Page 286 of Good Boys Don’t Bite

“Because you’re you.”

Ronan stared. Elliot realized. Possession again. Always. He lowered his voice.

“I can’t lose you.”

Ronan’s expression softened.

“You almost killed him.”

“Yes.”

“In front of cops.”

“Yes.”

“That would've been incredibly inconvenient.”

Elliot laughed once. Small. Ronan smiled. Then Vance appeared in the doorway. Her expression destroyed the moment. She looked at Ronan’s arm. Then Elliot’s bloody hands. Then the knife on the floor.

“Everyone alive?”

Ronan said, “Unfortunately.” Elliot stared. Vance almost smiled.

“Paramedics are coming up.”

“I don’t need—”

“Yes, you do,” Elliot and Vance said simultaneously.

Ronan looked between them.

“Great.”

Vance stepped inside.

“Nathan Reed.”

Elliot nodded.

“You know him.”

“Classmate.”

“Only?”

“Yes.”

Nathan’s voice echoed downstairs. Laughing. Vance watched Elliot.

“Did he ever contact you?”

“No.”

“Follow you?”

“Apparently.”

“Before tonight.”