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…

“Yes.”

“Why?”

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

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

*****

energies apparently exhausted, the dogs

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

neutral. “Is that

chilled out.” Mac’s tail twitches and his lips pull back in

stay in that position

until someone offers him food or another…” I mouth

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

fine. We

places a final branch of

up from her

run out. I was sure we’d picked

gloves, Archie pricking up his ears as I do so. “I’ll go get some more. The dogs would enjoy another walk.” As I utter the

a smile. “Thanks, Kirstie. I’ve still

“Mind if I join

like to. You can reach higher branches than

starts yapping and Scruffy, Meg and Emma appear from

stares into the fire. “No, I think

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

*****

point up at a bough, glossy green with leaves,

it back down. I lay

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

the safety of thirty feet 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 as they

eyes the performance. “Is it

would be a good one. It’s covered

stretches out with the secateurs, then

“Something wrong?”

his eyes are

His expression is savage, and

Baxter…

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

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

intent in the spot. Leaves quiver, shedding their load

brought that

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

response is another shiver of

It’s too low…

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