Hunger Unleashed

Chapter 55: Jean Broody vs. Bradley Jackson ~ When suppressed desires explode… Spotted!

***

“What are you now? A shrink? Let’s get out of here before I throw caution to the wind and fuck you against this pillar.” Jean growled as he stepped away from the pillar and straightened his clothes.

“You better get ready for a marathon when we get home,” Bradley murmured. “And don’t think I’m going to have mercy on you simply because you’ve been working the whole day.”

Jean grabbed Bradley’s hand and pressed a kiss against his knuckles. Bradley referring to his house as home caused a lump to form in his throat. “I’m looking forward to it,” Jean whispered.

When the two men rejoined the group, everyone was dancing to Mariah Carey’s ‘All I Want For Christmas Is You’. Kayla beckoned to Bradley when she spotted them. Then with a teasing grin at Dean who she’d been dancing with, she started dancing with Bradley.

“Jean darling, where have you been?” Lucy asked. “Come and dance with your mama.” She smiled as she stepped into Jean’s arms. “Isn’t there anything you’d like to tell me?” She asked, looking up at her son with a thoughtful look.

“Err…no?” Jean murmured, feeling heat travel up his cheek.

“You really want to play that game with me?” Lucy frowned.

“Mum…”

“I’m not blind, son,” Lucy said quietly. “I’ve been watching you all evening. Come by the hospital around noon tomorrow. We need to talk. Okay?”

“Alright, mum.” Jean nodded with a sigh.

“Good.” Lucy went on her toes and pressed a kiss against Jean’s cheek. “I’ll be expecting you. Kayla dear, swap?” Lucy called to Kayla and then laughed softly when Bradley actually bowed his head respectfully before taking her hands into his for their dance. “Aren’t you the perfect gentleman,” Lucy murmured with a smile.

“Just trying to impress you.” Bradley laughed.

“Any particular reason?” Lucy asked shrewdly.

“Err…” Bradley seemed flustered for a moment before quickly recovering. “You are a lady. And I wouldn’t want to leave a bad impression.”

“I’ll accept that.” Lucy laughed. “I hope you’ve had fun.”

“This is hands down my best Christmas ever, ma’am. Thank you.” Bradley said.

“Pleasure was mine. I overheard you telling Josh you’re an only child. Your childhood must have been very peaceful.” She chuckled.

“It was,” Bradley responded simply.

“I’ve never had peace since I got this bunch of naughty boys.” Lucy laughed. “Where are your parents?”

Bradley’s breath hitched in his throat but he took a deep breath and answered. “My father passed but my mother lives in Delaware.”

“Oh, I was there for a conference about two months ago. Do you go there often?”

“No, Ma’am.” There was something in Bradley’s voice that gave Lucy pause.

“When was the last time you visited her?” She asked curiously after a moment. They were by then merely swaying to the music.

Bradley was so quiet Lucy thought for a moment he hadn’t heard her. Then in a voice that was filled with so much pain it drew a gasp from Lucy, Bradley said; “I last saw her eleven years ago.”

Without another word, Lucy drew Bradley into her arms and hugged the hell out of him. She groaned when she felt Bradley trembling. She didn’t have to be Einstein to know that whatever the issue between mother and son was, it bothered Bradley. Lucy tightened her arms around the soldier and just held on. Beside them, Jean stared. He didn’t know exactly what was going on between the woman he’d loved and adored all his life and the man who caused delicious flutters in his chest and butterflies in his stomach every single time he looked at him, but he was thrilled that his mother was offering comfort to Bradley.

“Know that no matter what the issue is, she’s your mother. And she loves you.” Lucy finally murmured, and then kissed Bradley on the cheek before stepping back.

By the time everyone left the rooftop, it was almost one a.m. Most of the kids were asleep so the parents had to take them home. Bradley found himself with Michael, Josh, Tyler, Ron, and three other men in the den, having a chat whilst Dean, Jean, and Sam helped the ladies with the kids. Although by the time Jean and Bradley were ready to leave Jean felt exhausted, the thought of finally having Bradley to himself, filled him with excitement and vigor.

“It was so good to have you here, Bradley,” Lucy said as she kissed Bradley on each cheek. “You have to come again.”

“I definitely will, Lucy.” Bradley hugged the woman. “Thank you so much.”

“The pleasure was ours, Soldier.” Michael Broody grinned as he hugged Bradley too.

“Damn, I’m bushed.” Jean groaned as they left his parents’ house. “Did you have fun?” He asked Bradley who was in the backseat.

“Yeah, thanks.” Came the quiet response.

“Are you okay?” Jean frowned as he automatically slowed down. “I hope my mother…”

“I love your mother, Jean,” Bradley said quickly. “I’m just tired that’s all.”

Jean turned his head to look at Bradley. “Is your injury giv…”

“I’m fine, Jean.” Bradley cut Jean off firmly but softly. “Focus on the road.”

“I’m just…” But Jean trailed off when they heard the sudden screeching of tyres, followed by a loud crash. “What the fuck!”

“Shit, what happened?” Bradley shot up from his supine position in the backseat.

“That car just crashed into the pole.” Jean pointed at the car which was not far from theirs. There were no other cars around. “Wait here. I’ll check whether the driver is okay.”

“No, you wait here.” Bradley said, getting out of the car.”

“Bradley you’re not supposed to…oh for fuck’s sake,” Jean muttered as he opened his door and dashed after Bradley.

The driver, who reeked of alcohol was muttering incoherently. The two men pulled him out of the car and placed him on the floor. He had a deep gash on his forehead from which a lot of blood was pouring.

“We need to get him to a hospital immediately,” Jean muttered as he did a quick check. “Fortunately there’s one nearby. I hope there’s a doc…”

“Go and open the door,” Bradley said as he picked up the groaning man.

To Jean’s relief, there was a doctor around when they got to the hospital so the injured man was quickly taken to the theater. Jean made a call to the police and made a report so that the car could be towed from where it was, to avoid accidents. After making sure that the injured man was okay, the two men got into their car and headed home.

The entire incident didn’t take more than an hour. But it was enough…

***

In a darkened room on the twelfth floor of an office building, a young man stared at the screen of his computer with a look of shock, relief, and excitement. He reached for his phone and dialed.

“What?” Barked whoever picked up the phone.

“We got him, General.” The young man said with excitement. “The facial recognition system finally picked him up. I’m staring at him this very instant.”

“Finally.” The general breathed. “You know what to do.” The line went dead.

General Grupert turned around with an evil smile to face the three men who were drinking with him. Men that he’d had to go into hiding with, thanks to that meddling bastard, Jackson. Time to teach the fool how he dealt with people who crossed him. His smile widened when he noticed how the men were looking at him expectantly.

“Looks like Santa came through, boys. We’re going to have a good Boxing Day. Buckle up!”