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 price he paid

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

didn’t have any plans for

had an option on the place?

mind races. “But why would

all looking out for each other… Haswell seems a decent enough man. But you can be sure that to be where he is, he’s been playing the game at the

words over in

Lawrence Klempner…

much does he know

rest

as though

“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

a favour. A big favour. No offence meant, Kirstie, but there're not too many women

didn’t do

“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

is looking into the distance, scanning

taking the air, are you? You’re

me. “Baxter’s still

about

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 have

mouth drying, “You think

He rocks his hand back and forth...

His words hang, half-said…

something else though,” I say,

under his breath, then breathes in, lets it out.

He said I’d abandoned him. Left him for the police.

of you were

long-term colleagues.

it's someone

blinks, his head inclining.

partner? A brother? A lover? Someone close

at his teeth. “Not that I’m aware

begin to feel awkward. “You didn’t mention

his head,

James, Richard,

“I understand why my daughter is married to Eye-Candy

like Michael?

didn’t say I don’t like him. I simply don’t think it’s a meeting of minds Jenny was opting for when she married

being fair on

brow. “You

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

what?” Klempner

“Michael… has emotional intelligence.”

intelligence? Really? That's an

Slaver... Trafficker… Murderer…

that. It doesn't mean it's

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

to make you better at the job…” Then I choke on my own words. “Oh, God… I’m sorry…

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

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