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 to trust me with… personal stuff… And to think about

“Yes.”

“Why?”

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 talking

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

*****

the dogs

four legs in the air; doing his best ‘Dead Bluebottle’ impression. Archie nudges

“Is that a natural position for a

tail twitches

in that position

someone offers him food or another…” I mouth the

voice is slow. “Is everything alright, Kirstie? You were outside a long time talking with…” He jerks his head towards Klempner, returned to his seat at the

We were

places a final branch of holly on

from her paper-folding.

run out. 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 through one-eighty into an upright position and

a smile. “Thanks, Kirstie. I’ve still not

stirs. “Mind if

sure. If you’d like to. You can

starts

stares into the fire. “No, I

barges past me to the door, blocking my

*****

up at a bough, glossy green with leaves, cheerful and Christmassy with

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

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 and

of thirty feet or so, the squirrel chitters down, spitting insults, then leaps to the next tree and away. The

eyes the performance. “Is it

would be a good

stretches out with the secateurs, then

“Something wrong?”

but his eyes are

is

Baxter…

by the wrist and tugs, pulling me backwards, placing himself between me and…

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

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

that here?” I

eyes intent. “That bastard's still on the loose,” he mutters. Then, gun levelled, he stalks

response is another

It’s too low…

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