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 trust me with… personal stuff…

“Yes.”

“Why?”

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 the other dogs, cavorting in the snow. “Anyway, I could ask you the same question. Why are

getting to know. And considering what Haswell is trying

*****

energies apparently exhausted, the dogs collapse in a heap

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

pair, expression neutral. “Is that a natural position for a

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

he stay in that

another…” I mouth

the kiss, but his voice is slow. “Is everything alright, Kirstie? You were

We were just

stepladder, places a final branch of holly on the

from her

run out. I was sure

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

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

“Mind if I join

to. You can

starts yapping and Scruffy, Meg and Emma appear

fire. “No,

past me to the door, blocking my way

*****

about that branch there?” I point up at a bough, glossy green with leaves, cheerful

up past me, snipping at the branch and passing it back down. I lay it on the stack in my basket, then aim upwards again.

nuisance of themselves. Until, with a sharp yap, Archie announces, Squirrel! And the troop of five bolt off, howling and yelping to the base of

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

eyes the performance. “Is it always like

would be a good one. It’s covered

out with the secateurs, then

“Something wrong?”

reply, but his eyes are

is savage, and something bites in my

Baxter…

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

his words, from behind me, there's a

their load of snow. Reaching into his jacket, he takes out a gun,

brought that here?”

his chin up, eyes intent. “That bastard's still on the loose,” he mutters. Then, gun levelled, he stalks to within a few feet of the bush. “Out!

is another shiver of

It’s too low…

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