Hot Revenge Box Set 2

Chapter 32

The Gang picks up my mood, milling around. Archie bounces about, yapping excitedly until Meg snaps at him and he sheers off. Then as the four play at rough-and-tumble under the table, Scruffy joins them and I snap. “Quiet! All of you!”

The dogs subside and assemble under the desk, panting. Ryan stares at me. “Kirstie?”

I shouldn’t have done that.

They’re only enjoying themselves…

Too much wine...

That’s what I tell myself anyway. “I’ll be back in a while. I’m taking the dogs out.”

He starts to rise from the chair. “I’ll keep you company.”

I shake my head. “No, it’s alright.” He stares after me as I exit the study.

Wrapping a thick scarf around my neck and tugging mittens onto hands, I call the dogs and once more they bounce jubilantly after me as I head outdoors.

I gasp at the frigid wall of air as I open the door. The Gang don’t seem to notice, tumbling out into the snow as I carefully pull the door closed behind me.

The icy air and brilliant sunshine are an instant antidote to my ill mood. Around me lies a vast sparkling snowscape, covering grass and shrub and tree, rolling down the mountain to where even the lake lies as a single glistening sheet.

What do I have to be miserable about?

Really?

I pace up and down in the snow, watching the dogs playing, racing around in silly circles, barking joyously.

What’s wrong with me?

Just nerves?

Self-analysis isn’t easy. Sometimes one must face unpleasant truths.

Is it just nerves?

Just anxiety about the biggest purchase I’m ever likely to make?

Or is it more?

Ryan…

I was single for years. Happily so.

And then Ryan appeared in my life.

I love you.

I want to be bound to

his paws a blur as he excavates a hole, spraying

can’t I catch that mood from

my neck and I jolt

I’m being watched…

…

Don’t be ridiculous…

Cautiously, I scan around.

Baxter is still

Is he watching us?

the freakingly fucking obvious

why Klempner’s still

on the edges of my vision and I

impassive, Klempner stands at the back of the terrace, leaning against the wall, cradling a steaming mug as

sorry. I didn't

disturbing me.

wave my hands uselessly, not knowing

My what?

I don’t know.

for a moment then, “Is

for me to keep speaking.

nods slowly, pursing his lips. “So

on me that perhaps there’s a reason I’m not the only one outside in

is he out

“Are you alright?”

accepted the invitation to Christmas, I didn't really know what to expect. I thought all that…” He waves

tell the truth, I

I say. “It's important to Charlotte, certainly. I don't think she's had very many

his mug.

talking to. That this solitary, silent man, is Lawrence Klempner: murderer, terrorist, slaver. Charlotte's terrifying

seems

someone to

not too

“What happened?” I ask.

blinks. “James invited me to stay for Christmas.

it's not what I meant. I meant, what happened to you? I mean, you’re Lawrence Klempner…” His lips quirk… “… And yet here you are helping to decorate a tree with

of

I’ve started, so I

you expected? Yes, in

My cheeks burn…

mention that you're

Oh… Jeez…

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