Page 433 of Good Boys Don’t Bite

“He’s looking at the house.”

Ronan stopped breathing.

“What?”

Thomas’s voice dropped.

“The worker.”

Silence.

“He’s standing in the backyard.”

Ronan looked at Vance. She went pale. Thomas continued.

“He’s looking straight at the kitchen window.”

Then:

“He’s smiling.”

Ronan’s entire body went cold. The line clicked. Message incoming. His phone. Unknown number. One photograph. Thomas and Rebecca standing upstairs behind a curtain. Taken from the backyard. Right now. Beneath it:

GOOD BOY.

Ronan stared. Another message.

YOU STAYED.

His chest tightened. Saint had expected him to run. He hadn't. Another:

MAYBE YOU ARE LEARNING.

Ronan looked at Vance.

“Get them out.”

“We are.”

His phone vibrated again. DON’T WORRY. Then: I’M NOT HERE FOR THEM. Ronan stopped. Another message.

I JUST WANTED YOU TO KNOW I COULD BE.

Rage hit. Immediate. White-hot. He gripped the phone. Promise. Not his promise. Elliot’s. Still. Choice. Ronan breathed. Did not type. Did not move. Saint sent:

VERY GOOD.

Ronan looked at the words. Then at Vance. “Trace it.”

“Already trying.” Another vibration. Photo. Not his parents. Elliot. Different room now. Transport complete. Sitting alone on a bench. Looking toward a door. Ronan’s heart stopped. Message: HE’S WAITING FOR YOU. Then: YOU PROMISED TOMORROW. Ronan stared. Saint knew exactly where Elliot had been moved. Again. No location was safe. No building. No transfer. No secret. Nothing. Ronan looked at Vance.

“Where is he?”

She said nothing.

“Vance.”

Her expression changed. She understood. If Saint already knew, secrecy was useless.