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?”

know each other. Yet you seem prepared to trust

“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

And considering what Haswell is trying hard to put your way,

*****

indoors, energies apparently exhausted, the dogs collapse in a heap

having claimed prize 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 to one

“Is that a natural

“When he’s chilled out.” Mac’s tail twitches and his lips pull back in an

in

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

beside Ryan, 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 with…” He jerks his head towards Klempner, returned to his seat

We

places a final branch of holly on

looks up from her paper-folding. “What’s

I was

enjoy another walk.” As I utter the W-Word, Mac revolves through one-eighty into

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

“Mind if I join

You can reach

around my neck, Archie starts yapping and Scruffy, Meg and Emma

stares into the fire. “No, I think

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

*****

up at a bough, glossy

down. I lay

themselves. Until, with a sharp yap, Archie announces, Squirrel! And the

the next tree and away. The dogs give chase,

the performance. “Is it always like

branch there would be

stretches out with

“Something wrong?”

his eyes are scanning

What is it?” His expression is savage,

Baxter…

back.” Reaching out, he grabs me by the

there's a Crack! Then

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

brought that here?” I

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

response is another shiver of the

It’s too low…

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