Hot Revenge Box Set 2

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?

he was selling it on at the same price he paid

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 have made

have any plans for

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

sinks in. My mind races. “But why would he do that? He’s an important man. He doesn’t have to help

looking out for each other… Haswell seems

turn his words

Lawrence Klempner…

does he know about

rest

talk as though you've

He eye-flashes me, suppressing a smile. “Once… in my previous life… I went looking for 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

sniffs. “I’d say you’ve been pulled under the collective family wing. Haswell’s making 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

didn’t do that

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

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

taking the air, are you? You’re watching

me. “Baxter’s still

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

mouth drying, “You think

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

His words hang, half-said…

something else though,” I say, “Isn’t

under his breath, then breathes 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.

two of you were

friends exactly, but long-term colleagues.

someone else,

blinks, his head inclining.

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

at his teeth. “Not that I’m aware of. But I’ll

and I begin to feel awkward. “You didn’t

shakes his head, jolting

talked about everyone else; James, Richard,

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

Michael?

it’s a meeting of minds Jenny was

not being fair on

a brow.

whatever he feels inside, James isn’t good at expressing it well. And he doesn’t always

what?” Klempner

“Michael… has emotional intelligence.”

further. “Emotional intelligence? Really? That's an

Slaver... Trafficker… Murderer…

doesn't mean it's

too.” He muses. “It's something

you can read people it's got to make you better at

doesn’t seem offended. More amused. “Perhaps.