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?

at

I heard what he’s offering you. With the terms of payment, the agreed interest rate and the time period… he's… well, if he's not losing money, he could

he didn’t have any plans

an option on the

hackles rise. “I’m not a secretary.” Then what’s he’s saying to me sinks in. My mind

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

his words over in my

Lawrence Klempner…

he know about

rest

as though

skeletons on Haswell and I couldn’t find any. So far as I can see, he's as honourable as big business ever allows.” He aims a finger at me. “You helped to protect Jenny, so he's trying

Kirstie, but there're not too many women in your position

do that

Baxter as Jenny’s kidnapper.” He muses then smiles. “Haswell aside, I’ll not forget

really is looking into the distance, scanning over

not just taking the air, are you? You’re watching for

me. “Baxter’s still out

about him? I

course I’m worried about him. He’s tried his best to hurt my family, in the worst possible way, as a way of coming back at me.” His eyes flash fury. “I have no reason to believe he’s given up

drying, “You think he'll come

not. He knows I'll be looking. But...” He rocks his hand

His words hang, half-said…

else though,”

then breathes in, lets it out. He

“Baxter insisted that I betrayed him, and I still don't understand why. He said I’d abandoned him. Left him for the police. We've known each other a long time. He knows I wouldn't behave like that. Or

of

but long-term colleagues. We

someone

his head

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

teeth. “Not that I’m aware of.

silence and I begin to feel

his head, jolting slightly.

talked about everyone else; James, Richard, Beth, Charlotte. You didn't mention

but his eyes are cracking a laugh. “I understand why my daughter is

Michael? Everyone

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

being fair

a brow. “You think

be the one with all the academic qualifications, the letters after his name, but whatever he feels inside, James isn’t good

what?” Klempner

“Michael… has emotional intelligence.”

intelligence? Really? That's an idea I have

Slaver... Trafficker… Murderer…

doesn't

“It's something

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

More amused. “Perhaps. Still… she didn't

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