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?

at the same price he paid for

so. But 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 have made a lot more by following his original plans for the

said he didn’t have

arches brows, tilts his head. “Really? So why do you imagine he had an option on the place? He

sinks in. My mind races. “But why would he do that? He’s an important

with them all in there…” He thumbs back into the house… “Jenny, James, Haswell and his wife… But they’re clearly all looking out for

his words over in

Lawrence Klempner…

does he know about

rest of

talk as though you've

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 aims a finger at me. “You

big favour. No offence meant, Kirstie, but there're not too many women in your position who would be made an offer like

do that

identified Baxter as Jenny’s kidnapper.” He muses then smiles. “Haswell aside, I’ll not forget that. If you ever need my help, Kirstie, you can remember that I pay my debts

he’s not simply staring into space. He really is looking

just taking the air, are you? You’re

me. “Baxter’s still

worried about him?

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

drying, “You

be looking. But...” He rocks

His words hang, half-said…

though,” I say,

breathes in, lets it out. He paces, circles, then meets my

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 were

friends exactly, but long-term colleagues.

someone

his head inclining. “Like

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

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

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

head, jolting slightly.

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

“I understand why my daughter is married

like Michael? Everyone

think 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 is

not being fair on

cocks a brow. “You

the academic qualifications, the letters after his name, but whatever he feels inside, James isn’t good at expressing it well.

what?” Klempner seems genuinely

“Michael… has emotional intelligence.”

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

Slaver... Trafficker… Murderer…

doesn't mean it's

I realise that too.” He muses. “It's

make you better at the job…” Then I

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