Page 356 of Good Boys Don’t Bite

“No loopholes.”

Elliot stared. Ronan held his gaze. Finally:

“I promise.”

Ronan nodded.

“Good boy.”

The words came automatically. Elliot froze. So did Ronan. Wrong time. Very wrong time. Except Elliot’s expression changed. Not sexual. Not exactly. Grounded. Like the phrase had become something else between them now. A reminder. A promise. Control. He exhaled.

“Asshole.”

Ronan smiled.

“There he is.”

They followed Vance outside. Mercy Storage sat fifteen minutes west of Bellweather behind an abandoned strip mall and a chain-link fence topped with curled wire. Ronan hated it immediately. Rows of identical metal units stretched beneath a gray sky. Numbers painted above roll-up doors. No pedestrians. No traffic except the county road beyond the fence. Vance parked two streets away. No lights. No sirens. Three unmarked vehicles were already positioned around the surrounding blocks. Ronan sat in the back beside Elliot. Their knees touched. Elliot had not spoken for six minutes. Ronan watched his hand. Still. Too still. He placed his palm over it. Elliot looked over.

“No biting.”

That earned a tiny smile.

“Not in the mood.”

“Liar.”

The smile disappeared. Ronan squeezed.

“You’re going to get her.”

“Yes.”

“Alive.”

“Yes.”

“You’re coming back.”

“Yes.”

“No killing.”

Elliot exhaled.

“Yes.”

“Say it.”

“I’m not killing anyone.”

“Good.”

Elliot’s fingers turned beneath Ronan’s. Their palms met. Vance looked at them through the mirror.

“Ready?”

“No,” Ronan said.