Jaded Hearts
Chapter 45

Taylor

The week passed by in a flash, and before I knew it, it was Saturday and time for my “date” with Tyson. The plan was for him to take me to dinner, then to a hotel in the city. Xander and the rest of the guys would be at the hotel waiting, and there would be one of James’s guys shadowing us to make sure Drew didn’t pop up unexpectedly.

Matt was supposed to “replace” Tyson and me at the hotel a little after we arrived. They had everything planned out, but I had never been so nervous in my life.

“Nothing is going to happen to you, okay? You just have to create the illusion that you’re out having a good time with an old friend. We’ll keep you safe, I promise,” Matt told me.

“I know, but this is a big deal. I just hope we finally catch him.”

“We will. Now stop worrying.”

Xander came into the room, followed by Kade and Tyson. It was good to see that he was 100% healed and back to normal. It was rough seeing him so beaten up.

“Alright everyone, listen up. Tyson, you need to make this outing public. If Drew’s watching, we want him to believe that everything’s as you said it would be. The ‘meeting’ Matt is supposedly preoccupied with should end around 6:00, so around 8:00, he’ll show up to the hotel, looking for Taylor after tracking her phone. It’s when he gets to the room that you kill him, then call Drew to come confirm. We want Drew in the hotel suite so that we can restrict his movements if he decides to run. Any questions?”

“I have a question,” I said. “When Drew gets to the room to see Matt’s body, where will I be? I can’t be in the same room with him…”

“We have adjoining suites, baby. You can just go next door and wait with Kade, Alexi, and Xander. He won’t be anywhere near you,” Matt assured me.

“Okay, then. That’s not so bad.”

“So, my plan is to have Matt in the bathroom, either on the floor or in the tub. When Drew goes to confirm the hit, I’ll hit him just hard enough to knock him out, then he’s all yours,” Tyson told the group.

“Matt, do not kill him in the hotel. I know it’ll be tempting, but wait until we get him back on our territory. We don’t want to f**k around and get mixed up with the humans and their laws, understand?”

Xander looked Matt dead in the eye when he spoke. This wasn’t a request, and we all knew it.

“Yes, I understand. We have better tools here anyway.”

“Good. One last thing. Taylor, I need you to flirt with Tyson. A lot,” Xander said.

“What the f**k, Xan?! Why?”

“Matt, relax. We’re putting on a show, and we need Drew to snap. Unstable Drew makes mistakes. If he sees that she’s with another man but is still refusing him, it’ll piss him off. It doesn’t have to be anything physical.”

“I can do it; it’s fine. I’ll just imagine I’m talking to you,” I whispered while squeezing Matt’s hand.

“This is bullshit … ”

“It is what it is, so let’s get going. If everyone does their part, we can put this to bed tonight.” Xander said.

Xander, Kade, and Alexi left the room, leaving just Tyson, Matt, and me alone. “Tyson, you better take good care of her. I’m trusting you with my family, my entire world. Keep them safe.”

“If anything happens to sunshine, just know that I’ll have to be dead and gone. You have my word. I’ll return her to you just as perfect as she is now.”

Matt rolled his eyes and mumbled under his breath before he pulled me into a hug. “Be careful, tesoro. And do what Tyson says, okay? But if you need me, just call. I’ll be right there.”

“Okay. Will you be close by?”

“We won’t be in the restaurant. That’s too risky, but I won’t be more than five minutes away.”

That wasn’t too bad. I trusted Tyson, but I felt the safest when I was with Matt, no doubt about it. “Alright, Hades. Let’s go catch a sociopath.”

* * *

I was escorted to the back seat of one of the pack’s many black SUVs. I’d get dropped off in front of the restaurant, then the driver, aka James’s undercover guy, would leave once Tyson showed up. Then it would be showtime.

As soon as we pulled out, my heart began racing. This was my first time away from the pack and Matt, and I was with a total stranger.

“Ms. Taylor, you need to calm down, alright? I can smell how afraid you are, and because you’re pregnant, your scent is magnified. If Drew is close by when we arrive, we need him to think that this is a normal dinner. Close your eyes and concentrate on slowing your breathing. Can you do that?”

“Yes, I’m sorry.”

“Don’t apologize, it’s understandable. Just relax. We’re all here to make sure you aren’t harmed.”

“Thank you.”

I had a thought that made me feel selfish and entitled. This man was risking his life for me, and I didn’t even know his name. “This is embarrassing, but what is your name?”

“It’s Terrance, miss.”

“Well, it’s nice to meet you, Terrance, and thank you for helping me tonight.”

“It’s my pleasure. As a member of the pack, it’s an honor to help make sure you’re safe and secure. Focus on calming down, and we’ll be there soon.”

I closed my eyes and rested my head back on the seat. This was just a simple dinner with a childhood friend. I didn’t know Tyson was Hades, and I didn’t know he had anything to do with my ex. I was going to put on a damn good show so that my family could finally be safe.

Thirty minutes later, Terrence stopped in front of a trendy upscale restaurant call Del Frisco Grille. Matt and I had been a few times when we were dating. It was one of my favorite spots in the city.

“Ms. Taylor, the bear should be arriving in a few moments. Please don’t open the door or roll down the window while we wait.”

I looked around the busy street for Drew but knew that I wouldn’t see him. He wouldn’t show himself so easily. Terrence eventually got out of the car and came around to open the door for me.

“Stay by his side; don’t even go to the restroom alone. I’ll be in shortly to look after you.”

“Thank you, Terrance.”

Tyson stepped on the curb, looking completely different than he had this past week. He was clean, polished, and handsome. And he knew it. His dreadlocks were pulled back and flowing down his back. Add the neatly trimmed facial hair and crisp, tailored suit, and this looked like a date with a man any girl would love to be with.

“Sunshine, you look beautiful. Thank you for spending your evening with me.”

Putting on the show already. Alright, it was go time. “It’s my pleasure, especially when you look as good as you do.” I ran my hand down his arm before looping mine through his. We walked into the restaurant and were immediately seated.

I ordered water but asked the waiter to put it in a martini glass with two olives. When he looked at me confused, I told a half-truth to not draw attention to the table.

“My fiancé and I are expecting our first child, but I just want to feel like I’m having a real drink.” I grabbed Tyson’s hand for emphasis, making the waiter smile and nod his head.

“Congratulations to the two of you. I’ll have your drinks right out.”

When he walked off, I let out a deep breath as discreetly as possible.

“You’re doing really good, sunshine. How do you feel?”

“Nervous, nauseous, hungry, tired, dizzy, the list goes on …”

Tyson laughed, and the sound reminded me of when we were kids before all the drama. “Do you still faint when you’re nervous? I really hope you’ve grown out of that.”

I gave a shy smile. “I haven’t. I guess I’m not made for stressful situations; my body just shuts down.”

“You can handle more than you think. Believe in yourself, and never doubt what you’re capable of.”

This was the Tyson I grew up with. The one who always pushed me to my limits. He forced me to grow when I was happy to stay in one place forever.

“What happened to you? You were one of my best friends before you left. I told you and Morgan everything. How did you become Hades?”

Our drinks arrived, and Tyson tossed back his bourbon like it was nothing. “I need another one of these, please. Are you ready to order, beautiful?”

We placed our orders, and the waiter left us alone. Tyson unbuttoned the top button of his shirt and looked nervous for the first time in his life.

“I never wanted to be Hades. I just wanted to make money for you. That was it. After I left home, I started participating in illegal underground fights, and I never lost. I made money, but I wasn’t making as much as I could’ve been. One night, someone asked me how much I would charge him to kill his business partner. I thought he was joking, so I threw out the $500k amount. He didn’t even blink when he asked for my banking info to wire the cash.”

“Wow, that’s insane. Didn’t you care why this guy wanted his partner dead?”

He nodded. “I did. It ate at me for days, and I couldn’t eat or sleep. But the money made everything alright. I had always been an expert marksman, so when the time came, I took him out while I was in a parking garage across the street from his office. I never had to see his face. That was the way it was the first year or so. I couldn’t look at the person when I killed them. That hurt too much.”

Looking at him tell his story, I could tell that he didn’t want to be this person. He was haunted by his choices, and he’d never be free from the ghosts of his past.

“So, you’re done now, right? You can’t keep doing this forever, hurting people and taking lives like it’s cool.”

“Honestly?”

“Yes, please.”

“I was done months ago. When Drew called me, I originally turned him down and let him know I was retired. But when I heard your name, I had to take the job. I came back for you.”

“I would be honored if your ‘coming back’ didn’t entail murdering my fiancé, but I’m relieved to hear that part of your life is over. You’re better than that.”

“Too bad I don’t agree. I used to be a good person, but not anymore. The man I was when I left home deserved happiness and a life with you. The man I am now doesn’t even deserve his next breath. That’s why I gave you up, and that’s why I agreed to be your bodyguard. I made mistakes, and I’m going to live the rest of my life, no matter how long or short that may be, making up for them. Watching you love another man is my penance for the wrong I’ve done. I accept it.”

I looked around the room and saw the women drooling over this man who felt that he didn’t deserve to be happy. He could replace someone else if he wanted to. I know he could. “Don’t give up yet. One day you’ll replace what you’ve always been looking for.”

Tyson’s phone buzzed on the table, and when he flipped it over and read the message, his face darkened.

“Drew’s close. He says you look as beautiful as the day he first met you.”

The hairs on the back of my neck stood up, and I gulped down a huge mouthful of my watertini.

“I don’t know how I never saw how f****d up this kid was. Just keep talking to me, okay? You’re doing great, and it’s almost over. He’s falling right into our trap.”

“He better be, because I’m sick of him screwing my life up. You guys better kill him tonight, or I will.”

The look on Tyson’s face was of pure surprise and a little pride.“Alright, sunshine, it’s nice to see you stepping up. Don’t let him intimidate you.”

I was done being afraid of him. I was a protected wolf. And even though I didn’t know what that meant entirely, it gave me peace.

“f**k Drew. This s**t ends tonight.”

* * *

Matt

As soon as Terrance pulled off with Taylor, I sent him a mindlink.

Terrance, make sure nothing happens to her.

Yes, Gamma. She will be safe.

And when Tyson shows up, keep your eye on him. He seems to be trustworthy when it comes to her, but I can’t fully trust him yet. She’s too important.

I understand. I won’t take my eyes off of them. If anything happens, I’ll take care of it.

Good. Thank you.

My pleasure, Gamma.

Tyson may have been one of the best hitmen in the business, but the skills that Terrance had were unmatched. He used his talents only when necessary and as a last resort. And he was the only reason I was comfortable sending Taylor out into the lion’s den without me.

“We’re heading to the suite now. Are you going to wait here or in the city?” Xander had popped up out of nowhere, or maybe I was just too deep in my own thoughts to hear him coming. I needed to focus.

“In the city. I need to be close enough just in case Taylor needs me for something.”

“Then take a Tahoe, not your truck. It’s almost impossible for anyone to see inside, even a wolf.”

“Fine. I’m too wound up to be driving anyway.”

Xander sat down next to me and looked me over.

“Matt, it’s never been more obvious to me that you are an Alpha. It’s not just about being bigger or stronger, which you clearly are, but it’s about making tough choices. Alphas have to think about what’s good for everyone, not just for themselves. You showed that you could do that when you asked Tyson to stay and guard Taylor. You’re saving his life, protecting hers, making Morgan happy, which makes Kade happy, and making our pack stronger. I’d like to take credit for all that you’ve learned, but I can’t. You’ve been like this since we were dumb kids. I’m proud of you.”

“Thanks, but I don’t think I want to be anyone’s Alpha. This s**t is stressful. I don’t see how you do it.”

“I’ve got a team. I couldn’t lead our pack and help it grow without you guys. You can do it; you just don’t see it yet.” He stood up when Kade and Alexi walked in. “Are the ladies all good for the night?”

“Yeah, they know to stay inside until we get back, and we’ve got a team inside and outside watching for anything suspicious. We’re all set,” Alexi answered.

“Perfect, let’s get going so we can get everything ready. We’ll see you later, and don’t do anything stupid out there,” Xander told me while walking out.

No, I wouldn’t do anything stupid. Not while Taylor was out there and vulnerable. But once Drew was back on our turf, the gloves were coming off.