Page 364 of Good Boys Don’t Bite

“Description?”

“White cargo van.”

“Rebecca?”

“We don’t know.”

“What do you mean you don’t know?”

“Windows are covered.”

Elliot’s entire body tightened. Ronan felt it.

“Stay.”

“I’m sitting.”

“You know what I mean.”

Vance continued.

“Patrol is following at distance.”

“Why not stop it?”

“Because if Rebecca is inside, a high-risk stop could get her killed.”

“So you’re letting them drive.”

“We’re tracking.”

“Same difference.”

“No.”

Elliot looked away. His mother inside a van with Saint. Maybe. Knife. Gun. Bindings. Unknown. The variables multiplied. He hated variables. Ronan touched his hand again. Elliot grabbed it. Hard. Ronan didn’t complain.

“Tell me what you’re thinking.”

“No.” “Elliot.” “No.” “Why?” “Because you’ll tell me not to.” “Probably.” “That’s why.” Ronan stared. Then: “Tell me anyway.” Elliot looked at him. Ronan’s expression was serious. Not controlling. Not afraid. Present. Elliot swallowed. “If they stop the van and Saint has a weapon, police reaction time matters.” “Yes.” “If Saint exits first, officers focus on them.” “Yes.” “If Mom is inside—” “No.” “What?” “I can see where this goes.” “You asked.” “You’re planning to use the stop as an opening.” “Yes.” “No.” Elliot laughed bitterly. “There.” “Because you are not running into crossfire.” “I know how to—” “No.” “You don’t know what I know.” “I know you’re not bulletproof.” Elliot looked away. Ronan lowered his voice. “Be scared.” “What?” “Stop trying to solve it for thirty seconds and just be scared.” Elliot’s jaw tightened. “I don’t do that.” “I know.” “Then why ask?” “Because you don’t have to be useful to me.” Silence. The sentence hit harder than it should have. Elliot stared. Ronan continued.

“You don’t have to be smart. You don’t have to have the plan. You don’t have to be the fucking killer who can fix everything.”

Elliot looked down.

“You can just be scared your mom got taken.”

His throat tightened. No. He hated this. He hated Ronan when he did this. Not because Ronan was wrong. Because Ronan kept finding places Elliot had spent his whole life keeping locked.

“She hugged me this morning.”

Ronan’s expression softened. Elliot looked toward the window.

“I lied to her.”

“I know.”

“She asked if I needed help.”