Hot Revenge Box Set 2

Chapter 33

I scrutinize that crack in my footprint.

Need to get new boots soon…

Or I’ll have wet feet…

“I'm scared,” I admit.

His voice is soft. “Of what? Committing? To him?”

“No, not exactly. What if it all went wrong?”

I know that I sound like some spoiled child, complaining about homework or the wrong cookies with my milk, but the words keep coming… “What if I lost my job? Or Ryan was doing badly? If we couldn’t pay, we could lose everything.”

Klempner shrugs. “So, what’s the difference with that to paying rent for the rest of your life? That’s always going to be money down the drain. If you’re on a mortgage, you’re building it up.” He sniffs, scratches his nose. “It seems to me, that you need to sort out your priorities; to decide what it is you really want…”

He’s making a lot of sense…

But he keeps talking. “… Too many people go through life making do. If you fuck up what you really want, you could spend the next twenty years of your life regretting it, before you get another chance.”

“Like you did?”

His gaze goes distant, staring off down at the lake. “Like I did.”

Why are you talking to me like this?

Lawrence Klempner in the role of agony aunt…

However, my good sense rules and I keep that thought firmly inside my head where it belongs.

But I do keep speaking. “It’s just… it’s such a huge amount of money. I’m really worried we can’t afford it.”

Klempner sucks at his cheeks. “You work for Haswell? Do I have that right? And he’s arranging the purchase for this Mill you want to buy?”

“Yes, that's right.”

“And your Ryan, what does he do?”

“He owns his own company. They make heating and ventilation systems. He's doing a lot of contract work right now for James and Richard.”

“He’s the company director?”

“He is, yes.”

“So… his files are a matter of public record. Haswell probably has a very good idea of what he's worth too. And he knows what size of orders Ryan’s company is likely to pull in over the next few years?”

“I suppose so.”

Klempner huffs. “There’s no suppose about it. You don't get into Haswell’s position without having a knack for putting a value on people.” He levels a finger at me. “If he thinks you can afford it, you can afford it. And he’s the one offering you the sale and setting the price.”

Still I hesitate.

He lets out air. “Kirstie, you do realise that Haswell's selling it to you under value?”

He is?

it on at the same price

interest rate and the time period… he's… well, if he's not losing money, he could have made a lot more by following his original

said he didn’t have any

brows, tilts his head. “Really? So why do you imagine he had an option on the place? He heads a multi-company international corporation, not a charity for retired friends and impecunious

rise. “I’m not a secretary.” Then what’s he’s saying to me sinks in. My mind races. “But why would he do that?

in there…” He thumbs back into the house… “Jenny, James, Haswell and his wife… But they’re clearly all looking out for each other… Haswell seems a decent enough man. But you can be sure that to be where he

turn his words

Lawrence Klempner…

much does he

rest of

as though

skeletons on Haswell and I couldn’t find any. So far as I can see, he's as honourable

favour. No offence meant, Kirstie, but

didn’t do

I’ll not forget that. If you ever need my

that he’s not simply staring into space. He really is looking into the distance, scanning over

just taking the air, are you?

sidelong at me. “Baxter’s

worried about him?

coming back at me.” His eyes flash fury. “I have no reason to believe he’s

“You

He rocks his

His words hang, half-said…

else though,” I say,

his breath, then breathes in, lets it out. He paces, circles, then

problems, Kirstie, alright…” He swipes a hand back over his head. “Baxter insisted that I betrayed him, and I still don't understand why. He said I’d abandoned him. Left him for the

of

long-term colleagues.

someone else,

head inclining.

A partner? A brother? A lover? Someone close enough to get inside his head…

I’m aware of. But I’ll think

I begin to feel awkward. “You didn’t

his head, jolting

else; James, Richard, Beth, Charlotte.

a laugh. “I understand why my daughter is married to Eye-Candy

Michael? Everyone

it’s a meeting of minds Jenny was opting for when she married him. It’s not as though he’s the brains of the operation

not being fair

brow. “You think

letters after his name, but whatever he feels inside, James isn’t good at expressing it well. And he doesn’t always read people properly.

what?” Klempner seems

“Michael… has emotional intelligence.”

rises further. “Emotional intelligence? Really? That's an idea I have trouble

Slaver... Trafficker… Murderer…

realise that. It doesn't mean it's not

He muses. “It's something

people it's got to make you better at the job…” Then I choke on

offended. More amused.

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