Page 15 of How to Kill Your Rival

‘Oh, lass, don’t let them rile you up. These fuckers could learn a thing or two from the younger members of the Council.’

Fraser, Eliza’s younger brother, and by far the youngest person in the room, looks up and grins.

Patrick has turned a shade of puce that looks as if his head might actually explode.

Hector Stewart, who has been uncharacteristically quiet, chooses this moment to speak.

‘We only raise it out of genuine concern. These are turbulent times for your business. We all want to support the family through the transition.’

‘Thank you for your concern, Hector,’ Eliza says, with a smile that doesn’t reach her eyes plastered onto her face. ‘The Hamilton family is not in transition. I have been trained to be a part of the business my whole life, and I do not need misplaced pity. The Hamiltons will remain where they have for the past century, heading up the Death Council with the same efficiency as always. Is there anything else you feel compelled to get off your chest?’

Hector scowls. ‘Not a thing.’

To Hector’s left, his son Marcus has said nothing at all. He watches Eliza with steady interest, his stare almost reptilian in the way it unnerves me. He hasn’t been the same since his brother, Eddie, disappeared a few months ago.

The meeting finally ends at just after noon after a whole load more drivel and cock-measuring behaviour. I stay in my chair until the room empties before leaning over to steal some uneaten biscuits.

‘God, they’re such absolute twunts,’ she breathes, flopping back into her chair.

‘Twunts?’ I ask.

‘Twatty cunts. Like even bigger cunts than cunts are.’

‘Can’t argue with that. I could have stood up for you, you know?’ I say after finishing my biscuit.

‘Don’t you dare. The last thing I need is them thinking I need a guy to come to my defence. They already act like having breasts impairs my mental faculties in some way.’

‘You having breasts impairs their mental facilities.’

The smile that cracks on her face makes me melt like the buttery snacks.

‘James,’ she says.

‘Yes.’

‘Someone’s fucking with my contracts, and I need to find out who.’

I have no idea where she’s going with this.

‘Fucking with them how?’ I ask.

‘I keep getting there and finding them dead. Which is highly inconvenient when I’m there to kill them.’ Eliza tenses her hands, her nails digging into her palms.

‘Or a gift?’

‘If I find out that it’s you behind the voided contracts to toy with me, I’ll be extremely fucking pissed. I know you enjoy seeing me squirm, but rivalry is one thing and pissing me off is another.’

‘It’s not me.’

She analyses my face. ‘It better bloody not be.’

Eliza stands, gathering up her paperwork, and I stand with her. The urge to touch her overwhelms me; the reminder of our tryst in the alley has me desperate. Walking over, I lean against the tabletop and drag a finger over her wrist. She freezes, but doesn’t stop me.

‘I could always prove my loyalty,’ I say, daring to draw my fingers up her arm.

As usual, she tenses as she actively fights against the underlying tension we have. The heat between us bubbles all the more when she’s annoyed at me, and despite our long rivalry, I’d give in in a heartbeat.

Her eyes widen as I undo a button on my shirt and raise a brow.