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

don’t know what he’s here for.”
    “They were dragging him along.” Devon’s tone was condescending.
    “And you think that means what?” McBride asked. Caleb knew what McBride was thinking, but Devon didn’t. Despite his brother’s considerable intellect, he didn’t know how to think like a devious criminal. Caleb was a little chagrinned that it came so naturally to him.
    “Well,” Devon said. “It’s obvious he’s not with them. They wouldn’t have put a leash on him or that huge cape.”
    “They might have only been trying to make him look like a prisoner.” McBride kept his voice low and even. “Caleb’s right. We shouldn’t assume he’s going to be friendly to us whether he was truly their prisoner or not. As difficult as this is, we have to be suspicious of outsiders.” McBride met Caleb’s gaze briefly then looked away. It was a look that seemed to say maybe they couldn’t be all that certain of the men already in their ranks.
    Caleb bristled at that then let it go. He wasn’t a mind reader, and angering at McBride over nothing had caused both of them more trauma than it was worth.
    “For all we know, they abused him.” Karsten crossed his arms over his chest. “And we all know abused thralls can’t be trusted.” Given how Karsten had come to them, it was no wonder he was offended by their distrust of Angel.
    “That’s not what anyone is saying.” Devon tried to reassure his mate, who had been violently abused against his will, but Karsten wasn’t having it.
    Karsten rose from Devon’s lap and moved swiftly toward the foyer. It was obvious to Caleb that he was intent on leaving and perhaps going over to the thrall, but McBride was up and off the couch, stepping in front of the archway that led into the dining room. Back and forth the two argued, but ultimately, McBride offered to go over and check on Angel. “Will that satisfy you?”
    Karsten darted a fast glare at Caleb, and then his gaze softened when he looked at McBride. “Thank you.” But Karsten didn’t have to speak a word to make it clear he trusted McBride but not Caleb. It hurt. Being distrusted stung far more than Caleb wanted to admit.
    “Ollie? Can you fix up something for me to take over there?”
    “Sure.” Ollie was up and running off to the kitchen with his mate, Jonas, hot on his heels.
    “There’s a fully stocked cookbot over there.” Caleb felt the need to defend his decision when he really didn’t think he’d done anything wrong. Isolating the thrall was exactly what McBride would have done. No one would have blinked at his decision, but when Caleb did the same thing he was a monster.
    “He may not know how to use it,” Easton piped up. “We’re not taught that in the thrall house.”
    “Only theory and no practice, right?” Jared teased his mate and then nuzzled his neck. Easton’s disasters in the kitchen were legendary.
    “It won’t hurt to just take something over to him.” McBride stuffed his ear rag in his front pocket despite the fact his lobe was still oozing slightly.
    The injury should have ruined McBride’s handsome appearance, but it didn’t, at least not in Caleb’s eyes. Somehow, he was far more interesting with some of his symmetry removed. As he watched, blood swelled up along the cut, filling out into a bubble that got bigger and heavier until it ultimately fell free. Caleb’s canines extended, and his mouth watered uncontrollably. It was totally inappropriate and would only make him look worse if anyone noticed, so he said nothing. Instead, he got up and exited the room right on McBride’s heels.
    “I think I can handle talking to him by myself.” McBride stood in the foyer, waiting for Ollie.
    “I didn’t say you couldn’t.”
    “You were over there for a long time with him. Did he say anything?”
    Caleb’s canines only ached worse now that he was closer to McBride and could smell the rich, coppery goodness of his blood. Lowering his face, more to hide his