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 trust me with… personal

“Yes.”

“Why?”

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

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

*****

exhausted, the dogs collapse in a heap and

having claimed prize place in front of the fire, lies eyes closed, upside down, all four legs in the air; doing his best

the pair, expression neutral. “Is

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

he stay in that position

someone offers him food or another…” I mouth

slow. “Is everything alright, Kirstie? You were

fine. We were just

top of a stepladder, places a final

looks up from

run out. I was

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

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

if I

like to. You can reach higher branches

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

the fire. “No, I think

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

*****

about that branch there?” I point up at a bough,

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

a sharp yap, Archie

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

the performance. “Is

yes… That branch there would be a good one. It’s

stretches out with the secateurs,

“Something wrong?”

but his eyes are scanning

it?” His expression is savage, and something

Baxter…

by the wrist and tugs,

a Crack!

stares, intent in the spot. Leaves quiver, shedding their load of snow. Reaching into

brought that

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

is another

It’s too low…

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