Dirty Little Secrets Read Online Free

pretend he’s busy 24/7 but he goes to the gym from seven to nine. I can get you in then, if it’s good for you.”
    There was a slight hesitation before he said, “That would be great.”
    Megan took another piece of bread and shoved it in her purse while James paid the bill; it was a waste to let good carbohydrates go uneaten.
    Megan made her way to the car while James went to look for the waiter who had tried to stop Steve Dixon from coming in to Albi’s.
    The night was dark and unseasonably cold. Megan hugged her arms to her chest. She had almost reached the car when she heard someone shout. A low growl of a voice pierced the silence. “Hey, bitch. Nobody here to protect you now. Not so fucking brave now are you?”

Chapter Two
    Megan’s head snapped up to see Steve Dixon standing just ten feet in front of her. Her back straightened, her instinct was to make herself look taller. Her index finger went to the nozzle of her pepper spray. If he came any closer, he would be getting a faceful of pain. “I’m warning you, Mr. Dixon. Go away.”
    “Fuck you, bitch. You’re trying to get me locked up. I didn’t fucking do anything.”
    He was moving in closer. Almost close enough. She took a deep breath. No man would ever make her run again. “We’ll have to let the jury decide. Go home.”
    He lunged at her. She braced herself for the impact as her finger pressed down on the spray. But instead of being on the receiving end of Dixon’s blow she was pushed out of the way. She fell back into the car door before she saw Dixon swing at James.
    James stood perfectly still like he had been frozen in suspended animation. His hands fisted, the muscles in his arms bulging, deep lines defining his triceps even through his shirt as he flexed, but his arms remained at his sides. Dixon’s fist connected with the side of James’ face. His head snapped back with an audible cracking sound.
    Megan gasped and lunged to help him, but James righted himself and gave Dixon a shove that sent the convict flying to the ground.
    James turned and looked at her, blood pouring from his left eye.
    “Is that enough to get him for assault?” he asked. There was a fire in his eyes, angry and raw. She knew that look. She had seen that look before. She had been on the receiving end of it.
    Megan swallowed hard as she nodded.
    “Good,” he said. “Now look away. I don’t need a witness for the next part.”
    Before she could do what he said, he pulled Dixon off the ground and pushed him into the door of the Range Rover. “Listen, you piece of shit. You don’t hit women. You just don’t. Next time listen to the lady and go home.” With that last piece of advice James hit him square in the jaw. With one blow, Dixon folded, his hands flew to his face, cradling it in his hands as he groaned.
    Megan stood shocked, temporarily frozen in place. People rarely surprised her, and never for the better. She swallowed hard against the lump in her throat.
    She shook her head. James was speaking but she did not register what he was saying.
    “Sorry. What did you say?”
    “I think you should phone the police. We’re both going to need to make a statement. You saw him lunge at me the second time before I hit him?” James asked pointedly, making it clear what answer he expected.
    She nodded. The truth was close enough to what he was suggesting.
    “Good. Nice to know we’re singing from the same hymn sheet.”
    She nodded. She would get the conviction she wanted. Why had James done that, put himself on the line for her? What possible benefit could there be? She strained to think of a plausible explanation, but she fell short. A flash of annoyance washed over her. She had an answer for everything, especially when it came to knowing what made people tick. Reading people is what kept her safe as a kid, and it is what made her good at her job now.
    Men didn’t do things unless there was a payoff. All men expected something in return. All men except