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Rissa’s head was a little woozy, but she wasn’t telling Burke or the others that, not when there was obviously danger out there. They probably knew it anyway.

She let them rush her, ignoring the dizziness and focusing on putting one foot in front of the other. Burke would ensure she didn’t faceplant in the snow.

When they were halfway there, Burke muttered. “Vehicles approaching from the road.”

He moved behind her and wrapped his arms around her while Ford and Knox stepped in front of them—all of them keeping her safe.

Tears filled her eyes with love and gratitude, even as fear flooded her system.

She bit her lip to keep from asking questions. While she’d love some answers, it was smarter to let these trained men handle the situation.

After a few seconds, Knox spoke. “They’re friends.”

Burke’s arm squeezed her gently. “It’s okay. No danger from them.”

But there was obviously danger from somewhere. She couldn’t quite piece together what had happened or why the Q Lab lay on its side. Burke had said it shot into the air. Why?

Their group kept walking, and she spotted several vehicles entering the premises, including a police cruiser with its lights flashing.

The men didn’t stop moving, and when they reached the front porch of the inn, the door swung open, and they moved into the lobby.

Burke moved to face her and wrapped her in his arms. She leaned into his strength and let his warmth reach down into her bones. Frizzle popped her head out of Burke’s jacket and licked Rissa's face.

She laughed. “Hey, Frizzle. We’re okay, my hero. Well, one of my heroes.”

She smiled up at Burke. “Thank you.”

His gaze searched her face before he kissed her lightly. “Let’s get you into a chair. We’ll call the doctor and get her to check you out.”

She shrugged. “I’m fine. My head’s improving by the minute.”

“She’ll check you out anyway.”

Because she could see and hear his fear, she nodded. There weren’t any other injuries, and she figured her head would clear in its own time, but if it made Burke feel better, she’d do it. He’d done the same for her not long before.

Once they sat on one of the sofas in the lobby and she held Frizzle in her lap, Rissa realized most of their friends were inside the inn. Amber moved to sit beside her. “What do you need? What can I get for you?”

She smiled at her friend. “I’m fine. I want to know what happened and if everyone else is okay.”

Burke’s phone beeped and he pulled it out. “They’ve got him, and they’re bringing him back to the property.”

A shudder ran through her, and Burke hugged her. “We won’t bring him inside. You won’t have to see him.”

“I’d like to ask him some questions. We need answers. We need to know how and why Curt hired him. We need to know exactly what he was hired to do and ask if he’s aware of anyone else after you.”

Jolie laughed as she brought over a tray of steaming mugs. “That’s the Rissa we know and love. Full of questions and determined to find the answers.”

Then Jolie hugged her. “I was so scared when the Q Lab shot into the air. I’m so glad you’re okay.”

Rissa hugged her friend back. “Thank you. I hear no one got hurt?”

Jolie nodded. “That’s what they tell me, but I’ll feel better once I see everyone.”

Ford hugged her. “We didn’t cover anything up. No one’s hurt.”

Amber’s lips rolled together, and Rissa grabbed her hand. She had to be worried about Gray and Boomer, who weren’t in the room. Once they returned and she saw with her own eyes they weren’t hurt, it would be better.

Knowing he wanted to be part of the action outside, Rissa patted Burke’s hand. “Go and see what’s happening.”