Read Her Three Liberators [The Hot Millionaires #6] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) for Free Online Page A

carried out verbalising her thoughts.
    “Here you go, babe.” Marius scooped the mints from her palm and crunched them noisily into submission. “They’re quite a sight for sore eyes,” she said. “The brothers, I mean. All muscles, dark hair, and far too much testosterone. I was worried that they might not care that much about Daniel, but they were devastated.” She stroked the stallion’s neck and supplied a couple more mints. “At least they’re not waiting for him to die so they can inherit, which I thought they might be.” She expelled a wild giggle. “A lot of people are like that, so I don’t feel too guilty for suspecting them.”
    Steffi briefly left Marius and distributed mints to the other two stallions.
    “Anyway,” she said, returning to Marius. “Harry’s going to look into the possibility of surgery to prolong Daniel’s life. That means I’ll be able to stay here with you for a bit longer.” She flung her arms round his neck and Marius nudged her shoulder, probably looking for more mints, but Steffi preferred to believe that he understood her anguish at having to leave him and empathized with it. “That sounded very selfish,” she said, feeling guilty. “Obviously Daniel’s health is what matters the most, but the thought of leaving you breaks my heart.”
    Steffi took a deep breath. “The thing is, darling, the talk came round to all those misinformed people who decided not to bring their mares to you and something was said that I hadn’t considered before.” Marius’s ears flickered. “Yes, it surprised me, too. It’s probably nothing to do with you, babe, but with me. Someone’s spreading rumours about you because they want to get back at me.” Steffi ground her jaw. “There’s only one person that could possibly be. Bloody Richard! But how’s he doing it? That’s what I’d give a fortune to know.”
    “Who’s bloody Richard?”
     
    * * * *
     
    Steffi physically jumped in the air. Marius threw his head up, disturbed by the interruption, pawed the ground, and kicked at his door.
    “Jonny, what the hell are you doing here?” Steffi clutched a hand to her breast. “You scared me half to death.”
    “Just taking in the night air.”
    “Like hell,” she fumed. “You followed me.”
    “I was curious to see this stallion.”
    “Well, you’re upsetting him.” Marius moved restlessly round his stall, lending truth to her words. “He doesn’t like strangers.”
    Jonny sent her a cocky smile, walked up to the stallion’s door, and cast an expert eye over him. He certainly looked the part. A chestnut coat that gleamed with health, clear eyes, great conformation, and, apparently, the ability and willingness to cover all the mares that were sent to him with encouraging results. So why weren’t the mares being sent in droves?
    The stallion snorted, stamped his feet, and bared his teeth at him. Jonny ignored his fit of pique and remained right where he was, dropping his shoulders in a submissive position that definitely didn’t come naturally, avoiding all eye contact with the beast. Marius continued to show off, but when he realized Jonny wasn’t impressed, curiosity got the better of him. He lowered his head over his door and snorted into Jonny’s outstretched hand. Jonny blew softly on the horse’s muzzle and it immediately had the desired effect. Marius stopped playing up and passively allowed Jonny to smooth his neck.
    “I’ll be damned,” Steffi said softly. “I’ve never seen anyone do that with him before.”
    “It’s just a case of showing him who’s in charge.”
    She followed Marius’s example and tossed her own mane. “Yes, well, I’m sure you’d know all about that.”
    His chuckle had an intentionally wicked ring to it. “Trust me, I do.”
    “I’m going back to the house.”
    “Not so fast.” He rested one hand on either side of her head, trapping her against the wall to Marius’s stall. Panic flashed through her eyes before she