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?”

we know each other. Yet you seem prepared

“Yes.”

“Why?”

down to Meg, her toothy grin as she pushes her stick at him again. “Because they do.” He casts startled eyes down at my barrel-bodied little girl, then around at

of 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 one

*****

exhausted, the dogs collapse in a heap and

eyes closed, upside down, all four legs in the air; doing his

neutral. “Is that a natural position

out.” Mac’s tail twitches and

stay in that position

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

Kirstie? You were outside a long time talking with…” He jerks his head towards Klempner, returned to his seat at the

fine. We

stepladder, places a final branch of holly on

up from her paper-folding. “What’s

run out. I was sure we’d

enjoy another walk.” As I utter the W-Word, Mac revolves through

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

stirs. “Mind if

If you’d like to. You can reach

Archie starts yapping and Scruffy, Meg and Emma appear

stares into the fire. “No, I

tornado barges past me to the door, blocking my way to the hall. “Let me past, you

*****

I point up at a

down. I lay

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 to

of thirty feet or so, the squirrel chitters down, spitting insults, then leaps to the next tree and away. The dogs give chase, their howls fading

the performance. “Is it always

there would be a

with the secateurs, then

“Something wrong?”

but his eyes are scanning the area

His expression is savage, and something

Baxter…

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

a Crack! Then

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

that

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

is another shiver of the

It’s too low…

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