Page 109 of Good Boys Don’t Bite

“You want me to ask for a lawyer?”

Vance's eyes flicked toward him.

“That would be your decision.”

“Because this feels like the point where you want me to.”

“You're here voluntarily.”

“Elliot was too.”

Silence. There. The first time either of them had said his name in several minutes. Ronan leaned forward.

“What did you find in his car?”

Vance's expression closed.

“This conversation is about you.”

“No, it isn't.”

“What makes you say that?”

“Because everything starts with Elliot.”

Vance's eyes sharpened. Tiny. Ronan caught it. He regretted the wording immediately.

“Meaning?”

“Meaning Mason knew him. Lucas knew him. Dylan knows him. You're asking about me because of him.”

Vance wrote something. Ronan's stomach tightened.

“That isn't what I meant.”

“I didn't say it was.”

“Stop doing that.”

“Doing what?”

“Making every sentence sound like evidence.”

For the first time, the corner of her mouth moved. Not a smile. Close.

“You're very protective of him.”

“There it is again.”

“Am I wrong?”

Ronan stared toward the table. A scratch ran through the laminate near his wrist. He traced it once with his thumb.

“No.”

“How long?”

“Since our parents got together.”