Elisabeth Rees - Innocent Target

To clear her father’s name...

she’ll risk her life

Nothing can stop journalist Kitty Linklater from proving her father was wrongfully convicted of murder—especially not a killer who wants to silence her. With the town turned against Kitty, Chief Deputy Ryan Lawrence isn’t convinced of her father’s innocence, but he’s sure she’s in danger. And he’ll put his heart and job on the line to save her life...even if it costs his own.

ELISABETH REES was raised in the Welsh town of Hay-on-Wye, where her father was the parish vicar. She attended Cardiff University and gained a degree in politics. After meeting her husband, they moved to the wild rolling hills of Carmarthenshire, and Elisabeth took up writing. She is now a full-time wife, mother and author. Find out more about Elisabeth at elisabethrees.com.

Also by Elisabeth Rees Contents Cover Back Cover Text About the Author Booklist Title Page Copyright Introduction Dear Reader Bible Verse Dedication ONE TWO THREE FOUR FIVE SIX SEVEN EIGHT NINE TEN ELEVEN TWELVE EPILOGUE Extract About the Publisher

Navy SEAL Defenders

Lethal Exposure

Foul Play

Covert Cargo

Unraveling the Past

The SEAL’s Secret Child

Innocent Target

Caught in the Crosshairs

Discover more at millsandboon.co.uk.

Innocent Target

Elisabeth Rees

www.millsandboon.co.uk

ISBN: 978-1-474-09497-9

INNOCENT TARGET

© 2019 Elisabeth Rees

Published in Great Britain 2019

by Mills & Boon, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF

All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, locations and incidents are purely fictional and bear no relationship to any real life individuals, living or dead, or to any actual places, business establishments, locations, events or incidents. Any resemblance is entirely coincidental.

By payment of the required fees, you are granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right and licence to download and install this e-book on your personal computer, tablet computer, smart phone or other electronic reading device only (each a “Licensed Device”) and to access, display and read the text of this e-book on-screen on your Licensed Device. Except to the extent any of these acts shall be permitted pursuant to any mandatory provision of applicable law but no further, no part of this e-book or its text or images may be reproduced, transmitted, distributed, translated, converted or adapted for use on another file format, communicated to the public, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of publisher.

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www.millsandboon.co.uk

Version: 2020-03-02

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Her heart thudded in her chest as she waited for something to happen.

The first gunshot caused her to jump. As the shots intensified, she heard shouting. She recognized Ryan’s rich, deep voice ordering someone to lay down a weapon.

Kitty moved toward the broken window and peered out. The bullet that flew past her head came so close that it created a breeze and she screamed, dropping to the floor again. The bullets wouldn’t stop coming.

She stood and ran into the hallway, intending to gain a better vantage point upstairs, but pain sliced into her leg like a bee sting, and she fell to the floor. The gunshots gradually ceased.

“Kitty,” Ryan yelled into the house. “Where are you?”

“I’m here.”

He appeared at her side.

“My leg,” she said. “Something hit my leg.”

He inspected her right thigh, where blood was trickling. “A bullet grazed you,” he said. “It’s not serious.”

“When will it be over?” she cried.

“Soon. We’ll get through this, Kitty,” he said soothingly. “I promise.”

As much as she wanted to believe his promises, she wasn’t sure she could.

Only time would tell.

Dear Reader Contents Cover Back Cover Text About the Author Booklist Title Page Copyright Introduction Dear Reader Bible Verse Dedication ONE TWO THREE FOUR FIVE SIX SEVEN EIGHT NINE TEN ELEVEN TWELVE EPILOGUE Extract About the Publisher ,

Thank you for choosing to read Innocent Target . I hope you enjoyed the story.

Kitty is a heroine whom I admire greatly. She stands alone, defying her critics and remaining strong in the face of adversity. We could all take a lesson from Kitty and fight for those who are oppressed, imprisoned or written off as unworthy. God has given us a voice. We should use it to defend the weak, even if others do not always agree with our stance.

Initially, Kitty and Ryan had a conflict that could not be overcome. But as soon as Ryan softened his heart and let go of his preconceptions, he was able to see Kitty’s father as a man rather than a monster. It was satisfying to see him grow in faith and compassion through the story.

I look forward to welcoming you as a reader again.

Blessings,

Elisabeth Rees

And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

—John 1:5

For Shana and Jack Asaro and baby Natalie, with a wish that many blessings are bestowed upon their newly grown family.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text To clear her father’s name... she’ll risk her life Nothing can stop journalist Kitty Linklater from proving her father was wrongfully convicted of murder—especially not a killer who wants to silence her. With the town turned against Kitty, Chief Deputy Ryan Lawrence isn’t convinced of her father’s innocence, but he’s sure she’s in danger. And he’ll put his heart and job on the line to save her life...even if it costs his own.

About the Author ELISABETH REES was raised in the Welsh town of Hay-on-Wye, where her father was the parish vicar. She attended Cardiff University and gained a degree in politics. After meeting her husband, they moved to the wild rolling hills of Carmarthenshire, and Elisabeth took up writing. She is now a full-time wife, mother and author. Find out more about Elisabeth at elisabethrees.com .

Booklist Also by Elisabeth Rees Contents Cover Back Cover Text About the Author Booklist Title Page Copyright Introduction Dear Reader Bible Verse Dedication ONE TWO THREE FOUR FIVE SIX SEVEN EIGHT NINE TEN ELEVEN TWELVE EPILOGUE Extract About the Publisher Navy SEAL Defenders Lethal Exposure Foul Play Covert Cargo Unraveling the Past The SEAL’s Secret Child Innocent Target Caught in the Crosshairs Discover more at millsandboon.co.uk .