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Deb, lying on the couch near him, raised her head and blinked. The most beautiful smile lit her face, then turned into a frown. She sat up, throwing off the covers. “You’re hurting. Stay here, I’ll get all your medications.”
Crap. Deb deserved someone healthy, not a damaged grunt who’d be old well before his time. Still, he couldn’t turn her offer down. She came around the edge of the sofa, carrying his pill box and a glass of water. Setting both down, she left again. He downed his meds and winced. He’d need the strong stuff to get through today. Deb hauled his backpack to him and opened the top, pulling out the correct bottle. “Thanks.”
She smiled and opened the bottle. “One or two?”
“Just one. Two will knock me out cold.” Although, with his pain level at a nine, it might not. But he couldn’t chance it. Koslov was sure to retaliate for the failures last night. And if Koslov didn’t, the Bratva guy who’d captured him certainly would.
Deb dropped a pill in his hand and he swallowed it, chasing it with the rest of the water. “I’ll sit here for a few minutes until they kick in.”
She sat and slid close to his side, but didn’t press against him. “Let me know if anything I do makes it worse.”
Michael chuckled darkly. “It’d be worth it. You’re too good for me, Deb.”
She blew a raspberry. “Right. The in-debt-to-her-ears baker who no longer has a bakery and has caused her friends a ton of pain and effort is too good for you. Hardly.”
“Hey.” He leaned his shoulder into hers. “None of that is your fault. It’s Koslov’s fault. We talked about this last night. He’s a greedy jerk going to extremes to save face. And you, cupcake queen, have brought him to his knees. He’s failing, because an adorable blonde baker has outsmarted him at every turn. The attack last night will bring attention he can’t stand. The publicity will be overwhelmingly bad, and any politician or cop he’s paid off won’t be able to support him. Unless the head of every single federal agency is in his pay or under his thumb, he won’t survive this intact. I’m sure new investigations have started already.”
Clapping sounded behind him. “Nicely said.” Nic and Kim sat on the coffee table in front of them, and the rest of the gang gathered around. “Both fires were ruled as arsons, already.” Nic smiled wryly. “Obvious, I know, but those determinations usually take time. The FBI has declared it terrorism and they’ve sent senior special agents to assist the investigation. So has the ATF. Since they used military hardware, the Army is investigating supply chains and logistics. The Sheriff and DA are sweating bullets, and falling all over themselves to be helpful. Guess the threat of prison for terrorism is scarier than Koslov’s goons.”
“They’re not admitting anything, though. Just pretending to cooperate.” Wiz scowled. “Jerks.”
“The national news has sent teams too.” Kim showed them her phone. The headlines screamed “Sweet Baker Barbequed! Burned by the Baker!, Save Deb’s Bakery Today!” and a plethora of other catchy titles. “They all want interviews with you, Deb. But the FBI is insisting you need to talk to them first.”
“Not without my lawyer!” Deb scanned the group. “Where’s Sam?”
Wiz shook her head. “Haven’t heard from her or Mills. I’m assuming Mills got a credible threat against her and went dark.”
Deb frowned. “I’m not sure I trust Mills that much.”
“Don’t worry. He’s not going to hurt her; he’s in love with her, plain as day.” Nic raised a brow. “He’s got a lousy way of showing it, but he’d do anything for her.”
“Not so sure I buy it.” Erin plopped down on the couch next to Deb. “And even if it’s true, he broke Sam’s heart. Shattered it. I’m not sure she can or should forgive him.”
Deb nodded. “True. And I don’t want to talk to federal authorities without a lawyer.”
Tom shook his head, standing behind Wiz. “Then you don’t. They don’t have any right to compel you. And they’ve got no standing for a subpoena. You’ve been extremely open about everything happening, and Wiz has shared more than they can reasonably expect. Especially after everything they’ve put her through. If they insist, you simply keep telling them no. The law is on your side, not theirs.”
Deb twisted her hands together, and Michael put his over both of hers. “He’s right. Don’t worry about them or the news.”
“Hey, no worrying about anything except eating!” Pete bellowed from the kitchen. “Chow’s on.”
“Awesome. I could use more coffee.” Deb hopped up and offered both hands to Michael.
He put his big paws on her small, but tough hands, and stood without putting any pressure on her. The meds must have kicked in a little, because while it hurt, it wasn’t agonizing. Hanging on to her hand, he followed Deb to the table and sat gingerly.
They ate a rancher’s breakfast of bacon, eggs, hashbrowns and more until they were stuffed. Pete brushed away their compliments, but his smile was clearly pleased.
After they cleared the dishes, Kim settled her girls on the couch with homework and Tom moved to the end of the table. “Since Sam isn’t here, and I used to be pretty good at the PR game, I’ll chair this meeting of the Cupcake Woman Protection Society. First, we owe the public an update, especially those who donated. Kim, can you work that with Deb?”
“Sure will.” She raised a tablet. “Made some notes already based on the publicity.”
“Pete, you, Wiz, Nic and Michael, along with Geo, can work on resecuring our house, the Rocking B, the bakery, and the Acer project house.”
Michael didn’t want to admit it, but he would be worthless today. “The priority order is correct. But, I’m a liability out there. Can’t move fast enough.”
Nic shook his head. “We’ll be surrounded by feds today. It’s more important that Deb—and you, supporting her—are seen out there, directing the cleanup. And actually, Tom, what I’d like to do is split our forces. Michael, Deb and I will go downtown. You, Wiz and Pete work up here, with Kim and the kids staying here too. I’ll get Geo’s folks to help us; he’s sending more for the next week or so anyway.” He turned to Kim. “And yes, dear, I’ll get some video of Deb inspecting her bakery. I know we need to reward everyone. We’ll get some shots of Geo’s crew, too, since those donations are paying for his services.”
Deb raised her hand. “If you need help with the ranch gates and fences, I bet Erin and Ryan would come out.”
