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Bodyguard
Shirlee McCoy
SAFEGUARDING THE WITNESSClose to bringing the Dupree crime family that murdered his parents to justice, FBI agent Ian Slade wants to track the leader—not protect the man’s niece. But with Esme Dupree’s uncle determined to silence her before she can testify against her brother, Ian and his K-9 partner are duty-bound to guard her. Even if her family ties make him doubt her innocence. But as he and Esme fight to survive the chase through the Florida Everglades, it becomes clear to Ian that she’s nothing like her family. And soon, Ian must choose between the vengeance he’s craved for so long and a future rich in forgiveness and hope.Classified K-9 Unit: These lawmen solve the toughest cases with the help of their brave canine partners
SAFEGUARDING THE WITNESS
Close to bringing the Dupree crime family that murdered his parents to justice, FBI agent Ian Slade wants to track the leader—not protect the man’s niece. But with Esme Dupree’s uncle determined to silence her before she can testify against her brother, Ian and his K-9 partner are duty-bound to guard her. Even if her family ties make him doubt her innocence. But as he and Esme fight to survive the chase through the Florida Everglades, it becomes clear to Ian that she’s nothing like her family. And soon, Ian must choose between the vengeance he’s craved for so long and a future rich in forgiveness and hope.
“Do you have any other weapons?”
“If I did, I’d have used them already,” Esme said.
“Mind if I check? Just to be sure?”
“Yes. I do.”
“I’m going to have to do it anyway. You could make it easier by not struggling.”
“You could make it easier by letting me go.”
“That would defeat the purpose of me and King spending the last three days hanging around Long Pine Key Campground searching for you.”
“Is that Cujo’s name? King?”
“Yeah. Why?” Ian patted her down one-handed, refusing to release his hold. No matter how small she seemed, no matter how harmless, she was part of the crime family that had killed his parents.
* * *
Dear Reader (#ufaf699b6-4849-5797-ab70-95846e6afa5b),
When I first began writing for Love Inspired, my children were young. I worked late at night because it was the only time when I didn’t have a toddler in my lap or “Mom!” ringing in my ears. I was so excited to be an author and to share my stories with others. I sat down to write my first reader letter, and I froze. I had no idea what to say! All these years later, that still happens.
Nevertheless, I’ve found that my words reach the people they are intended for. Perhaps this letter is yours. Perhaps these words are meant for your heart. Because you matter. You do. You are not just a tiny dot on a small planet floating in the darkness of a vast universe. You are a bright light in the life of the people who love you. You are infinitely valuable to your creator, immensely loved by a God who sees your faults and still calls you His. Wherever your road has taken you, I hope that you find comfort in knowing He is there. And if you have lost your way, I pray He leads you safely home.
As always, I would love to hear from you! You can reach me at shirlee@shirleemccoy.com or find me on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
Blessings,
Aside from her faith and her family, there’s not much SHIRLEE McCOY enjoys more than a good book! When she’s not teaching or chauffeuring her five kids, she can usually be found plotting her next Love Inspired Suspense story or wandering around the beautiful Inland Northwest in search of inspiration. Shirlee loves to hear from readers. If you have time, drop her a line at shirlee@shirleemccoy.com.
Bodyguard
Shirlee McCoy
www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged. For the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
—Joshua 1:9
To my beautiful and brave niece, Aaliyah Parker. The strongest young lady I know. I am so proud of you and so blessed to call you family! Keep smiling, sweetie. And, I will keep praying! I love you dearly!
Contents
Cover (#uc29820b3-e62a-52a8-9ff6-005514018c10)
Back Cover Text (#u1cac57c4-27dd-5823-b821-fa303b75dce4)
Introduction (#ud1889cad-033f-5073-9740-d3584bce74f9)
Dear Reader (#udf8eafd8-34a3-5651-95e6-f13ead7028b2)
About the Author (#u321b0c3c-8151-5e72-8ed9-acd3ba49fe34)
Title Page (#u0907519f-a714-5f55-bb39-352deb6117bb)
Bible Verse (#u5a822e07-41ec-586c-b528-3f8e06416223)
Dedication (#u4d5ae473-6d6d-5589-bf61-fd37f3f56b0a)
ONE (#ufbd3e509-eaec-5cc2-b5af-51169416b99d)
TWO (#ude7b8759-27ef-5512-9f0e-e2b6eb311110)
THREE (#ue4932302-e8bd-516e-a139-5e2624490d34)
FOUR (#litres_trial_promo)
FIVE (#litres_trial_promo)
SIX (#litres_trial_promo)
SEVEN (#litres_trial_promo)
EIGHT (#litres_trial_promo)
NINE (#litres_trial_promo)
TEN (#litres_trial_promo)
ELEVEN (#litres_trial_promo)
TWELVE (#litres_trial_promo)
THIRTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)
FOURTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)
EPILOGUE (#litres_trial_promo)
Extract (#litres_trial_promo)
Copyright (#litres_trial_promo)
ONE (#ufaf699b6-4849-5797-ab70-95846e6afa5b)
If the Everglades didn’t kill her, her uncle would.
Either way, Esme Dupree was going to die.
The thought of that—of all the things she’d leave behind, all the dreams she’d never fulfill—had kept her moving through the Florida wetland for three days, but she was tiring. Even the most determined person in the world couldn’t keep running forever. And she’d been running for what seemed like nearly that long. First, she’d fled witness protection, crisscrossing states to try to stay a step ahead of her uncle’s henchmen. She’d finally found her way to Florida, to the thick vegetation and quiet waterways that her parents had loved.
Esme wasn’t as keen. Her family had spent every summer of her childhood here, exploring the wetland, documenting flora and fauna as part of Esme’s homeschool experience. She preferred open fields and prairie grass, but her parents had loved the shallow green water of the Everglades. She’d never had the heart to tell them that she didn’t. By that time, her older siblings were grown and gone, and it was just the three of them, exploring the world together.
Funny that she’d come back here when her life was falling apart; when everything she’d worked for had been shot to smithereens by her brother’s and uncle’s crimes, Esme had returned to a place filled with fond memories.
It was also filled with lots of things that could kill a person. Alligators. Crocodiles. Snakes. Panthers. She wasn’t as worried about those as she was about human predators.
Her uncle and the people he’d hired.
Shirlee McCoy
SAFEGUARDING THE WITNESSClose to bringing the Dupree crime family that murdered his parents to justice, FBI agent Ian Slade wants to track the leader—not protect the man’s niece. But with Esme Dupree’s uncle determined to silence her before she can testify against her brother, Ian and his K-9 partner are duty-bound to guard her. Even if her family ties make him doubt her innocence. But as he and Esme fight to survive the chase through the Florida Everglades, it becomes clear to Ian that she’s nothing like her family. And soon, Ian must choose between the vengeance he’s craved for so long and a future rich in forgiveness and hope.Classified K-9 Unit: These lawmen solve the toughest cases with the help of their brave canine partners
SAFEGUARDING THE WITNESS
Close to bringing the Dupree crime family that murdered his parents to justice, FBI agent Ian Slade wants to track the leader—not protect the man’s niece. But with Esme Dupree’s uncle determined to silence her before she can testify against her brother, Ian and his K-9 partner are duty-bound to guard her. Even if her family ties make him doubt her innocence. But as he and Esme fight to survive the chase through the Florida Everglades, it becomes clear to Ian that she’s nothing like her family. And soon, Ian must choose between the vengeance he’s craved for so long and a future rich in forgiveness and hope.
“Do you have any other weapons?”
“If I did, I’d have used them already,” Esme said.
“Mind if I check? Just to be sure?”
“Yes. I do.”
“I’m going to have to do it anyway. You could make it easier by not struggling.”
“You could make it easier by letting me go.”
“That would defeat the purpose of me and King spending the last three days hanging around Long Pine Key Campground searching for you.”
“Is that Cujo’s name? King?”
“Yeah. Why?” Ian patted her down one-handed, refusing to release his hold. No matter how small she seemed, no matter how harmless, she was part of the crime family that had killed his parents.
* * *
Dear Reader (#ufaf699b6-4849-5797-ab70-95846e6afa5b),
When I first began writing for Love Inspired, my children were young. I worked late at night because it was the only time when I didn’t have a toddler in my lap or “Mom!” ringing in my ears. I was so excited to be an author and to share my stories with others. I sat down to write my first reader letter, and I froze. I had no idea what to say! All these years later, that still happens.
Nevertheless, I’ve found that my words reach the people they are intended for. Perhaps this letter is yours. Perhaps these words are meant for your heart. Because you matter. You do. You are not just a tiny dot on a small planet floating in the darkness of a vast universe. You are a bright light in the life of the people who love you. You are infinitely valuable to your creator, immensely loved by a God who sees your faults and still calls you His. Wherever your road has taken you, I hope that you find comfort in knowing He is there. And if you have lost your way, I pray He leads you safely home.
As always, I would love to hear from you! You can reach me at shirlee@shirleemccoy.com or find me on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
Blessings,
Aside from her faith and her family, there’s not much SHIRLEE McCOY enjoys more than a good book! When she’s not teaching or chauffeuring her five kids, she can usually be found plotting her next Love Inspired Suspense story or wandering around the beautiful Inland Northwest in search of inspiration. Shirlee loves to hear from readers. If you have time, drop her a line at shirlee@shirleemccoy.com.
Bodyguard
Shirlee McCoy
www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged. For the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
—Joshua 1:9
To my beautiful and brave niece, Aaliyah Parker. The strongest young lady I know. I am so proud of you and so blessed to call you family! Keep smiling, sweetie. And, I will keep praying! I love you dearly!
Contents
Cover (#uc29820b3-e62a-52a8-9ff6-005514018c10)
Back Cover Text (#u1cac57c4-27dd-5823-b821-fa303b75dce4)
Introduction (#ud1889cad-033f-5073-9740-d3584bce74f9)
Dear Reader (#udf8eafd8-34a3-5651-95e6-f13ead7028b2)
About the Author (#u321b0c3c-8151-5e72-8ed9-acd3ba49fe34)
Title Page (#u0907519f-a714-5f55-bb39-352deb6117bb)
Bible Verse (#u5a822e07-41ec-586c-b528-3f8e06416223)
Dedication (#u4d5ae473-6d6d-5589-bf61-fd37f3f56b0a)
ONE (#ufbd3e509-eaec-5cc2-b5af-51169416b99d)
TWO (#ude7b8759-27ef-5512-9f0e-e2b6eb311110)
THREE (#ue4932302-e8bd-516e-a139-5e2624490d34)
FOUR (#litres_trial_promo)
FIVE (#litres_trial_promo)
SIX (#litres_trial_promo)
SEVEN (#litres_trial_promo)
EIGHT (#litres_trial_promo)
NINE (#litres_trial_promo)
TEN (#litres_trial_promo)
ELEVEN (#litres_trial_promo)
TWELVE (#litres_trial_promo)
THIRTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)
FOURTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)
EPILOGUE (#litres_trial_promo)
Extract (#litres_trial_promo)
Copyright (#litres_trial_promo)
ONE (#ufaf699b6-4849-5797-ab70-95846e6afa5b)
If the Everglades didn’t kill her, her uncle would.
Either way, Esme Dupree was going to die.
The thought of that—of all the things she’d leave behind, all the dreams she’d never fulfill—had kept her moving through the Florida wetland for three days, but she was tiring. Even the most determined person in the world couldn’t keep running forever. And she’d been running for what seemed like nearly that long. First, she’d fled witness protection, crisscrossing states to try to stay a step ahead of her uncle’s henchmen. She’d finally found her way to Florida, to the thick vegetation and quiet waterways that her parents had loved.
Esme wasn’t as keen. Her family had spent every summer of her childhood here, exploring the wetland, documenting flora and fauna as part of Esme’s homeschool experience. She preferred open fields and prairie grass, but her parents had loved the shallow green water of the Everglades. She’d never had the heart to tell them that she didn’t. By that time, her older siblings were grown and gone, and it was just the three of them, exploring the world together.
Funny that she’d come back here when her life was falling apart; when everything she’d worked for had been shot to smithereens by her brother’s and uncle’s crimes, Esme had returned to a place filled with fond memories.
It was also filled with lots of things that could kill a person. Alligators. Crocodiles. Snakes. Panthers. She wasn’t as worried about those as she was about human predators.
Her uncle and the people he’d hired.
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