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?”

though we know each other. Yet you seem prepared to

“Yes.”

“Why?”

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

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

*****

energies apparently exhausted, the dogs collapse in

upside down, all four legs in the air; doing his best ‘Dead Bluebottle’

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

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

in that

someone offers him food or another…” I mouth the word silently…

on 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

fine. We were just

Michael, on top of a stepladder, places a final branch of

up from her paper-folding.

out. I was sure we’d

some more. The dogs would enjoy another walk.” As I utter the W-Word, Mac revolves through one-eighty into an

a smile. “Thanks, Kirstie. I’ve still

stirs. “Mind if I

like to. You

my neck, Archie starts yapping and

fire. “No, I

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

*****

up at a bough, glossy green with leaves, cheerful and Christmassy

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

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

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

eyes the performance. “Is

would be a good one. It’s covered

stretches out with

“Something wrong?”

eyes

What is it?” His expression is savage, and

Baxter…

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

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

snap towards the sound and he stares, intent in the spot. Leaves quiver, shedding their load

that

Then, gun levelled,

is another

It’s too low…

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