Page 6 of Rebel

“Fine, Raquel, I’ll give him a chance. But when I tell you I’ve had enough, will you leave it alone?”

“Mya, we only use each other’s given names when we are fighting. And, yeah, give Atlas a chance and if it don’t work, I’ll work on Avalanche for you, though you know he’s got his eye on someone else.”

Yeah, I know that little fact. Story of my life.

After playing with both Teddy and Mickie, I leave Taz’s place, not sure where to go. I could go back to the ranch but don’t feel like peopling, had my share. Instead, I head into town to hit up the Wooden Spirits Bar & Grill for some home cooking for dinner. Otherwise, it’s go home and wing it. Which generally means either breakfast for dinner, which is cool, though my other choices like cereal or ice cream are lame as shit, and far from healthy, but I don’t give a fuck. Kind of explains the curves I’m sporting, even with all the working out I do. When I turn the corner to the bar and grill, I almost keep going. It looks to be packed and all I can hope for is the bar side is not hopping. Or as I planned, I can sit in the kitchen at the small table, scarf down my food, then leave quietly. Or have Cook put together a take-out order and go home where it’s quiet and then I can eat in peace.

Since I know tonight is one of Cook’s highlight nights, I generally don’t miss when she’s in and cooking. Wildcat and Heartbreaker are also on the schedule, so maybe I can grab a bite to eat and catch up with one or both of them. I don’t mind spending time with my sisters, don’t consider that peopling.Working at the center, dealing with those kinds of folks, is what wears me down. The weather is shit so I’m in my cage, which is decent enough but not my bike. Being the club’s S-a-A, it’s kind of weird to be riding around in a cage but, shit, don’t want to face-plant when going seventy plus miles an hour. I’ve seen the results of that on other bikers, who not only were driving like maniacs from hell but drunk off of their asses. The only reason they made it at all was from the amount of alcohol in their systems, which kept them loose so they didn’t tense up when they hit the pavement. They were either close to passing out or already gone.

I pull around the back where there’s always parking for the club sisters. After I find a spot and shut my SUV off, I grab my crossbody purse and get out. Damn, the wind has picked up and all I have on is a Devil’s Handmaidens Henley and my kutte. At the back door I noticed its propped open, which is a definite fucking no-no. So as I swing it wide, Peanut appears out of nowhere, arms filled so high I can’t see her head. She walks right into me, dropping her tower of garbage bags.

“God dang it, why can’t anyone watch were they’re going? Now I have to try to get them all stacked so I can carry them to the garbage can. Or make a bunch of trips, which I have no time for.”

I know she’s talking to herself, one of her unique habits, so I stand and wait. When she lifts her head and those silver-gray eyes of hers see it’s me, I watch as her mouth forms the perfect ‘O’ right before terror crosses her face. Well, what in the ever-lovin’ fuck, I’m not Shadow. I’m one of the good sisters, for crying out loud, or so I think. I try to smile but she actually steps back.

“Holy shit, Rebel, damn, I’m so sorry. I didn’t see you there. I was ranting because it’s busy as all hell in there and not only am I starving but got to pee too. My one new employee quit overthe phone so our bussers are working hard as they can, but are barely keeping up. So here I am, trying to give them a hand, so I disrespected you, so sorry, sister. And I’m ranting too because I’m nervous as hell on top of it all. I’m just thankful I didn’t pee myself, don’t have any spare jeans.”

I watch as she lowers her head and eyes from me. Not sure why since we are both members of the Devil’s Handmaidens MC. She’s been this way from the minute she was patched in. I get it, she feels inferior because, my God, a good wind would blow her tiny bony ass across town, but she does her duty as a sister and never complains, so this surprises and concerns me.

“Hey, Peanut, quit apologizing. We’re equals in the club, both active members. So what can I do to help you with your load tonight?”

Her head snaps up, while her eyes seem to grow right before my eyes. I can almost see her brain going through the gears, so again I wait. Peanut is not only a planner but also a lot OCD, so I know not to rush her. Together we walk the garbage out then go back in, making sure the back door is locked before she leads me to the employee lounge and plops down into a chair. I go to the refrigerator and grab two vitamin waters, placing her favorite flavor, grape, in front of her. She looks at it then at me with a silent thanks and small grin.

“Rebel, we could use some help on the floor or maybe running the front counter, ringing up customers. I’ll take care of the grunt stuff if you could maybe give a hand where it pertains to mingling with customers, if you’re not too busy.”

Reaching over, I grab her by her tiny shoulders, pulling her across the table so our eyes are even before I reply.

“Sister, is this bar and grill one of our club’s businesses? Then I will definitely help out, no problem. Let me grab a quick bite and then you can tell me what ya need. Give me like ten minutes to scarf down some chow.”

She nods then moves quickly toward the employee bathroom, then I’m sure she heads back to the dining room while I go into the kitchen. Cook sees me, grabs a plate, and starts to fill it up with her usual deliciousness. My stomach growls loudly and Heartbreaker laughs when she walks in. Taking the small table, I quickly inhale my food, then tell Cook thanks and that the food was awesome. Washing my hands, I grab a clean apron and put it on. Walking out the swinging door, I look around for Peanut.

Suddenly I hear someone screaming for a doctor, “Is there a doctor in the room?” Starting to jog around the corner, I see an older man choking on something he’d just eaten. Son of a bitch, not again. Last time this happened we got sued because some chick was too busy flirting with some dude and choked on her salad. Yeah, a frigging salad. I move quickly to the man but am roughly pushed out of the way by someone going in the same direction. When that someone, who I can now see is a guy, is reaching for the older man, I gasp. When those dark, sapphire-blue eyes look in my direction for a split second, I feel almost woozy. Atlas pulls the man to his knees, then gets behind him doing the Heimlich maneuver while everyone, including his three sons, watch. By the fourth abdominal thrust, a pretty good-sized piece of steak flies out of the man’s mouth. Once his mouth is empty, he takes in a deep breath as everyone claps for Atlas, who makes sure the older man is able to stand on his own. The man’s wife is thanking Atlas as the older man takes a seat to try and catch his breath. The couple offers to buy Atlas’s dinner but he politely refuses, saying he’s here with his three boys. The couple again asks to pay his tab, telling him they’ll pick up his entire bill because he saved the gentleman’s life, but Atlas softly refuses and quietly tells the man to try smaller pieces of meat. Once everyone is calmed down and okay, Atlas makes his way to his boys, who are giving him high fives and hugs. He managesto maneuver them toward me so when I go to move, I’m surrounded by four Giannopouloses—one man and three boys. I don’t know Atlas’s kids’ names butthe older one is at that cocky teenage stage;I think to myself as he smirks my way.

“Konstantin, don’t start, you just got your electronics back yesterday. Be a gentleman like I’ve taught you. Knock that cocky grin off your face.”

I watch as the boy looks at me then winks before he turns to his dad, face blank. Atlas moves past his sons and gets in my space.

“Well, if it’s not, my feisty Rebel, finally making time to come out of hiding and luckily finding me here. Since we both have the same idea, why don’t we share a meal, if you don’t mind my three boys eating with us? I can guarantee they will be on their best behavior, as I’ll bribe them if I have to.”

The boys and I start to chuckle at the same time, while Atlas never takes his eyes off of me. Thank God Heartbreaker makes her way to me, her eyes shooting fire.

“Rebel, we need you in the bar side. A few twenty-something-year-old tourists are giving Kiwi a hard-ass time. Oh sorry, kids, my bad. They are pushing her buttons about stuff. Even though they think she’s hot, their words not mine, want to know what she’s going to do about them being dic—well, you know, jerks. She’s refusing to serve them anymore, that’s what started it.”

Turning back to Atlas, I shrug my shoulders but ask for his phone. With his eyebrows up, he hands it to me and I enter my phone number then hit dial. When my phone starts to ring, I disconnect and hand it back.

“Atlas, sorry, gotta take care of this. If y’all are still here when I’m done, I’ll join the Giannopoulos table for dessert, on the Wooden Spirits Bar and Grill, for what you did for that man. Now please, excuse me and enjoy your meals.”

As I’m walking away, I hear his boys giving him tons of shit because, without asking, I gave him my “digits.” Their laughter causes my heart to miss a beat because it sounds so normal. That’s my last thought as I get into my mode as a Devil’s Handmaidens sister and turn the corner, moving quickly toward the bar to back up my club sister.

THREE

‘ATLAS’

Watching Rebel walk away, I can feel my blood turning to molten lava as it tries to move through my veins. Great, not only am I as horny as my own teenage boy, but my cock is about to burst through my trousers. Jesus Christ, what is it about this woman that has me acting inappropriately every time I see her? Feeling a shoulder hit my side, I look down to see the laughter in Konstantin’s eyes, even before he opens that young sarcastic mouth of his.

“So what’s up with the hot chick giving you her digits without you asking? Isn’t that the same one who wiped the floor with ya when you helped deliver her friend’s baby? Piece of advice, Dad, stay clear, she might not be all there. I mean, look at all you have to offer and she’s been giving you the cold shoulder. Yeah, anyone can see she’s smokin’ hot, Dad, but she needs to learn there’s a limit to playing hard to get. She has to give a good guy a chance and you’re a good one, Dad.”

It’s pretty sad that I’m getting relationship advice from my teenage kid. Though he has some good points I should pay attention to and listen, but my mind isn’t going to because my small head is who’s leading this show. Looking around, I see both Stefanos and Athanasios together, waiting to see what I donext. Time to feed my boys. Walking toward them, they both envelop me into hugs before letting me go. All three kids are good boys, just way different personalities. Konstantin or, as I call him, Kon is a teenager with a chip on his shoulder, and there is nothing I can do about. He was diagnosed very young with type 1 diabetes, so he’s growing up with so many limitations. Stefanos or Stephen, my preteen, is my quiet thinker, who at times seems to be on the spectrum, though I’ve never had him tested. Finally, Athanasios or Thanos is my baby, who knows how to play me to the fullest. I have my hands full but wouldn’t change it for the world. Between the boys and my position at the hospital, along with my volunteer time at the clinic, I try to tell myself repeatedly that my life is really good and full. Though it’s lonely at times, especially when a woman in my life would take it from good to phenomenal.

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