Page 282 of Good Boys Don’t Bite

Ronan caught his shoulder. The intruder spoke through the mask.

“There he is.”

Elliot froze. The voice was distorted. Small device beneath the fabric. The same kind Dylan described. Ronan heard it too. His grip tightened. The intruder’s eyes remained on Elliot.

“I wondered when he’d finally get to see you.”

Elliot’s stomach dropped. Ronan went still.

“Who the fuck are you?” Ronan asked.

The man ignored him. He stared at Elliot.

“Five wasn’t enough?”

Silence. Ronan’s face changed. Police shouted downstairs. The intruder smiled beneath the mask. Elliot could see it in his eyes.

“You really did tell him.”

Elliot punched him. Hard. The man’s head snapped sideways. Ronan grabbed Elliot immediately.

“Stop.”

“He knows.”

“I heard.”

“He fucking knows.”

“I know.”

The intruder laughed again. Blood appeared along the edge of the fabric mask. Then his hand moved. Elliot saw the flash. Knife.

“Ronan!”

Everything happened at once. The blade came up. Ronan shoved Elliot sideways. The knife sliced across Ronan’s forearm. He swore. Elliot stopped thinking. He hit the intruder once. Twice. Third time. The man lost the knife. It struck the floor. Elliot kicked it away. Then drove him backward into the wall. Ronan shouted his name. Elliot heard nothing else. His fist connected with the man’s face through the fabric. Again. Blood. Again. The man slid. Elliot followed him down. His hands found the throat. Pressure. Simple. Efficient. The man struggled. His eyes widened. Elliot watched. No mask this time. No porcelain between them. Still. Easy. Ronan grabbed Elliot from behind.

“STOP.”

Elliot resisted.

“Elliot!”

“He hurt you.”

“I’m fine.”

“He cut you.”

“I’m fine.”

“He came into our house.”

“I KNOW.”

Ronan pulled harder. Elliot released. Barely. The intruder sucked in air. Elliot stared at him. Wanted to finish it. Every instinct screamed. Threat. Remove threat. Ronan stood between them. Actually between them. Elliot looked at him. Blood ran from the cut on his arm. Not much. Enough. Elliot’s attention locked onto it. Ronan saw.

“Don’t.”