Page 428 of Good Boys Don’t Bite

“He was told.”

“By who?”

“Me.”

Ronan stopped.

“When?”

“Five minutes ago.”

“What did he say?” Vance’s mouth twitched. “Exactly what you’d expect.” Ronan waited. “He asked whether you were still in the lobby.” His chest tightened. “And?” “I said yes.” “Then?” “He said okay.” Ronan closed his eyes. Okay. That fucking word. Simple. Trusting. Elliot believed he was still there because Vance told him. Ronan exhaled. “Fine.” Bell stared. Vance did too. “What?” “I said fine.” “You’re agreeing?” “Don’t make it weird.” Vance almost smiled. “Stay here.” “Yeah.” She disappeared behind the secured door again. Ronan sat. For once. Bell sat beside him. Neither spoke for a minute. Then Bell said: “You understand you may need your own attorney.” Ronan laughed. “There it is.” “I’m serious.” “So am I.” “You have potential exposure.” “I know.” “Lying to police.” “Yes.” “Possible evidence concealment.” “Yes.” “Obstruction.” “Maybe.” Bell looked at him. Ronan sighed. “Fine. Yes.” “And now a written threat.” “To Saint.” “Still a person.” “Debatable.”

“Legally not.”

Ronan leaned forward. Hands between his knees.

“If protecting Elliot gets me charged, then I’ll deal with it.”

Bell stared.

“That is exactly the attitude I’m concerned about.”

Ronan looked over.

“What would you prefer?”

“Proportionality.”

“Lawyer word.”

“Human word.”

Bell’s voice softened.

“You can love him without setting fire to your own life.”

Ronan went quiet. There. Again. Everybody apparently had the same lesson now. Saint wanted love to mean destruction. Elliot had thought love meant possession. Ronan had started treating love like sacrifice. Maybe all three were wrong.

“What does that look like?”

Bell frowned.

“What?”

“Loving someone like Elliot without destroying yourself.”

Bell stared.

“Wrong person to ask.”

“You’re married.”

“To an accountant.”

“Same thing.”

Bell actually laughed. Brief. Then sobered.