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 to trust me with… personal stuff… And

“Yes.”

“Why?”

eyes down at my barrel-bodied little

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

*****

exhausted, the dogs

four legs in the air; doing his best

pair, expression neutral. “Is that a natural position for

Mac’s tail

in that

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

on the cheek. Subdued, he 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 Klempner, returned to his

fine. We were

a stepladder, places a final branch of holly on

looks up from her

out. I was sure

would enjoy another walk.” As I utter the W-Word, Mac revolves through one-eighty into an

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

if

you’d like to. You

the scarf around my neck, Archie starts

stares into the fire. “No, I think I’ll stay

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

*****

up at a bough, glossy green

snipping at the branch and passing it back down. I lay it on the stack in my

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 bolt off, howling

the next tree and away. The dogs give chase, their howls fading into the distance as they high

the performance. “Is it always like

would be a good

stretches out with

“Something wrong?”

reply, but his eyes are scanning

His expression is savage, and something

Baxter…

he grabs me by the wrist and tugs, pulling me

from behind me, there's a

in the spot. Leaves quiver, shedding their load of snow. Reaching into his jacket, he takes out

brought that here?” I

on the loose,” he mutters. Then, gun levelled,

only response is another

It’s too low…

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