Page 104 of How to Kill Your Rival

‘One of the staff colluded to kidnap Fraser. Jacob Everett,’ James says.

Dad nods. ‘I’ll deal with him myself.’

‘Eliza and James are—’ Fraser starts.

‘Fraser,’ Maggie gasps. ‘Shut up.’

‘I’m just⁠—’

‘I will end you,’ I threaten.

‘Eliza,’ Dad says.

James looks like he’s hoping that the ground will swallow him up.

Dad eyes the two of us warily. ‘How long have you two been at it?’

‘Not long. But we love each other,’ I say. I swear I could have played basketball with the amount of hung jaws around me.

‘Wonder who will need to get kidnapped for me to fall in love? Seems to be a thing around here,’ Fraser says.

‘You’ve managed to make Eliza fall for you?’ Dad says to James.

‘I believe so.’

‘Right, well, I’d say that’s between you two then,’ Dad says, sitting down at last. ‘Jacob Everett is mine to deal with. Eliza, the Stewarts and the Kavanaghs are yours. You started it, so you’ll finish it.’

‘Yes, Dad,’ I say.

‘I can’t imagine a better man to deal with her for the rest of his life. God help you, James. You have my blessing and my condolences in equal measure.’

James’ mouth curves. ‘It’ll be my pleasure.’

‘Right,’ Fraser says, brushing crumbs from his stained top. ‘Can I shower now? I’ve got some serious swamp-arse going on and need a date with a bottle of shower gel.’

‘Go,’ Dad says.

34

JAMES

I’m staying in Eliza Hamilton’s bedroom with no subterfuge. Just her and me, and her lovely soft bed.

It’s the middle of the day, and there’s nowhere I’d rather be.

I am giddy.

It’s taken years of being her follower, but finally, Eliza Hamilton is mine.

Her knives are on the dresser, not neatly cleaned as usual, but abandoned. Books clutter the surfaces, an eclectic mix. A framed photograph on the windowsill of her siblings and Eliza with their mother. So much younger.

And then there’s Eliza. The sun to my orbit. Sat amongst it all with her glorious red hair tumbling around her bare shoulders and nothing but a smile on her face.

I love her so completely that it hurts. It’s not only her beauty, but her loyalty to her family, and her ruthless desire to achieve her goals. And I love that she’s letting me see a side of her no one else gets. A softer side just for me. A safe place where we can be vulnerable with each other.

‘You’re staring at me,’ she says, flopping down and lying across my lap.

‘Oh, you’re just the prettiest woman I’ve ever seen.’