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?”

as though we know each other. Yet you seem prepared

“Yes.”

“Why?”

casts startled eyes down at my barrel-bodied little girl, then

worth getting to know. And considering

*****

apparently exhausted, the dogs collapse in a

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

“Is

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

he stay in that position

another…” I mouth

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

We were just

Michael, on top of a stepladder, places a final branch of holly on the

looks up from

I was sure

“I’ll go get some more. The dogs would enjoy another walk.”

smile. “Thanks, Kirstie. I’ve still not defrosted after the

if

If you’d like to. You can reach

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

stares into the fire. “No, I think I’ll

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

*****

there?” I point up at a bough, glossy

I lay it on the stack in my basket, then aim upwards again. “Now,

Until, with a sharp yap, Archie announces, Squirrel! And the troop of five bolt

next tree and

performance. “Is it always like

yes… That branch there would be a good one.

with the

“Something wrong?”

but his eyes

His expression is savage, and something bites

Baxter…

by the wrist

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

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

that here?” I

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

only response is another shiver

It’s too low…

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