Page 309 of Good Boys Don’t Bite

lay

on

his

back

staring

at

the

ceiling. Elliot was beside him. Close. Not touching. That was almost funny considering what had just happened. Ronan turned his head. Elliot was awake. Of course.

“You can stop pretending you’re asleep.”

“I wasn’t.”

“You had your eyes closed.”

“I was thinking.”

“Dangerous.”

Elliot opened his eyes. Ronan looked at him. Nothing had been fixed. That needed to remain clear. Mason was still dead. Lucas was still dead. Tyler. Grace. Benjamin. Five people did not disappear because Ronan wanted Elliot. Nathan remained in custody. Saint remained somewhere outside the room. Detective Vance had enough loose threads to eventually tie something together. Morning would come. Consequences with it. But Ronan had learned something tonight that he could no longer lie about. He wanted Elliot with the truth included. That did not mean accepting what he had done. It did not mean forgiving him. It certainly did not mean approving. It meant the desire had survived knowledge. Maybe love had too. That was much more frightening.

Elliot turned onto his side.

“Do you regret it?”

Ronan knew what he meant.

“No.”

Relief crossed Elliot’s face.

“Don’t.”

It disappeared.

“Sorry.”

“I didn’t say you couldn’t be relieved.”

“Then what?”

“Don’t turn this into forgiveness.”

Elliot nodded.

“I won’t.”

“Because I’m still angry.”

“I know.”

“I might stay angry.”