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?”

Yet you seem prepared

“Yes.”

“Why?”

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

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

*****

the dogs collapse in a

fire, lies eyes closed, upside down, all four legs in the air;

neutral. “Is that a natural position

I say. “When he’s chilled out.” Mac’s tail twitches and

stay in that

him food or another…” I

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

fine. We were

top of a stepladder, places

looks up from her paper-folding.

run out. I was

get some more. The dogs would enjoy another walk.” As I utter the W-Word, Mac revolves through one-eighty into an upright position and is back

sucks in a smile. “Thanks, Kirstie. I’ve still not defrosted after the last trip

if I join

sure. If you’d like to. You can reach

Archie starts yapping and Scruffy, Meg and Emma appear from nowhere.

the fire. “No,

the door, blocking my way

*****

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

passing it back down. I lay it on the stack in my basket, then aim upwards

dogs snuffle and scratch, getting under my feet and making a nuisance of themselves. Until, with a sharp yap, Archie announces, Squirrel! And the troop of five

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

the performance. “Is it always

That branch there would be a good

stretches out with the secateurs,

“Something wrong?”

reply, but his eyes

expression is savage, and something bites

Baxter…

out, he grabs me by the

there's a Crack! Then a muffled rustling from

the spot. Leaves quiver, shedding their load of snow.

that

“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 shiver

It’s too low…

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