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

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

didn’t have any plans

he had an option on the place?

me sinks in. My mind races. “But why would he do that?

and his wife… But they’re clearly all looking out for each other… Haswell seems a decent enough man. But you can be sure that to

his words

Lawrence Klempner…

much does he know about

rest of

as though you've

any. So far as I can see,

Kirstie,

didn’t do

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 too…” His gaze turns distant again… “… or I’m trying

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

just taking the air, are

me. “Baxter’s

worried 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

mouth drying, “You think he'll come

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

His words hang, half-said…

else though,” I say, “Isn’t

breathes in, lets

him, and I still don't understand why. He said

of you were

long-term colleagues.

someone

blinks, his head inclining.

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

teeth. “Not that I’m aware of.

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

shakes his head,

about everyone else; James, Richard, Beth, Charlotte.

laugh. “I understand why my daughter

like Michael?

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

not being fair on

brow. “You

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

what?” Klempner

“Michael… has emotional intelligence.”

intelligence? Really? That's

Slaver... Trafficker… Murderer…

that. It doesn't mean it's

I realise that too.” He muses. “It's something Mitch is strong

she was a hooker? I suppose if you can read people it's got to make you better at the job…” Then I choke on my own words.

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

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