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?

selling it on at the same price he

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

have any plans

So why do you imagine he had an option on the

what’s he’s saying to me sinks in. My mind races. “But why would he do that? He’s an important man. He

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

words

Lawrence Klempner…

does he

rest

as though

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 aims a finger at me. “You helped to protect

“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 an offer like

didn’t do that

forget that. If you ever need my help, Kirstie, you can remember that I pay my debts too…” His gaze turns distant again…

is looking

taking the air, are you? You’re

me. “Baxter’s still

about

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 on that.” He chews his lower lip, staring out and down over the frozen

“You think he'll come

He knows I'll be looking. But...” He rocks his hand back and forth... “Just

His words hang, half-said…

something else though,”

in, lets it out.

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.

of

exactly, but long-term colleagues. We knew each other

it's someone

his head

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

“Not that I’m aware of.

to feel awkward. “You didn’t

head,

else; James, Richard, Beth, Charlotte.

cracking a laugh. “I understand why my daughter

Michael? Everyone likes

think it’s a meeting of minds Jenny was opting for when she married him.

being

brow. “You

whatever he

what?” Klempner seems genuinely

“Michael… has emotional intelligence.”

intelligence? Really? That's an

Slaver... Trafficker… Murderer…

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

muses. “It's

to make you better at the job…” Then I choke on

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

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