Page 252 of Good Boys Don’t Bite

“No.”

Ronan hesitated. Only a fraction. Then:

“No.”

Vance stared. Elliot felt something dark and terrible bloom inside his chest. Ronan had lied again. Not because Elliot asked. Because he chose to. Vance looked between them. Then nodded slowly.

“I’ll be back tomorrow.”

She left. The door closed. Ronan locked it. Neither spoke. Elliot looked at him. Ronan looked at the floor. Then:

“Don’t.”

“What?”

“Whatever you’re about to say.”

Elliot stepped closer.

“You lied again.”

Ronan laughed bitterly.

“I noticed.”

“Why?”

He looked up. This time there was no confusion. No I don’t know. Just exhaustion.

“Because if someone out there knows what you are, I’d rather figure out who the fuck they are before I hand you over.”

Elliot stared. Ronan continued.

“That is not forgiveness.”

“I know.”

“It is not approval.”

“I know.”

“I still don’t know whether I can look at you tomorrow and stay.”

That hurt. Elliot nodded anyway.

“Okay.”

“But tonight?”

Ronan looked toward the storage room. Then toward the dark windows.

“Tonight, we have a bigger problem.”

Elliot’s chest tightened.

“We.”

Ronan’s expression hardened.