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?”

as though we know each other. Yet you seem prepared to trust me with… personal stuff… And to think about

“Yes.”

“Why?”

grin 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

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

*****

exhausted, the dogs collapse in a heap

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

“Is that a natural position

out.” Mac’s tail

he stay in that position

someone offers him food or another…” I

his voice is slow. “Is everything alright, Kirstie? You were outside a

fine. We

stepladder, places

from her paper-folding. “What’s

I was sure

for my gloves, 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 revolves

“Thanks, Kirstie. I’ve still not defrosted after the last trip

stirs. “Mind if

sure. If you’d like to. You can

my neck, Archie starts yapping and

“No, I think

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

*****

a bough, glossy green with leaves, cheerful

at the branch and passing it back down. I lay it on

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

leaps to the next tree and away. The dogs give chase, their howls fading into the distance as they high tail it after

performance. “Is it always

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

out with the secateurs,

“Something wrong?”

doesn’t reply, but his eyes

is it?” His expression is savage,

Baxter…

back.” Reaching out, he grabs me by the wrist and tugs, pulling

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

in the spot. Leaves quiver, shedding their load of

brought that here?” I

his chin up, eyes intent. “That bastard's still on the loose,” he mutters. Then, gun

response is another shiver of the

It’s too low…

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