Page 49 of The Broker

“No.” His voice was soft and low. “They discharged me from the army when it appeared that I was starting to lose it… mentally.”

Watching the man’s sullen face, Isaac wasn’t sure how to respond. He knew that a lot of service men and women suffered from post-traumatic stress and had difficulty adjusting whenthey returned home from war. But how does one respond when meeting someone who suffers from PTSD? It's not like this is something you’re taught to deal with in school or on TV.

Isaac knew it was important to be sensitive and supportive but wasn’t sure what sort of questions might be seen as offensive or intrusive.

Sensing his turmoil, Jared reached over and took Isaac’s hand.

“It’s alright. No one ever knows what to say when you tell them that you were on the verge of going on a shooting rampage.”

Isaac’s eyes went wide. He couldn’t imagine this sweet man going all homicidal. But that was the point, wasn’t it? People with PTSD suffer a great deal of emotional and mental trauma, sometimes leading to acts that they never would have normally engaged in. Unless people talk about it, how are others supposed to learn and be able to help provide the love and support that they need?

“The truth was that when I came back home, I had a real hard time adjusting to normal life. I kept jumping at every loud sound and would break down crying for no reason. I was barely sleeping, and every time I closed my eyes, I kept seeing all the dead bodies and scattered limbs I had left behind. I couldn’t hold down a job. Can’t tell you the number of times I was asked not to bother coming back in tomorrow or that my services were no longer required. Being constantly rejected like that takes a toll on one’s psyche and self-worth.

“That was when Matteo found me drinking myself silly one night in a bar.” Jared squeezed Isaac’s hand. “Don’t tell this to Matteo, but when he found me, I was having my final drink that night. Once the bar closed, I was going to walk down to the river, then put a bullet in my head.”

Isaac’s mouth dropped open at hearing this horrifying revelation. He couldn’t imagine the pain his friend must have been going through if he had decided to take such a disturbing measure.

“I think Matteo must have sensed something in me that night because when he spotted me, he approached me, introduced himself, and then spent the rest of the night talking to me. It was so nice to have someone show an interest in me and what I had to say, that by the end of the evening, I was no longer thinking such dark thoughts. Over the next few nights, I kept running into Matteo at that same bar. And by the time it came for M to head back to Paris, he had convinced me to come back to the château so that I could speak to one of his doctor friends.”

Isaac took Jared’s hand in his and gave it a squeeze. “I’m sorry that you were in such a dark place.”

“Thanks, bud. That was a long time ago, and I’ve worked out a lot of my issues… minus the nightmares, I guess. Those keep coming.”

Jared gently caressed the top of Isaac’s thumb.

This was the part that he loved, the deep-seated connection that he felt with Jared. The two had their own issues that they both needed to resolve, but they also both had each other—to rely on and pull strength from one another. Isaac was not alone. He had a big, strong, passionate man beside him to help him navigate whatever hardships or challenges the world might throw at him. He was glad that he didn’t have to go through any of this alone.

They both gave a jump as the door to the lavatory burst open, and Diesel stumbled out from behind the sliding door, shirt half pulled from his body and unbuttoned jeans riding low on his hips. He straightened himself with a chuckle, tucked his dick back in his jeans, then stumbled toward Jared and Isaac.

Behind him, an embarrassed flight attendant closed the lavatory door and then fixed the wrinkles in his clothing. Once he had collected himself, he turned and began pouring the drinks that they had ordered twenty minutes ago.

“Well, that takes a load off,” Diesel exhaled, sliding into the seat across from them both.

“Relaxed now, are ya?” Jared asked with a smirk on his face.

They were used to watching each other fuck or get naked while working, so watching one of them hook up with a flight attendant on a plane was no big shocker.

“For now. I’ll try and get in one more pump before we land. That boy is surprisingly flexible,” Diesel yawned, scratching his balls before leaning back in his seat and closing his eyes. “Daddy needs to refuel. Wake me in twenty.”

Isaac chuckled. He loved having Diesel back at home.

17

ISAAC

The large metal gate buzzed, causing Isaac to jump before watching it slide smoothly to the side. Isaac held his breath as he waited for the guard to give him the “go-ahead” to proceed.

Was he really ready for this? Was he ready to see the man who had caused him so much pain growing up? Who beat him? Who tried to sell his body to his friends for cash?

Isaac couldn’t understand how his father and his uncle had been so different. His father had been kind and loving and never raised a hand to him or his brother. Meanwhile, their uncle had been an alcoholic, mean-spirited, bitter, and selfish.

Perhaps his uncle had been cruel because they weren’t his own kids. He and his brother had been thrust into their uncle’s guardianship when their father suddenly passed away. Overnight, their uncle had gone from single and carefree to suddenly being the guardian of two young boys. It would be a lot for any person to adjust to quickly.

Well, Isaac had been young; his brother, Declan, had been in his early teens.

Still, even when his father was alive, his uncle never really came to visit or bought them gifts for Christmas or birthdays. It was a rare occasion when his uncle came over for holidays, and when he did come, he spent the day sitting on the couch, beer in hand, watching the television.

So, was it really such a change from who his uncle had always been?

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