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?”

each other. Yet you seem prepared to trust me with… personal stuff… And

“Yes.”

“Why?”

casts startled eyes down at my barrel-bodied little girl, then around at the other dogs, cavorting in the

that you're worth getting to know. And considering

*****

apparently exhausted, the dogs collapse in a heap

the air; doing his best ‘Dead Bluebottle’ impression. Archie nudges up beside him trying, unsuccessfully,

pair, expression neutral. “Is

I say. “When he’s chilled out.” Mac’s tail twitches and his lips pull back in an up-side-down canine

stay in that position

food or another…” I

kiss 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

We

stepladder, places a final branch of

up from her

run out. I was sure we’d

do so. “I’ll go get some more. The dogs would enjoy another walk.” As I utter the W-Word, Mac revolves through one-eighty into an upright

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

if I

You can reach higher branches

starts yapping and Scruffy, Meg and Emma appear from nowhere.

stares into the fire. “No, I think

my way to the hall. “Let me

*****

a bough, glossy green with leaves, cheerful

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

sharp yap, Archie announces,

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

performance. “Is it

branch there would be a good

stretches out with

“Something wrong?”

eyes are scanning

is savage, and something bites in my

Baxter…

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

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

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

brought that here?”

up, eyes intent. “That bastard's still on the loose,” he mutters. Then, gun levelled, he stalks to within a few

only response is another

It’s too low…

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