

Elliot’s chest tightened.

“What if you’re wrong?”

“Then we deal with it.”

“Rebecca—”

“We get her back.”

“You can’t promise that.”

“No.”

At least he didn’t lie. Ronan took Elliot’s hand.

“But I can promise you don’t face Saint by yourself.”

Elliot stared. There it was again. The thing Saint had never given him. Not permission. Not approval. Presence. Ronan wasn’t asking Elliot to perform. He was simply refusing to leave. Elliot swallowed.

“Fine.”