Renner Morgan Read Free

way.
    “The valet says they appear to be looking at a piece of paper.”
    “A map?” Caleb examined the rifle like he wanted to fire it just to see what it would feel like if he did.
    “Why would they need a map if they’re from here?” Renner stroked his hand over Quintus’s chest, comforting him as best he could.
    “Must mean they’re not from here.” Caleb looked down at his brother and the crimetech. A look of annoyance twisted his features. Clearly, he wasn’t happy at the idea of any of his brothers with any gentrymen no matter what had happened to the world.
    When Caleb lifted his attention to the group, scanning every man standing there, McBride knew without asking he was looking for Jonas. When he didn’t see him, he nodded like he’d known all along Jonas would show his true colors.
    “I told him to stay and watch over Alden.”
    “And of course he dropped his fancy fanny down and settled right in.” Caleb glared down at Renner. “Why don’t you let McBride tend to his future mate?”

Chapter 2

    Renner wasn’t about to let go of Quintus. He wasn’t sure what attracted him to the man, but he was determined to explore his options now that the odds of getting a thrall were pretty much zero. Besides, he was the only one on the farm who had any kind of medical training. It was from a book, but that still counted as far as things went.
    As he gazed down at him again, Renner knew what he’d thought wasn’t quite true. He knew exactly what drew him to the stern-looking gentryman, but he felt it was something far beyond the fact that Quintus was sharply handsome. Dirty-blond hair was tousled over his forehead, drawing attention to his unusual gray eyes and his very angular features. There was a driven kind of focus in his gaze that pulled at Renner, making him want to explore the dark desires he’d always kept hidden.
    For a split second, Renner’s gaze connected with Quintus’s, and Renner swore there was an answering heat, but then Caleb insisted Quintus was there to become McBride’s mate. His claim shattered the spell, forcing Renner to look up at his pompous brother.
    “Don’t be an ass, Caleb. Jonas is McBride’s mate.”
    After a painfully long moment, McBride shook his head. “This isn’t how I wanted to do this, but your big-mouthed brother hasn’t left me much choice.” McBride glared at Caleb, who lifted his brows like he’d done nothing wrong. Renner knew well that look on his brother’s face. He had timed his revelation to cause the most pain and embarrassment that he could because that was Caleb’s way.
    “You and Jonas…” Renner didn’t quite know how to ask when he honestly didn’t feel that McBride’s private business was any of his.
    “I claimed Jonas as my mate to protect him and the man he really loves.” McBride clearly didn’t want to share the information this way, but Caleb left him no choice. “The truth is Ollie and Jonas are bloodbonded.”
    Renner gasped right along with most of the men present. It was on the tip of his tongue to protest that Jonas was a landed gentryman, but here Renner was with Quintus’s head in his lap because he no longer held to the old ways. Just the thought of Quintus in McBride’s arms made Renner want to tighten his grip on him, but he didn’t want anyone to know how he felt, especially not McBride if he was indeed going to claim Quintus. If no one knew, Renner could hide his shame and lick his wounds in private. Besides, he’d only just met Quintus. His lust would fade if he didn’t feed it.
    A bunch of burbling questions emerged from his brothers’ mouths, but all chatter ceased when Ollie returned with the cart. Jonas was sitting next to Ollie, and now it made perfect sense to Renner. How had he not noticed how often the two men were near each other? When they’d lived in the town house, he’d thought it odd how Jonas doted on Ollie, but he decided Jonas favored him because he was the most welcoming of all the