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?”

you seem prepared to trust me with… personal stuff… And to think

“Yes.”

“Why?”

as she pushes her stick at him again. “Because they do.” He casts startled eyes down at my barrel-bodied little girl,

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

*****

exhausted, the dogs collapse in a heap and

the air; doing his best ‘Dead Bluebottle’ impression.

pair, expression neutral. “Is that a natural position

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

he stay in that position

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

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 the back

We were

on top of a stepladder, places a final branch

looks up from her paper-folding.

out. I was sure

up his ears as I 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 position and is back on

smile. “Thanks, Kirstie. I’ve

“Mind if I join

to. You can reach higher branches

I wind the scarf around my neck, Archie starts yapping and

fire. “No, I think I’ll

barges past me to the door, blocking my way to

*****

about that branch there?” I point up at a bough,

down. I lay it on the stack in

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

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

performance. “Is it

be

out with

“Something wrong?”

reply, but his eyes are scanning the area behind

expression is savage, and

Baxter…

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

there's a

eyes snap towards the sound and he stares, intent in the spot. Leaves quiver, shedding their load of snow. Reaching into his jacket, he takes out a

brought that here?” I

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

response is another

It’s too low…

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