Page 31 of How to Kill Your Rival

James looks like he doesn’t believe me, but I’m not joking.

‘One thing at a time, Sweetheart.’

I stand up and James gives me a funny look.

‘What?’ I ask.

‘You’re going to kill him, right?’

‘Yeah, obviously.’

Terry’s volume picks up.

‘Well, if he’s going to die, I can do this.’

James brushes the biscuit crumbs from his lips and pulls me to him, his lips claiming mine for the first time since the morning in the woods. There’s chocolate on his breath, and his tongue swipes at mine until I moan. I can’t deny there is a thrill to being seen together by someone known to our families. My long-time rival and step-brother. Another member of the Death Council. And James taking for the first time without being provoked… well damn. His fingers tug at my waist, and I rest my bloodied knife against his shoulder, letting him guide the kiss. Giving over just a smidgen of control.

It feels kind of nice to let him take control.

For a moment.

My heartbeat races at the hungry insistence of his kiss, demanding from me what I’ve always held back from James. My chest melts against his as he reaches up and cradles my jaw, deepening the kiss until I’m seeing stars.

‘What the fuck?’ Terry breathes.

Without breaking James’ kiss, I slash Terry’s throat.

The patter of hot blood hits the floor as I whimper into James’ mouth.

‘You should… worry about… closer… home,’ Terry whispers between gurgles.

‘What?’ I say, turning away from James.

Terry just grins, his front entirely red from throat to knees.

‘What did you say?’

But Terry’s gone, and with it, he’s taken any chance of figuring out what the fuck he means, or whether it was just a cruel final twist of words to torture me right back.

The absolute mop-bucket that he is.

Or was.

* * *

Our drive home is mostly silent as I pore over Terry’s words.

‘Closer to home,’ James says as I pull up outside my flat.

‘It’s nothing.’

‘Eliza—’

‘He was just fucking with me. We’ll look into Kavanagh and the Stewarts. That’s where the evidence points.’

James looks over at me with a look in his eyes that I want to slap right off his stupid, handsome face. He sinks back into the passenger seat and sighs.

‘Pub?’ he asks, nodding at the one down the street.