Hot Revenge Box Set 2

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

“Yes.”

“Why?”

nod down to Meg, her toothy grin as she pushes 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,

well of you. That suggested to 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 high

*****

apparently exhausted, the dogs collapse in a

closed, upside down, all four legs in the air; doing his best ‘Dead Bluebottle’ impression. Archie nudges up beside him trying, unsuccessfully, to

“Is

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

he stay in that

food or another…” I mouth the

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 of the

fine. We were

stepladder, places a final

up from her paper-folding.

run out. I was sure we’d

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

sucks in a smile. “Thanks, Kirstie. I’ve still not defrosted after the last

if I

like to. You can reach higher branches than

around my neck, Archie starts yapping and

into the fire. “No, I think I’ll

blocking my way

*****

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

it back down. I lay it on

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

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

performance. “Is it always

yes… That branch there would be a good

with

“Something wrong?”

reply, but his eyes are scanning the area

is it?” His expression is savage, and something bites in

Baxter…

into a pocket. “Get back.” Reaching out, he grabs me by the wrist and tugs, pulling me

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

snap towards the sound and he stares, intent in the spot. Leaves quiver, shedding their

brought that here?”

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

only response is another shiver

It’s too low…