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?”

we know each other. Yet you seem prepared to trust me with… personal

“Yes.”

“Why?”

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, cavorting in the snow. “Anyway, I could ask you the same question. Why are you talking to me like

then, “James thinks 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

*****

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

the fire, lies eyes closed, upside down, all four legs in the air; doing his best

neutral. “Is that a

out.” Mac’s tail

stay in

offers him food or another…”

You were outside a long time talking with…”

We were just

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

looks up from her paper-folding.

run out. I was sure

pricking 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

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

if

sure. If you’d like to. You can reach higher branches than

starts yapping and Scruffy, Meg and Emma appear

into the fire. “No, I

past me to the door, blocking my way

*****

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

and passing it back down. I lay it on the stack in my basket, then aim

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

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

the performance. “Is it always

much, yes… That branch there would be a good one.

stretches out with the secateurs, then

“Something wrong?”

reply, but his eyes are scanning the

expression is savage, and something bites in my

Baxter…

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

a Crack! Then a

intent in the spot. Leaves quiver, shedding their load of snow. Reaching into his jacket, he

that here?” I

gun levelled, he stalks to

is another shiver

It’s too low…

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