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He ensured the safety was engaged and thumped the butt against what should be the weakest part of the window.
Another shot whistled past him. Too close. Even with the two men returning fire, the asshole’s aim was improving. “Clear.” He didn’t want his buddies focused on him, so he let them know he hadn’t been hit.
His next blow with the gun butt shattered the window. As he cleared the debris, he heard more shots and Frizzle barking frantically, but nothing from Rissa.
“It’s me, Frizzle. I’m coming. Where’s Rissa?”
He shifted and dropped through the window, bracing himself on the seat and the steering wheel. The shooter couldn’t get at him now with the protection of the RV’s undercarriage, but if he hit the gas or propane tank, all bets were off. He had to get them out now.
Rissa lay on her side on the cupboards where she kept her clothes. Frizzle sat beside her, licking her face between barks.
As Burke reached her, Rissa’s eyelids fluttered, and relief roared through him.
Not dead. She wasn’t dead.
“Don’t move, honey. Let’s make sure you’re okay before we move you. Open your eyes for me, Rissa.”
Her eyelids fluttered again, and Frizzle’s barking ramped up.
Burke brushed Rissa’s hair off her face as he checked her pulse. Fast, but strong. “Rissa? Open your eyes for me. Let me know how you feel.”
Her lips twisted into a frown, but she opened her eyes, and Burke had to blink back the emotion flooding his system. “There you are, Rissa. Tell me where it hurts.”
She blinked a few times and then smiled when Frizzle licked her face. “What happened?”
“Can you move all your limbs? Where’s your pain?”
She closed her eyes for a moment, but when she opened them, they were clearer. “I’m okay. I must have bashed my head against something, but everything else feels fine. Are you okay?”
He grinned. “Now that I know you are? Definitely.”
“What’s wrong with the Q Lab? What happened?”
Her hand stroked Frizzle, and the Yorkie stopped barking to snuggle in. When Rissa tried to sit up, Burke stopped her. “Let me check you for injuries first.”
He hadn’t been a field medic, but all military personnel were trained in basic first aid. He ran his hands over her body and found nothing concerning—no broken bones, no blood.
He eased her to a sitting position and rested her back against the ceiling.
Her eyes widened as she looked around. “I thought I was dizzy and disoriented. Why is the Q Lab on her side?”
Burke pulled out his phone. “I’ll tell you the entire story once we’re all safe. Let me text the others, tell them you’re okay, and find out what’s happening.”
The noise outside had increased with shouts, but he hadn’t heard any bullets over the fear roaring through his system.
He needed a situation report, so he opened the Apple Gang chat and typed. We’re okay. SitRep?
The guys were probably too busy to give him a full situation report, but someone would spread the word that they were safe.
In only moments, Amber replied. So glad you’re both okay. Gray, Boomer, and Seth are driving around to Sally and Greg’s farm to come up on the man from behind. Appears to be a single shooter. Stay safe.
Burke read the text to Rissa, then leaned over to kiss her softly. He wanted to pull her into his arms, but that would have to wait until they were safe.
“What should we do to help?”
He grinned and kissed her again. “For now, we lie low and wait for them to clear the scene. Popping our heads up would be dumb, so we’ll wait for more information before doing that.”
“Okay.” Her eyes roamed over him. “Amber said there’s someone with a gun out there. Did you get hurt? Did anyone?”
