Harley (West Coast Rock Star #1)(59)

 

 

 

        

          

        

         

 

"How was the flight?" Zee asked as they walked through the commercial kitchen of the five-star hotel they were staying in.

 

"Long. Where is he?" She fully expected Jax to greet them at the door, even at the airport.

 

Zee cleared his throat before replying. "He had a meeting after rehearsal."

 

"A meeting? It's what? Three in the morning?"

 

They passed by clean, stainless steel worktops, and one chef too busy to take notice of them. Through the kitchen doors, Cade followed Zee through stark hallways until they reached a service elevator where hotel security personnel waited.

 

It didn't escape Cade that Zee didn't reply to her previous question. Not one to leave anything unanswered, Cade asked again, "Who was he meeting?"

 

The elevator doors opened and they all stepped in. Harley was dead to the world. Cade adjusted her arms around the little girl. She benched weights heavier than Harley, but not having proper sleep made Cade weak.

 

Zee threw her a cautionary glance, and then looked at the hotel staff. She understood. Being involved with a celebrity meant she was constantly watched, and people often eavesdropped.

 

How magnanimous. It wasn't what she signed up for but deep down there was no denying that she had fallen in love with Jax. The only question was would they survive the constant scrutiny? The doors opened when they reached their floor. Inside the hotel was quiet and tranquility. Outside was chaotic, even at that time, but Cade loved that about big cities. Could that have been a sign that she craved the chaos her relationship with Jax had caused?

 

Zee stopped in front of a wooden door with a brass plate and knocked on it once, waited two seconds, then knocked again. Cade surveyed the room, still no sign of Jax. Was he still at this suspicious meeting? Zee showed her where Harley's bedroom was. She laid the girl on the bed, taking off the red boots Harley had on before pressing a kiss on the girl's forehead. Then she turned to Zee.

 

Anger and anxiety built in her as soon as her hands were empty. Had Harley been keeping her composed the entire time? Harley had that effect on Cade. She was a calming incense personified.

 

Zee nodded his head towards the other bedroom door, then left Cade standing in the hallway. Cade stepped towards the bedroom and knocked before entering.

 

"Jax?"

 

His silhouette in front of the large windows made her heart leap. He leaned a hand on the window frame, as he looked out onto the lit buildings. As he turned to her, he buckled over and released a sharp exhale.

 

Cade ran to him, holding his arms to guide him to the bed. He was clearly hurt.

 

"What happened?" She reached over the side table to turn on the lamp. When she could see him better, she gasped. "Jax, your face!" He had a cut on his swollen lip, and a large goose egg on his forehead, which was turning as purple as an eggplant.  

 

"I ran into something," Jax said, wincing as he spoke.

 

"You're not that stupid … unless you were drunk?" Cade leaned forward and sniffed his neck.

 

"Oh don't do that, babe, that's turning me on and I'm afraid my performance will be subpar tonight." He tried to smile, and grimaced instead when he stretched his lips.

 

Cade poked and prodded the rest of his head and face. She couldn't stop the loud beating of her heart. She couldn't help but chew on the inside of her mouth. Jax was evading, which meant whatever happened was more than bad.

 

"Lift your arms," she ordered as she pulled the hem of his shirt over his abs. Jax hesitated, but obeyed. He took shallow breaths when he moved. And when Cade was able to take off his shirt, she was concerned why Jax was not in a hospital. "Has a doctor seen you?"

 

"Yes," Jax rasped. He wiped the tear that rolled over her cheek.

 

Cade traced the edges of bruises on Jax's ribs and chest, and some on his arms and shoulders. "Who did this to you?"

 

"It doesn't hurt anymore. I've gone through an x-ray and CAT scan. No fractures. No internal bleeding. Just some nasty bruises and maybe some hurt pride." He chuckled, hoping Cade would find his statement funny, but instead, she cried harder. "Baby, please don't cry. I'm okay. I promise."

 

"Why won't you tell me what happened? And where was Zee? What good is he if he could let this happen to you?"

 

Jax cupped her face in his hands and tilted her chin up. He kissed the edge of her bottom lip and inhaled her scent. "It's nothing you should worry about. It's all taken care of now. The important thing is that you and Harley are here with me." He pressed his lips harder on hers. "And you should know, the entire time it was happening, all I could think of was that I've never been able to tell you that I love you."