Free Devon Morgan [Seven Brothers for McBride 5] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic ManLove) by Anitra Lynn McLeod Page A

down, his defeat stamped clearly in his body language.
    “That wasn’t your fault.” Devon cut him off before Karsten could put himself down further. “They were many, and you are only one man.”
    “Boy. That’s what your brother kept calling me.”
    “Caleb can be an utter ass.” Devon was annoyed with Caleb for his harsh behavior. McBride might have made the same call, but he certainly would have handled it differently. “But his opinion is only that—his opinion. Not mine and not anyone else’s. I think you’re amazing.”
    A dubious frown wrinkled up Karsten’s face.
    “You had to be strong to come through what you did.” Devon offered out more food, but Karsten shook his head.
    “I’m full.”
    Devon didn’t think that was quite true. Given how slowly he chewed, and how he winced when he swallowed, Devon thought it hurt him to eat right now. But soon, he’d be better, and then Devon would have Ollie make him all kinds of rich foods to fatten him up. Not that there was anything wrong with Karsten’s body, just that his tormenters clearly hadn’t bothered to feed him in days.
    Karsten wrapped his robe a little tighter around himself, making Devon realize that he was staring at him. Embarrassed, not for looking but that he’d given Karsten the wrong impression, Devon rose and took the dishes from the table over to the edge of the sink. His cookbot would clean up, but moving things off the table gave Devon something to do.
    “I guess you can cut if off. If you really want to.”
    Devon breathed a sigh of relief. It was a small show of trust, but he’d take it. Karsten was going to be difficult to handle, but as long as Devon put his needs first, he’d be able to help him heal. And then a tug on his heart made him grip the glass in his hand. What if he was making Karsten all better so he could go to another man? Ollie said he didn’t want a mate because he wanted to focus on cooking, but that was before the world got turned on its ear. Besides, Renner and Caleb didn’t have mates. Both of them were big and handsome. Even though Karsten didn’t seem to like Caleb, he hadn’t met Renner, who was far more handsome than Devon. Or so he’d always thought.
    “Devon?”
    “Right. Sorry. I was thinking of what else you’ll need.” He turned and was caught off guard by Karsten’s beauty. The sun was glinting off the beige floor, lighting up his pale blond hair and obscuring all his wounds. When he was well, he would be a step away from perfect. Given half a chance, his brothers would probably fight to the death for him. As Devon lifted the tool, he questioned his brilliant idea to let Karsten off the hook. Had he shut his mouth, the stunning thrall would be his forevermore. But his heroic heart refused to let him take advantage. Even when he saw his deepest desire slipping away he couldn’t obtain his dreams by lying, cheating, or stealing. Karsten had only offered out himself because he had nothing else to bargain with.
    “You won’t…” Karsten trailed off, his wide, curious gaze darting from Devon’s face to the table.
    “I won’t.” Devon swore he’d cut off his dick before he’d do anything against Karsten’s will. “We’re stuck in here for however long it takes for us to prove we’re not ill, so we should be honest with each other.” After placing the tool under the collar as gently as he could, Devon slowly nipped away at the leather. Like all thrall collars, there was a band of metal that made them more difficult to remove. Thrall houses installed the band to prevent someone from stealing their wares, but if they were bold enough to steal a man, then they would have no issue cutting off their mark of protection.
    “Honest?” Karsten asked.
    “I think you’re very beautiful.”
    Karsten pulled the edges of his robe more tightly together.
    “But I’m a man of my word.”
    “You are?”
    “I am.”
    Karsten’s frown only deepened.
    “Why does that make you sad?”