“I’m sure Malcolm would be more than happy to watch while I prepare your sweet little ass for penetration.”
She could feel herself blushing. “Talk, you bastard,” she grumbled half under her breath.
“Never mind, Malcolm.”
“Damn.” Malcolm left, but not before asking Eric, “Maybe later?”
Eric chuckled. He sobered after meeting Vicki’s furious stare. “Tell me what the hell you took from Tommy Chen that has his men scouring the city for you. And make it fast. I’m hungry, and I need to be fed.”
“You can take your appetite and go to hell.” She itched to toss his ass back against the wall, her power greedily absorbing the sexual energy he exuded all the time.
Eric leaned closer over the table until they touched nose to nose. “You use that sexy energy against me and I’ll make youbegfor a taste of me. You know I can.”
Begging any man wasn’t something she looked forward to, but begging this man—this Ravager who’d kidnapped her—rubbed her the wrong way. Especially because some stupid part of her wanted a man strong enough to reduce her to whimpers. No, not just any man. Eric.God, I need my head examined.
“Vicki?” He put his hand around her throat and gently squeezed.
To her horror, her panties grew damp. Her clit pulsed, and her breasts ached. She cursed him in her mind while answering in a rush. “It all started a few months ago, when a client came to us wanting to recover a family heirloom. There’s this ring…”
* * *
Kate glaredthrough tears as she stormed from the house. That bitch. Who the hell did she think she was flirting with Savage men? Jesse and Logan werehers, damn it. For years she’d stood by, playing the little sister to Diana. Not tied by birth but by love, she and Diana had deeper bonds than blood. But with Diana enthralled with Sean, things had changed.
Kate didn’t feel a part of their magic. Pack was pack, but Diana would break off, starting her own family. Problem was her human didn’t seem to want to be a part of it. Poor Diana. Kate knew how it hurt to be denied. For years she’d loved Jesse and Logan, but they saw nothing but Eric and what Eric wanted.
Granted, she loved Eric. Like a big brother or benevolent uncle, but never as a lover. He felt the same way. He’d prodded her and Diana for years to take mates and start their own packs, not out of a desire to be rid of them, but so that they might experience true happiness. She hadn’t the heart to tell him who she really wanted. She thought Diana might suspect, but she’d never said anything.
Kate didn’t know what to do. She didn’t want Vicki around at all. It was hard enough sharing her men with Dom and Eric. Ravagers didn’t care about gender with sex, but she hated being near and unable to satisfy the Ravagers she knew would make perfect mates. Herguerwarned her that Vicki would make a formidable adversary. Human she might be, but Conduits had their own power. Kate had seen Sean in action. Was his cousin as strong?
She hoped so. Kate wanted to beat her fairly. If she couldn’t, though, so be it.
She sensed Dom closing on her. Best to let him catch up and say what he needed to say.
“Kate, stop,” Dom growled at her. Instead of berating her for daring to warn off the prime’s consort, he opened his arms and hugged her. “You’re old enough now to do something about it, you know.” He kissed the top of her head, and fresh tears started anew.
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“Honey, I see everything around here. That’s my job. Now tell me why you won’t declare yourself to your packmates who would rather die than hurt you.”
She sniffed. “But that’s just it. I shouldn’t have to declare myself. They notice nothing but Eric and you and nowthat woman.”
She felt his smile against her hair and struggled in his arms. “It’s not funny!”
“No, it’s not. But if it’s any consolation, Vicki didn’t ask to be here, Kate. She’s trying to fit in as best she can. It would be nice if she had someone to help her.”
Someone to help her leave, maybe. That way Kate wouldn’t have to deal with the obnoxious human. The way she flaunted herself, challenging the males clearly to entice them. It made Kate sick.
“You’re right. I’m sorry.” Kate gave Dom her best smile, the one that showed off her dimple.
He bought it, probably relieved not to have to deal with female issues any more. She’d overheard him and Eric complaining about her and Diana for years. Always with love in their voices, yet they didn’t want the responsibility for two extra females in their pack. And who could blame them?
“I’m okay now. I’ll apologize to Vicki later, hmm?”
“Good girl.”
Woman, I’m a woman, she wanted to shout. “I’m just going for a run to clear my thoughts. I’ll be back soon.” She eyed her watch, needing to leave now if she wanted to see them again. She forced a smile to her face and waved at Dom.
As soon as he left, she hurried into the tree line and stripped off her clothes. Shifting into herguer, she raced through the woods, passed a few of her brethren, and continued on. There, by the small stream of water, an empty bed of grass. She sniffed the air and used the direction of the wind to camouflage her scent. Then after climbing a gnarled oak, one of her favorite hiding places, she waited.
