Page 69 of How to Kill Your Rival

‘Oh shut up, James. Not like that, you big dingbat. You know I’m fond of you. And I think you’d be great for Eliza. But it’s Eliza. So yes, hearing that from her mouth was like being hit with a big arse salmon.’

‘Right,’ I say.

‘And then Eliza went quiet for a moment, before saying, “I think I might be in trouble, Maggie.”’

I take another slow bite of my rapidly cooling toast.

‘And then she went to bed, and I lay awake for an hour because I have been waiting for my sister to have feelings for someone for fucking ever.’ She puts her cup down and folds her hands on the table. ‘So. Here we are.’

‘Here we are,’ I repeat. Wondering why Maggie is spilling all this.

‘And I need to have a word.’

‘Knock yourself out.’ Ah, a word. There’s her reason.

She straightens up, and with her wild hair and very serious face, it’s almost comical. Maggie is a darling. Wouldn’t hurt a fly. But she is doing her very best to appear intimidating.

‘If you hurt her, I will make an exception to my intention never to join the family business. I will hunt you down and lop off your bollocks and make you bloody well swallow them.’

Well. She almost sounds convincing.

‘I have no intention of hurting her.’

‘Intentions mean jack shit when it comes to men. Your cocks overrule your brains.’

‘My cock, and brain, and heart are 100 per cent branded with her name.’

Her shoulders drop a little, and I can’t help but grin.

‘Maggie,’ I say.

‘I know how this sounds, given that Eliza can remove a man’s eyeballs with her thumbs and still go for dinner immediately after. I know Eliza is capable of looking after herself. Physically. But this whole lowering of emotional barriers is new to her. And if you fuck it up and make her slam them back up, I’m going to find the motivation to locate my inner murderous Hamilton.’

I spread another piece of toast. ‘I’m not going to hurt her.’

‘The other guy said that too.’

My jaw tightens. ‘What other guy?’

I’ve never seen Eliza openly date anyone.

Maggie sighs and glances at the door. ‘There was a guy. A few years ago. He was older, and no one really knew about it. She admired him, and he took advantage of it. It’s why she’s so careful now. Why she tried so hard not to fall for another man in the business. He broke it off when she became more proficient at killing than him. He wanted her youth and her beauty, but he wanted her to stay inferior to him. He couldn’t handle her outshining him. It ended, and she pretended she was fine. Until I found her on the kitchen floor, hyperventilating. Crying. He made her feel like her success was a flaw.’

‘Fuck.’ I breathe out the word.

‘And no one knows. He so nearly broke my sister. I wish I could have killed him. To have made him feel an ounce of what she suffered. But I couldn’t. If it happens again, I will.’

‘Tell me his name, and I’ll do it.’ Fury bubbles in my chest.

‘She would eviscerate me for telling you. You can’t say anything, and I’ve already told you more than I should. His identity is her business,’ Maggie says.

‘I’ll take it to my grave.’

‘Good. Just don’t expedite your journey to it. Eliza cried for an hour, then she stood up, made a cup of tea and has never mentioned it again. She seemed fine. And has been exhaustingly fine ever since. I’m not having her do it again. Not for you. Not for anyone. So if you’re not in this completely, then you need to end it now before it goes any further.’

Maggie is nearly breathless when she pauses.

‘I’ve been waiting for years for her to be ready, Maggie. I’m not going anywhere. I adore your sister. I’ve put up with being an amusing rival. I’ve waited in the wings while she’s flirted with others after turning me down. I’ve watched her from the sidelines and let her know that I want her. She’s the person I wake up thinking about, and my last thought before bed. Other than my work, she consumes my entire world.’