Raven's Prey

Honor was both relieved and appalled to see him leave. He didn’t really represent protection, she reminded herself. He would only get hurt if he got in Judd’s way and she didn’t want to be responsible for that.
    Hurriedly she let herself inside the dark apartment, flipping on the light switch with impatient fingers and glancing around. A part of her had been half-afraid that she would not find herself alone, but she was safe. There was no raven waiting to pounce from the shadows. How much time did she have? Five minutes? Ten? Would Judd follow her straight from the lounge or would he take his time? He’d seemed in no hurry.
    It went against the grain, against every bit of pride she possessed, but Honor knew that she was going to run again. She needed to get out of Judd’s reach and the only way to do that was to flee. Surely his fury would wear itself out. He couldn’t be feeling anything more for her than frustrated desire. He didn’t have any more meaningful emotions, she told herself savagely. But how strong was his desire? How far would he follow her to assuage it?
    She threw her clothes into the suitcase, not bothering to fold anything. Jeans, shirts, underwear, a toothbrush. God, she was getting good at this. Too good. In a matter of minutes she knew she had the essentials. Then she grabbed her purse, which still contained the money she’d brought back with her from Mexico.
    California. This time it would be California. A big city like L.A. where even a raven would find the hunting tough. Then she’d call Maddock and ask for help.
    Picking up the car keys on the way down the hall, Honor opened the front door and stepped out onto the walk, her suitcase in her hand. She only took one step before she realized that this time there would be no chance to run.
    Judd stepped out of the shadows at the end of the walk, striding toward her with the relentlessness of a circling bird of prey. She was trapped.

Chapter 8
    H is voice was still even, but his words terrified her. “You can’t run and hide from me, Honor. I’m the man who can find you in the heart of Mexico. I found you here in Phoenix. And I’d have found you regardless of where you decided to run tonight.”
    “Damn you, Judd! You have no right to terrorize me like this! I’ll call Maddock! I’ll call the police, I swear it. Leave me alone. You’ve done all the damage you’re going to do in my life!”
    “What about the damage you’ve done to mine?” he startled her by asking. He was only a couple of feet away. In another moment he would be able to put out his hand and touch her. Honor stepped back into the doorway.
    “What on earth are you talking about?” she breathed, her eyes widening.
    “Never mind,” he muttered abruptly. “We can talk this all out later. Right now I’m in a hurry. Have you got everything you’ll need?” He came to a halt in front of her and gestured at the suitcase in her hand.
    “Need for what?” She glared at him warily.
    “For a vacation in New Mexico, naturally,” he drawled. “That’s where we’re going this evening.”
    “Not on your life!” She jumped backward and tried to slam the door. It caught on the immovable object of his booted foot. “Judd, I mean it! You can’t do this! Not in this country!”
    “This is between you and me,” he grated. “It’s got nothing at all to do with the laws of the nation.” He thrust open the door and reached for her.
    Honor dropped the suitcase and turned to flee. It was a useless exercise. Without any apparent effort Judd caught her lightly around the waist, pulling her back against him. When she tried to strike out at him with her hands he snagged her wrists. Holding her as she panted and struggled in the circle of his arm, he withdrew a length of fabric from one pocket.
    “Judd, don’t you dare!” Honor choked, outraged. But he ignored her, binding her wrists with a few deft twists of the fabric strip. She opened her mouth to scream and found herself gasping for breath as he heaved her easily over one shoulder.
    By the time she recovered enough to attempt another shout for assistance Judd was picking up her suitcase and locking the front door. Then he was striding back down the walk toward a dark car parked at the curb.
    “This is kidnapping!” she charged furiously as he stuffed her not urgently into the front seat of the car and slid in beside her.
    He started the engine, not glancing at her as he pulled away from the curb. “I see it