Jaded Hearts
Chapter 96

Matt

Why can’t we just live our lives? There’s always something or someone around the corner waiting to f**k with us, and I was so over it all.

“Hey! Who was that? You look a little stressed, babe,” Taylor said as she walked over to me.

“It was the guys. They got an update from Aires that we didn’t really expect, that’s all.”

She studied my face, then took my hand and began to walk to the Jeep.

“Where are we going, tesoro?”

“We’re going back to the bungalow, then to the airport, then home.”

I stopped walking and spun her around. “No, Taylor. You deserve this break. They can manage without us for the next week.”

“If they could manage, they wouldn’t have called, and you wouldn’t have that look on your face. Tell me what happened,” she replied, putting her hands on her h**s.

I’d tried to avoid giving her any information regarding Lancaster. Once Tyson took Drew out, and we all made it home, it wasn’t anything I felt she needed to be burdened with. But now, all that had changed, so I handed her my phone.

Her hand began to shake as she looked down at the picture. He was even worse than before, and still out there.

“B-but Tyson told me he killed him. I believed him; he lied to me? All this time, he’s been lying?” she asked.

Her shock quickly turned to fury as she pressed the call back button. I knew I needed to calm her down before she did something she’d regret, but before I could, Tyson picked up the call.

“Did you tell her? How did she take the news? Please tell me she’s okay.”

“No, I’m not okay! How could you do this to me? How could you look me in the eyes and lie to me for months? How?!” she screamed.

“Tesoro, baby, calm down. You have to let us explain. Please,” I said.

I wrapped my arms around her and led her to the car and into the passenger seat. When the door was closed, I put the phone to my ear.

“I’m sorry, Tyson. I showed her the picture, and she blew up before I could explain any of it. Once she hears it all, I know she won’t blame you.”

“She should. I was supposed to kill him, and I didn’t,” he replied quietly.

I heard her scream in frustration from the car and saw the angry tears stream down her face.

“Let me go talk to her. I’ll ask her to call you back in a little bit. We’ll probably be heading home too.”

“Thanks, man.”

I jumped in the driver’s seat and took her hand. “I’m so sorry, Matt. I’m sorry I let him work his way into our lives and into my heart. He’s just like Drew: manipulative and only out for himself. I hate—”

“Stop, Taylor. Don’t say that; don’t say any of that. None of this is Tyson’s fault. He hasn’t lied to any of us.”

“Then how do you explain that picture?”

“I’ll tell you, but you need to calm down first, baby. Please.”

She wiped her face, then nodded her head. “Okay.”

When the tears stopped and her breathing was back to normal, I took her hand again and replayed my conversation from earlier.

“None of us could have known, baby. He did everything he could—we all did. This isn’t his fault.”

I repeated the last part to her again. It would kill them both if she blamed him for this. I wouldn’t let it happen.

“He didn’t lie? He …”

She threw open the door, ran to the side of the road, and began to violently throw up. I rushed around and rubbed her back while she emptied her stomach. After a couple of minutes, she sat back on her heels and sighed.

“Are you okay, angel?”

“I can’t believe I let myself think that he would betray me like that. I’m so sorry. I’ve probably hurt him so badly,” she cried.

“He’s a big boy; he’ll be alright. Let’s get back to the room, and you can call him. You’ll feel better once you do.”

I lifted her up and put her back in the truck, then got a bottle of water and some napkins for her to clean up. Back at the bungalow, I began to make calls to see how soon we could be on a flight back home while she took a shower to calm herself down.

This was not how this day was supposed to turn out. When we found Drew this time, I’d be the one to make him pay for this, and every other time he made her cry or doubt herself.

* * *

Taylor

“I’m so, so sorry for yelling at you like that. Please say you forgive me; I couldn’t live with myself if you hated me for this,” I begged.

“It hurt that you actually thought I would lie to you, angel. You have to know that I wouldn’t ever do anything to hurt you.”

“I know, but when I saw the picture of him alive, I couldn’t understand. It was the only thing that made sense, even though in my heart, it didn’t feel right.”

“My love for you is without end, Taylor. I don’t hate you. And I forgive you, so stop crying. I hate to see you cry, especially if it’s just over me.”

I laughed and wiped my face. Matt was right, and I did feel much better once I cleared the air with Tyson. The fist that was relentlessly squeezing my heart had finally let go, and I could breathe again.

“I love you too. How are you handling everything?” I asked.

I recognized the stress on his usually flawless and handsome face. I knew he was beating himself up.

“As good as you could expect, but I’ll be alright. Now that I know you don’t think I’m the devil anymore, I’m perfect.”

“No, you’re my cuddle bear, the farthest thing from the devil,” I replied.

“Shh! What’s wrong with you, woman?”

Matt walked into the room and smiled. “Cuddle bear, huh? That’s cute,” he laughed.

“Damnit!”

“Don’t worry. I won’t say anything. Maybe. Anyway, we can have a plane here in three hours if you still want to go back home today, Taylor. It’s up to you.”

I looked at his face and Tyson’s. Both were stressed out, and I knew they wanted to get to work and figure all this out. He’d given me the perfect week, and it was time for me to give him something in return.

“Let’s go home. I’m ready.”

* * *

Twelve hours later, it was a little after 3:00 a.m., and we were driving back home. It was obvious that Matt was ready to sit down with the guys and get to work. I knew that they would spend every free moment they had planning this out, so getting an earlier start was a given.

“Go check on your cuddle bear, and I’ll take your bags to the room,” Matt said as we pulled into the garage.

“Stop that! He already hates the name, and you’re making it worse,” I laughed.

“I’d hate it too. I’ll see you later,” he replied before heading inside.

I made the short walk to Tyson’s house and passed at least four wolves on my way. I was wondering why Matt was so comfortable with me going alone, and now I understood. Xander had this place crawling with pack warriors. A mouse couldn’t get by without someone knowing about it.

“Tyson! Are you awake?” I yelled as soon as I stepped inside.

My answer was him swooping around the corner and lifting me in the air before attacking my mouth. I held on to his neck and felt him easily rip off every shred of my clothes in the span of less than ten seconds.

“Those were my favorite jeans!”

“They were in my way.”

“Did you miss me?”

“Yes. Let me show you how much.”

He laid me on the kitchen floor and thrust into me with so much force that he had to wrap his hands around my h**s to keep me in place. Once he got into his rhythm, he gave me deep, powerful strokes that made my eyes roll back.

“You … really did … miss me, didn’t you?” I panted.

“So much it hurt, baby.”

After a few hot and dirty minutes, he slowed down the pace, then gently lowered his chest to mine. Just like that, he’d switched from f*****g my brains out to making sweet love to me. He was so gentle and touched me like I was a precious gift that could break at any moment.

“I love you so much, Taylor. So much it hurts,” he whispered in my ear.

I swallowed back the lump in my throat before I replied. “I love you too, Tyson.”

* * *

Tyson

“Sunshine, you need to wake up, baby,” I whispered.

I’d spent the last couple of hours between her thighs, and when she was completely worn-out, she passed out in our bed. It was time for me to go to combat training, and I didn’t want to leave her here alone. Xander had the main house under constant guard, but I’d told him that I didn’t need it here. I much rather they focus on the ladies and the babies. I could take care of myself.

Taylor mumbled her dissatisfaction with having to wake up and rolled over into the pillow. I knew I was fighting a losing battle, so I quickly searched her closet and found a simple sweatsuit, then got her dressed as well.

Matt was more than likely awake, so I sent him a text asking him to meet me at the house for a handoff. A few minutes later, I was walking into the packhouse kitchen with a still-sleeping Taylor in my arms. Matt chuckled when he saw her, then took her from me and carried her up to their room. When he came back downstairs, he stretched and yawned.

“She’s probably exhausted. All of the time zone changes, overnight flights, and late-night activities; she needs a break.”

“I don’t doubt it. Hopefully, she’ll get to rest today. You ready to do this?” I asked.

“Not really. I haven’t worked out in almost two weeks. Henry’s about to kick my a*s,” he g*****d.

“Nope, not Henry. Training is going to be a little different today. Aires and I will be kicking your a*s.”

“Aires? But I thought she was still in London?”

“Xander wanted her here for a couple of days so we can show the team some of the best ways we know to take down a vamp.

“How did she get here so fast?”

“She is a vampire, Matt. She shimmered.”

Matt raised an eyebrow in surprise. “She can do that freaky s**t?”

“She can, but because she’s only half vamp, it drains her. She only does it if she really has to.”

“Wow, she gets more and more interesting every day,” he said.

“You have no idea how interesting I can be, Wolfie. How is that gorgeous wife of yours?” Aires asked as she walked into the kitchen.

She kissed both of our cheeks, then sat on a nearby stool, sipping what smelled like fresh b***d from a travel mug. I sniffed the air and looked at her.

“Really, Air? That s**t is gross. What the f**k is wrong with you?”

“Listen, oso. Xander wanted me here this morning, all the way from London. That’s a lot of miles to travel, so I need to refuel. If you don’t like it, go f**k yourself.”

Matt looked shocked. He’d only ever seen the sexy seductress version of Aires.

“Aires becomes a real b***h when she’s hungry,” I told him.

She hissed at me, then began throwing a barrage of Spanish curses my way. Yep, she was definitely in a foul mood.

“I knew I heard that sweet and sexy Spanish accent. How are you doing, darling?” Kade asked when he walked in and saw her.

I just rolled my eyes. He was ridiculous.

“I’m tired, hungry, horny, and pissed off,” she replied.

“Would beating the s**t out of a bunch of wolves make you feel better, sweetheart?” he asked.

“Sí. I’d like that very much,” she said with a sweet smile.

“Then right this way, gorgeous. I’ve got just what you need.”

She took his arm and headed for the back door, but made sure to curse me once more before she left.

“s**t. You really pissed her off, man.”

“I know I did. And she’s going to fight better, and the pack will learn more because of it. She’s passionate; emotions fuel her.”

“Now, I’m excited. Let go. She’s about to kick your a*s, and I don’t want to be late for that.”

Pause! Was Tyson already undressed? If not, we missed that part, so this seems a little fast-forwarded. Thoughts?