Caleb Morgan [Seven Brothers for McBride 7] by Anitra Lynn McLeod Read Free Book Online

that makes two of us , but Caleb refrained. Telling McBride and his brothers that he was seriously considering Gage’s offer wouldn’t be wise. They’d erupt in shock and possibly violence against him. So he kept quiet. Once he decided what he was going to do and how to present that decision to the group, he would, but until then, silence would serve him well. He had forty-eight hours to tell Gage what he was going to do, so he figured he had about forty to think on it.
    Still, saying nothing seemed to be putting everyone on edge. To buy himself some time, Caleb took the bottle of whisky over to McBride and refilled his drink. He lifted the bottle, offering it out to the other men there, but they all shook off his gesture and clung more fiercely to their mates. All of them but for McBride had their arms around the men they loved. They showed him without words that they weren’t so concerned for themselves but struggling on tenterhooks because of their mates.
    “I’m not going to do anything—” Caleb cut himself off. He’d been about to say that he wasn’t going to do anything unless they all agreed on it, but that wasn’t true. He simply couldn’t make that claim when he wasn’t the leader. McBride was still in charge. Caleb wouldn’t do anything unless McBride wanted him to do it. However, if he said that, he was going to be dumping everything on McBride, who clearly wasn’t ready to take command back. Conflicted, Caleb used one of McBride’s favorite tricks. He kept his mouth closed and let other men fill the void.
    For a long time, no one said anything, which left his comment hanging out in the air, naked and twisting. Finally, Alden rose from Gannon’s lap. Unlike the other thralls, Alden didn’t wear a collar. Caleb wasn’t certain of all the details, but it was something about Gannon not wanting to own him. Gannon considered Alden free to leave if he so wished. Well, that, and if McBride permitted it. Caleb hadn’t understood at first, but now he did. Giving Alden his freedom was the most powerful gift, and it ironically made him fiercely attached to Gannon. Loyalty was far more binding than any collar.
    “I want to go and see to the thrall.”
    “Angel.”
    “That’s his name?” Alden’s head tilted to the side. It was a habit he had when he wasn’t quite certain if he’d read someone’s lips right.
    “That’s what Gage told me they called him.” Caleb had never seen a more terrified man. Leaving Angel alone wasn’t the kindest thing, but Caleb didn’t know what to make of him or Gage’s other offer. As far as he could tell, Angel was utterly untouched. No one had drunk from him or fucked him. How that had come about was a mystery given the state of the world, but Caleb hadn’t had the time or the heart to interrogate him. Besides, Angel was so frightened Caleb had a feeling he’d say whatever he thought Caleb wanted to hear. Or do whatever he thought would mollify Caleb the most. As soon as they’d stepped into the little house, Angel had gone right back to the bedroom, placed himself on the bed, and then lifted his butt up high, presenting himself to Caleb. Most slammers would have been utterly aroused and probably unable to resist, but Caleb wasn’t most slammers. He never had been and never would be. The only man he ever wanted to see offering himself like that was McBride.
    “You’re not going out there.” Gannon was up and pulling on his mate. When he realized Alden hadn’t been looking at him when he spoke, he repeated what he’d said while cupping Alden’s chin. “I’m not going to let you go out there alone when we don’t know anything about him.”
    “Then come with me. I don’t think it’s kind to leave him out there by himself. I wouldn’t like to be treated that way. Would you?”
    “No one is going out there.” McBride pulled the rag away from his ear and grimaced when blood dripped down onto his neck. He put the rag back. “Caleb is right that we