Devon Morgan [Seven Brothers for McBride 5] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic ManLove) Read Online Free PDF Page A

collar. They just shoved the pink leather out of the way and bit him as best they could. The pain had flared to utter agony, but now that his entire body hurt, he hardly noticed one spot anymore.
    “I’m sorry I can’t do much but keep the sun off your face.”
    Karsten struggled to comprehend. It took a moment to realize that what the man had done was take his hat off and hold it so it cast a shadow over Karsten’s face, blocking out the harshness of the sun. It was the most minor of gestures, but it gave Karsten a taste of hope. Would this man help him?
    “I’m Devon. I live here. It’s a tallos farm.” He smiled, but it was clear he wasn’t happy, and Karsten realized Devon wasn’t sad about himself or where he lived, but he was barely able to look at Karsten without wincing. Karsten thought he must look beyond dreadful. “Well, it was a tallos farm, but given what’s happened with the world, we aren’t growing that anymore.”
    “No?” Karsten asked only to keep Devon talking. He had a low voice that was somehow powerful yet soothing at the same time.
    “No. Well, we’re going to harvest what’s planted now to use for ourselves, but Jonas is teaching everyone to plant and grow food. Not that we don’t have stores, because we do, but we’ll need more. Especially if we get more men out here. We need a few more men.”
    Karsten watched as a blush washed over the big man’s features. Somehow, he managed to look even more virile in his embarrassment. Strong but sweet. Karsten wouldn’t let himself believe what he was seeing. He’d thought the mob of gentrymen that had yanked him out of the thrall house was rescuing him from the marauding slammers, but they’d trussed him up and viciously used him. In a very short time, Karsten had learned not to trust anyone. Even this kindly stranger could be planning all kinds of sick perversities behind his compelling eyes.
    “Your poor head.” Devon let go of the hat, laying it on Karsten’s chest. He leaned back and took his shirt off. Karsten was going to scream, to struggle, but Devon only folded it up and tucked the roll of fabric behind Karsten’s head. “I know it’s not much, but it will have to do for now.”
    To Karsten, it was everything. In the last two days, no one had done anything for him at all. They had taken what they wanted from him—blood—not caring in the least that they were killing him. He couldn’t even remember how he’d gotten away.
    Devon picked up his hat and used it to shield Karsten’s face from the sun again. The respite from the pain gave him a flash of memory. The slammers and gentrymen had turned on one another. While they were fighting, Karsten had managed to free himself and hurried away. He wondered if they’d even noticed.
    “I guess it’s pretty bad out there.” Devon lifted his head and looked back presumably down the way Karsten had come.
    “Every street was filled with madness.”
    Devon nodded, which caused the hat in his hand to waver. Sun struck Karsten’s face, making him blink rapidly. He thought about just closing his eyes, but if this man was thinking of taking advantage he wanted to see it coming. Not that he could do anything to protect himself, just that he’d rather know than not.
    “Sorry.” When Devon realized Karsten was getting blinded, he moved over so that his massive body blocked the sun. He plunked the hat on his head, shading his eyes but somehow making them stand out. “I don’t have the tools to cut you free.”
    Karsten wanted to cry, but he didn’t have the water left in his body to do so. Besides, he couldn’t get any more miserable than he already was. “Please don’t hurt me.”
    “I would never.” Devon settled down in the black dirt on his knees. “Soon the others will come and—”
    “No!” Karsten struggled to get up so he could run, but all his pathetic attempt did was hurt his already battered wrists.
    “Whoa.” Devon placed his big hand on Karsten’s chest