Jaded Hearts
Chapter 82

Tyson

“Tyson Frederick! What the f**k is this?”

Why was this woman always going off on me when I was in the shower? I shut off the water and stepped out into the bedroom. I didn’t even bother grabbing a towel this time—it wasn’t anything she hadn’t seen before.

“What are you screaming about now, angel?” I asked.

“Your phone was buzzing on the table, so I picked it up to silence it and saw this message:

Hey, sexy, I knew it wouldn’t be long before you came back hungry for more. Why don’t we meet at our old spot, and I’ll see what I can do to help you out?

What the hell is that, Tyson?”

“Is it from Aires?” I asked.

“What difference does it make who it’s from? You shouldn’t be getting messages like this from anyone.”

“I promise it makes a difference. Is it from Aires?”

“Yes, it is.”

“She’s an old associate from my working days. She’s a vampire hunter. I reached out to see if she would be willing to help us with our Lancaster problem.”

“Why is she calling you sexy?”

I smiled. “Probably because I am.”

“Don’t play with me right now.”

“We’ve slept together more than a few times, but she was getting too attached and becoming possessive, so I cut things off. I haven’t seen her in a couple of years. I would have gladly left her in the past, but she’s the best hunter I’ve ever seen, and we need her. But if you want me to try to replace someone else, I will.”

Taylor huffed. “Put some clothes on. I’m trying to be mad at you.”

“Am I distracting you, beautiful?”

“You know exactly what you’re doing,” she replied.

I walked back to the bathroom and got dried off and dressed. When I came out, she was sitting in the middle of my bed looking down at my phone.

“What’s the matter? Did she send something else?”

“No. I just never thought I’d feel like this ever again.”

“Like what?”

“Drew used to cheat on me all the time; he didn’t even hide it. When I saw the message, it was like living through that all over again.”

“I’m sorry you felt that way, but I’d never cheat on you. I have a past that’s not too pretty, and I did a lot of sleeping around, but I’m done with that now. Whatever you need me to do to put your mind at ease, I’ll do. I just want you to be able to trust me.”

“I trust you. I just had a moment of weakness. If she’s the best, then you’re right. We do need her. You don’t need to replace anyone else.”

“Why don’t you come with me to meet her tomorrow night? It’ll set the tone right off the bat that nothing will happen between us ever again.”

“Okay. I can do that,” she smiled.

“Good, because it’s at Eden.”

* * *

Taylor

I never thought I’d be back in this place, but here I was, sitting in a VIP booth watching all the little bunnies go by. It was a different experience from this point of view, though. At least I wasn’t being objectified every other minute.

“So, I’m just wondering. Do you still have your uniform?” Tyson leaned over and asked me.

I elbowed him in the ribs and shook my head. “No! I tossed it out the night I got fired. I hated that thing.”

“Dang. I would have loved to see you in it. Maybe I’ll buy you another for my birthday.”

“You’re buying me a slutty bunny costume for your birthday?”

“Yeah, it’s the gift that keeps on giving.”

I laughed and took a sip of my drink while I watched the crowd. As usual, the building was packed, and the familiar scent of cheap cologne and booze filled my nose. A few minutes later, a tall curvy woman with pitch black eyes and raven-blue hair took a seat across from Tyson. She was dark, mysterious, and beautiful. I was a little bit jealous.

“Hello, lover, have you missed me?” she asked with a thick Spanish accent.

“Aires, it’s nice to see you again,” he replied.

“It would be even nicer if we were both naked and sweaty, don’t you agree?”

“I don’t. This is my girlfriend, Taylor,” he said, pointing in my direction.

“Really? Someone finally locked this delicious man down? Good for you, girl, and you’re gorgeous. I love it. Do you love him?” she turned to me and asked.

“I do, very much.”

“Good. Then I will stop trying to sleep with him. You know, girl code and all that. If you happen to know anyone who is single, send them my way. I haven’t been properly f****d in months.”

“Uh, I’ll remember that,” I replied.

“Perfecto. Now let’s get down to business. What is it that the great Hades needs my help with?”

“Lancaster Edwards, son of the late Vincent Edwards. We need you to replace him.”

She smiled and leaned back in her seat. “The infamous Edwards coven. You’ve definitely got my attention. Tell me more, please.”

Tyson ran through everything with her, and the two of them sometimes drifting into terminology that I didn’t understand at all. It was strange to see him in Hades mode. This man beside me was a hardened killer, not the silly guy who liked Mario Kart battles. Somehow, though, I loved both sides of him equally.

“I’d love to take on this job, it’s a career-maker,” Aries chirped excitedly.

“Let me talk to the Alpha and see when he’s available for a sit-down. I’ll get back to you tomorrow with the details,” Tyson replied.

“Wow, my Oso has a girlfriend and an Alpha? I never thought I’d ever see the day.”

“I said I need to talk to the alpha, not my alpha. I’m not a member of his pack, just a very close friend.”

“Are you a member of the pack, beautiful?”

“I am. I’m actually the Gamma female.”

“Oohhh, how scandalous! Is the Gamma responsible for that rock on your finger? Tell me everything.” She leaned forward and smiled like a kid watching their favorite Saturday morning cartoon.

“We’re not getting into Taylor’s love life right now. You’ll have to get your rocks off some other way,” Tyson stated.

“You used to be so much fun, mi amor. But fine, let me know what he says, and I’ll make sure I’m available.”

She stood up, then scanned the room.

“Ugh. No one here is even remotely appealing to me. How are the wolves in your pack, Taylor? Are any as tasty as that mountain of a man beside you?”

“Plenty of them are. I’m sure you’ll replace what you’re looking for.”

She ran her tongue across her teeth, and I noticed her pointy canines shine under the light. “It’s been a while since I’ve had a wolf. This is going to be fun. You kids have a good night. I’ll be waiting for your call, Oso.”

When she walked away, I leaned to Tyson and whispered in his ear. “Oso? What is Oso?”

“I am. It means ‘bear’ in Spanish.”

“Is she a vampire?”

“She’s a hybrid. Vamp and bear. Pretty rare actually, most don’t survive childhood.”

“Interesting. I like her.”

“She’s alright when she’s recently fed. When she’s hungry, she’s insane, so I’m guessing someone is walking around a little short on b***d tonight.”

“Yikes.”

I looked around the club and noticed all the sleazy men sneaking and touching the servers, and it brought back the horrible memories of when I needed this place to survive.

“Can we go now?”

“Yeah, if you want. Are you alright?” he asked as he took my hand.

“I’m fine, just not a fan of the clientele.” I stood up and stretched while I waited for Tyson to settle the bill.

“Little miss ‘I’m going to be a doctor, and I’m too good for this place’ in the flesh.”

The sound of his voice made my skin crawl. I had hoped I wouldn’t run into him tonight, but it looked like my luck had run out.

“I know it’s you. I’d recognize that a*s of yours anywhere.”

I turned around and looked into the greasy, pockmarked face of my old boss, Larry Delgado.

“Eat s**t, Delgado. I don’t have time for your crap tonight.”

He stepped a little closer and smiled. “I see you’ve gotten mouthy; I like that. Maybe I could use you in the private rooms. I knew you’d be back. You were made for this place.”

Tyson stood up and moved behind me. “We have a problem here?” he asked.

Larry was an i***t, a huge i***t, so of course, he had to keep talking.

“No problem. Her t**s have gotten a lot bigger since I canned her, though, I don’t know if they’ll fit in the uniform, but that could be a good thing. More money for me.”

“Dude, I don’t know what your f*****g issue is, but I’d advise you to walk away. Now.”

“I can give you a cut of what she makes. How does 30% sound? We just need her a few nights a week.”

That was all it took for Tyson to snap and crash his fist in the center of Larry’s face. If he still would have had his bear, Larry would likely be dead. Lucky for him, he was just knocked out.

“s**t! What is with this place making my guys hit people? Let’s go,” I said as I grabbed his hand and stepped over Larry’s limp body.

I dragged him through the crowd and felt him trying to pull away.

“I should go back there and f**k him up, what’s his deal?”

“He’s an a*****e, what more do you want?”

“I want to knock his teeth down his throat for disrespecting my girl. That’s what I want.”

“He’s human, babe, you can’t do that!”

We finally made it to the truck, and once we were both in, he took a few minutes to calm himself down.

“It’s alright, Tyson. I used to deal with him all the time.”

“Did he ever put his hands on you?”

I leaned over across his lap and took his face in my hands. “He’s all bark, no bite. And he never touched me. I promise.”

He grabbed the back of my head and crashed his lips down on mine. When his tongue invaded my mouth, I tried to keep up, but it was no use. He dominated the k**s and left me breathless and dazed.

“If I ever see him again, we’re going to have big problems. Are you sleeping over tonight?” he asked as he started the engine and pulled out into traffic.

“Yeah, I didn’t know how long the thing with Aires would take, so I planned to spend the night. Is that okay?”

“You designed that house from top to bottom. It’s just as much yours as it is mine.”

“Aww, you’re sharing your house with me?”

“No, we’re sharing our house. Let’s go home, angel.”