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?”

prepared

“Yes.”

“Why?”

He casts startled eyes down at my barrel-bodied little girl, then around at the other dogs, cavorting

to know. And considering what Haswell is trying hard to put your

*****

apparently exhausted, the dogs

down, all four legs in the air; doing his best ‘Dead Bluebottle’ impression.

“Is that a natural position

Mac’s tail twitches and his lips pull back

stay in that position

someone offers him food or another…” I mouth the

the cheek. Subdued, 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

We were just

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

from

run out. I was sure

so. “I’ll go get some more. The dogs would enjoy another walk.” As I utter the W-Word, Mac

“Thanks, Kirstie. I’ve

“Mind if

If you’d like to. You can reach higher

Archie starts yapping and Scruffy, Meg and

into the fire. “No, I think

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

*****

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

up past me, snipping at the branch and passing it back down. I

feet and making a nuisance of themselves. Until, with a sharp yap, Archie announces, Squirrel! And the troop of five bolt

the next tree and away. The dogs

eyes the performance. “Is

That branch there would be a good

out with

“Something wrong?”

doesn’t reply, but his eyes are scanning the area behind

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

Baxter…

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

from behind me, there's a Crack!

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

that here?” I

tilts his chin up, eyes intent. “That bastard's still on the loose,” he mutters. Then, gun levelled, he stalks to within a few feet of the bush. “Out! Right now. Hands

is another shiver of the

It’s too low…

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