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Relief and embarrassment flowed through her as she pushed to her feet. She hadn’t thought of Burke’s injuries when he’d pulled her into his lap. “I’m sorry. I hope I didn’t hurt you.”

Burke laughed as he stood. “I’m fine. And I needed you close.”

Cheeks red, she shook hands with the doctor and her husband, then sat again as Burke moved into another room to let Lia check over his cuts.

The couple was obviously friends of the people at the table, and they soon caught Joe up on the incident with the box. She learned he’d worked in hostage negotiations for the FBI before creating Midnight Security with several of his friends. This area of Vermont had more than its fair share of people who were capable of taking care of themselves and those around them.

She zoned out of the conversation while she worried about Burke. Was the crime family after him? Had they not cared who they targeted?

With the card reading Malssum, she didn’t think Dan was behind the device. He was a straightforward brute, and she doubted he would attack this way, although anything was possible. She hadn’t known him that well, as they’d only been on a few dates.

Thankfully, his neighbors had heard her screams. Otherwise, she wasn’t sure how much damage he would have done.

Frizzle had jumped down when Joe and Lia entered. Now, she snoozed in the corner beside Gomez. She missed the comfort of her friend, but wouldn’t disturb her. Frizzle didn’t get as many opportunities to play with other dogs as she’d like.

Lia returned to the room with a smile. “Burke permitted me to reassure you all that he’s fine. All of the cuts are minor, mostly scratches. His thick jacket saved him from the worst of it. We’ve cleaned everything up, and he’s fine.”

Then where was he?

Before she could ask that aloud, Lia smiled at her. “Burke wants to see you, Rissa. He’s back in Seth and Mara’s suite through the kitchen door.”

Rissa nodded and rose. Frizzle immediately looked up from her nap and crossed to her. They walked together through the door and down the short hallway while Rissa worried. Did he blame her? Did he want her to leave? Now that he’d had time to think, had he decided to pull back from her again?

She’d survived the first time, but this time, she’d have to survive with a heart shattered into pieces.

Chapter 15

Answer The Call

Burke could have returned to the group with Lia, but he wanted to see Rissa alone. Find out more about Dan and how badly he’d hurt her. He wanted to hold her tightly, promise to keep her safe, and never let her go.

Her story about the creep had shaken him deeply. How did she trust anyone? First, her father had fallen apart after her mother’s death and turned into a jerk. Then Burke left, and their friendship had faded. She’d lost his family, too. She’d been on her own since her father’s death, worked harder than anyone he knew, with no support. Now this asshole had deliberately burned her.

Burke’s blood fired at the thought of what she’d been through. She was strong enough to withstand it all and come out the other side with a job that helped others and put a smile on her face.

A tentative knock sounded at the door to Seth and Mara’s suite. He knew they wouldn’t mind him using their space for a private conversation with Mara. “Come in.”

The door opened, and Frizzle bounced into the room, aiming straight for him with her happy barks. He laughed and squatted to rub her down. “Hey there, Frizzle.”

Then Burke looked up at Rissa. Instead of a happy greeting as he’d received from the Yorkie, Rissa rolled her lips together and then chewed on the bottom one. Her gaze roamed over him, but she didn’t look him in the eye.

He rose and walked to her while Frizzle examined the space. Mara’s cat, Fritter, sat atop a cabinet, watching the new arrival with the same tentative feel he was getting from Rissa.

Unable to stay away from her, Burke crossed to her and put his hands on her shoulders. “Are you okay?”

Her lips quirked, but when her gaze lifted to him, he saw the worry. “I think that’s my line.”

“I’m fine. Lia checked all the cuts and confirmed they’re minor. We cleaned them, and there won’t be any lasting effects. What’s wrong?”

“What do you mean?”

He squeezed her shoulders and kissed her forehead. “You look more worried than you did earlier. Did something else happen?”

Rissa shook her head, then closed her eyes and sucked in a deep breath. “I thought you might have changed your mind.”

He frowned. “About what?”

“About me staying. About us.”