Free Ollie Morgan [Seven Brothers for McBride 3] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic ManLove) by Anitra Lynn McLeod

was made in error. A dozen excuses popped instantly to Jonas’s mind, so that couldn’t be what caused McBride’s hesitation. But one thing Jonas had learned in his life of leisure was that people often spoke up to fill the void of silence. The longer he and Ollie remained quiet, the more likely McBride would be to talk.
    “No one can go into town.”
    Jonas and Ollie exchanged puzzled yet hopeful looks. If they couldn’t transfer the money, Jonas couldn’t leave. But Jonas didn’t think that meant McBride was going to let them stay together. Again, they chose silence over idle talk or pointed questions that wouldn’t be answered anyway.
    “I was going to ask Ollie to leave the field and become my personal chef.”
    It was a great honor. But McBride said he was going to ask. Past tense. Perhaps he no longer trusted Ollie after this subterfuge. If Jonas had cost his love a job he would truly enjoy, Jonas would never, ever forgive himself.
    McBride’s attention strayed out the window, prompting Jonas to look that way, too. All he saw was one of the brothers. Even from a distance there was no mistaking that it was Caleb. Jonas shuddered. His monstrous form was unmistakable. However, when Jonas assessed McBride, he noticed that he did not look upon Caleb with fear or loathing. Ollie had said that McBride had tamed Caleb without using brutality, and Jonas wondered how he had accomplished that feat. Watching McBride watch Caleb, Jonas noticed that McBride’s gaze was intense. But what caused that determined focus?
    And then the truth became apparent when McBride’s tongue swirled around the tip of his extended canine. It wasn’t Ollie who made him famished for blood. It was Caleb. McBride didn’t seem to even be aware that he was looking at Caleb while massaging his teeth with his tongue.
    A dark plan came to Jonas then. He had never considered himself a devious man. Having been at the losing end of the neighbor’s horrid demands and manipulations, Jonas swore he would never be able to inflict such torture on another. But now that his love was on the line, he thought perhaps he could. In another life, under different circumstances, Jonas never could have conceived of such a plan, but he would do anything to have Ollie, even violate his own code of conduct.
    Even as the details filtered into his mind, Jonas knew he had to be subtle. Delicate timing and innuendo would be far better than simply bashing McBride over the head with this shocking discovery. It would be too pedestrian to accuse McBride of lusting after Caleb and then using that as a wedge to get what he wanted. McBride would simply dismiss the notion, fill Jonas’s pocket with funds, and send him on his way. No, that would not do. What Jonas had to do was trap McBride in his own lust. He had to make the idea seem palatable to him by making it the lesser of two evils.
    “Please allow Ollie to cook for you. I know that would be his most proud achievement.” Jonas moved away from Ollie, which clearly caused him some distress, but Jonas vowed to be strong to see his idea through. “I would hate to think that I cost him such an honor.”
    McBride’s attention was still focused on Caleb, but he nodded as he kept rubbing his canines with his tongue. “I would like that, but not if he’ll poison me for taking you away.”
    “I would never hurt you.” Ollie shook his head. “Cooking is how I express the creative side of myself. Using food as a weapon would be against who I am.”
    Turning from the window, McBride finally stopped fiddling with his teeth. “You wouldn’t want revenge on me?”
    Ollie met his gaze. “I’m angry, but I am still your faithful slammer.”
    It was obvious from the expression on McBride’s face that he would never fully trust Ollie again, and that was a shame, but there was nothing to be done about it now. Only time could heal a wound like that. Time and attentive actions that demonstrated Ollie’s trustworthiness. That meant