Gannon Morgan [Seven Brothers for McBride 2] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic ManLove) (3 page)

While they waited for Gannon to reach them, McBride pointed to each house and named the brother who owned it. When he got to Gannon’s, he said, “He’s who you’ll belong to.”

Alden tensed up and shook his head.

“I’m sorry, but that’s how it is.” McBride didn’t want to be cruel, but Alden had to go to someone. Even if McBride allowed him to choose, it was unlikely he’d like any brother more than any other. They were all big, burly, and yet oddly beautiful men. The brothers looked like brothers because of their similar facial features and the fact they all had dark hair. Although, Gannon’s dark brown locks were sun bleached on the top, highlighting his golden-brown eyes.

Alden turned and saw Gannon approaching. He moved closer to McBride, tucking himself behind his bulk and peeking around his arm. How quickly the thrall went from fearing him to trusting him. Or, McBride realized, he could just see McBride as the lesser of two evils.

When Gannon realized why he’d been called from the field, his step picked up appreciably. When he got within a few dozen yards, he frowned and slowed down. “What’s wrong with him?”

“He’s just a little nervous.” McBride reached back and pulled Alden up beside him. When he tried to slip back behind McBride, he placed his arm around his shoulder and stopped him from ducking away.

“Caleb said I got the defective one.” Gannon frowned as he looked Alden over from head to toe. The scar that ran down the left side of Gannon’s face looked far more menacing when he was glaring.

After tossing a silent curse at Caleb, McBride assured Gannon that Alden was perfectly healthy and would be a good mate. “The only thing that will be a bit of work getting used to is the fact that he can’t hear.”

“He’s deaf?” Gannon looked at Alden’s ears as if he’d be able to see the defect.

“He is, but Alden can read lips. Believe me, he knows what you’re saying, so don’t be cruel.”

Gannon continued to frown, but at least he didn’t say what he was thinking. Still, it didn’t take a mind reader to know that he wasn’t pleased. As the second to youngest, Gannon often felt slighted because everyone lavished attention on Bailey. Or that was what Gannon thought at any rate. Whenever Bailey got something, Gannon looked around and thought he was getting less. It was clear to McBride that Gannon was comparing his thrall to Bailey’s and he saw himself coming up short yet again. Ferris was an absolutely stunning young man. In many ways, he was perfect, but there had been issues between Ferris and Bailey. McBride thought they’d worked everything out now, but the sailing hadn’t been all that smooth.

“If you want, I can give him to someone else and you can go without.” McBride had been extremely generous with his slammers, so having his generosity questioned on top of his other problems put him in a foul mood. “What’s it going to be, Gannon? Do you want him, or do you wish to be alone?”

Gannon considered. He was sick and tired of being by himself, but he wasn’t so sure he wanted to get stuck with a thrall who would be more hassle than he was worth. Still, from the way McBride made it sound, if Gannon didn’t take Alden, he wasn’t ever going to get a thrall. That made him consider that a broken mate was better than no mate at all.

“I’ll take him.”

“Try to look happy about it so you don’t completely hurt his feelings.” McBride patted Alden’s shoulder. “He might be deaf, but I’m pretty sure he can read exactly how you feel. Disliking your mate right off the cuff isn’t going to endear you to him in the least.” McBride leaned close and looked right in Gannon’s eyes. “Put yourself in his shoes. Maybe he doesn’t think you’re any prize, either.”

Stung, Gannon straightened up, but he didn’t glare at McBride. A long time ago he’d been very self-conscious about the scar that ran down the left side of his face. After living out on the
tallos
farm with only his brothers around, Gannon often forgot it was even there. It was easy to forget when he had no mirrors in his house. Besides, if Gannon wanted to know what he looked like, all he had to do was look at his twin brother, Ollie.

“Offer out your hand and introduce yourself.” McBride looked exhausted, prompting Gannon to wonder if he’d had yet another run-in with Caleb. Since Caleb had told him to come in from the field, he probably had. Caleb had a way of getting under everyone’s skin. He could be nice sometimes, but mostly he was just mean.

“I’m Gannon Morgan.” Gannon lifted his hand to Alden, who shrank away. “I know I might look scary.” He pointed to his scar. “But I’m not. I’m just surprised that he found me a mate so fast.”

Alden tilted his head, but Gannon couldn’t tell if he was curious, or if maybe he was wondering if what Gannon said was true. Eventually, with some prompting from McBride, Alden lifted his hand. Being as gentle as he could, Gannon shook Alden’s hand. His skin was so smooth and soft it was shockingly arousing. Gannon wondered what Alden had made of his callused grip.

“Your hand is very hard.”

Gannon nodded and tried not to gape, but he couldn’t help himself. Alden had a voice that was so beautiful he could barely restrain himself from trying to get him to say a dozen other things. Gannon couldn’t recall ever hearing such a melodious voice. It was more like Alden sang the words than spoke them. When Gannon realized that McBride was looking at Alden with surprise, he realized he hadn’t heard him speak until now.

“He might not be able to hear, but his voice more than makes up for that.” McBride grinned at Gannon then pointed toward Gannon’s house. “Let’s take him in, get him comfortable, and then you can get back to work.”

“Bailey didn’t have to go back to the fields on the day he got a mate.” Yet again, Gannon was getting a raw deal.

“The day was over, Gannon. Don’t quibble when I’ve given you a generous gift.”

Reminded, Gannon ducked his head. “Thank you, master McBride.”

“You’re welcome.” McBride took up Alden’s hand, which caused him to look up at him. “We’re going to show you your new home.”

Alden nodded. “With Gannon?”

“Yes.” After a brief hesitation, McBride asked, “Is that okay?”

Alden looked over at Gannon. His gaze went from his feet up to his face. “What happened to you?”

“I was injured.” Gannon wasn’t too keen on explaining the scar. Maybe after they were better acquainted he would tell that tale. “Do you want to see my home?”

“Yes.” Alden looked up to McBride, who nodded.

Their little group moved toward the house, but when Gannon realized Alden didn’t have shoes, he stopped him. “Let me carry you.” Before he could protest, Gannon had him up in his arms. He was heavier than he thought, but not so weighty he was difficult to carry. Holding him close allowed Gannon to smell him, but he didn’t smell like much of anything. Not sweat, dust, grime—just nothing, really. Disappointed, because Bailey had said his mate had the sweetest scent, Gannon kept carrying him inside the house once McBride opened the door.

Once they were inside, Gannon set him down in the center of the living room. There was only one big chair that Gannon sat in when he was playing with his gaming unit. He’d saved up for over a year to buy it, but now he realized he would need to buy another chair for Alden. Sadly, his account was pretty low since he’d been spending all his income on games for the unit.

“This is where I play—” Gannon cut himself off when he realized Alden wasn’t looking at him.

“Tap him on the shoulder to get his attention.”

Gannon tapped Alden, causing him to jump and spin around so fast he almost knocked himself over.

Lifting his hand, Gannon said, “Sorry. I was just—never mind. The kitchen is over there.” He pointed, and after a moment, Alden looked that way. As soon as Alden’s back was turned, Gannon looked at McBride. “Why is he so jumpy?”

McBride shrugged. “I don’t know. I think he’s just afraid. This is all new to him.”

When Alden went into the kitchen, Gannon followed. He made sure Alden was looking at him before he pointed to the cookbot and explained what it was. Alden nodded and then moved down the hall toward the bathroom.

“Can I use this?”

“Sure.” Gannon was wondering if Alden didn’t realize that he was going to be living here with him. At that precise moment, Gannon realized this was a forever kind of thing whether he liked it or not. If he said no to Alden, he would be alone, but if he said yes, he was stuck with him until the day he died. Torn, Gannon realized he would just have to hope they could figure out a way to get along. Having someone to fuck and feed from was good, but not if he hated him.

When Alden closed the door, Gannon realized he meant to use the facilities now. Somewhat embarrassed and unsure why, Gannon turned away and went into the bedroom. A blast of shame made him hastily clean up. The room wasn’t filthy, but his clothing was strewn around in various piles and he hadn’t made the bed. Ever. Gannon didn’t see why he should neaten up the bedclothes when he was just going to turn around and mess them right back up. But now that he had a mate, he would probably have to stop being such a slob.

“What if we hate each other?” Gannon turned to face McBride. “He doesn’t seem happy, and I don’t know if I’ll be happy and—”

“You’ll make it work.”

Gannon nodded, but he was doubtful. Eventually, Alden emerged from the bathroom and joined them in the bedroom. He looked at the mound of clothing in Gannon’s hands. “I was trying to clean up for you.”

“For me?”

Gannon nodded.

“That’s very sweet.”

Alden smiled, and Gannon changed his mind yet again. When Alden smiled, his entire face transformed. The worry lines disappeared, and his big eyes weren’t so wide or filled with fear. He was very pretty. And then Gannon looked at his neck. Soon, McBride would remove that collar and Gannon would draw his first taste of blood. All his life he’d wondered what it would be like and if he’d ever have the chance to find out. His previous owner, Jonas, hadn’t bought any of the Morgan brothers a thrall. He’d given them a mechanical man, but Caleb fucked the thing to death. That thought made Gannon drop his gaze to Alden’s prick.

Alden was hairless, his muscles were sleek, and his cock looked much smaller than Gannon’s. That was okay, though. He didn’t want his smaller mate to be bigger than him down there.

“It grows.”

Yanking his gaze up to Alden’s face, Gannon blurted, “What?”

“My cock. It grows.” Alden took his prick in hand. “Do you want me to show you?”

As much as he did, Gannon darted a glance at McBride and realized he was looking rather impatient.

“I would love to see that, but I have to go back to work.” Frankly, Gannon decided he’d give two days’ pay to stay here with Alden. He wanted to listen to him talk and watch him touch himself until he made his cock grow. Gannon was pretty damn sure that Alden could get his cock to grow, too.

Alden nodded. “I will stay here?”

“Yes. I promise to clean up tonight.”

“I will do that for you.” Alden immediately bent and started picking up the mounds of clothing.

A sudden flash of guilt made Gannon shake his head, but he tapped Alden’s shoulder lightly before he talked. Alden startled a bit, but he was less jumpy. “That’s not necessary. I don’t want you to think you’re my maid.”

“I am to be your blood and sexual slave. So what if I clean up, too?” Alden placed the clothing on the bed.

“You’re not to be my slave.” Gannon looked at McBride. “Is that what you told him?”

“I didn’t. I think Alden is just assuming.”

“I was told in the thrall house what would be expected of me.” Alden’s shoulders slumped a bit. “I will try not to flinch when you beat me.”

Gannon was so shocked he didn’t know what to say.

McBride touched Alden’s shoulder, and again, he startled, but not as badly as he had before. “Did they beat you?”

It was clear that Alden didn’t want to say, which pretty much said it all.

“But there aren’t any bruises on you.” McBride sounded shocked and then furious. “I looked you over before I bought you.”

“They waited for them to heal before they put me up for sale.”

Gannon’s belly roiled so hard he was afraid he was going to eject his breakfast all over his bedroom. His master was clearly furious to have been swindled, but what seemed to make McBride angrier was that Alden had been struck for someone’s pleasure. Gannon and his brothers had always been lucky in that they had been owned by a gentryman who didn’t beat them. The only one who McBride had ever even threatened to punish was Caleb. So far as Gannon knew, McBride hadn’t actually had to beat him, but that could change given how rebellious Caleb was.

Gannon reached out and cupped Alden’s shoulder. When his pale blue gaze looked his way, Gannon opened his mouth to speak, but Alden did before he could.

“They said my new master would want to put his marks on clear skin.” Alden looked at Gannon’s hands. “You’ll be able to make very dark marks with such big hands.”

Lowering his arm, Gannon took Alden’s hands in his. He did this as gently as he could. “I will never, ever hit you.” Gannon was not interested in abusing anyone for any reason. The only time he’d hit anyone was when they were threatening him or one of his brothers. Fists were for defense, not inflicting pain for some kind of twisted pleasure.