Hot Revenge Box Set 2

Chapter 34

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 to trust me with… personal stuff… And

“Yes.”

“Why?”

down at my barrel-bodied little girl, then around at the other dogs, cavorting in the snow. “Anyway, I could ask

considering what Haswell is trying hard to put your way, James isn’t the only one to

*****

energies apparently exhausted, the dogs collapse in a heap and

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

neutral. “Is that a natural position

he’s chilled out.” Mac’s tail

in that position

offers him food or another…” I

the cheek. Subdued, he returns 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

fine. We were

stepladder, places a final branch

from

I was sure

enjoy

Kirstie. I’ve still not

if I

If you’d like to. You can

starts yapping

the fire. “No, I think

door, blocking my way to the hall. “Let me

*****

point up at a bough, glossy green with leaves, cheerful

me, snipping at the branch and passing it back down. I lay it on the stack in my basket,

under my feet and making a nuisance of themselves. Until, with a sharp yap, Archie announces, Squirrel! And the troop of five bolt off, howling and yelping

insults, then leaps to the next tree and away. The dogs give

performance. “Is it

would be a good one. It’s covered

stretches out with the secateurs, then

“Something wrong?”

eyes

is savage, and something

Baxter…

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

words, from behind me, there's a Crack! Then a muffled rustling from the

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

brought that here?” I

on the loose,” he mutters. Then, gun levelled, he stalks to within a few feet of the bush. “Out! Right now.

another shiver

It’s too low…

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255