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 the same

time period… he's… well, if he's not losing money, he could have

have

why do you imagine he had an option on the place? He heads a multi-company international

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

James, Haswell and his wife… But they’re clearly all looking out for each

words over

Lawrence Klempner…

he

the rest of

talk as though you've

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

his best effort to do you a favour. A big favour. No offence meant, Kirstie, but there're not too many women in your position who would be made an offer like that by a man like him; a billionaire, one

do

smiles. “Haswell aside, I’ll not forget that. If you ever need my help, Kirstie, you can remember that I pay my

He really is looking into the distance, scanning over field and lake and

just taking the air, are

slants sidelong at me. “Baxter’s still

worried about him?

a way of coming back at me.” His eyes flash fury. “I have no reason to

“You think he'll come

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

His words hang, half-said…

else though,” I say,

in, lets

head. “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

of you

but long-term colleagues. We

it's someone else,

blinks, his head inclining. “Like

you, perhaps? A partner? A brother? A lover? Someone close enough to get inside his head… Is Baxter married? Is there

“Not that I’m aware

silence and I begin to feel awkward. “You didn’t mention Michael,” I

shakes his head, jolting

James, Richard, Beth, Charlotte.

eyes are cracking a laugh. “I understand

don’t like Michael? Everyone

meeting of minds Jenny was opting

being fair

brow.

whatever he feels inside, James isn’t good at expressing it

what?” Klempner seems

“Michael… has emotional intelligence.”

Really? That's an idea I have

Slaver... Trafficker… Murderer…

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

“It's something

you can read people it's got to make you better at the job…” Then I choke on my own words. “Oh, God… I’m

doesn’t seem offended. More amused. “Perhaps. Still… she didn't

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