Page 305 of Good Boys Don’t Bite

“Yes.”

“At four thirty in the morning after confessing to five murders.”

“Yes.”

“After somebody tried to kill us.”

“Yes.”

“After my parents found out.”

Elliot’s mouth twitched.

“That part might actually be helping.”

Ronan laughed. Then Elliot laughed. Then neither was laughing. Because Ronan’s hand was still around his throat. Because Elliot had stepped closer without either of them acknowledging it. Because their bodies were touching now. Barely. Enough. Ronan could feel Elliot breathing.

“You’re fucked up,” Ronan whispered.

“I know.”

“So am I apparently.”

Elliot’s expression softened.

“No.”

“Don’t.”

“What?”

“Don’t make me better than you because you’re afraid I’ll leave.”

Elliot went still. Ronan tightened his fingers slightly. Not enough to hurt. Enough to make Elliot look at him.

“I lied to Vance.”

“Yes.”

“Three times.”

“Yes.”

“I hid evidence for you.”

“Yes.”

“I know you killed five people.”

Elliot’s breathing changed.

“And I’m still standing here.”

“Yes.”

The word barely existed. Ronan stared at him. There it was. The thing neither wanted to say. The thing Ronan had been avoiding since the storage room. Knowing had changed everything. Except this. The wanting. That remained. Maybe it was worse now. That realization frightened him. Elliot whispered:

“You still want me.”