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?”

know each other. Yet you seem prepared to trust me with…

“Yes.”

“Why?”

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

That suggested to me that you're worth getting to know. And considering what Haswell

*****

exhausted, the dogs collapse in a heap and

the fire, lies eyes closed, upside down, all four legs in the air; doing his best ‘Dead Bluebottle’ impression. Archie nudges up beside

expression neutral. “Is that a

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

in that

or another…” I mouth the

Ryan, kiss him on the cheek. Subdued, he returns the kiss, but his voice is slow. “Is everything alright, Kirstie? You

fine. We

on top of a stepladder, places a final branch

up from

out. I was sure we’d picked

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

blinks, then sucks in a smile. “Thanks, Kirstie. I’ve still not defrosted after the last

“Mind if I join

to. You

wind the scarf around my neck, Archie starts yapping and

stares into the fire. “No, I think

canine tornado barges past me to the door, blocking my way

*****

there?” I point up at a bough,

passing it back down. I lay it on the stack in my basket, then aim

and making a nuisance of themselves. Until, with a sharp yap, Archie announces,

feet or so, the squirrel chitters down, spitting insults, then leaps to the next tree and away. The dogs give chase, their howls fading into the distance as they high tail it after

the performance. “Is

That branch there would be a good one. It’s

with the secateurs, then

“Something wrong?”

doesn’t reply, but his eyes are scanning

is

Baxter…

me by the wrist and tugs, pulling

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

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

that here?”

still on the loose,” he mutters. Then, gun levelled, he stalks

only response is another shiver

It’s too low…

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