Secret Nights at Nine Oaks Read Online Free PDF

He’d never seen her tense up so fast. And though he didn’t know the details of the incident with Randall Kreeg, he decided it was time he found out more.
    Phoebe glanced around at the group, flushing with embarrassment. “Yes, well, I guess the cat’s out of the bag about that.”
    The sudden silence was interrupted by the TV and a news flash. Cain heard her name and looked up.
    The broadcast recapped the arrest and incarceration of Kreeg and mentioned speculation that Phoebe or the last producer who’d bought her script had staged the incident. He looked at Phoebe. She was frozen, her attention riveted to the TV. He called to her, but she didn’t respond.
    All Phoebe saw was Kreeg, looking rich, handsome and so damn supreme as the police escorted him into the station. A wave of memories hit her, blanketing her thoughts, bringing back the terror of realizing that Kreeg had touched her things, had been in her car. Then in her house.
    Her breathing quickened.
    Beside her, Cain frowned, noticing her hands shake.
    â€œPhoebe?” Cain called again.
    She lifted her gaze to his and the scared look in her eyes fractured his heart.
    And made it bleed.

Three
    C ain laid his hand on her arm and she flinched, trembling, her gaze shooting around the room, panicked as if searching for an escape.
    His features tightened, then he leaned closer, sliding his hand farther up her arm and whispering, “It’s okay, darlin’, you’re safe here. I swear it.”
    Phoebe blinked, then let out a long, shaky breath, and looked at him. Her eyes were owlish wide, as if replaying the last seconds in her mind, and she looked so frail and small that Cain fought the urge to take her in his arms. Then just as quickly as it came, her fear vanished and her shoulders relaxed.
    â€œWell, don’t I feel stupid,” she muttered, her cheeks pinkening.
    Cain rubbed her arm. “It’s all right.” For a second she gripped his hand, holding his gaze, then suddenly self-conscious of their nearness, she let go and looked at the others.
    â€œI know he’s in jail, but…”
    Jean Claude’s expression fell. “Forgive me, Miss Phoebe.” He shut off the TV.
    Her gaze jerked to the chef’s. “Oh Jean Claude, it’s not your fault. Not at all.” She waved, all bright smiles. “It’s just me being a little neurotic.” She released an uneasy laugh, then picked up her fork, spearing a piece of chicken.
    Cain frowned. He’d never seen anyone so upset one minute, then fine the next. Or was she just smothering her anxiety for their sake? And what the hell did that bastard do to her to make her so afraid still?
    â€œHe can’t hurt you here,” Cain assured. “No one will.”
    â€œIt’s why I’m here.” Phoebe shifted her gaze to his, smiling.
    But Cain could tell it was forced, could see the shadows in her eyes. And right now, he wanted only to take up arms and battle her demons for her. It startled him, reminded him that it was wiser to stay clearof her. Cain didn’t deserve to be around a woman like her.
    Yet he stayed where he was, unable to leave.
    Jean Claude went to put the loaves of bread in the pantry, and the rest of the staff departed quickly.
    She looked around. “Well, I sure know how to clear a room, huh?”
    â€œNot really. They’re unaccustomed to dining with me,” he confessed. “ Are you all right?”
    â€œYeah sure, just great,” she said cheerily, and started clearing dishes, not wanting to answer the questions she could see in his eyes. She’d been there too many times, with friends, the police, her parents. In her dreams. The fact that Kreeg could post any bail that was set and walk free never left her thoughts.
    â€œI wouldn’t do that,” Cain warned, nodding toward the dishes. “You tread on sacred ground by invading his kitchen.” To prove him right, Jean