“Out losing Salinas, Chen’s thugs, and Ravagers.” Sean swore and sank down on the couch next to her. “Fucker of night.”
“Ravagers?” she croaked.
“Long story.” He winced when she nudged his shoulder.
“What happened?”
“Nothing. Look, why don’t we get some shut-eye and—”
“Sean Ryan Morely, tell me what happened. I was worried sick.”
“Yeah, I could tell by the snoring and the drooling.”
Vicki automatically wiped her mouth, only to find it dry. “Funny, smartass. I did my best, but it’s” —she squinted at the grandfather clock in the corner— “four a.m. Seriously, are you hurt?”
“Nothing some antiseptic and a rabies shot won’t cure,” he muttered. He shrugged out of his jacket and removed his shirt.
Raw bite marks reddened his shoulder near his neck. Looking with an inner eye, she thought his energy appeared disturbed. Not wounded but different. Sick at the thought Ravagers had done this to him, Vicki hurried to the bathroom and returned seconds later with a medicine kit.
Fixing some ointment and a bandage to his wounds, she asked again, “What happened?”
“I managed to shake the Salinas. Chen’s guys were harder, but I avoided them too. Unfortunately, I met up with some old friends at MacT’s.” He groaned when she pronounced him fixed, rolled his shoulders, then slipped his shirt back on.
“Old friends?”
“I never told you about that pair of Ravager sisters I met a few months ago. Trust me when I tell you they don’t like to be told no.”
“Yeah, I get that.”
At her knowing tone, he frowned. “How about you fill me in on your night? I waited at MacT’s for hours. Then the sex sisters showed up and cornered me. I barely escaped in one piece.” He wiggled his eyebrows.
“Please. I’m surprised you didn’t jump them both with promises to ‘call them in the morning’.” At his scowl, she laughed. “Ah, so that’s what landed you in trouble in the first place, hmm?”
“You don’t know the first thing about Ravagers. Sex with them is all well and good, but when they want to mark you, run for the hills.”
“Why?” Marking was bad? Dominic had wanted to mark her. She still didn’t know exactly what that meant.
“Ravagers like to share sex partners.”
“I know that. But I didn’t think you were into guys.”
“You’re hilarious.”
“Are you telling me their females wanted to share you?” She goggled at the thought.
Two groups of Ravagers lived in Cross Step. The more “civilized” Savages and the unruly Lawless clan, who lived in their animal-like form out in the country. The Savages numbered in the thousands, but Ravager females were rare.
Though Sean liked to spread himself around the ladies, frankly, she couldn’t see him sharing himself that much.
“I know we haven’t dealt much with Ravagers, but come on, Vicki,” he said with a snort. “Are you that clueless?”
“About Ravager sexual practices? Yes, so fill me in.”Please. What the hell did I get myself into earlier?
“All I can say is I’m glad Chen’s not a Ravager. Diana’s enough to deal with.” He swore under his breath.
“Like Chen’s not? Need I remind you he’s after us since your brilliant plan failed?”
“Only because you didn’t whammy him after you got the ring.” Sean touched the bandage at the base of his neck and sighed. “I think he’s gotten to the Salinas as well.”
