Hot Revenge Box Set 2

Meg drops her stick, curls back her lips to display teeth, bristling and growling.

Klempner frowns…

“Shhh… It’s alright.” I scratch her ears, calm her down. “As I said, she's a shelter dog,” I explain. “A rescue. And they know, more than almost anyone else, that there are monsters in the world...”

His eyes dart between me and Meg…

Dare I say it?

“… And some of those monsters walk around looking just like real people.”

I stoop, pick up Meg’s stick and throw it overarm as far as I can. She races after it, scattering snow behind her, the rest of the dogs in her wake.

Klempner relaxes, drooping his eyelids, head shaking so slightly.

Apology?

“Self-knowledge can be unsettling, can it not?” he comments. But his voice is mild. “So… given that you claim to have the answer to the perfect relationship, returning to the start of our conversation, why are you out here? Agonising over the right thing to do with your Ryan?”

I don’t have an answer. I settle for prevarication. “Why are you out here?”

“If you insist, I’m trying to decide how to go forward with Mitch.”

That was settled…

… Wasn’t it?

“You don't know? I thought you and she were…”

“No, I don’t know. You’re right. Mitch was a hooker. But what I wanted from her was never for sale. Not until the day Jenny was in danger. Then she offered herself to me.”

“And...?”

“And... I didn't accept. I didn't want her on that basis.”

Enthralled by the revelations coming from this dangerous, fascinating man, “What did you want?”

“I wanted her to want me. That's all I ever wanted.”

Meg returns, carrying her stick, to drop it at Klempner’s feet. He ignores her and she yaps, lashing her tail.

“So, what’s your problem now?” I ask. “The pair of you looked pretty chummy to me when we were inside.”

He grimaces. “I… never expected to get this far. I’m not sure what comes next.” He grins, quite disarmingly, then, “Why are you talking to me like this, Kirstie?”

“Why wouldn’t I?”

Yet you seem prepared

“Yes.”

“Why?”

her stick at him again. “Because they do.” He casts startled eyes down at my barrel-bodied little girl, then around at the other dogs, cavorting in the snow. “Anyway, I could ask you the same question. Why are you talking to me like

you. That suggested to me that you're worth getting to know. And considering what Haswell is trying hard to put your way, James isn’t the only

*****

energies apparently exhausted, the dogs collapse in a

legs in the air; doing his best ‘Dead Bluebottle’ impression. Archie nudges up beside him

regards the pair, expression neutral. “Is that a natural position for

I say. “When he’s chilled out.” Mac’s tail twitches and his lips pull back in

in that position

someone offers him food or another…” I

the kiss, but his voice is slow. “Is everything alright, Kirstie? You were outside a long time talking with…” He jerks his head towards Klempner, returned to his seat at the back of

We were just

stepladder, places a final

from her

I was sure we’d picked

as I do so. “I’ll go get some more. The dogs would enjoy another walk.” As I utter the W-Word, Mac revolves through one-eighty into an upright position and is back on

“Thanks, Kirstie. I’ve

“Mind if I join

like to. You can reach higher branches than

neck, Archie starts yapping and Scruffy, Meg

the fire. “No, I think I’ll stay

my way

*****

branch there?” I point up at a bough, glossy green with leaves, cheerful and Christmassy

up past me, snipping at the branch and passing it back down. I lay it on the stack

snuffle and scratch, getting under my feet and making a nuisance of themselves. Until, with a sharp yap, Archie announces, Squirrel! And the

then leaps to the next tree and away. The dogs give chase, their howls fading into the distance as they high tail it after

eyes the performance. “Is it always

yes… That branch there would be a good one. It’s covered with

with the secateurs,

“Something wrong?”

eyes are scanning the

expression is savage,

Baxter…

back.” Reaching out, he grabs me by the wrist and tugs, pulling me backwards, placing himself between me and…

there's a Crack! Then a muffled rustling from

stares, intent in the spot. Leaves quiver, shedding their load of snow. Reaching into his jacket, he takes out

brought that here?” I

still on the loose,” he mutters. Then, gun levelled, he stalks to within a few feet of the bush.

response is another shiver of

It’s too low…