Page 34 of Ruthless Legacy

“Verity Collings.”

My grandfather is suddenly alert. “I’m pleased to hear you are making friends with the founding families. Have you met Verity’s brother and the Savage and Ellsworth boys?”

“Oh, I’ve met them alright,” I say coldly, realising too late I haven’t hidden my animosity.

“It’s important, Eliza, that the four families remain a united front,” Wilbur tells me, his brows furrowed together at me.

“Oh, you don’t need to worry. The boys have given me a great welcome to town.” I smile. If only he knew what these boys have put me through. Though thinking about it, my grandfather is an Ace, or he was, so he likely does know what the Aceholes have put me through.

Wilbur breathes a sigh of relief and leans back in his seat. I look up to find Chester watching me with avid interest. When our eyes meet, he smirks and winks at me. Yeah, there is no doubt this guy is one hundred percent another conceited arsehole. God, was this whole town full of guys with massive egos?

The meal goes surprisingly well. Wilbur listens avidly to Kit when he tells him all about his first football game next weekend and he looks thrilled when our grandfather tells him we’ll all come and watch him. I mean, I always go to Kit’s games. I am his number one cheerleader, but to have other family members coming to his games now would be strange.

“We have a charity dinner to attend in a few weeks. It will be a great opportunity to introduce you both to everyone. Alexis will help you find a dress, Eliza. You are an Alderman now and you need to look the part.” He looks over at Alexis. “Book her in at the salon as well. We need to do something about the hair colour.”

“No,” I say firmly and everyone in the room turns their attention to me. “I mean. I like my hair this colour.”

Wilbur clears his throat and is about to reply when Alexis places a hand on his arm. “Choose your battles. I’m thinking a burgundy-coloured dress will go perfectly with your hair, Eliza. What do you think?”

“I’d prefer black,” I reply in honesty.

“Why doesn’t that surprise me?” my grandfather comments, giving me an assessing look. “It’s unbelievable how much you look like my late wife.” For a brief moment, I see a flash of emotion cross his face before he reins it in. At the mention of his late wife, I side-eye Alexis who is rolling her eyes before she takes a large sip of her wine.

“I’d like to know more about why my dad always told us he had no family,” I announce, and I feel the atmosphere in the room drop a few degrees.

We all startle when the doorbell chimes. Clearly no one at the table is expecting visitors. A few seconds later, Calvin appears at the dining-room door.

“Apologies for the interruption, but there is someone here for Eliza,” Calvin informs Wilbur, his eyes briefly meeting mine.

“Who is it?” my grandfather barks, clearly annoyed at my mystery caller interrupting our meal.

“It’s Mr Savage Junior.”

My grandfather’s expression quickly changes from one of anger to one of delight. “Oh, invite him in, Calvin.” Wilbur beckons enthusiastically with his hand.

I am about to express that I have no desire to see Archer Savage when he appears in the doorway looking like sex on a stick. His dark hair is styled back off his face and he’s wearing a black leather jacket and dark blue jeans.

“Archer, son, come on in.” Wilbur beckons, getting to his feet and offering his hand out to Savage. Archer pulls his attention from me, and with a cool nod he places his hand in my grandfathers.

“I’m sorry for the interruption, but Eliza has an appointment this evening.”

I blink. He what? I open my mouth to protest, but my grandfather beats me to it.

“Well, of course, that is okay. We were more or less finished with dinner, anyway.” He looks from Archer to me and smiles in satisfaction. “I must say, I am thrilled to hear the two of you are spending time together. Eliza was just telling me how welcoming you have been.”

“Of course,” Archer agrees. His eyes mine and though no words are spoken between us, I know inside he is smirking away. “Eliza is one of us. We look after our own.”

“That we do,” my grandfather agrees. “Well, don’t just sit there Eliza, leaving this young gentleman waiting.”

“What time do I need to have her home, Mr Alderman?”

“Oh, no curfew tonight. Tonight is an important night. You two just enjoy each other’s company.”

I gawp at him, in shock as I get to my feet. Kit looks over at me with a cocked brow and I shrug my shoulders. I make my way over to Archer and as soon as I am in touching distance; he reaches for me and kisses my cheek. “Eliza, you look lovely.”

“Uh, thanks,” I reply, looking up at him with a false smile. The fucker is forcing me into his plans, and he has my grandfather eating out of his hands.

“Enjoy your evening, Eliza. I’ll see you both up there,” Wilbur tells me with a cunning look in his eyes. He shares a brief look with Archer that has me tilting my head in observation, but before I can assess it any further. Archer places a hand on my lower back and guides me out of the room.

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