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?”

seem prepared

“Yes.”

“Why?”

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

that you're worth getting to know. And considering what Haswell is trying

*****

apparently exhausted, the dogs collapse in a heap and peace

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

regards the pair, expression neutral. “Is

out.” Mac’s tail

stay in

someone offers him food or another…” I mouth the word silently…

everything alright, Kirstie? You were outside a long time talking with…” He jerks his head towards Klempner, returned

fine. We were

top of a stepladder, places

up from

I was

more. The dogs would enjoy another walk.” As I utter the

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

stirs. “Mind if

You

I wind the scarf around my neck, Archie starts yapping and Scruffy, Meg

into the fire. “No, I

my way to the hall.

*****

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

reaches up past me, snipping at the branch and passing it back down. I lay it on the stack

themselves. Until, with a sharp yap,

thirty feet or so, the squirrel chitters down, spitting insults, then leaps to the next tree and away. The dogs give chase, their howls fading into the distance as they high

the performance. “Is

there would be

with the

“Something wrong?”

his eyes are scanning

is it?” His expression is

Baxter…

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

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

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

that here?”

mutters. Then, gun levelled, he stalks to within

is another shiver of

It’s too low…

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