Page 374 of Good Boys Don’t Bite

He hated how much he needed the words.

“What did she do?”

Saint laughed.

“Nothing.”

“Then why take her?”

“Because you love her.”

Simple. That was all Saint needed. Elliot stared. Rebecca shouted through the glass.

“Elliot, don’t listen to him.”

Saint laughed again.

“See? Good mother.”

Ronan looked at the room. Searching. There had to be a control location. Saint remote. Maybe elsewhere. Maybe cameras. Elliot followed his gaze. One small camera above the observation glass. Ronan saw. Good. Saint said:

“I gave you permission once.”

Elliot looked toward the speaker.

“No.”

“You needed it.”

“I didn’t.”

“You kept my note.”

Silence. “You kept the words.” “Not you.” A pause. Interesting. Elliot continued. “I kept proof somebody knew.” Saint’s voice softened. “And loved you anyway.” “No.” Ronan looked at him. Elliot’s chest tightened. “No,” he repeated. “You didn’t love me.” Silence. Saint asked: “What would you call it?” Elliot looked at Ronan. Then answered. “Ownership.” Ronan’s expression changed. Saint went quiet. There. Hit. Good. Elliot continued. “You wanted credit.” “No.” “Yes.” “You killed because you wanted to.” “I did.” “You became honest because of me.” “No.” “You stopped pretending.” “No.” Saint’s voice hardened slightly. Finally. “Who did that, then?” Elliot looked at Ronan. Ronan stared back. Elliot answered: “Him.” Silence. Ronan’s chest rose. Fell. Saint said nothing. Elliot smiled faintly. There. Not golden boy. Not killer. Something in between. “He knows everything.” Saint’s voice returned. “Does he?” “Yes.” “Everything?” Elliot hesitated. Ronan felt it. Oh no. Saint laughed. “Exactly.” Ronan looked at Elliot. “What?” “Nothing.” Wrong. Saint laughed harder.

“There’s always another room, isn’t there?”

Elliot’s stomach dropped. Ronan’s expression hardened.

“What does that mean?”

Saint answered for him.

“Ask him why Tyler Ames was chosen first.”

Ronan looked at Elliot.

“He told me.”

“No.”

Saint’s voice softened.

“He told you what Tyler did.”

Elliot stopped breathing.

“But not why Tyler mattered.”