Page 245 of Good Boys Don’t Bite

“They weren’t random.”

“I KNOW.”

The shout filled the room. Elliot stopped. Ronan’s chest rose and fell.

“Stop trying to make me agree with you.”

“I’m not.”

“Yes, you are.”

Elliot looked away. Maybe he was. Not consciously. But some part of him had always wanted Ronan to understand the logic. Not approve. Understand. There was a difference. At least to Elliot. Ronan spoke more quietly.

“Did you ever try anything else?”

Elliot frowned.

“What?”

“Before killing them.”

“Sometimes.”

“What does that mean?”

“Warnings.”

“Threats.”

“Yes.”

“And if they stopped?”

Elliot hesitated. Ronan noticed.

“What?”

“Some did.”

“And?”

“They’re alive.”

Ronan stared. That answer seemed to surprise him. Elliot didn’t know why.

“You didn’t kill everyone you thought was bad.”

“No.”

“Only the ones who kept going.”

“Mostly.”

“Mostly.”

Ronan laughed once.

“What does mostly mean?”