Jill Elizabeth - Duty To Defend

THE MARSHAL’S MISSION

Working undercover at a day care, Deputy Marshal Daci Marlowe has one mission: protect a mother and her infant son from the woman’s fugitive ex-boyfriend. But when someone seems more focused on killing Daci, she and her partner, child-advocate attorney Jax Williams, must figure out why before it’s too late. With her family’s tragic past and her experience raising her siblings, Daci can’t help but relate to the woman and child—even as she’s drawn to Jax. Daci knows that Jax has his own harrowing past, though, one that makes the handsome defender keep her at arm’s length. But with each attempt on Daci’s life, Jax comes closer to both Daci and a dangerous truth.

The heavy rat-a-tat of automatic-weapon fire shredded the night.

Daci’s heart pounded like a trip-hammer as she grabbed for the small pistol she’d strapped to her ankle for tonight’s meeting, although what good the little peashooter might do against an automatic was anybody’s guess.

Abruptly, the staccato burst of gunfire ceased, and Daci inched her head up above the hood of her car. With a screech of tires, the van raced away up the street.

Other gunfire blended with hers, and she searched for the shooter. There! Jax was rushing up the middle of the street, pistol raised and blasting, but the van didn’t slow down as it disappeared into the night.

Jax broke off chasing the fleeing vehicle and raced toward the bullet-riddled VW, calling her name. Panic edged his tone.

Daci popped to her feet. “I’m here. I’m okay.”

“No, you’re not. You’re bleeding.” He gestured toward her arm.

She glanced down. Sure enough, warm blood trickled down her bare arm below the cap sleeve of her blouse. Now that the crisis was past, a hot burn in her biceps suddenly registered.

“Just a graze. Nothing serious.”

“Nothing serious? Are you kidding? Someone tried to kill you.”

JILL ELIZABETH NELSON writes what she likes to read—faith-based tales of adventure seasoned with romance. Parts of the year find her and her husband on the international mission field. Other parts find them at home in rural Minnesota, surrounded by the woods and prairie and four grown children and young grandchildren. More about Jill and her books can be found at jillelizabethnelson.comor Facebook.com/jillelizabethnelson.author.

Duty to Defend

Jill Elizabeth Nelson

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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Blessed is he that considereth the poor:

the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble.

The Lord will preserve him, and keep him alive;

and he shall be blessed upon the earth: and thou

wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies.

—Psalms 41:1–2

To all the caregivers out there.

You know who you are!

Whether you care for aging parents,

developmentally challenged children or adults,

or a spouse or other loved one with

challenges that need special care,

you make the world a better place.

Acknowledgments

Bushel baskets of gratitude to my savvy editor

at Love Inspired Suspense, Elizabeth Mazer,

and to the rest of the editorial, copy and design staff that work so diligently to make each book the best it can be for our readers. Special blessings to my hubby, who puts up with a lot of shushing when I’m nearing manuscript deadline. Thanks so much for your patience, sweetheart! And a special shout-out to you readers. Your kind enthusiasm fuels my desire to write these stories. Bless you and read on!

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text THE MARSHAL’S MISSION Working undercover at a day care, Deputy Marshal Daci Marlowe has one mission: protect a mother and her infant son from the woman’s fugitive ex-boyfriend. But when someone seems more focused on killing Daci, she and her partner, child-advocate attorney Jax Williams, must figure out why before it’s too late. With her family’s tragic past and her experience raising her siblings, Daci can’t help but relate to the woman and child—even as she’s drawn to Jax. Daci knows that Jax has his own harrowing past, though, one that makes the handsome defender keep her at arm’s length. But with each attempt on Daci’s life, Jax comes closer to both Daci and a dangerous truth.

Introduction The heavy rat-a-tat of automatic-weapon fire shredded the night. Daci’s heart pounded like a trip-hammer as she grabbed for the small pistol she’d strapped to her ankle for tonight’s meeting, although what good the little peashooter might do against an automatic was anybody’s guess. Abruptly, the staccato burst of gunfire ceased, and Daci inched her head up above the hood of her car. With a screech of tires, the van raced away up the street. Other gunfire blended with hers, and she searched for the shooter. There! Jax was rushing up the middle of the street, pistol raised and blasting, but the van didn’t slow down as it disappeared into the night. Jax broke off chasing the fleeing vehicle and raced toward the bullet-riddled VW, calling her name. Panic edged his tone. Daci popped to her feet. “I’m here. I’m okay.” “No, you’re not. You’re bleeding.” He gestured toward her arm. She glanced down. Sure enough, warm blood trickled down her bare arm below the cap sleeve of her blouse. Now that the crisis was past, a hot burn in her biceps suddenly registered. “Just a graze. Nothing serious.” “Nothing serious? Are you kidding? Someone tried to kill you.”

About the Author JILL ELIZABETH NELSON writes what she likes to read—faith-based tales of adventure seasoned with romance. Parts of the year find her and her husband on the international mission field. Other parts find them at home in rural Minnesota, surrounded by the woods and prairie and four grown children and young grandchildren. More about Jill and her books can be found at jillelizabethnelson.com or Facebook.com/jillelizabethnelson.author .

Title Page Duty to Defend Jill Elizabeth Nelson www.millsandboon.co.uk

Bible Verse Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble. The Lord will preserve him, and keep him alive; and he shall be blessed upon the earth: and thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies. —Psalms 41:1–2

Dedication To all the caregivers out there. You know who you are! Whether you care for aging parents, developmentally challenged children or adults, or a spouse or other loved one with challenges that need special care, you make the world a better place. Acknowledgments Bushel baskets of gratitude to my savvy editor at Love Inspired Suspense, Elizabeth Mazer, and to the rest of the editorial, copy and design staff that work so diligently to make each book the best it can be for our readers. Special blessings to my hubby, who puts up with a lot of shushing when I’m nearing manuscript deadline. Thanks so much for your patience, sweetheart! And a special shout-out to you readers. Your kind enthusiasm fuels my desire to write these stories. Bless you and read on!

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four