Page 81 of The Ruthless Rivalry

Satisfied, she takes in the fresh scent with an eased sigh, eyes fluttering as if she’s bathing in the confidence it gives her.

Then she glances around the room, her brows pinching just a little as if something is amiss. She spots the small key on the desk that she must’ve set down earlier—just before the lipstick. Her fingers delicately pick it up, the brass gleaming under the dim light, and she tucks it into her pocket.

Ophelia steps back, taking one last glance at the room with a satisfied, almost smug expression, then walks to the door. She pauses, as though relishing her brilliance, before she shuts the door behind her, the soft click of the lock echoing through the room as she walks away.

Well, I guess that explains why the door had been unlocked when I arrived. Had I only missed her by a few minutes when she came in to drop off the box? I shake my head, pushing the thought away. It didn’t matter right now. What I needed to focus on was getting out of here.

But then, as I linger in the quiet room, an idea starts to form in my mind. Bishop had already done enough to me, and I’d promised myself I’d make him feel it. I needed something that would cut deeper. Something that would really make him squirm.

I glance toward the closet again, the camera bag sitting there like it’s mocking me.

With a wicked grin, I slowly make my way over to it, the weight of the moment settling in. No footsteps. No interruptions. This was it.

I grab the bag, feeling its cool leather beneath my fingers. This wasn’t just about getting my notebook back anymore. This was about taking my turn. About hurting him the way he’d hurt me. He’d played his game with me, always one step ahead, always getting in my head. But now? Now it was my move.

Bishop had taken something from me, over and over again. It was only fair I return the favor. And this time, I wasn’t going to let him forget it.

The power surges through me as I hold the bag, a sense of victory curling in my chest. For once, I was the one with control. The one calling the shots. And a strange, electric feeling shoots through me at the thought of what’s coming. I’d been a pawn for so long. Now it was his turn to feel like one.

With a slow, dangerous smile, I walk toward the door. Our little game isn’t over yet. And I’d be damned if I didn’t make sure Bishop knew it.

Chapter 18

Bishop

“Come on, Bishop, it’ll be fun.”

“I’ll stay down here, Blair. You go ahead and check out the observation deck, and come back down whenever you’re ready.”

My sister had chosen this extravagant, sprawling restaurant for our evening together after our father had gone on and on about the breathtaking water views he saw here last month, right after it opened.

It was only an hour from Altair, and when I realized Blair would be left all alone in that massive house with Dad away on business and Mom off at the Whitlocks for the night, I couldn’trefuse. But let’s be honest, she had brought this on herself—she still refused to come to Altair. So it was hardly my fault she was stuck at home alone. But still, I understood how our home could feel too large, too grandiose, the kind of place where you could easily get lost just trying to find the kitchen.

I didn’t pity her, though. In fact, I knew it was important for her to get out of that house every now and then. So instead of letting her sulk alone, I’d suggested we go out for dinner. At least that way, she wouldn’t be cooped up all evening, stewing in the emptiness of that place.

“How was it?” I ask once I see her coming back down the stairs.

Blair’s eyes sparkled with excitement as she bounded down the last few steps. “It’s incredible up there! You can see for miles in every direction. The city lights look like a sea of stars, and then the real stars above… It’s breathtaking.” She paused, taking a deep breath as if trying to capture the beauty with her words. “And the water—it’s like a giant mirror stretching out toward the horizon. You can see the waves shimmering under the moonlight, with the city surrounding it like this perfect circle of lights. Honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like it.”

I nodded, trying to picture it. The thought of standing that high up, looking out over all that open space, made something twist in my chest. “Sounds like quite the view. Maybe I’ll check it out next time.”

She tilted her head, a small smirk playing on her lips. “You won’t.”

I shot her a quick look, not bothering to hide my irritation. “I will. Just not today.”

Blair raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying it. “Uh-huh. Sure.” She gave me a mocking pat on the shoulder as she passed, heading back toward where I’d parked. “You just keep your feet on solid ground, big brother.”

The teasing in her voice made me stiffen, but I didn’t scold her. Not because I didn’t want to, but because she was right. We both knew it. I wasn’t about to admit it, of course—there was no chance I’d give her the satisfaction. I didn’t have a problem with most things, but heights? Yeah, not my thing.

Blair hopped into the car and slammed the door, grinning like she’d just won a prize. I threw the car into gear and pulled out of the parking lot, my hands firmly gripping the wheel.

“You know,” Blair said, tilting her head toward me, “you really should see it sometime. It’s not like it’s a secret view or anything.”

“Why would I want to? Not really my thing,” I mutter, my focus on the road.

She scoffed. “You’re just trying to act all tough because you know I’m right. Heights are a thing forotherpeople.”

“Other people who don’t have common sense, you mean?” I shoot back with a smirk.

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