Page 110 of Good Boys Don’t Bite

“Four years?”

“About.”

“What makes him need protecting?”

The question irritated him more than it should have.

“He doesn't.”

“Then why do you?”

Ronan looked up. Because Elliot looked harmless and people mistook harmlessness for permission. Because everybody wanted access to him. Because Elliot could be vicious behind closed doors and somehow that only made Ronan more aware of how little anyone else understood him. Because loving Elliot had become indistinguishable from guarding him at some point, and Ronan wasn't sure when. Instead:

“Because he's family.”

Vance watched.

“Just family?”

Ronan's jaw tightened.

“Careful.”

“Is that a threat?”

“No.”

“Sounded like one.”

“Then you're hearing what you want.”

Silence. Longer this time. Ronan could feel his own heartbeat. He hated that she had gotten him angry. That was probably the point. He forced his shoulders to relax. Vance picked her pen back up.

“Did Mason Kerr ever have a problem with Elliot?”

Ronan frowned.

“Not that I know.”

“Lucas?”

“No.”

“Dylan?”

Ronan stared. There it was. Different question. Not problem with Elliot. Dylan.

“Dylan likes him.”

Vance's eyebrows lifted slightly. Ronan immediately hated his phrasing.

“What?”

“Nothing.”

“Fuck.”

Vance wrote something. Ronan leaned forward.