Page 220 of Good Boys Don’t Bite

“How recently is no?”

“Last spring.”

Ronan continued staring. Elliot could almost see the calculations happening. Timeline. Mason. Lucas. Dylan. Everything had become a timeline now.

“That’s it?”

“Yes.”

Ronan nodded slowly. Not because he believed him completely. Because he had no better question yet. Elliot’s phone felt heavy in his hand. The coordinates remained beneath the locked screen. North Ridge. Of all places. Why there? He forced himself not to think about the answer too quickly. That was dangerous now. Everything he thought could show somewhere on his face. Ronan was learning him differently. Not as a lover. As evidence. The realization made Elliot’s stomach turn.

“We call Vance,” Ronan said.

“Yes.”

Ronan looked at him. Elliot almost smiled.

“What?”

“You agreed.”

“Would you rather I argue?”

“I genuinely don’t know anymore.”

That hurt. Elliot looked away. Ronan immediately softened.

“Fuck.”

“Don’t.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Stop apologizing.”

“I keep saying shitty things.”

“Then stop saying them.”

“Working on it.”

Elliot almost smiled. Almost. Ronan reached for the phone. Elliot held it tighter.

“I’ll call.”

Ronan let go. Another small thing. Trust, maybe. Or exhaustion. Elliot dialed Vance. She answered after one ring.

“What happened?”

No greeting anymore. Interesting.

“We got another message.”

Silence.

“What?”

“Coordinates.”