Read Harley (West Coast Rock Star #1) for Free Online Page A

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?
    Cadence had to know. According to her grandmother, Mac and her father had been best friends, army pals. They’d dated two best friends—Irene, Mac’s wife, and Mila, Cade’s mother. Cade had met Irene numerous times. The woman had a nurturing nature. She would have made a good mother if Mac and Irene had ever had kids. Irene took to Cade right away, however, because of the true nature of her move to Vancouver, Cade realized it wouldn’t have been ideal to get too close to the woman if later on she ended up breaking her heart. Such actions had made Mac wary of Cade and before she could fix it, Mac made sure Cade was never too close to him and Irene. The man clearly had trust issues.
    After receiving the much excited Juliette, and taking the overnight bag her friend had packed for her, Cade found Harley in her bedroom, lying still on her back, staring at the ceiling. Without hesitation, Cade lay beside Harley, and propped one arm over her forehead.
    “Don’t you sometimes wish we lived different lives?” Harley asked quietly.
    Cade sighed before replying. “You have no idea.” A few minutes passed before either one said anything. “How are you feeling?” Cade glanced at her.
    The girl shrugged.
    “Your dad called earlier, but you were resting. He was very…concerned,” Cade said.
    Harley tilted her head and leaned it on Cade’s shoulder. “You mean he was pissed off at Fiona?” Cade chose not to answer, and ignored—only this once—the words she thought a little girl like Harley should not be using. “I don’t blame him, though. My mother can be quite irritating.”
    “Does she