Harley (West Coast Rock Star #1)(12)
"She's in her room. Just give me a second." He listened to her steps, and couldn't stop imagining the sway of her hips, and her hair. The thought made his body stir. He heard a door open, and Cade's voice calling Harley. "She seems to have fallen asleep. If you don't mind, I'd rather not wake her, Mr. Clark."
"No, of course. Thank you for checking." Jax brushed his hair back with a hand. "Feel free to stay as long as you want. I'll make sure you're compensated for the extra time."
"I've already asked a friend to bring me a change of clothes. I'll stay until you return. No need to pay me overtime. It's my responsibility to watch over Harley and ensure her safety." Cade's voice soothed him. He believed everything she said. The rage he had felt earlier dissipated. Harley would be safe with Cade.
"Use the guest room closest to her room. My housekeeper should be able to help you settle in."
"Thank you. I will tell Harley you called as soon as she wakes."
"Yes, thank you." He knew he had to say goodbye, to end the call, but he wanted to hear her voice longer. The air was filled with silence on both sides. She hadn't ended the call. What else was he waiting to say? What else was he expecting her to hear? Should he bring up the kiss? Was it the right time, over the phone, when he couldn't see her eyes, her face, her expression, and her body language?
"I'd better go. If there's nothing else, my friend will arrive any minute now." Cade broke the silence.
"Ah, yes. Right. See you later then." He could already feel a void filling up his chest, but his mind would be flooded with thoughts of her. "Thanks again, Cade, for guarding Harley. For keeping her safe."
"Goodbye, Mr. Clark."
"Goodbye." As soon as he said the word, she ended the call. There were so many thoughts that rushed into his mind. There wasn't that emptiness he was used to feeling. He had Harley back in his life, for good. And Cade. She might be there for a specific reason, but he was convinced he could get her to stay for another.
Chapter Five
"Gram, you should really get Sheila to help you out with the groceries. Dr. Billings wants you to take it easy," Cade admonished over the phone. Wednesday nights were for phone calls to her grandmother in New Jersey. The octogenarian had another spill in the bathtub and had passed out. Thankfully, one of the neighbours came by for a random visit.
"Oh, dear, I'm feeling all right. Don't you worry about me." That was an expected response.
"Gram, I'm serious. Sheila said she doesn't mind helping out until I can get to you. It's just this assignment." Cade pinched the bridge of her nose.
"An assignment! You've got one? I'm so pleased to hear that, Cadence. Maybe you're one step closer to the truth."
"I hope so, Gram. I didn't expect to be watching over a child, though."
"A child? How old?"
"Eight."
There was a pause before Gram asked, "Is she in danger? Why does she need your protection?"
"She's got a condition. They just moved here and her father is very busy. She doesn't require a lot of work and she's a real sweetheart. She's going to a new school in the fall. Her father has a tour coming up, and Harley requires some looking after."
"So you're a babysitter?" Gram sounded entertained.
"She's not a baby. She's eight."
"I know that but I'm saying-"
"It's fine, Gram. I'm having a good time, actually."
"Well, that's good. But don't forget why you're really there, Cade. Remember your ultimate goal." Gram's voice turned serious.
"I haven't forgotten, Gram. I haven't forgotten."
After ensuring that her grandmother would agree to seek help when required, Cade bade her farewell.
Two phone calls in the span of half an hour. That was a record for Cade. She refused to think over the conversation with Jax, or think of the man at all. The reminder from her grandmother replaced her thoughts of the sexy rock star.
"Focus, Cade," she quietly told herself. She hadn't expected that her ultimate goal would take so long. Secrets needed to be revealed. Although they weren't life threatening, they would save her sanity. She almost lost grip of reality after what her father had revealed on his deathbed. Even when Cade had taken care of the man round the clock, he'd refused to show even the slightest love to his daughter. Before letting out his last breath, he had stabbed her with his own version of truth.
After numerous talks with her grandmother, and only a few months since her father's death, Cade had decided to move to Vancouver in hopes of getting closer to the truth: was Mac her biological father? Or was her father's revelation a vengeful dying man's last hurrah?