Hunger Unleashed

Chapter 74: Jean Broody vs. Bradley Jackson ~ When suppressed desires explode… The L-bomb!

***

“That was close,” Bradley grunted as he helped Will up. But for his quick reflexes, they would have been blown to pieces by a grenade. “Why does everyone want to blow me up?” He groaned as he helped Will to a nearby tree.

“When did someone try to blow you up?” Will asked breathlessly as he relaxed against the tree.

“Six weeks ago. Grupert’s hounds.” Bradley rasped as he glanced around. “One idiot reached for a grenade but I pinned his wicked hand to his thigh with my knife.”

“The fucker must have screamed his arse off.” Will chuckled.

“Oh, he did.”

“You guys okay?” Ty asked as he flopped down beside Will.

“Yeah. Just winded.” Will breathed. “Got the map?”

“Yep. Good job, distracting them.” Ty said. “They’ve left. Can you walk?” He asked Will.

“Yes. Just help me up.”

Both Ty and Bradley helped Will up and then made their way to their hideout. They had been in Mallorca, one of Spain's Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean, for two weeks, trying to find the kidnappers of the son of an American diplomat. It had been tiring and dangerous but at least they’d finally been able to gather enough intelligence for the next phase of their operation.

Mallorca had some amazing beaches, stunning views of mountains, and dozens of picturesque coves. What the Arrowheads loved most, were the coves as they made great hideouts. When the three soldiers got to their hideout, their other two colleagues, Nate and George met them at the entrance.

“You boys did something stupid,” Nate muttered as he stared suspiciously at his three colleagues.

“And it paid off.” Ty grinned. “We have the map. We rescue the boy tomorrow.”

“Yes!” Nate gave a fist pump as George slapped Ty on the shoulders. “That’s what I’m talking about.”

“Did they see you?’ George asked.

“Yes, but they thought we were thieves so…” Bradley shrugged, making the soldiers laugh.

“Well, you are thieves.” Nate laughed as he watched all the soldiers flop onto the ground in exhaustion. “Are you guys not going to eat?”

“I can barely keep my eyes opened guys.” Will groaned. “Going to catch some sleep now. I’ll eat when I wake up.”

“Alright, we’ll go keep watch,” Nate said as he and George headed out. “Good job, guys.”

“Thanks.” Ty grinned as he grabbed two of the packed dishes and gave one to Bradley.

It was a simple meal of Majorcan bread with garlic, tomato, olive oil, cured ham, and cheese. Bradley and Ty dug in as they reminisced about their brazen thievery.

“I can’t believe those pricks tried to kill us simply because they thought we were thieves,” Bradley murmured around a mouthful.

Ty chuckled. “They thought you two were dead and were happy they’d gotten rid of the vermin.” He laughed. “Their words, not mine.”

“At least we got it.” Bradley chuckled. “Now we can follow it to the site and rescue the boy. I can’t wait to get out of here.”

“Missing him huh?”

“You have no idea.” Bradley chuckled.

“And he calls it complicated,” Ty muttered as he opened a bottle of water. They hadn’t been able to talk about Bradley and Jean because they’d been too busy. “Care to explain exactly why you said that? I mean I would be the first person to tell you Jean is not the right person to do this with but…he’s obviously crazy about you so…”

“His father hates same-sex relationships,” Bradley muttered.

“So…”

“What do you mean, so? I can’t be with him if his father…”

“You don’t know Jean at all, do you?” Ty asked quietly. “He really doesn’t care what other people think. He does whatever feels right. That’s Jean.”

“Yeah, but I can’t sit back and watch his father hate him because of me.”

“Oh, that man can never hate any of his sons.” Ty snorted. “They are his world.”

“You sure?” Bradley looked like he wanted so much to believe Ty.

“Yep. Have you spoken to Jean about your fears?”

“No. Not yet.” Bradley sighed. “I’ll do that when we get back. We’re not really in a relationship by the way. Not the way you think. When I found out about his father, I sorta freaked and broke things off.”

“If you two were not in a relationship, there was nothing to break off.” Ty drawled.

“Well, I gave him the impression that I wasn’t serious about him. Actually, I told him. So we went our separate ways.” Bradley gave a small laugh. “But I guess Jean will always be Jean. He came to me after weeks of silence. And he didn’t act as if he’d accepted what I’d told him. I took just one look at him and couldn’t believe I’d even had the nerve to tell him all the bullshit I had.”

“That day I saw him at yours?”

“Yeah. I’ll have a serious chat with him when we get back. We can do our own thing without anyone necessarily knowing. I’m cool with that.” Bradley gave a sad smile. “It’s just that Jean is not one to…”

“Hide things.” Ty chuckled. “You’re right. He won’t.”

“This is so fucked up.” Bradley breathed.

“Why do you care so much what Michael Broody thinks?” Ty frowned.

“I don’t.” Bradley shrugged. “I just care about the impact whatever he thinks can have on Jean, that’s all. And I’ve been there before so I know how bad it can be.”

“Sorry,” Ty muttered.

“Don’t be. It was a long time ago. I’m over it.”

“Doesn’t look like you are to me,” Ty said quietly. “But if you say so, that’s fine. You really care about him don’t you?” Ty turned to look at Bradley.

“I’ve always been brave. Jumped into situations without much thought. And that’s because I was never afraid of anything. Didn’t really care if I died or lived. I had no one to live for after all. No one to care if I’m gone.”

“That’s not true.” Ty rasped. “I would care. The Arrowheads would care.” He clearly hated Bradley’s words.

“You know what I mean, Ty.” Bradley chuckled. “We’re soldiers. We’re always ready to die for our country. It hurts but it’s not strange at all to lose a colleague.” He smiled when Ty nodded his understanding. “But suddenly, there’s this…fear when I’m risking my life. And right there with that feeling of fear, is the need to stay alive. Do you get me?”

“I do.” Ty nodded. “I used to feel the exact way you did. Invincible. Used to put myself out there without a care. Till Tanesha. I was more careful because I wanted to stay alive for her. And when the kids came along, that need for survival only increased. It’s natural when you love someone.”

“There.” Bradley breathed. “You have your answer. I don’t just care for Jean, I love him. I’m in love with him.” Bradley didn’t notice Ty’s stunned look. “I don’t care that he doesn’t love me back. I just want to be with him.”

“I’ll be damned.” Ty breathed. “He must have done a number on you.” He looked incredulous.

“I guess he did.” Bradley laughed. “He’s a really sweet person, Ty. I’ve never met anyone quite like him. He makes me want to laugh at the most unusual times, gets me to loosen up where I would ordinarily be indignant, and just makes me...happy.”

“I’m happy for you, buddy,” Ty said. “But if that guy messes up…”

“That will be my problem, Ty,” Bradley said quickly.

“Yeah, but I feel responsible. After all, I pushed you two together.”

“Well, you didn’t force me to like his touch or his kisses so if anything happens, it’s not on you.” Bradley insisted. “I wouldn’t want you to let loose on Jean if things should go bad between us because it will cost your friendship with Dean. Those two are like…one person. Even if you have a point, Dean wouldn’t take it lightly if you go off on Jean. The last thing I want to do is spoil your friendship. We’re both adults. We’ll be fine.”

“Okay.” Ty breathed. “That asshole must still not fuck up. ‘Cause I can find other ways to…”

“No, Ty. Promise me you’ll let it go if things go bad between us…and it’s his fault.” Bradley sat up and stared at his scowling friend. “Promise me, Ty.”

“Alright, I promise,” Ty responded gruffly.

“Good. Now let’s start strategizing ‘cause the earlier we can get this over and done with, the earlier we can get back home.” Bradley reached for the map.