Raven’s Prey(35)
Author: Jayne Ann Krentz

Desperately she licked her lips, trying to regain her composure. “Don’t be ridiculous, Judd. I’m not going anywhere with you. This isn’t Mexico. I don’t have to go anywhere with you again!”

“You’re coming with me tonight, Honor.”

“No! Never!”

“If you involve your friend in the three-piece suit I’ll probably wind up having to hurt him badly. Think about that when you go back to his table.”

“You can’t do this and you know it!” she hissed.

“Watch me!”

“Judd! Stop this! You know damn good and well you can’t threaten me now.”

“I’m not threatening you. I’m here to collect what’s mine. Very simple.”

“I don’t belong to you,” she breathed.

“I saved your life.”

“That doesn’t give you any right! And besides, I didn’t particularly approve of the way you went about it, remember?” she grated fiercely.

“You didn’t understand at the time. I’m going to try and make everything very clear to you this time around. Are you coming with me now or is it going to be like it was in Mexico? Are we going to have to do it the hard way?”

She gasped. “You arrogant bastard! Go to hell, Judd Raven! I’m not going anywhere with you ever again!” Spinning around on her heel Honor fled back through the crowd to where Steve Melbourne waited

“Honor? Are you okay? You look upset….” Steve climbed to his feet, an anxious expression on his handsome features.

“Take me home, please, Steve. I’ve just had a very upsetting conversation with my acquaintance. I really would like to go home.”

“Well, sure, if that’s what you want. Should I say something to your friend? He had no right to upset you like this.” Steve frowned, collecting Honor’s purple shawl and taking her arm to guide her toward the door.

“No, no, it’s nothing.” Belatedly she remembered Judd’s warning. “It was just some news about a mutual friend of ours that upset me.” She mustn’t involve Steve. She didn’t want to bear the guilt for putting him in Judd’s path.

She didn’t dare glance in Judd’s direction as Steve escorted her out of the lounge but she could feel the eyes of the raven on her as she walked out the door. Where could she go? A wave of hysteria welled up inside her as Steve drove her back to her apartment That was the same question she’d asked herself the night she had fled Hong Kong. Which way lay safety?

Over and over again she tried to tell herself that this-time there was no need to run, but no amount of rationalization could make her forget the dark fury burning in Judd’s eyes that night.

She’d seen him frustrated, even annoyed and angry, but never had she seen this kind of blazing rage. He was the hunter who’d had his prey snatched from his grasp. Nothing would satisfy him but to regain possession of it.

Perhaps she could contact Craig Maddock? Did the government man have any real control over Raven? Honor wasn’t at all sure that he did. Judd was a law unto himself. Maddock had implied as much when he’d warned Judd that he was coming close to the edge. Surely terrorizing her was taking a step over the line? But what could Maddock do about it? What could anyone do about Judd Raven once he’d decided on his target.

“Good night, Steve,” she said as the car drew up in front of her building. “I’m really sorry to have to end the evening so abruptly. Perhaps some other time?”

“I’ll walk you to the door,” Steve began, only to have Honor wave him aside.

“No, that’s fine. I’ve got my key ready. Don’t worry about hanging around. Please. I’ll see you soon. Good night,” she said again and practically leaped from the car.

Steve Melbourne’s car pulled reluctantly back out into the street just as she turned the key in her lock, and 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

His 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.