Page 21 of Rebel

Konstantin then walks my way, offering me his two hands. When I place mine in his, he pulls me up, and gently guides me to a chair. Teddy and Thanos both have cups of ice and a towel, I think. Tank watches the interaction with a grin on his face. His eyes meet mine and he winks. I smile back. Yeah, the boys and I are a sort of unit. Atlas is going to be pissed about what happened. I’ll try to talk him down from that mountain because the boys, especially Konstantin, were only trying to protect me. I pull him close to my side, which makes him smile. My God, we all look like we are coming home from war. Hearing someone clearing their throat, I glance around Teddy to see Dr. Malcolm and Ironside standing there with Declan and Amelia, Vixen and Ironside’s two kids.

“Vixen called me to get my butt here to check out all of ya. Damn, Rebel, who got the jump on you? Never thought I’d see the day. After all that martial arts training, it must have been someone good.”

I laugh, explaining to Malcolm what happened. Konstantin squeezes my arm and chin lifts to the left of me. Slightly turning, I see Stefanos staring at Amelia and when I turn, she’s staring back with a shy smile. Oh no, too soon, I don’t think I can handle this, though it’s not my call. I mean, they are just kids, for Christ’s sake. As Malcolm checks me out, Ironside takes his two kids along with Stefanos, Teddy, Olivia, and Bobby to see the farm animals. Teddy and Olivia are holding hands, as usual, while Bobby is on Teddy’s other side. That leaves Amelia and Stefanos to walk together following them. Watching them go, my heart feels so full. Maybe the boys hanging around me is a good thing as they are making friends.

“You’ve got to be kidding me. My younger brother is hooking up with a young hottie and I can’t even find a girl to get to know. Damn it, Rebel, what’s wrong with me?”

Looking at Konstantin, I grin. My poor stud muffin is not feeling the love. As I go to answer him, I see an arm go around him, which shocks Konstantin, then my sister steps in, building up his confidence.

“Look here, Kon, it’s not you. These young girls don’t see what a catch you are. Let me ask, you sure you don’t want a sugar momma? ’Cause to tell ya the truth, I’m half in love with you already. Make my day, gorgeous, and the world will be your oyster.”

Konstantin’s face is turning a pretty reddish shade as Heartbreaker, on tippy-toes, lands a kiss on his cheek. To both of our shock, Konstantin wraps Heartbreaker up in his arms. She then puts her arms around his waist. She pulls him down, whispering in his ear, which brings a smile to his face. He lets her go and starts to walk to where Enforcer is standing with Noodles and Panther. I turn to my sister, pulling her in for a hug.

“Thanks, Heartbreaker, I didn’t know what to say to him. I hope to Christ he finds someone who can see him for all he is. Such a good kid.”

“Yeah, maybe we should talk to Taz and she can manifest a nice girl for him. I’m willing to try anything because you’re right, he’s a good kid. Now let’s go grab a drink after that fight, I could use something. Maybe I’ll go all out today and get a Diet Dr. Pepper.”

Laughing arm in arm, we make our way to where all the drinks are stored in coolers. Taking a second to look around, it finally dawns on me how lucky I am. I thank everything out there that I found the Devil’s Handmaidens. They literally not only saved my life; they gave me the direction I needed. I can never repay them, though being a part of the club is a start.

FOURTEEN

‘ATLAS’

My back is killing me, as I know this isn’t going to turn out the way we all hope for when a baby is being born. This labor and delivery started out like any other normal one, but when Lori dilated to eight, almost nine, and the nurses were getting her ready to deliver her twins, she suddenly started to hemorrhage. They called me as I was in my office, and I immediately went to the delivery floor so I could do an exam and see what was going on. After checking her out, I know without a doubt we need to get her to surgery. Her husband isn’t here yet, though I personally think he’s trying to avoid it. Looking at Lori, she must see it on my face as she grabs her mom’s hand.

“Lori, we need to get you to surgery to save the twins. Don’t panic, just try to stay calm.”

“Dr. Giannopoulos, if you have to make a choice, save the babies. Do me a favor, please. I have a restraining order keeping my soon-to-be ex-husband away from the babies. Mom, give that paper to Dr. Giannopoulos. Thank you so much. My mom has medical power of attorney on my behalf. Do what you do best.”

I nod to the transport person who, after disconnecting all the wires and monitors, pulls the bed out of the room, movingquickly to the surgical wing. I’m right behind him, hurrying so I can sanitize my hands and get into the surgical area. Lori doesn’t have a lot of time and neither do those babies. Her mom is keeping up with me, along with Lori’s father. I know her sisters are in the waiting area. When I get to the doors, I turn to her parents and try to leave them with some hope.

Once sanitized and gloved up, I make my way to where Lori is lying back on the bed, drapes all over and around her. Glancing at the anesthesiologist, she gives me a nod, which tells me she’s gotten her epidural and that lets me know it’s time to start. As I ask for a scalpel, I do what I always do before a surgical procedure. I pray that God gives me the power to save all three lives that are currently in my hands. Then I make the incision to try and get these babies out as quickly and safely as possible.

Watching as the twins, both in incubators, are taken to the neonatal intensive care unit, or as we call it the NICU, I’m beyond exhausted. Anna, one of the top OB/GYN nurses, is helping clean up the mess I made trying to save Lori. She’s also spent but somehow, not sure how, I saved her and both of the babies’ lives. All did not end great as I had to perform a bimanual uterine compression and massage, along with the addition of oxytocin. The bleeding finally slowed down, but we are going to need to keep a close eye on Lori. She’s going up to ICU, where she can be monitored throughout the rest of the evening.

After placing my orders and making sure my staff is okay, as these types of births can take it out of a person, I clean up and make my way to my office. Opening the door I see an envelope on the floor, so I pick it up and go to my desk. Plopping down, I take a minute or two to decompress then grab my letter openerand slash the envelope open, pulling out a single piece of paper. Unfolding it, my heart stops and I can’t breathe. I’m seeing double and can’t even read what the cut-out letters actually say. Closing my eyes for a quick second, I then open them and read the letter, already reaching for my phone. Looking for her number, I hit Rebel’s contact and wait.

“Hey, Atlas, everything okay?”

Just hearing her voice, I can feel my eyes filling up. Clearing my throat, I try to hold it together.

“Rebel, I need you and your club’s help. Just got out of surgery, came to my office, and found a handmade note telling me that whoever they are took my parents. They demand the only way I can get them back is to switch my boys for my parents. Oh God, what am I supposed to do, sweetheart?”

Not sure, but she must hear the desperation in my voice when she tells me to hang tight, she’s on her way. She also told me she is planning on leaving the boys at the ranch, explaining it’s the most protected and safe place for them. I agree. She reassures me she’s on her way and then hangs up. I place my elbows on my desk, running my hands through my hair just as I hear a ping, informing me of a text. Unlocking my phone, I hit messages and then see the new text from an unknown number. What I see has me putting my fist in my own mouth so I don’t scream and cry out loud. It’s a picture of my parents. My dad is beat to shit, looks to be barely conscious, but it is my mom that has me wanting to commit murder. She only has her bra and panties on and she’s lying on a dirty bed, hands above her head, cuffed to a headboard. Her legs are tied together. Then an unidentified voice tells me to make my choice. Suddenly a picture of my three boys appears on the screen before the video ends.I’m fuckin’ screwedis the only thought that comes to mind.

Not sure how long I rub my temples. Then unexpectedly I hear boots to the floor running, so I stand, looking for a way to defend myself. I grab the large trophy I got last year for my dedication and contribution to the community center clinic. Shaking my head, I stand ready. The door bursts open and I see bikers in the doorway, down the hall, and I think more after the curve. First in is Rebel, then Heartbreaker. Motherfucker, that’s when I see all three of my boys with huge red eyes and desperation across their faces, though Kon looks beyond pissed. Rebel pulls me away from my desk, putting her arms around me, right before all the boys grab onto me too. I can’t stop the helplessness that surfaces as I bury my face into Rebel’s neck. We stay like this until we hear a voice. Surprised, I look up to see Tink, Glory, Raven, and Shadow standing off to the left of us. Tink is the one waiting to speak.

“Sorry to intrude, Atlas, but we need to figure this crap out. Before you get pissed, Thanos, Stefanos, and Konstantin all insisted they have every right to be here as it’s their grandparents in trouble.” My head snaps to Rebel, who throws her hands up.

“No, I didn’t tell them, Atlas. Thanos overheard and told Konstantin, who then had Wildcat call Malcolm to bring the kids back. Once Stefanos was back, Konstantin told him and all three went directly to my cage and waited for me. Now, we don’t have time to argue so let’s shove this to the side and get down to business. Boys, you promised, so go over there by the table, sit down and be quiet. I’m treating you like adults, don’t disappoint me.”

Watching my boys listen to Rebel without any arguments almost makes me smile. I see Raven move around my desk, putting down three laptops and two tablets. Tank and Enforcer push their way past everyone, with Tank pulling me close. Thefeel of his arms almost brings me to my knees, but got to be strong. Not sure how he knew but Tank whispers in my ear.

“Atlas, time and place, son. You have folks who have your back and nothin’ wrong with a man shedding some tears, for Christ’s sake. I’ve done it a time or twenty.”

Releasing me, he gives me a small smile which I return. Hearing more noise, I look up to see Noodles, Panther, along with some of Panther’s guys, and another huge guy who looks serious. Noodles walks directly to me, stranger at his side.

“Atlas, brother, got no words except we’ll get your folks back. Now, this is Ollie, he runs the Blue Sky Sanctuary. He’s also ex-military and so are all of the folks at the sanctuary. I see his sister is already at work.”

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