Page 425 of Good Boys Don’t Bite

“What?” Ronan turned the page. Another highlighted statement. If Saint is still doing this, the person closest to the project is never just leverage. They’re the final assignment. Cold moved through him. Elliot. Ronan. The entire game. Not make Ronan kill for Elliot. Not only. Make Elliot choose what happened to Ronan. Ronan looked toward the locked corridor. Then at Bell.

“I need Vance.”

“Why?” Ronan handed him the transcript. Bell read. His face changed. Ronan’s temporary phone rang. Unknown number. His stomach dropped. He answered nothing. Just stared. One message appeared. HOW WAS YOUR VISIT? Ronan stopped breathing. Another. THIRTY MINUTES ISN’T VERY LONG. Saint knew. Of course. Another.

HE LOOKED SAD WHEN YOU LEFT.

Ronan’s jaw tightened. Bell leaned closer.

“What is it?”

Ronan showed him. Another message arrived. DON’T WORRY. Then: I’LL KEEP HIM COMPANY. Everything inside Ronan went cold. He looked toward the secure hallway. Elliot was somewhere behind it. Locked inside a building full of police. Exactly where Ronan had convinced himself he was safest. The phone vibrated again. One photograph. Elliot. Taken through the narrow window of a holding-area door less than one minute ago. Ronan stopped breathing. Saint wasn’t outside anymore. Saint was inside the building.

Chapter Thirty-Four — I’m Coming Back

RONAN

WEDNESDAY · 10:45 A.M.

For three seconds, Ronan forgot how locked doors worked. He simply moved. Across the county-holding lobby. Past Gregory Bell. Straight toward the secured corridor Elliot had disappeared behind less than five minutes earlier. A uniformed officer stepped in front of him.

“Sir.”

“Move.”

“Sir, you can’t—”

“Someone is inside.”

The officer frowned. Ronan shoved the temporary phone toward his face.

“Someone just took this.”

The photograph filled the screen. Elliot. Gray county clothes. Head turned slightly toward the holding-cell window. Timestamp less than sixty seconds old. The officer’s expression changed. Everything after that happened fast. Radio. Code. Doors. Two officers disappeared through the secured entrance. Bell took Ronan by the arm.

“Stay here.”

“No.”

“Ronan.”

“Let go.”

“You cannot storm a detention facility.”

“I’m aware.”

“You appear unconvinced.”

Ronan pulled free. His pulse pounded so hard he could feel it behind his eyes. Another message arrived.

HE STILL LOOKS FOR YOU WHEN A DOOR OPENS.

Ronan’s stomach dropped. Saint wasn’t guessing. They were watching Elliot in real time. Maybe standing ten feet away. Maybe wearing a uniform. Maybe sitting behind a monitor. Maybe— Bell took the phone.

“Stop.”

Ronan looked at him.