Page 382 of Good Boys Don’t Bite

“I don’t think you understand how terrifying that was,” Ronan said.

“For me?”

“For me.”

Elliot looked over.

“I watched you look at the red button.”

Silence.

“I knew exactly what you wanted.”

“To catch Saint.”

“To hurt Saint.”

Elliot didn’t deny it. Ronan continued.

“And I asked you not to.”

“Yes.”

“You listened.”

“Yes.”

“That matters.”

Elliot looked toward the parking lot.

“It shouldn’t.”

“Why?”

“Because I should be able to make that choice without you.”

Ronan stared. There. He had been thinking something similar. Maybe not exactly.

“You will.”

Elliot laughed softly.

“You sound confident.”

“I’m not.”

That got his attention. Ronan shrugged.

“I’m making it up.”

“Comforting.”

“I’m serious.”

Ronan turned toward him.

“You spent however long letting Saint reinforce every fucked-up impulse you already had.”