Page 11 of Rebel

She’s looking a bit humbled but when Heartbreaker mentioned Konstantin’s name, she gets that ugly, hateful look back on her face.

“Of course it would be one of you two redheads who would snag Dr. Giannopoulos’s attention. Us normal women don’t stand a chance with all of you around. Which one, let me guess? You could be sisters, though Rebel is a bit more conservative than you are, Heartbreaker. Both of you have mouths like truck drivers. Knowing the doctor like I do, have to go with you, Heartbreaker. What’s the old saying men want a lady on their arm and a slu—Ugh.”

One minute her mouth is moving, the next I’ve pushed the mouthy bitch up against the wall by her door. She’s gasping and crying but I don’t let go. I’ve had enough of her bullshit so if she can dish it, she better be able to take it.

“You hateful bitch from hell. Don’t ever let me hear you talk to Heartbreaker like that ever again. No, let me clarify, don’t speak to any of my club sisters so disrespectfully. I can’t help it if Atlas has no interest in you, he probably can see right through you. People talk, Catherine, and it’s gotten around how you’re like a bitch dog in heat whenever a single man is close to you or glances your way. Not being a good mentor or role model for the young women in the school. Not to mention the young men see you acting so desperate, throwing yourself at men, they might alter their impression of women seeing you being so easy. Now, who’s the slut? I’m gonna let you go, we’re going into your office, and you’ll explain what is going on with Konstantin. Oh, forgot to tell you, it’s not Heartbreaker, it’s me Atlas is interested in. I’d be a fool to let that man go and, lady, I ain’t never been called a fool. Let’s go.”

I remove my arms and she rocks back and forth, rubbing her neck. Then to both of our shock, she turns and goes to walk in the door but Konstantin is standing in it, white as a ghost. I’m moving before he says a word, thank God, because he falls into my arms, out cold.

SIX

‘HEARTBREAKER’

DELILAH

Watching Rebel catch Kon, I pull my phone out immediately calling 911.

“911 what’s your emergency?”

“Hey, it’s Heartbreaker, we need an ambulance at the high school in Principal Knolls’s office. Also, get ahold of Dr. Giannopoulos and tell him it’s his son, Kon.”

Then I hang up and run over to Rebel and the boy. She’s on her ass with him in her lap. Looking at him, I notice he’s pale, sweaty, and trembling. I turn toward Principal Knolls and stare.

“You didn’t let Kon eat lunch, did you? How long has he been in that office?”

She turns as pale if not paler than the boy and steps back, arms coming up. Then I hear Natalie’s voice.

“She purposely pulled him in right before his lunch period and then when he told her he felt dizzy, she told him a lesson he needed to learn is every action has consequences. He stuck up for some kid she was berating earlier. She was being a big shot at Manuel’s expense. Kon recognized that Manuel is like his younger brother, so he told the principal to leave Manuel alone, he didn’t do anything wrong. So, when she went to the bathroom I gave him a cup of water, but she doesn’t allow me tokeep food in my desk and has actually searched it. I’m so sorry, Heartbreaker, I’m going to run and get some juice, be right back.”

I don’t think I’ve ever been so pissed off in my entire life. All the women in our club grew up rough. It’s made us the women we are, but in my past life I was a whore, literally. Fought tooth and nail for what I wanted and needed. And that bitch was ripping Kon a new asshole because she lost face in front of high school kids. Guess the little I’ve been around this kid; he’s gotten under my skin for some reason.

“You bitch. How the hell did you ever become principal when you don’t have a heart at all, especially to deal with kids? I know you were informed that Kon is a type 1 diabetic, so what you did was malicious and purposeful, so you better start praying to whatever you pray to that he’ll be okay. Now get me some cool towels or whatever. And some ice. Move your ass, now!”

Before she moves, I head back to Rebel, who’s loosened Kon’s top two buttons. Without thinking, I reach over and rip his shirt open then lift his torso up so I can get it off of him. His T-shirt is soaked and his face is now flushed. I move down to his shoes, removing them, along with his socks. Lastly, I loosen then pull his belt completely off. By this time Natalie is back with apple, grape, and orange juice in little bottles. I scream for her to give me the one with the most sugar. She quickly looks at them all and then tosses me the apple juice, which I break open and hand to Rebel.

“Dribble a little over his lips and put some on your finger to rub on his gums. If he takes it, keep dribbling it on his lips.”

Rebel immediately does as I tell her. Hearing footsteps, Catherine returns with a grocery store plastic bag of ice and some wet paper towels. Grabbing the towels, I place a few on his forehead and then wipe up and down on his arms and toss it toNatalie to pass on the bottoms of his feet. Then I grab a few ice cubes and try to place them on his wrist, but they keep falling off.

“Shit. Rebel, sister, don’t know what else to do. Does he have an insulin pump? See if you can get a read off of it. Natalie, did he bring a book bag with him, if so, check for a meter. Catherine, didn’t you tell the nurse what’s going on? For fuck’s sake, call her and get her ass down here now.”

I lean down and gently shake Kon’s shoulders, calling his name. Nothing. Then I switch it up and called him stud muffin, which Rebel sadly grins at. Back and forth Rebel and I call his name, then the nickname, and after about four or five times he moans. Rebel starts screaming his name, telling him to wake up. That’s when I hear the sirens. Finally, the real medics are here. Hearing boots to the floor not even a few minutes later, along with wheels, I turn just as they hit the door. Two guys rush in and start assessing him. Rebel is giving them as much information as possible. Principal Knolls is standing off to the side wringing her hands. Natalie comes up next to me, eyes wet, which no way I can take.

“Sister, knock that shit off. The kid is going to be fine now that the EMTs arrived. Thanks for the help, Natalie. You did real good.”

She turns and hugs me so tightly I can barely breathe, but I don’t say a word. Instead, I reach over and hug her back. Then I hear Rebel scream the kid’s name and tell him never to scare her like that ever again. We turn to see Kon’s eyes are open and he’s looking around, confused. We both move closer, just as the one EMT tells Rebel they gave him a shot of glucagon, which is used in severe cases. That’s when I hear the desperate, loud male screams coming down the hall and feet hitting the floor. Turning, I see Atlas almost fall into the doorway, and immediately I’m moving because I see his knees buckle when his eyes take in Konstantin. I barely make it before his legs totallygive out. I try but he’s so not a lightweight, and we both go crashing to the floor. All you hear are our moans and groans until we hear a weak laugh.

“Damn, Dad, I’m the one who should get that girl. Go figure, I pass out and you land a hottie on top of you. Well, Rebel, what do you say? I am his son. I’ve been told I look like a younger him.”

Then I hear Rebel’s laughter ringing out loudly and I finally take a breath, just as my body feels like it’s underwater. Then suddenly I can’t catch my breath and I’m dizzy. Someone is hitting my cheeks, telling me to stay awake, but the darkness already has a hold on me and I’m gone.

What the hell is going on and why do I feel high? Oh shit, please God, don’t tell me I fell off the wagon yet again. I go to raise my hands to my head then I hear a voice I’ve feared, hated, and started to trust all at once in my ear.

“Heartbreaker, don’t you dare pull that fuckin’ IV out again. You’re okay, sister, relax. Someone call a nurse. Hey, all’s good. Nurse will be here in a minute or two. Want a drink of water?”

I nod and hear noise, then a straw as it’s placed on my bottom lip. When I open my mouth, my eyelids raise, and to my surprise it’s none other than Shadow holding the cup with ice water in it. Damn, it feels great on my throat.How did I end up in here?I think to myself as my eyes take in the room. It’s packed with Shadow and her man, Panther, Tink and Noodles, Glory and Yoggie. Pushed off in the corner are Squirt and Presley. Well, shit, was I about to die or something? Half these men I’ve barely said a word or two to. When I catch Squirt’s eyes, she makes a fish face at me with her huge green eyes sparkling. WithPresley by her side, she’s blossomed. The door opens up and a young woman comes in with an iPad.

“So, a little birdie told me my patient is awake. Oh, there she is, look at those beautiful eyes. Hello, gorgeous, I’m Maria, your nighttime nurse. I’m gonna ask everyone to step out for a, holy son of a biscuit.”

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