Page 193 of Good Boys Don’t Bite

“How?”

Elliot looked toward the box. Ronan felt anger rise before the explanation even came.

“Elliot.”

“I bought one like it.”

Ronan went still.

“One like it.”

“Yes.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means I bought a box like that.”

“For what?”

Silence. There. Again. Ronan laughed once. Not because anything was funny.

“Of course.”

Elliot looked at him.

“Don’t.”

“No. Please. Keep going.”

“I don’t know if it’s the same box.”

“You just said you recognized it.”

“I recognize the style.”

“The style.”

“Yes.”

Ronan looked back at the porch. Black cardboard. Matte finish. No branding. Nothing unusual enough that Elliot should have recognized it from six feet away. Except the initials.

“What did yours hold?”

Elliot’s eyes lifted. Ronan saw the answer arrive. Then disappear.

“Nothing important.”

His chest tightened.

“Fuck that.”

“Ronan.”

“No. Absolutely not.”

He stepped backward from the door. Elliot followed him inside.

“Lower your voice.”