Page 240 of Good Boys Don’t Bite

“Yes.”

The word came out differently. No defense. No lie. Just truth. Ronan looked toward the ceiling. He couldn’t breathe in this room.

“I need to go.”

Elliot’s entire body changed.

“No.”

Ronan looked at him. There. Fear. Real. Immediate.

“I need five minutes away from you.”

“No.”

“You don’t get to tell me no.”

“Someone is outside.”

“There’s a police cruiser.”

“Ronan.”

“I’m not running to Vance.”

Elliot stared. That was the question, wasn’t it? Not whether Ronan needed air. Whether he would tell. Ronan understood.

“You think I’m going to turn you in.”

Elliot said nothing. Ronan laughed bitterly.

“Do you?”

“I don’t know.”

“Good. Neither do I.”

Pain crossed Elliot’s face. Ronan hated that too. He moved toward the door. Elliot stepped in front of him. Ronan stopped.

“Move.”

“Please.”

“No.”

“Please don’t leave.”

The words came out broken. Ronan stared. He had never heard Elliot sound like that. Not once. Even now, after everything, the instinct rose. Comfort him. Fix it. Tell him everything was okay. Ronan hated himself for having it.

“You killed five people.”

Elliot’s eyes glistened.

“I know.”

“I don’t know who you are.”

“Yes, you do.”