Free Changing Times by Marilu Mann Page B

was at the door to his bedroom as he confirmed her
address then grabbed his keys. He suddenly remembered that the Jaguar was in
the shop and the van was still at the store.
    Tony briefly debated changing and making his way to Carly’s
on four feet but realized that might not be the best plan. He grabbed a
different set of keys and took off for the garage. His standby vehicle was
there. The truck was old but reliable. Tony got behind the wheel of the ancient
pickup and gunned the motor to life.
    Within twenty minutes of Carly’s call he was pulling up a
block away from her house. Tony got out of the truck and made a round of the
block, using all the senses available to him as he searched for any traces of
the “other”.
    Tony found a spot where someone had been watching Carly’s place.
The scent wasn’t one he was familiar with, so he knew that it was one of Slade’s
people. Tony felt his lip curl as he moved closer to Carly’s condo. He knocked
on the door then looked around again as he waited for her to answer the door.
    There was a muffled noise from the other side of the door.
Tony stared straight into the peephole. Though the condo was in darkness, he
could sense Carly on the other side of the door. Tony waited for her to open
the door. Her voice came through the closed door asking who was there.
    “Carly, it’s Tony. Open the door.” He heard the sound of the
chain being pulled back then two locks clicked open. Carly stood framed in the
doorway. She stared at him for a long moment then stepped back to let him in. “He’s
not here now, there was no sign of him outside.”
    Tony stared hard at her for a moment then simply held his
hand out. Carly let him pull her closer then she practically jumped into the
circle of his arms. Tony closed his arms around her as he kicked the door shut
behind him. He held her tight in the circle of his arms as she took a deep
breath.
    He could feel her pulse rate and heartbeat slowing as she
absorbed the warmth of his body. Tony was wearing a shirt but when she had moved
closer to him her hand had landed on bare skin. He’d been in such a hurry to
get to her he hadn’t buttoned his shirt, just stuffed it into his jeans.
    Tony could feel her awareness of him now. Though she’d been
scared when he’d first arrived, she felt at ease with Tony. She knew on some
internal level that he would do everything in his power to keep her safe. His
arms tightened around her briefly. Carly took a small step back. Tony
immediately released her. He stroked one hand down the back of her head before
he reached up with his other hand to tilt her face back slightly.
    “Did he hurt you?”
    “No, he was just on my car watching me. There’s something
seriously wrong with him, Tony.”
    “He’s dangerous. I told you that. I’m staying here until
daylight.” It was a statement, not a request. He saw her anger flare for a
moment and saw when she realized that she really wanted him there. She simply
nodded as she turned to lead the way into her condo.
    Tony followed even as he glanced around with interest. Carly’s
tastes were somewhat eclectic but the overall effect was one of comfort. The
colors she had used were bright and vibrant, much like the woman he could still
feel in his arms. She was very different from Jenny. That thought came unbidden
into his mind and Tony shook his head slightly.
    His hair fell forward and he brushed it back impatiently. He
hadn’t bothered pulling it back when he’d left his home. Tony chuckled briefly
as he realized that wasn’t all he hadn’t bothered with. His appearance left a
great deal to be desired. Not only had he stuffed his shirt into the first pair
of jeans that had come to hand, but he’d put his shoes on without benefit of
socks.
    Tony ran a hand through his hair again, as he became aware
that Carly was watching him. She was standing in front of the coffeemaker with
a large cup in her hand. Tony nodded once and she turned her back on him to
pour