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?”

not as though we know each other. Yet you seem prepared to trust me with…

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because they do.” He casts startled eyes down at my barrel-bodied little girl, then around at the other dogs, cavorting in

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

*****

indoors, energies apparently exhausted, the dogs

claimed prize place in front of the fire, lies eyes closed, upside down, all four legs in the air; doing his best ‘Dead Bluebottle’

expression neutral. “Is that

chilled out.” Mac’s tail

in that position

someone offers him food or another…” I mouth the

him 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 Klempner, returned to his seat at

fine. We were

places a final branch of holly on

up from her paper-folding. “What’s

was sure we’d

ears as I do so. “I’ll go get some more. The dogs would enjoy another walk.”

sucks in a smile. “Thanks, Kirstie. I’ve still

stirs. “Mind if

to. You can reach higher branches than

neck, Archie starts yapping and

stares into the fire. “No, I

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

*****

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

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

yap, Archie announces, Squirrel! And the troop of five bolt off, howling and yelping to the base

so, the squirrel chitters down, spitting insults, then leaps to the next tree

“Is

there would be a good one. It’s covered with

stretches out with the

“Something wrong?”

eyes are scanning

it?” His expression is

Baxter…

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

from behind me, there's a

the spot. Leaves quiver, shedding their load of snow. Reaching into his jacket, he

brought that

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! Right now. Hands

another

It’s too low…

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