Changing Times (10 page)

“I’m going to have to write you a citation.” Whatever else
the older officer was going to say was drowned out by the younger one’s
exclamation.

“Holy shit! Martin, look at this!” The younger officer was
kneeling on the ground with his flashlight trained on the ground by the hedge. “I’ve
never seen a track this big.”

The older officer walked toward him with Micah and Carly
right behind him. Micah tensed slightly as he saw what the two police officers
were studying. There was the clear print of a large cat in the soft ground
under the edge of the hedge. Micah glanced at Carly. She met his eyes with a
slight shrug. The two officers were talking about bringing in a wildlife
officer to identify the track.

“It’s a panther, I’m sure it is. There were some in Florida,
you know? I bet one made its way over here.” The younger officer was excited by
his discovery. Their focus shifted from Carly firing a gun to the possibility
that there was a panther on the loose. “If this was a panther, he could have
carried the dog he was fighting with off. We should call Animal Control. There’s
a lot of blood here.”

“There’s no way there’s a panther loose in New Orleans. It’s
probably a dog track that just got muddied. A big damned pit bull. That’s what
it was.”

It was almost an hour before the two officers left. Micah
had somehow convinced them not to call animal control and they had given Carly
a warning in relation to the pistol. When they finally got back in their car
and left, Carly stomped back into the house.

“Where in the hell is Tony?” She glared up at Micah and he
simply looked past her at the staircase. Carly whirled around to see Tony
descending as though he had just been in the bathroom or something. She rushed
toward him and shoved the sleeve of his shirt up to look at his wound for
herself. “Where in the hell were you? Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. All better. Carly, I’m sorry about before. I was
afraid something would happen to you.” Tony knew his wounds were already
healed. He watched her face as she searched for any sign of the earlier fight.
He reached out and touched her face, tilting her chin up so that she met his
eyes. “Never get between two shifters when they’re fighting. You don’t realize
how fast we can move.”

“Oh, I think I have a pretty damn good idea, now!” Carly
took a deep breath and turned to glance at Micah then back at Tony. “I’m in
this up to my neck, aren’t I?”

They both nodded and Carly sighed. She left them in the
living room plotting how to protect her as she went to make a fresh pot of
coffee. Carly had the feeling they were all going to need it before the day was
much older.

* * * * *

Slade paced as he waited for Cutter to return. He knew he
should have gone himself. What was Tony up to? Slade knew how Micah would react
in a fight. He had plenty of information on Micah while Tony remained an enigma.
Damn were-cats didn’t have a pack like the wolves did. They didn’t really have
a leader, they just aligned themselves wherever they felt compelled to do so.

Tony had always been in the forefront with the cats, they
all looked up to him. Some of the cats had joined the pack, taking the mark of
the Turn Skins without a qualm. Those few Slade knew and knew what to expect
from them. The rest were remaining decidedly neutral, which made him angry.

There was no neutral as far as Slade was concerned. If you
weren’t with him, you were against him. Sure Tony was against him, Slade
therefore he had to take care of Tony before anything else could be
accomplished.

A noise from across the hall had Slade lifting his head to
scent the air. He strode quickly across the room to throw open the door. Cutter
came into the house through the French doors leading to the back gardens.
Maggie, the Alpha Bitch, handed him a pair of jeans. The smell of fresh blood
that swirled around Cutter had Slade’s eyes narrowing as he moved closer to
him.

“Where are you hurt?”

“Just a scratch, Slade. The bastard caught me from behind.”
Cutter turned slightly so that Slade could see the scratches on his back. They
were deep but not to the bone. They would be gone the next time Cutter shifted.

Slade listened to Cutter’s version of the fight. He knew
from the tone of voice that Cutter was leaving something out, but he couldn’t
sense any real deception. Deciding that it had to be embarrassment at being “pussy-whipped”,
Slade let it slide.

Slade sent Cutter off to bed. Maggie followed a short time
later after her attempts to seduce Slade failed. Slade didn’t even see her
leave. He was too wrapped up in his own plans. He waited for the phone call
from his contact at the police department. Surely even the dumbest of cops
could have found his latest present by now.

Slade went back into the study and slumped in the chair
behind the desk. He’d never lived any place as fancy as this with multi-line
phones on the desk and more bedrooms than he could count upstairs.

The old Alpha had been a native of New Orleans and this
house had been in his family for over a hundred years. The money wasn’t bad,
either. There wasn’t any way Slade would give this up. His plan had to work. He
stared at the phone as if willing it to ring. If everything went according to
plan, he would know exactly where Tony stood within a few days.

* * * * *

Tony got back to his house after the sun was fully up. He
had left Carly sleeping. Resisting the urge to follow her up the stairs and
crawl in the bed with her for just a few hours had been hard. There was
definitely something there, something between them like a volcano ready for
eruption.

Tony’s cell phone rang as he got into the car. He sighed as
he answered the phone. The news he received had him sitting up straight and his
fatigue disappearing.

“Julia, that’s fantastic. I’m glad you were able to get the
bail hearing. What happens now?”

“I’m going to have her admitted to a private facility, Tony.
It’s for a psychological exam as well as for her protection until the trial. I
think putting her in a safe place will be the best thing for her.”

“That’s not a bad idea. Let me know what I can do to help.”

“Don’t worry, I will. Take care, Tony.”

“You too, Julia.” After he had asked a few more questions,
Tony disconnected and sighed. There had been another murder similar to the one
Susan had committed while she was in custody, so Susan had been granted bail. No
jury would convict her when the second murder had happened while she was in
custody. The prosecutor had finally agreed to bail and Julia had jumped into
action. Susan would have to spend some time in the hospital undergoing a
battery of psychological exams but at least she would be out of jail.

This called for a celebration. Tony smiled as he planned his
day. He would grab a few hours’ sleep then call Nolan and the others to get a
party started. He knew Carly was in good hands and now he knew that Susan would
be safe as well, at least for a while. The day was looking up.

* * * * *

Slade laughed as he hung up the phone. “It worked. The cops
are chasing their own tails, pardon the pun.”

“What worked, sexy? What did you do now?” Maggie’s sultry
voice announced her as she sailed back into the room. Maggie moved around
behind him and rubbed his shoulders as she waited for him to share the joke.

Slade pulled Maggie into his lap. He ran his hand over her
shoulder as he threw his head back and laughed again. “Everything is coming
together nicely. The trap will be sprung soon.”

“Good, why don’t you crash for a while, lover? You look
tired.” Maggie bit at Slade’s neck.

Slade chuckled softly then got to his feet with Maggie in
his arms. “You coming?”

“In a little while. I want to make sure everything is locked
up down here.” Maggie kissed Slade with more force than passion and he answered
in kind. Slade let her slide down his body then stepped away from her. He went
upstairs to his bedroom as Maggie stood at the foot of the stairs watching.
Despite the fact that they were lovers they each had their own bedrooms. Slade
had never spent the entire night in Maggie’s room nor she in his. Maggie
watched to make sure Slade went to his room and not to hers.

The police department buzzed, both in Metairie and New
Orleans. The phones rang off the hook in both places. Slade listened to the
message his contact had left. There had in fact been two murders committed that
evening. Both had been deemed animal attacks. One man had had his throat ripped
out while the other had literally been torn to shreds.

The first one was a male, mid-forties, balding and
unremarkable, much like the man Susan had been accused of killing. The second
was an older male in his sixties, remarkable only because he was a known small-arms
dealer. The cops were totally mystified both as to who would have done this and
at the brutality of the crimes.

Slade laughed as he listened to his source’s quiet voice.
The cops’ only course of action would be to put together a task force and the Turn
Skins were nowhere near the top of the list of groups to be investigated.

As far as the city knew, they were just a biker gang who’d
never yet been caught in any serious criminal activity. Slade knew none of his
people would be arrested because he had too many connections and they all had
airtight alibis for the past fifteen hours. He had arranged the deaths but hadn’t
bloodied his own hands.

It was a shame the girl had to die—she was such a pretty
thing. Still, the city had enough doctors and medical students. This one wouldn’t
make that much difference in the grand scheme of things. Slade put his hands
behind his head and sighed.

The pretty blonde medical student was almost a physical twin
for the lovely Dr. Chambers and Tony would know that she had been chosen
especially for him. Slade rolled onto his side, closed his eyes and was asleep
in moments.

* * * * *

Carly knew it was too early to call but she couldn’t keep
from reaching for the phone. She needed to hear his voice. She dialed Tony’s
number, telling herself she would hang up if he hadn’t answered by the third
ring. She was surprised when he picked up on the second ring sounding
remarkably alert for someone who should have been sound asleep.

“It’s Carly.”

“Did you get any rest?” His voice had that low purring
quality that sent shivers down her spine. Carly gripped the phone a little
tighter. His voice did things to her. Good things. Sexy things. Things she
wanted more of.

“Some. Why aren’t you asleep?” She pleated the sheet on her
bed as she waited for his answer.

“I was talking to Julia. Susan is going to be released to a
private hospital.” Tony hesitated briefly not sure he wanted to say more but
continued anyway. “There was another murder similar to the death of her
employer.”

“Oh,” Carly hesitated then plunged in. “Do you do this all
the time?”

“What’s that,
cheré
?” The purr was definitely back.
That hard, muscular body with all of that golden skin against pale sheets
flashed in her mind, making her catch her breath. She couldn’t deny the
attraction she felt for him. She knew he was beyond her experience. She also
knew she couldn’t contain these feelings in a neat little box just because she
wasn’t sure of his feelings. So she forged ahead.

“Help everyone you come into contact with.”

“I do what I can, Carly, just as you do. Why did you really
call?” His voice deepened just a bit. Her stomach tightened in response.

“I just…I just wanted to talk to you.” She winced at her
response.
Lame
.
Just wanted to talk to you
?
And I
’
m how
old
? She waited for his answer.

“I’m glad you called. I was going to get in touch with you
later this morning anyway. I’m planning a small party to celebrate Susan’s
release from jail and I would really like for you to come with me. We’re going
to get together at Animalia tomorrow night.”

She heard the smile in his voice. Just picturing it made her
wonder what it would be like to kiss him for a very long time.

Carly gave him a noncommittal answer then just listened to
the soft sound of his voice as he tried to convince her to go with him. She was
getting a better picture of him. Tony was successful, he was gorgeous and he
was a genuinely caring individual. He was committed to the people in his
sphere.

His actions on Susan’s behalf and his efforts to keep her
safe bore that out. Okay, so he could turn himself into a large deadly animal.
Did that honestly mean he was less of a man? She felt warmth on her face as she
thought about the casual way he had disrobed in front of her. And remembered
those hot, angry kisses that had aroused him as much as they had her. He was
definitely not less of a man.

This was more than sheer physical urge however. His mind,
the brief glimpses of humor she had seen as well as the darker side of his
personality—all of this pulled her toward him irresistibly. It was the whole
package.

Maybe it was time she let him know that. She knew he was
attracted to her—he’d told her so and shown her. She had to let him know that
she didn’t fear him or hate him for what he was.

His passion scared her but thrilled her at the same time.
Were-cat or no, he seemed to genuinely care about her as well as being
attracted to her on a purely sexual level. Tony Pantera was definitely someone
she wanted to know better.

“Yes, I’d love to go. Pick me up?” Carly held the phone a
little closer to her mouth, lowering her voice a bit.

Tony pulled up to her door just before eight. Carly let him
in while she picked up her shawl and purse. His obvious pleasure at seeing her
thrilled her. She applauded her decision to wear the strappy sandals with the
flirty dress she’d paid a bit more for than she normally would. Butterflies
swarmed in her stomach as Tony pressed a kiss to her cheek.

“Shall we,
cheré
?” His hand at the small of her back
guided her to the car. As they threaded their way through the narrow streets of
the Quarter toward the warehouse district, they talked about Susan.

Lights and music greeted them from the upscale address of
Animalia. Carly had heard stories about the club from coworkers who had tried
to get in, but were always rebuffed by the bouncer. She knew they would be all
over her if they knew where she had gone. The bouncer waved them forward to the
head of the line.

“Hey, Tony. Pretty lady with you.” The big man shook Tony’s
hand in his own ham-sized fist and winked at Carly. Tony smiled as they went
inside the club.

Nolan met them at the door with a bottle of champagne in one
hand and two glasses in the other. He executed a twist and a turn before
kissing Carly on the cheek as he handed each of them a glass and poured
champagne into the glasses. “Drink up, there’s plenty more where that came
from. We’re in the back room.”

Nolan moved through the crowd easily and Tony laughed as he
led Carly to the private party room. Eyes turned toward them as they came in,
making Carly wish for a coat instead of the lacy shawl. Were they all shifters
or were there humans in this mix?

Carly realized just how out of her element she truly felt in
this realm. Tony’s hand felt warm as he unerringly led her to a table in the
back. He positioned her to his side so that his back met the wall. He could
easily see everyone but it was harder to see them.

Carly smoothed her hair in an effort to soothe her nerves.
She’d opted to wear it in a simple ponytail flipped up and over so it spilled
out of the band. She knew it was a good look for her. She’d gone light on the
makeup but had pulled out her favorite perfume. She bit back a grin at the way
Tony’s nostrils had twitched every time he leaned toward her.

She imagined the light floral scent of her perfume tickling
his senses which made her feel a bit like a femme fatale. She chuckled at the
thought of coltish Carly Chambers seducing this powerful man.

“What do you find so funny, kitten?” His voice drew her eyes
as she watched his sensuous lips move.

“Nothing really…just the idea of me, Carly Chambers from
Kokomo, sitting in an exclusive club with a man who is a panther and all of
these other…” She waved her hand around. “Is everyone here a shifter?

“Not everyone, but everyone here is either a shifter or a
known and vouched-for ally. Any who would betray us would be killed.” Tony
paused as he held her with his stare. “By the one who vouched for them.”

Carly nodded. She knew he meant every word he said. And she
felt honored by his trust in her. “Thank you, Tony, for vouching for me.”

“I didn’t. Micah and Nolan did.” He grinned then as he
pointed out various people in the room to her. He ran his hand down her arm,
leaning into her to whisper about one of the partygoers. His breath feathered
across her neck. He shifted, brushing his thigh against hers.

Carly felt completely and utterly aware of him. When he
leaned back in his chair, she swayed toward him. His hair glistened in the
lights and candles of the décor. Finally she gave in to her longing. She
grabbed a handful and tugged lightly. Tony looped a hand around her neck to
pull her against him. She sighed as she let her head fall on his shoulder.
Carly felt his lips brush the top of her hair. She couldn’t remember a time she’d
felt more safe and more cared for.

“Dance with me?” His voice purred in her ear.

“Of course,” Carly followed Tony out onto the dance floor.
The music beat in her skin with a loud and fast salsa sound, but Tony pulled
her close to his body and began to move with her to a rhythm only the two of
them could feel. She let him lead her to through steps she didn’t know she
knew.

Her legs pressed against his intimately. Entwined like this,
she could feel the thickness of his cock nudging her belly. His body told her
in a very obvious way that he wanted her as much as she wanted him. She pressed
her breasts against him so he could feel how hard her nipples were. The solidness
of him against her gave her a unique understanding of the physics of friction.
Carly wanted to rub up and down him until he purred just for her.

Tony turned his head toward her and started nipping lightly
at her neck and jaw. Carly put her head back slightly to give him better access
and he flattened his hand against the top curve of her buttocks, pressing her
lower body even tighter to his. Carly let her hand slide down his back and around
his waist.

Tony lifted his head and stared at her through eyes that
were almost liquid gold. Shyly she pulled his lips closer to hers so she could
meld their mouths together to mirror their bodies. Tony’s response felt like
flames as his tongue flicked at her mouth, gently forcing his way in. Suddenly
no one else existed. Carly pulled away from him slightly to stare at him.

“Tony.” She almost didn’t recognize her own voice. His deep
hum answered her and Carly took a deep breath. Tony’s eyes were drawn to her
breasts tight against his chest. “Tony, remember what you said to me the other
night at my house?”

“I remember.”

“Well.” Carly did something she’d wanted to do since the
first time she saw him. She ran her hand from the crown of his head through the
black silk of his hair then wrapped it around her hand and pulled his head
against hers. “I want you to take me home and make love to me. I think if you
don’t make love to me tonight I’m going to explode.”

Tony’s eyes turned bright green and a slow smile spread
across his face. “Are you sure?”

“More sure than I’ve ever been of anything in my life.”
Carly skimmed her hand farther down his body and cupped his buttocks. She
pulled him closer and kissed him with an open mouth.

Tony purred or growled, she wasn’t sure which, then kissed
her hard. He grabbed her hand and dragged her out of the club, waving goodbye
as they went. Carly remembered a blur of faces with only Nolan standing out.
His grin had been accentuated by a double thumbs-up sign.

Within moments they were back in his car and heading for her
condo. They hadn’t even lasted two hours at the club and Carly didn’t care. At
every traffic light, Tony pulled her across the console for a kiss. Finally
Carly wrapped her hands in his hair to lengthen another red light kiss. Carly
sighed as his lips slanted over hers with just the right pressure. She slid her
hand down his chest to tug at his belt. Tony’s hand traced fire down her neck
as his fingers lightly worked their way to her breast. Arching into his hand, Carly
moaned as she moved her head back from his mouth.

“I want you, Tony. I can’t remember ever wanting anyone this
badly.”

“I know, kitten, I know. I can smell your need. It’s sweet
like ambrosia and I want to dip my tongue inside you and make you come until
you can’t scream my name anymore.” Tony raked his teeth gently down the side of
her neck, growling when she shook in reaction.

“C’mon, kitten. Let’s get home now.”

Carly felt dazed as he moved back to the wheel. She didn’t
know how long the light had been green but was glad no one had come up behind
them. With a shaking hand she smoothed her hair then reached over to touch his
thigh. She didn’t care if he represented a world she knew nothing about. She
wanted to be this man’s lover tonight.

* * * * *

Slade was trying to put his final plans in motion. He looked
up as one of the Beta males, Jack, came into the room but he didn’t stop his
conversation, he simply put the person on speaker. “No, that would be too
quick.”

“Hmm…Well, there’s always the swamps.”

“What? And give the gators indigestion? It’s a matter of
professional courtesy, you know.”

“So you’ll take him up to Alaska. By the time the bears,
arctic wolves and foxes get through there won’t be much left. You can just
leave the rest on an ice floe.”

Slade laughed softly, “Wolves?” He looked at Jack with an
arched eyebrow.

The man on the other end of the phone hesitated briefly as
he realized what he had just suggested and to whom. “Well, yeah.”