Laura Scott - Identity Crisis

Where is her twin?

Gage Drummond’s ex-fiancée is missing and in grave danger. Her identical twin sister is his only chance of finding her. But an accident has left Mallory Roth with amnesia. Still, Mallory is more than willing to help search for answers to secure Alyssa’s safe return. But it soon becomes clear that Mallory isn’t acting like herself. In fact, minute by minute, Mallory reminds Gage more and more of the woman he’s desperate to find. And with one sister missing and another missing memories, it’s obvious their enemies are playing for keeps. Can they discover the truth—before it’s too late?

“You’re not Mallory, you’re Alyssa.”

Gage knew he was right. An overwhelming relief washed over him.

“And you know this—how?”

“It’s the only thing that makes sense. Earlier you asked me if I believed in God, and I do. So does Alyssa. But Mallory’s not a churchgoer. Aly…you talked about it.”

Slowly she shook her head. “I think you’re just saying this to make yourself feel better.”

“Feel better about what?” he demanded.

“About how close we came to kissing back there on the sidewalk.”

He remembered that moment, when their faces had been close. Too close. “Nothing happened,” he denied swiftly. “What’s wrong with you? I thought you’d be glad to know your true identity.”

“But I don’t know my true identity, do I?” she countered. “Telling me I’m Alyssa or Mallory doesn’t really change anything. I’m not anyone until I can remember for myself.”

He didn’t want to admit she was right. While he might be convinced she really was Alyssa, the truth didn’t change anything.

She still couldn’t remember. Not her identity and not anything related to the danger they were in.

LAURA SCOTT

grew up reading faith-based romance books by Grace Livingston Hill, but as much as she loved the stories, she longed for a bit more mystery and suspense. She is honored to write for the Love Inspired Suspense line, where a reader can find a heartwarming journey of faith amid the thrilling danger.

Laura lives with her husband of over twenty-five years and has two children, a daughter and a son, who are both in college. She works as a critical-care nurse during the day at a large level-one trauma center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and spends her spare time writing romance.

Please visit Laura at www.laurascottbooks.com, as she loves to hear from her readers.

Identity Crisis

Laura Scott

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Before you start reading, why not sign up?

Thank you for downloading this Mills & Boon book. If you want to hear about exclusive discounts, special offers and competitions, sign up to our email newsletter today!

SIGN ME UP!

Or simply visit

signup.millsandboon.co.uk

Mills & Boon emails are completely free to receive and you can unsubscribe at any time via the link in any email we send you.

All the prophets testify about him,

that everyone who believes in him

receives forgiveness of sins through his name.

—Acts 10:43

This book is dedicated to my wonderful in-laws Ted and Pat Iding, who welcomed me into their family twenty-seven years ago and have loved me like a daughter. Thanks for always being there.

Contents

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

EPILOGUE

Dear Reader

Questions for Discussion

ONE

Alyssa Roth pulled the hood of her sweatshirt up to cover her newly cropped blond hair as she cautiously approached her town house. She couldn’t imagine why her twin sister might have come to her place, but she’d searched all Mallory’s usual spots over the past few hours, without success. She’d called and left messages at Mallory’s condo and on her cell. She was feeling desperate. She had to find her twin and warn her of the danger.

The hour was close to midnight, so there weren’t many people out and about, but that didn’t stop her from casting a worried glance over her shoulder. She’d taken a bus from a park-and-ride close to the motel and walked the rest of the way. Using her key, she opened the door and quickly crossed the threshold, locking the door behind her.

The interior was dark so if Mallory was there, she must be sleeping. She pulled a small penlight out of her pocket, unwilling to risk the overhead lights that would effectively broadcast her presence to anyone who might be watching.

Holding the light low at her side, she walked through the kitchen into the living room. She caught an unexpected flash of glitter, and relief washed over her as she realized Mallory’s hair clip was on the table beside the sofa.

“Mallory,” she whispered loudly as she headed down the hall toward her bedroom. “Wake up. You can’t stay here! I’m in danger. I’m being followed and believe it or not, a cop actually tried to kill me!”

There was no response, and when she pushed open the door to her bedroom, her burst of hope faded when she saw the bed was empty. She took two steps into the room before she noticed the dark puddle staining the floor. She stared at it, slowly realizing it was blood.

Too much blood.

Dread sucked the oxygen from her lungs and she stumbled backward, hitting the door frame hard in her effort to get away. What had happened here? Every instinct she possessed screamed at her to run, but she forced herself to stay long enough to sweep her light over the room, half-afraid she’d find Mallory’s body. She even went as far as to check the closet and under the bed. Nothing. The only item out of place was a bright yellow blouse, lying crumpled in the far corner, darkly stained with blood.

The hair clip and yellow blouse proved Mallory had been here recently. Alyssa swayed. Nausea threatened to erupt from her stomach in a violent heave. As a nurse, she knew there was too much blood to believe Mallory had escaped unscathed. She stared at the yellow blouse, a sinking realization making her knees weak.

The blouse wasn’t Mallory’s. It was the blouse she’d bought for herself last week. Her blouse. Her town house. Both full of blood.

She sagged against the door for support as her mind whirled with possibilities. The night before, Councilman Schaefer had gripped her hand and whispered that he’d been stabbed by a hired thug working for Hugh Jefferson. Stunned, she’d gone straight to the authorities, but Officer Crane had brushed aside her concern.

She thought his response was odd, but one minute they were preparing Schaefer for surgery, the next he was dead. Later that night, after her shift at the hospital, a dark blue van tried to run her car off the road and she’d caught a glimpse of Officer Crane’s ruddy face before she managed to avoid the crash.

Fearing for her life, she hadn’t gone home. She’d checked into a run-down motel and spent the next twelve hours changing her appearance so she looked like Mallory, buying tight clothing and a gaudy purse. She went to the DMV for a new ID and obtained a fake tattoo above her collarbone to match her twin’s.

Now she realized her efforts were in vain. She couldn’t tear her gaze from the yellow blouse, feeling sick as she realized what must have transpired. Mallory probably had another fight with her ex and had come here to find Alyssa for support. Only, Crane or Jefferson must have been watching her town house and killed Mallory by mistake.