Page 383 of Good Boys Don’t Bite

Elliot’s jaw tightened. Ronan caught it.

“Poor wording.”

“Very.”

“Whatever impulses you already had.”

“Better.”

“Saint made violence feel like control.”

Elliot said nothing.

“Then I showed up and started telling you no.”

“You were already there.”

“You know what I mean.”

“Yes.”

Ronan took a drink. Terrible coffee. He made a face. Elliot looked at the cup.

“That bad?”

“Hospital coffee should be illegal.”

“You’ve covered up five murders and hospital coffee is your moral line?”

Ronan choked. Actually choked. Elliot immediately started laughing. Ronan stared.

“You cannot say shit like that in public.”

“No one heard.”

“You don’t know that.”

“Paranoid.”

“Serial killer boyfriend.”

The words escaped. Both froze. Ronan’s stomach dropped. Boyfriend. Not stepbrother. Not Elliot. Boyfriend. Elliot stared at him. Ronan looked toward the parking lot.

“Don’t.”

“I didn’t say anything.”

“You’re about to.”

“No.”

“Your face.”

“My face is innocent.”

Ronan groaned. Elliot’s smile grew.

“You called me your boyfriend.”