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 to

“Yes.”

“Why?”

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

that you're worth getting to know. And considering what Haswell is trying hard to put your way, James isn’t the only one

*****

energies apparently exhausted, the dogs collapse in a

fire, lies eyes closed, upside down, all four legs in the air; doing his best ‘Dead Bluebottle’ impression.

expression neutral. “Is that a natural position for a

he’s chilled out.” Mac’s tail twitches

he stay in

another…” I mouth

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 to his seat at

fine. We were just

a stepladder, places a final branch

from

out. I was sure we’d picked

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 W-Word, Mac

sucks in a smile. “Thanks, Kirstie. I’ve still

if I join

sure. If you’d like to. You can reach

starts yapping and Scruffy, Meg and Emma appear from

fire. “No, I think I’ll stay

door, blocking my way to the hall. “Let

*****

point up at a bough, glossy green with leaves, cheerful and Christmassy

snipping at the branch and passing it back down. I lay it on the stack in my basket,

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

the next tree and away. The dogs give chase, their howls fading into the distance as

eyes the performance. “Is

branch there would be a good one. It’s covered with

with the

“Something wrong?”

his eyes are scanning

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

Baxter…

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

from behind me, there's a Crack!

their load of snow. Reaching into his jacket,

brought that

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

only response is another shiver of the

It’s too low…

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