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 to trust me with… personal

“Yes.”

“Why?”

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

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 to hold you in

*****

indoors, energies apparently exhausted, the dogs collapse

place 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 him trying, unsuccessfully, to ease him

expression neutral. “Is that a

tail twitches and his

stay in

or another…”

You were outside a long time talking with…” He jerks his head towards Klempner,

fine. We

stepladder, places a final branch of holly on

up from her paper-folding. “What’s

was sure we’d picked

dogs would enjoy another walk.” As I utter the W-Word, Mac revolves through one-eighty into an upright position and is back on

blinks, then sucks in a smile. “Thanks, Kirstie.

stirs. “Mind if

If you’d like to. You

starts yapping and Scruffy, Meg and Emma appear from

“No, I

my way to the hall.

*****

that branch there?” I point up at a

and passing it back down. I lay it

dogs snuffle and scratch, getting under 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

insults, then leaps to the next tree and away. The dogs give chase, their howls

“Is it

there would be a good

stretches out with

“Something wrong?”

doesn’t reply, but his eyes are scanning the area

His expression is

Baxter…

grabs me by the wrist and tugs, pulling me backwards, placing himself between me and… whatever it

words, from behind me, there's a

stares, intent in the spot. Leaves quiver, shedding their

that here?”

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

only response is another shiver of

It’s too low…

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