Page 241 of Good Boys Don’t Bite

“No.”

“You do.”

Ronan stared. Elliot stepped closer. Slowly.

“I’m still me.”

“No.”

“Yes.”

“The person I knew didn’t murder people.”

“You knew everything else.”

“That is not the same.”

“I know.”

Ronan almost shouted again. Stopped himself. Elliot continued.

“You knew I was jealous.”

“Yes.”

“Possessive.”

“Yes.”

“Cruel.”

“Sometimes.”

“You knew I could hurt people.”

“Not like this.”

“But you knew me.”

Ronan shook his head. Elliot’s voice softened.

“You knew the pieces.”

“No. You gave me the pieces you wanted me to see.”

That landed. Elliot looked away. Ronan continued.

“You made me think I was special because I knew the real you.”

“You are.”

“No.”

“You are.”

“How?”

“Because everyone else gets the lie.”