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?”

you seem prepared

“Yes.”

“Why?”

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.

getting to know. And considering what Haswell is trying hard to put your way, James isn’t the only one to hold

*****

indoors, energies apparently exhausted, the dogs collapse in a heap

in front of the fire, lies 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

expression neutral. “Is that a natural

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

stay in that

or another…” I mouth the word

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

fine. We

stepladder, places a final branch of

looks up from her paper-folding.

I was sure we’d picked

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

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

stirs. “Mind if

like to. You

my neck, Archie starts yapping and Scruffy, Meg and Emma appear

the fire. “No, I think

my way to the hall. “Let

*****

up at a bough, glossy green with leaves,

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

Until, with a sharp yap, Archie announces, Squirrel! And the troop of five bolt

the safety of 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 tail it after their

“Is it

there would be a good

out with the secateurs,

“Something wrong?”

his eyes

What is it?” His expression is savage, and

Baxter…

out, he grabs me by the wrist and tugs,

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

snap towards the sound and he stares, intent in the spot. Leaves quiver, shedding their load of snow. Reaching into his jacket, he takes out a gun, aiming for the

that here?”

bastard's still on the loose,” he mutters. Then, gun levelled, he stalks to

only response is another shiver of

It’s too low…

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