Page 403 of Good Boys Don’t Bite

“Saint has manipulated you for months.”

“I know.”

“Then why believe that?”

Because it scared him. That was the answer. Not evidence. Fear. Saint knew exactly which sentence would make Elliot move. Ronan already did. Fuck. Elliot stopped. Bell saw.

“Good.”

“Don’t.”

“What?”

“Say it like that.”

Bell frowned. Elliot looked away. Good. Good boy. Reward. Approval. Saint. Ronan. Everything tangled. He breathed once. Slow. Another. Ronan had asked for choice. Not reaction. Fine. Elliot stepped away from the door. Bell’s shoulders lowered.

“I need information.”

“Good.”

There it was again. Elliot glared. Bell sighed.

“Unfortunate phrasing.”

“Very.”

“Tell me what you need.”

“Where Ronan is.”

“I can ask.”

“Do it.”

Bell moved toward the wall phone. Dead. Of course. He tried the door. Locked from outside.

“Wonderful.”

Elliot stared at the ceiling. Saint had isolated the room. Not randomly. Him. Specifically. The hallway beyond went quiet. Too quiet. Then a mechanical click sounded at the lock. Bell froze. Elliot did too. The door opened. Not Vance. Nathan. Elliot forgot to breathe. Nathan wore restraints around his wrists. One cuff still attached. The other hanging open. Blood marked the side of his face. He smiled.

“Hi.”

Bell immediately stepped in front of Elliot. Nathan laughed.

“That’s adorable.”

Elliot stared.

“How the fuck did you get out?”

“Saint.”

Bell looked toward the hallway.

“No officers?”

Nathan’s smile widened.