Jaded Hearts
Chapter 42

Taylor

When I woke up the next morning, I wanted to immediately go down and check on Morgan, but Matt stopped me.

“She’s fine, tesoro. Kade linked me a little while ago, and Morgan’s asleep. But you can go see her in a couple of hours.”

I knew she needed to sleep to heal, so I didn’t argue. “Okay. So, do you have to work today? What’s the plan?”

“I’ll work from home this afternoon, but we do have a meeting after breakfast.”

I was excited to hear this. Finally, he would let me actually work. “Is it with the Sporazos?”

“No, it’s with Tyson.”

That stopped me in my tracks. These two hated each other. Why would Matt now want me to meet with him?

“I talked to him late last night, and we’ve come to an understanding. He just needs to talk to you.”

“And you’re okay with this?”

“I am, but let me ask you something. How do you feel about Tyson? Are you comfortable around him? Obviously, I mean when he’s not being hired to kill me.”

I sat down and thought about it. How did I feel about Tyson? I’d known him all my life, and he never once showed me anything that would suggest he was dangerous. Especially not to me. I guess I trusted him. He was one of the first men, besides my father, who I trusted without question.

“My heart says yes. I’m very comfortable around him. He knew me when I was a pimple-faced teenager with braces, and he never even picked on me. He always protected me from the older kids who thought they could bully me or make fun of me. He made me feel safe. I trust him with my life, even if he is Hades.”

“That’s what I thought. Get dressed, gorgeous, and let’s go eat. Then we’ll talk, okay?”

I did what he asked, and as soon as we walked into the dining room, I walked over to Xander, who smoothly passed Alex to me before he and Alexi continued their conversation.

“This little guy and I need to reconnect. Don’t we, handsome?”

He gave me his adorable gummy smile that made me melt. As I was heading to my chair, Xayden looked over and reached out for me as well. Xayden was a more independent little guy, so I was shocked to see that he wanted me to pick him up. But he was far too cute to deny. I went to lean down and grab him, but Matt stopped me.

“Sit down, and I’ll pass him to you. They’ve heavier than they look,” he advised.

I took my seat, and soon, I was holding both twins in my lap. They were so gorgeous, and exact replicas of Xander and Alexi.

“Alaia, you had nothing at all to do with making these little guys, did you?”

“Besides the terribly bruised and battered bladder, I guess not.” She looked at the way both babies hugged on to me like their lives depended upon it and smiled.

“You’re having a girl.”

Matt and I both turned to look at her. “What makes you say that?” he asked.

“Because. Alex is a flirt; we already knew that. But not Xayden, and he’s in love with Taylor right now. I think it’s because of the baby. I think it’s a beautiful little girl in there, and my overly competitive boys are trying to stake their claim. I’ll bet you anything that you two are having a daughter, and she’ll be my sons’ mate.”

“Wow. I didn’t think it worked like that,” I said.

“My mom told me that when she was pregnant with Aaron and me, that Alexi, who was just a few months old, would cling to her all the time. They knew from the beginning that we were mates.”

“Yes, but this is both of them. Are they both her mate?!”

Alaia shrugged a shoulder. “Don’t knock it until you try it. I love having two mates; maybe she will too.”

I turned to Matt, shocked. “Two mates? Both of them?!”

“Calm down, babe. We don’t know that for sure. Alaia’s just guessing, right?”

“Nope. I know. It’s a girl, and my boys are her mates. That’s our future Luna in there, and I can already picture the wedding.”

I looked down at the boys who were both snuggled up, as close as they could be, to my stomach. “Well, I have to say that if Alaia’s right, our baby girl couldn’t do any better than these two.”

“I’m right; trust me. Now put them down so you can eat. They can fight over her later,” she said while coming around to take the babies, much to their disappointment.

Matt leaned over and kissed my cheek.

“Eat, tesoro. Our future Luna is probably starving.”

* * *

After an eventful breakfast, we walked to the conference room to wait for Tyson to be brought up. I hoped he had healed since I saw him on Saturday. I didn’t want him hurt, even if he was into some terrible stuff. I knew he was still a good guy.

I sat in the chair and sipped my orange juice while Matt did some work on his phone. When Tyson finally arrived, he looked much better, and I was relieved.

“Hey, Tyson, I’m so happy to see that you’re doing better.”

“Yeah, me too. I’m too good-looking to be all bruised up. That would break the ladies’ hearts.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. He was just like Kade.

“Good morning to you too,” Matt said when Tyson’s eyes lingered on me a little too long.

“Sorry, good morning.”

Matt shot him a dirty look, then turned to me. “I agreed to let Tyson come up because he had some things that he has to tell you, okay?”

“Alright. I’m ready, so what have you got to tell me?”

Tyson took a deep breath and pressed his hands on the table. Whatever was coming, I knew it would be big.

“Taylor, you are my partner,” he began.

I listened to everything he had to say without uttering a single word. This was totally unexpected, and the fact that Matt was calmly sitting here beside me was even crazier. He spoke for about five minutes before he stopped and took another breath.

When I found my voice, I asked the first thing that came to mind.

“So, you thought that making money was more important than claiming your partner? Weren’t you ever told that you could lose me?”

“Yes and no. The money wasn’t more important, but you know how we grew up. I didn’t want you to ever want anything I couldn’t give you. I wanted to have enough

saved up before you were mine, and no, I didn’t know I would lose you. Like wolves, bears can search their entire life for their partner. But because I knew where mine was and never claimed you, I guess the Mother Spirit felt like I didn’t want you. I lost out.”

“And now you’re letting me go.… Whatever that means.”

“Yes. Matt’s a good guy, and I can’t honestly say I couldn’t treat you any better than he does. You’re happy, so I can live with my mistake and move on.”

“I’m very happy that you’re willing to do this, but you deserve happiness too. Go replace it.”

“Nah, I’ll never replace happiness. I’ll replace contentment, but that’s about it.”

“What do you mean?”

“Bears are loyal to their partner forever. Now since I never claimed you, we don’t have a solid bond, but you will always hold a special place in my heart and my life. No one will ever change that.”

Wow. This broke my heart. He’d never have another love? He’d just be alone forever?

“But you can replace another partner, can’t you?”

“I can replace someone to spend my life with, but she’ll never be my partner.”

“So, after we catch Drew, you’ll just go off on your own, and we’ll never see each other again? That sucks. And what about Morgan?”

“I have a suggestion,” Matt said.

To be honest, I had forgotten he was next to me. He had been so quiet the entire time. “I spoke to the elders, and they had something interesting to share. Did you know that without your partner, your life will be cut in half?” he asked.

“What?! He’s going to die?”

“Not for a while, but yes, I will die sooner than I would have if I’d claimed you. I do know that.”

“But, but … what can we do?”

“Shhhh, just listen, baby. Tyson, this may sound crazy, but what if you didn’t leave? What if you were able to still be a part of Taylor’s life?”

“I’m not sure what you mean. But from what I was taught, if we can still be close to one another, I’ll get to live a normal life span.”

I was getting nervous now. What the hell was this? “Matt, what are you getting at?” I asked.

“This. Tyson can stay here, get a house on our land, and become your bodyguard. He said it himself: no one is better at killing than he is, and he’ll never be loyal to anyone other than you. Who better to protect you and keep you safe when I’m not around? You can go back to having the life you want. You can go back to school if you want. You would be safe.”

I looked over at Tyson, and the look on his face spoke volumes. “You didn’t know about this either, I see.”

“No, I didn’t. I don’t know what to say. On the one hand, keeping you protected is what I was put on this earth to do, but on the other hand, I’d have to watch you live your life with a man who isn’t me. That’s brutal.”

“And awkward. I don’t think this is a good idea. We have a strange history, and you’re only here now because you were hired by my ex to kill my fiancé. This is some twisted s**t!”

“If you two don’t think it’s the best option, then we can figure something else out regarding your safety, and Tyson can go wherever he wants. But just think about it.”

Tyson nodded his head but didn’t speak. This was a big decision for him. Leave and die or stay and watch me be happy with someone else. I didn’t want him to have to do either.

“I want to go see Morgan now. Are we done here?”

“Yes, baby. We’re done. Do you want me to come with you?”

“No. I need some girl time if that’s alright.”

Matt smiled at me sweetly and squeezed my hand. “Alright. Just take it easy and listen to your body, alright? If you get tired, then take a break. Please.”

“Okay.”

I looked over at Tyson. “Tyson, did you have breakfast? Do you want a shower or something?”

He looked surprised. “Yes, I had breakfast. Matt made sure of it. But I would love a shower.”

“Is that okay? Can he get cleaned up, so he doesn’t have to be covered in b***d and dirt while we think of our next moves?” I asked Matt.

“It’s fine. I’ll take care of it. Go see Morgan, and don’t worry about anything here.”

I stood up and walked to the door. “Make a decision based on what’s best for you, Tyson. I’ll be okay either way. Think about what’ll bring you the most happiness. Not contentment, but happiness.”