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?”

not as though we know each other. Yet you seem prepared to trust me with… personal stuff…

“Yes.”

“Why?”

pushes 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

know. And considering what Haswell is

*****

the dogs collapse in a

upside down, all four legs in the air; doing his best ‘Dead Bluebottle’ impression. Archie nudges up beside him trying, unsuccessfully, to ease him to one

pair, expression neutral. “Is that a natural position

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

he stay in that position

food or another…” I mouth the word silently… “…

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

fine. We

of a stepladder, places a final branch of

looks up from her

out. I was sure we’d picked

for my gloves, Archie pricking up his ears 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

smile. “Thanks, Kirstie. I’ve still not defrosted after the last

“Mind if

you’d like to. You

around my neck, Archie starts yapping and Scruffy, Meg and Emma appear from nowhere.

stares into the fire. “No, I

door, blocking my way to the hall.

*****

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

the branch and passing it back down. I lay it on the stack in my

a sharp yap, Archie announces, Squirrel! And the troop of five bolt

to the next tree and away. The dogs give

eyes the performance. “Is it

be

with

“Something wrong?”

reply, but his eyes are scanning the

What is it?” His expression is savage, and

Baxter…

secateurs into a pocket. “Get back.” Reaching out, he grabs me by the wrist and tugs, pulling me backwards, placing himself between me and… whatever

from behind me, there's a

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

that here?” I

Then, gun levelled, he stalks to within a few feet of the bush. “Out! Right

only response is another shiver of the

It’s too low…

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