Page 84 of How to Kill Your Rival

I tip my head as I consider the prospect. Well… maybe.

‘So whose idea was it?’

‘The Kavanaghs and the Stewarts. The Stewarts suspect you of foul play with Eddie, because despite the leads that said he left your house after your dad’s wedding, there hasn’t been a single one of them verified. And they’d know. They’ve checked thoroughly. Kavanagh just thinks you’re a stupid girl.’

Eliza’s jaw clenches. She’ll know that means that others have been tortured because of what she did to Eddie. Even if it was in defence. Killing other Death Council members isn’t something that’s done.

She still appears languid and relaxed, but I know her well enough to see the stress underlying. The stiffening of her movements. The way her fingers move a little less smoothly as she runs them over her blade.

I have no doubt Declan has very few minutes left on earth.

‘So you helped not one, but two families betray me?’ she asks, leaning forward.

Declan shrinks in his seat, trying to hide in on himself. But there’s nowhere for him to go. The rat’s been exposed.

‘I just did what they asked; I had to. You did something to Eddie. They know it. And if you’re too emotional to take your father’s seat then they have every right to interfere.’

Ooh shit. The fucker was asking for a slow, painful death. Too emotional? May as well just kick her in the tit already, you idiot.

Eliza tilts her head, her eyes glittering with amusement.

‘Let’s talk about my little brother, shall we?’

The colour drains from his face so fast, I would have considered calling him an ambulance if it weren’t for the fact he’s a dead man anyway.

‘You helped them take him, didn’t you? Who do you have in my home to help coordinate that?’ Eliza steps closer to him, dragging her knife gently over his cheek in a deadly caress.

‘No one.’ The way his face flushes gives away his lie.

There’s a snake in the Hamilton household. Sweet Eliza will extract the info from him one way or another.

‘A sane man would just spill. I’ve seen Eliza work, and despite the way you’ve all tried to undermine her, you all know how fucking good she is at this. She’ll have you squealing like a piggy either way. You might just resemble a Mr Potato Head who’s met an angry toddler by the end. Your choice.’

Declan focuses on me, his eyes widening as though he’s just remembered I’m here.

‘James. Your family has used my services for a long time. I was loyal to your father. Call her off.’

The laugh that tears from me has him flinching. ‘Call her off? Who do you think I am? She doesn’t follow me. I’m her loyal follower in every way. I’ll juggle your fucking balls after she cuts them off if she asks me to.’

Eliza giggles, her cheeks flushing. ‘I don’t know if I can call that romance in the general sense, but I very much enjoyed it.’ She turns her focus to Declan, who has the good manners to look fucking terrified. ‘Now, Declan, would you like to see James juggle your balls as much as I would?’

Uh oh. I really, really hope I don’t have to prove that statement. Can you juggle while vomiting? I hope I don’t have to find out.

‘N-no.’

‘There’s a good boy.’ Eliza pats him on the head. ‘Now, who’s the fucker in my household who needs a dinner date with my pigs?’

‘He’s only young.’

‘Age isn’t a viable excuse for kidnapping my brother.’ Eliza’s hand moves swiftly, stabbing her knife clean through the back of Declan’s hand. His blood-curdling scream fills the grotty kitchen as blood bubbles around the wound.

‘Fuck. Oh, you actually did it. Fuck.’ Tears fill the corners of his eyes as he tries to move, but between the cable ties and the knife going into the wooden armrests, he’s held fast.

‘Of course I did it, silly. I’m a fucking contract killer. This is my job. Having a womb doesn’t make me more compassionate for slimy little fucks like you.’ Eliza places a finger on the handle of the blade and ever so gently rocks the knife back and forth.

Sweat gathers on Declan’s forehead as he screams and pants.

‘A name. All it takes is a name,’ she says, in a voice that sounds like she’s trying to help him.