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Pick Of The Crop

Page 68

by Jemi Fraser

“No. We’re all okay.” At least he hoped that was true. They’d all been fine when Burke had climbed into the Q Lab.

He brushed his hand over her jaw. “I want to hold you, but we need to be ready for anything. Will you be able to climb out?”

Her eyes moved past him until she spotted the shattered glass of the driver’s window. “You broke the glass. Did you get cut?”

He chuckled. “I’m fine, Rissa. No injuries. It’s you I’m worried about. You were unconscious for a few minutes and probably have a concussion.”

She frowned. “My head hurts, but nothing else feels wrong. I’m fine. I’ll be able to climb out and run if we have to.”

He nodded, relieved at the conviction in her voice. When she moved to stand, he moved with her, arms on her in case she wasn’t as steady as she thought.

When she was upright, he pulled her into his arms and just held on. He couldn’t fully straighten in the space, but that didn’t matter when he was wrapped around Rissa.

Figuring they had a few moments while the others dealt with the jackass, he kissed her. “Let’s get you dressed in your winter gear, and I’ll catch you up. I was walking with Knox, Thea, Ford, and Jolie to pick you up for lunch when there was a bang. The Q Lab shot up into the air, then bounced down and tumbled to its side.”

A shudder ran through him at the memory, and Rissa hugged him tightly. “I have a vague memory of a loud noise and Frizzle barking madly.”

She started to reach down for her dog. When she swayed a bit, Burke steadied her and lifted Frizzle. The Yorkie licked his face, then turned to do the same to Rissa. He ran his hands over the dog, but found no injuries or signs of pain. “Frizzle kept barking, alerting anyone who could hear that she needed help.”

Rissa hugged her dog. “You’re my hero, Frizzle.”

Burke got Rissa into her winter gear, and they finally got a text from Knox. Clear to exit. We’re coming.

He wanted more details, but that could wait. The important thing was to get Rissa and Frizzle to safety. If Knox said it was clear, they’d caught the asshole.

It didn’t seem like the Q Lab was in danger of exploding, but he didn’t want to take a chance, especially with an enemy with a gun out there. Smoke rose from the engine compartment, and he didn’t have Lawson’s expertise to know how dangerous that was. Rissa probably did, but he wasn’t bringing it up now that they were clear to go.

Knox’s voice reached them through the broken window. “All clear. Let’s move.”

The urgency in his brother’s voice alerted Burke that the danger wasn’t over, but whether it was from the shooter or the RV, he wasn’t sure.

He tucked Frizzle into his arms and guided Rissa to the front. Knox grinned down at them. “Good to see you both.”

Frizzle barked, and Knox laughed. “My mistake, good to see all three of you.”

Rissa smiled. “Same. Is anyone hurt?”

“No. Let’s get you out.”

As Rissa moved, she wobbled. Knox’s gaze caught Burke’s. He nodded at the question in his brother’s eyes. “She was knocked out. Possible concussion.”

“I’m fine.”

Knox grinned. “Of course you are, but we’ve got you.”

Burke boosted Rissa and Knox helped her up. He handed up Frizzle and then boosted himself to the RV’s side.

Once Burke had his arm around Rissa, Knox hopped down, and Burke passed Frizzle down. When the Yorkie was on the ground, Knox and Ford lifted their arms. Burke squeezed Rissa. “I’m going to lower you down to them. You don’t have to do any of the work.”

Rissa grimaced. “I really am fine.”

Knox laughed. “Of course you are, but we’ve got you, anyway.”

His brother’s voice was tight, so Burke didn’t waste any time getting down. He scooped up Frizzle and lowered his jacket’s zipper to tuck her inside. Then he wrapped one arm around Rissa and pulled his weapon with the other.

He didn’t bother asking for another SitRep; they’d do that once Rissa and Frizzle were safely inside.

The inn was closer than the farmhouse, so they hustled that way, surrounding Rissa as they kept their senses open.