16. Isaac

16

ISAAC

M atteo had arranged for them to take his private jet to Ireland, where Isaac's uncle was currently rotting in prison. Isaac couldn't help but smile every time he thought about his uncle locked away and having to sleep with one eye open every night. Given all the years that Isaac suffered after he ran off, he hoped his uncle was thinking about him every night while staring up at that concrete ceiling.

Yes, he knew that was petty, but so what, he was twenty-five years old. He didn't need to be all rational and shit.

In addition to the private Jet, Matteo also ordered Malik, one of his security guys, to join them on their trip. The big man claimed that he felt more comfortable knowing that his boys had protection and someone who was trained in the art of making someone disappear. Jared found that insulting, considering the number of years he'd spent in the military. Matteo just smiled, then asked who would protect Jared if they got into a bit of trouble? Did Jared really trust his life in the hands of a blue-haired skater boy? Jared saw his point.

Finally catching on to what they were saying, Isaac told them both where they could stick it. And, as if that wasn't bad enough, when Diesel got wind of Isaac and Jared's little trip across the pond, he insisted that it was in the interest of his own health that he join their band of merry men on their little adventure.

After much back and forth and pointless speeches, Matteo eventually decided to give in to the little bastard and let Diesel join his friends on the trip. Diesel could be very persuasive if he wanted to. That, or stubborn. It depended on how much and for how long you wanted to argue something. Most people had better things to do with their lives, so they eventually gave in to the little fuckwad.

"Don't forget, this is a covert mission, so there will be no partying and no shenanigans," Matteo ordered, directing his command in Diesel's direction.

"Who says ‘shenanigans,' old man? Seriously, we got to get you out of this castle and out in the real world. When was the last time you went on a date or even hung out with guys who didn't take off their clothes for a living?" Diesel asked with a smart-ass smirk on his face.

"With all the hidden passageways and trap doors in my castle, what makes you so sure that I never leave?" Matteo quipped, giving the man a smirk of his own.

Diesel stared at him for a moment, no doubt trying to think of some smart-ass comeback.

"Well, creeping around in dark tunnels is no better."

And that's how the conversation ended, and Diesel ended up coming along on their trip.

"Can I get you anything?" a cute Spanish flight attendant asked Diesel as he leaned over him to adjust the shade next to his window.

Diesel's dark brown eyes followed the length of the Spaniard's body as it stretched out before him.

Isaac watched Diesel lick his lower lip as he focused in on the perky little ass only inches from his face.

"A whiskey, neat, would be nice."

Smiling, the young man grazed Diesel's shoulder with his hand before turning to take Jared and Isaac's order as well.

The plane was a twelve-seater with a staff of two flight attendants and two pilots. Nothing crazy fancy, but still, anything was fancy when it came to having your own private jet.

Toward the back of the plane was a small serving station, hidden by a sliding door, used to prepare food and drinks by staff.

Malik sat alone in the last two seats, reading a newspaper and ignoring the three young men chatting away at the front. Isaac had a feeling that babysitting a couple of twenty-somethings on Daddy's private jet was probably not Malik's idea of a good time. Still, Isaac appreciated having the extra muscle on the trip. It warmed his heart knowing that Matteo cared enough about them to do what he could to keep them safe.

"Thank you," Jared replied after the young flight attendant had taken his order and disappeared down the aisle.

"I think I'll go see if Mr. Perky Ass needs a hand getting our drinks," Diesel announced, hopping out of his seat.

Isaac and Jared watched as Diesel made his way to the back of the plane before disappearing into the lavatory with the giggling Spaniard.

"Something tells me we won't be getting those drinks anytime soon," Jared said, shaking his head.

That was the thing about Diesel. He was always forward and direct. If he wanted something, he went after it. Isaac admired that about him. But it was also that impulsive attitude that often got the man in trouble.

Malik's head jerked up at the sound of something—or someone—banging up against the wall behind him. He got out of his seat and pulled the sliding door shut, shaking his head in annoyance.

Isaac and Jared chuckled. They could only imagine what Malik was thinking.

"So, how long were you in the army?" Isaac asked, pulling out a small rectangular tin from his carry-on bag. He popped the lid and held the tin toward Jared.

Jared's face lit up. "Oh! Macarons! Where did you get these?" he asked, reaching in and pulling out a light brown one. He bit into it and let out a sinful moan. "Damn, these are my fucking fave."

"Stole a few from Chef before we left. What flavor did you get?"

"Café latte, I think. Something that tastes like coffee."

"Oh, my fave are the rasberry ones," Isaac noted, picking up one of the pink ones and shoving it into his mouth.

"So much class," Jared joked.

"Hey, whoever told you that I was classy?" Isaac shot him a glance, informing Jared that he was crazy for believing such rumors.

Jared shrugged his shoulders as he shoved the second half of the pastry in his mouth.

There was a sweet innocence about Jared. While his exterior was tough and masculine, there was a part of him, hidden deep within, that housed the personality of a sweet and caring young man who still sought the magic in things. While this side of Jared's personality very rarely made an appearance, Isaac occasionally caught a glance of it from time to time.

Watching the way Jared enjoyed the sweet treat and the way he innocently avoided making eye contact when he was shy or embarrassed made Isaac smile.

"So, how long were you in the army before joining our crazy household?" Isaac asked again, hoping that this time Jared would answer his question and not get distracted.

He wanted to get to know more about Jared's past and who he really was as a person. He knew the artificial side of Jared—the side he chose to show the world. But Isaac was becoming curious about the other stuff. The stuff that Jared kept secret and hidden from the rest of the world.

"I joined the British army when I was nineteen, did about four years stationed over in Iraq before coming back to London…" Jared's voice trailed off as he stared at his hands.

There was something about the way Jared's voice hung mid-sentence that gave Isaac the impression that something heavy was coming. He wasn't sure if he should wait for Jared to come to the realization himself or if he should pick up the conversation, giving Jared a chance to process his own thoughts and feelings.

Not being one for uncomfortable silences, Isaac decided to fill the gap himself.

"And they let you out of the army after you finished your tour?" Isaac wasn't really sure what the requirements for military service were, but he was pretty sure that Jared had only been in the service for a few years.

Jared sat quietly for a few moments, appearing lost in thought.

Isaac wondered if perhaps he had said the wrong thing. Sometimes he did that. His brain becomes overstimulated and full of thoughts, and he sometimes says what he's thinking without actually thinking about the words themselves. He hoped this wasn't the case.

"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 when they 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 chateau 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.