Page 410 of Good Boys Don’t Bite

Nathan flinched. Elliot knew. He had it.

“Tell me.”

Nathan whispered:

“Seven.”

Silence. Elliot stopped breathing. Bell’s face changed. Seven. Not victims. People. Projects. Nathan. Elliot. Five others. Saint had done this repeatedly.

“How many are alive?”

Nathan looked away.

“Three.”

Cold. Elliot’s stomach turned.

“What happened to the others?”

No answer. Saint spoke.

“Enough.”

For the first time, anger. Real. The building lights flickered. Bell looked toward the door. Elliot’s pulse sharpened. Saint continued.

“You were given a choice.”

Elliot stared.

“No.”

“You confessed.”

“Yes.”

“You betrayed me.”

“No.”

“You betrayed us.”

“There was never an us.”

Silence. Then Saint laughed. Different. Not warm. Broken.

“Still his.”

Elliot smiled faintly.

“Yes.”

The answer came easily. Saint went quiet. Elliot continued.

“Mine too.”

Bell looked at him. Nathan did. Saint remained silent. Good. Not Ronan’s possession. Not Saint’s. His own. Finally. A loud mechanical bang echoed downstairs. Ronan shouted something. Elliot moved toward the doorway. Bell caught him.

“Wait.”