Laura Scott - Mirror Image

MISTAKEN IDENTITY

When someone attempts to kidnap SWAT cop Jenna Reed, what saves her is her training and the impeccable timing of her boss, Lieutenant Griff Vaughn. Then they find the real target hiding in the bushes, a runaway teen who is Jenna’s look-alike…and the sister she never knew she had. Teaming up to unravel her sister’s past and find the human-trafficking thugs who intend to kill her, Jenna and Griff have no choice but to go on the run—outside the law. But with time running out—and their all-too-unprofessional attraction proving difficult to ignore—can Jenna and Griff protect Jenna’s sister and take down the criminals without sacrificing their careers…or their lives?

SWAT: Top Cops—Love in the Line of Duty

They were about halfway to the squad car when they heard the loud crack of a gunshot.

“Get down,” Griff shouted, pushing Jenna and Claire to the ground and covering their bodies as much as possible with his.

“We need to get to the car,” he whispered as he eased off them.

When they reached the relative safety of the squad car, Jenna pulled open the back passenger door, gesturing for Claire to get in first. “Keep your head down,” she commanded.

There wasn’t any sign of the shooter, although that didn’t necessarily surprise Jenna. The shot had sounded as if it came from a rifle. No doubt the gunman was perched high on a tree branch or maybe on the roof of one of the houses across the street.

Jenna hated knowing that she’d somehow dragged Griff into this mess, right into the center of danger.

She glanced back at him. “I’m going to slide into the driver’s seat. If they want Claire alive, he may confuse me for her and hold off on shooting,” she said.

Jenna waited until Griff was safely inside before she hit the gas and pulled away from the curb. She held her breath as she drove, desperate to put distance between their car and the shooter.

LAURA SCOTT is a nurse by day and an author by night. She has always loved romance, reading faith-based books by Grace Livingston Hill in her teenage years. She’s thrilled to have published fifteen books for Love Inspired Suspense. She has two adult children and lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with her husband of thirty years. Please visit Laura at laurascottbooks.com, as she loves to hear from her readers.

Mirror

Image

Laura Scott

www.millsandboon.co.uk

This is the message we have heard from Him and declare

to you: God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all.

— 1 John 1:5

This book is dedicated to my Aunt Joan and Uncle Jerry Cook.

Thanks for all the wonderful family memories!

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text MISTAKEN IDENTITY When someone attempts to kidnap SWAT cop Jenna Reed, what saves her is her training and the impeccable timing of her boss, Lieutenant Griff Vaughn. Then they find the real target hiding in the bushes, a runaway teen who is Jenna’s look-alike…and the sister she never knew she had. Teaming up to unravel her sister’s past and find the human-trafficking thugs who intend to kill her, Jenna and Griff have no choice but to go on the run—outside the law. But with time running out—and their all-too-unprofessional attraction proving difficult to ignore—can Jenna and Griff protect Jenna’s sister and take down the criminals without sacrificing their careers…or their lives? SWAT: Top Cops—Love in the Line of Duty

Introduction They were about halfway to the squad car when they heard the loud crack of a gunshot. “Get down,” Griff shouted, pushing Jenna and Claire to the ground and covering their bodies as much as possible with his. “We need to get to the car,” he whispered as he eased off them. When they reached the relative safety of the squad car, Jenna pulled open the back passenger door, gesturing for Claire to get in first. “Keep your head down,” she commanded. There wasn’t any sign of the shooter, although that didn’t necessarily surprise Jenna. The shot had sounded as if it came from a rifle. No doubt the gunman was perched high on a tree branch or maybe on the roof of one of the houses across the street. Jenna hated knowing that she’d somehow dragged Griff into this mess, right into the center of danger. She glanced back at him. “I’m going to slide into the driver’s seat. If they want Claire alive, he may confuse me for her and hold off on shooting,” she said. Jenna waited until Griff was safely inside before she hit the gas and pulled away from the curb. She held her breath as she drove, desperate to put distance between their car and the shooter.

About the Author LAURA SCOTT is a nurse by day and an author by night. She has always loved romance, reading faith-based books by Grace Livingston Hill in her teenage years. She’s thrilled to have published fifteen books for Love Inspired Suspense. She has two adult children and lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with her husband of thirty years. Please visit Laura at laurascottbooks.com , as she loves to hear from her readers.

Title Page Mirror Image Laura Scott www.millsandboon.co.uk

Bible Verse This is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all. — 1 John 1:5

Dedication This book is dedicated to my Aunt Joan and Uncle Jerry Cook. Thanks for all the wonderful family memories!

ONE

TWO

THREE

FOUR

FIVE

SIX

SEVEN

EIGHT

NINE

TEN

ELEVEN

TWELVE

THIRTEEN

FOURTEEN

FIFTEEN

SIXTEEN

SEVENTEEN

EPILOGUE

Dear Reader

Extract

Copyright

ONE

Sheriff’s deputy Jenna Reed parked a few yards down the street from her house despite the late hour. She had a one-car garage in the alley, but the structure needed work, so she preferred parking on the street, as did most of her neighbors. As she darted around cars to make her way home, she frowned, slowing her pace when she noticed the front porch light wasn’t on. Had she forgotten to flip the switch before leaving for work? Or had the bulb burned out? She thought she’d turned it on, but maybe not.

The cool spring breeze made her shiver, as she wore only a cotton blouse and denim jacket. She and her teammates had celebrated her colleague Caleb O’Malley’s promotion after work at Joey’s Pizzeria. They’d all changed out of their uniforms for the party, which was a good thing since their boss, Griff Vaughn, had unexpectedly joined them. Seeing off-duty officers in uniform was just one of their lieutenant’s pet peeves.

Jenna was cutting across the lawn, heading toward her front porch, when she sensed someone behind her. She whirled, but a second too late. Large hands roughly grabbed her from behind, nearly jerking her off her feet.

Jenna’s reaction was swift. Kicking back with her booted foot, she caught her assailant’s kneecap with her heel. The hands loosened momentarily but then tightened, an arm sliding around her neck, cutting off her airway. The scent of stale cigar smoke clung to her captor’s clothing. She refused to panic, instead using her elbows and heels to fight back while attempting to pry the muscular arm from around her neck.

For what seemed like endless minutes, she struggled with the man who’d grabbed her, her heart beating frantically in her chest as she fought for air. She hated feeling weak, and for a moment the attack reminded her of the night she’d had to fight her father.

No!

Jenna kicked back again at her assailant’s knees, and her booted heel found its mark. The arm loosened around her neck enough that she could get her hands up to break out of the hold. Then she spun in a roundhouse kick, catching her attacker in the solar plexus.