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.

want to be bound

he excavates a

can’t I catch

prickles at the back of my neck and I jolt to

I’m being watched…

…

Don’t be ridiculous…

Cautiously, I scan around.

is still out

Is he watching us?

the freakingly fucking

why Klempner’s

edges of my vision and I

watching me, is Charlotte’s father. His face impassive, Klempner stands at the back of the terrace, leaning against the wall, cradling a steaming

a complete idiot. “Oh, sorry. I didn't

smiles pleasantly. “You're not disturbing me. I just wanted

a bit…” I wave my hands uselessly, not knowing how

My what?

I don’t know.

for a

fine. Just a bit… out of sorts.” His brows rise, as though waiting for me to keep speaking. For some reason, I want to fill the silence. “There’s

slowly, pursing his

dawns on me that perhaps there’s a reason I’m not the only

is he out here

“Are you alright?”

with the end of a boot. “Yes, I'm fine too.” Then he straightens up, his smile turning brighter. “No, I'm good. It's just that when I accepted the invitation to Christmas, I didn't really know what to expect. I thought all that…” He waves back in towards the house… “… stuff just came out of movies. Holly and trees

the truth, I find

to Charlotte, certainly. I don't think she's had very many

into his mug. “No,

I remember who I'm talking to. That this solitary, silent

he seems civilised

someone to talk

not

“What happened?” I ask.

“James invited me to stay for Christmas. You have a

invite whoever they want. But it's not what I meant. I meant, what happened to you? I

of my question and the possible consequences of my asking

so I

“What you expected? Yes, in fact I do only have the

My cheeks burn…

that you're apt to let

Oh… Jeez…

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