Harley (West Coast Rock Star #1) Read Free

the smile, everything that was Jackson Clark was synonymous with trouble.
    “I have Harley permanently now. I guess that’s where you come in, Cade.”
    That brought her out of her thoughts. She stood beside Zee, in front of a relaxed Jax, and a hovering PA.
    “Are you sure about this, Jax? She’s a girl. How experienced is she, anyway? Don’t you think Harley would be better off with someone like Mr. Arnold?” Tina’s whiny voice annoyed Cade. How dare the woman question her abilities? Anger bubbled up in her throat. All her life she had to prove herself worthy of people’s trust and praise.
    Before she could form a retort, Zee’s voice punctured the air. “She was personally hand-picked by Mac for Harley.” What was this? Zee was defending her? Or he might have been defending Mac’s decision. “As he picked me to work with you, Jax.” It was a fact. Most assignments were posted on the board and agents either took them or enlisted. When Mac felt the client warranted a special type of handling, he would pick the right person. Nobody questioned his decisions as far as Cade knew.
    “All right then. That settles it.” Jax’s eyes stayed on Cade the whole time. “Tina, call Harley down so she can meet her new protector.”
    Cade’s eyes lifted to see Tina Joyce roll her eyes, swipe on the tablet she held, and barked an order to it. “Harley, come down. Your father wants you.”
    It didn’t take a second for a girl to pop her head out and walk down the stairs. Cade wasn’t sure what she had expected, but the careful, prim, and quiet steps of a petite girl, dressed in preppy chic—most likely a designer outfit—with pig tails wasn’t it. This was the daughter of seemingly bad boy Jax Clark? The girl hesitated on the final step. Cade guessed that she had been listening the whole time. Cade made eye contact with the girl and that gave her courage to move forward. Harley stopped beside the sofa where Jax was seated.
    “Hello, Father.” Such a formal greeting in such a sweet little voice. A small smile tickled Cade’s lips.
    Something didn’t add up. The file said Harley was eight but she couldn’t have been more than six by the looks of her. Jax shifted forward, reached for his daughter’s hand, and wrapped his small finger around hers.
    “You’re sticking with that, huh?” The girl nodded. “Well, if you must. Harley, meet Zee and Cade. Zee is the gentle giant here.” Harley released her father’s finger to shake hands with the big guy. It was comical to see their difference but Harley proudly lifted her chin up when she greeted Zee. “And Miss Cadence Williams, she goes by Cade. Isn’t that just wicked?”
    Cade wrapped her hands around the girl’s. Harley had a firm handshake. Staid and formal. “It’s a pleasure to meet both of you.” Cade’s smile brightened her face. The girl was nothing but sweetness.
    “Pleasure to meet you as well, Harley.”
    “You must forgive my darling daughter. She is an old soul. She definitely makes me look badass in front of others while she’s all neat and formal.” There was humor in Jax’s voice. “Cade will be watching over you when we’re out, Harley. What she says goes.”
    Harley, still facing Cade, turned around to face her father. “I understand.”
    “Jax, I’ve got Bruno,” Tina Joyce’s voice interrupted. She was holding out a phone to Jax.
    “Finally. I’ve gotta take this, folks.” Jax twisted his frame to reach behind him. His shirt lifted to expose a peek of taut ab muscles and a curve of a hipbone. When Cade peeked, her mouth dried up. “Tin, why don’t you show them around the place?” His PA nodded once.
    “May I give Miss Williams a tour?” the little girl quipped, surprising all of them.
    Jax’s face brightened. Cade’s heart hitched upon witnessing his killer smile. “That’s the best idea I’ve heard so far! Go ahead. I’ll catch up later.”
    Harley turned back to face Cade, with a bright smile and an