Page 22 of Rebel

Ollie points to Raven, giving her a nod, which she smiles at before going back to pounding on the keyboard. As Ollie explains that most, if not all, of his people are either in the waiting area, parking lot, or on their way. Then he tells that unlike the Devil’s Handmaidens, who have Raven as their own technology person, they don’t need such a person. I learn that Tank and the Intruders have their own IT guy too, Freak. As Ollie is talking to me, the guy I met briefly at the ranch this morning before I left storms in—hands full of laptops and cords. He pushes past Ollie with a low “Sorry” before he pushes some of my shit over and puts his computers down. Raven stands, giving Freak a quick hug, then grabs all of my stuff, picking it up and placing it on the floor in the corner. Freak pulls a chair over, asking Raven something and she shakes her head.

“Doc, we need your phone. Gotta put a tracer on it and try to get into the system so we can find the phone those texts came from.”

Reaching into my pocket, I pull it out and hand it to Freak. He talks while looking at it. My attention goes back to Ollie, who is explaining what all his people can do. I nod, saying thank you,which draws his eyes to mine. Not sure what he expected but he places a hand on my shoulder, squeezing it tightly, telling me we’ll get my folks back no matter what and to keep the faith. My head drops down and instantly I’m surrounded by my boys. I can see my two younger ones have been crying, while Kon looks pissed off. Wait, why does he have…I squint, he’s got a black eye. Trying to find Rebel, I see she’s sporting two black eyes and a broken nose. I’m afraid to ask, but I do. Kon’s eyes shoot to Rebel and fuck me, I can literally see the two of them talking without any words. Rebel walks to me, putting her arms around my waist, looking up at me with those fuck-me caramel eyes of hers.

“Atlas, you have enough on your plate. It’s done and I’ll explain later. For now, let’s concentrate on getting your folks back unharmed. ’Kay?”

Never in my life, outside of my parents, has anyone had my kids’ backs. And by the way Kon is standing closely behind Rebel, it’s done. Not only do I love this woman in my arms, so do my boys. Fuck, need to find my mom and dad. I nod and place a small kiss on the tip of her crooked nose as her hands squeeze my waist.

“Got something, though probably not gonna help. The texts came from a burner, so can’t get a name on whose it is. Do have the ability to locate if the phone is on, which it is. From what Freak was able to figure out, this phone is somewhere near that trailer park outside of Timber-Ghost. I can’t get an exact location, but for now that’s what we got.”

My head feels like it’s in a vise. Kon sees it first then Rebel. When she mouths, “What?” I let it out, almost in a scream.

“Motherfucker, that bitch, Mindy, lives in one of those trailers with Scott. I’ve never been there and neither have the kids. When she was giving me shit, I think last year wanting money, she told me to meet her at the entrance of that place. MyGod, has she gotten so low she would hurt two older people, for what? Money? That crazy fucking whore.”

I shake my head to see everyone staring at me. Well, not Rebel, she’s kneeling by Stefanos and Thanos, speaking to them, explaining I’m just overwhelmed, that’s why I’m swearing so much. She goes on to tell them never to use those words or else there are consequences. Tank, Tink, Enforcer, and a few people I don’t know turn to leave. I grab on to Noodles to tell him I want to go along. He studies me then nods. I tell Rebel and Kon I’ll be back. Before I walk out of my office, Rebel is at my side. Turning, she tells Kon he’s responsible for his brothers and some of the Blue Sky Sanctuary folks will stay behind to guard and protect them. Then grabbing my hand, we both jog to my vehicle, though Rebel is driving as my hands won’t stop shaking. Before we walked out, I let Brenda know what is going on and, not only are my three boys in my office, but some of the people who work at the sanctuary are there. She assures she’ll keep an eye out for any trouble. Closing my eyes, I pray that nothing has happened to my mom or dad. I’ll never be able to live with myself if either of my parents are beyond help.

FIFTEEN

‘REBEL’

MYA

Seeing everyone pulling into an open area, I follow and immediately Atlas is yelling for me to keep going. After I put the car in park, I turn to him, totally understanding what he’s feeling. I’ve felt it for just about every one of my sisters like Tink, Shadow, Vixen, Wildcat, Raven, and especially Taz. Taking a minute, I try to find the words.

“Atlas, I need you to calm down, please. I can’t help locate your parents if you are out of control. Remember what the Devil’s Handmaidens have dedicated our lives and club to. The Intruders have been on both the right and wrong side of the law. For God’s sake, Yoggie is a sheriff’s deputy. Ollie and his folks are ex-military, so obviously they know how to work a mission. You, handsome, are the wild card. So it’s up to you, how do you want to move forward? I will tell you, as much as you want to be in charge, you don’t have the skills. They lie in another direction. Remember this is about your parents not you. Please let us do what we do best.”

As he’s thinking, I almost shit myself when someone pounds on my window. When I turn, it’s Shadow and Squirt with impatient looks on their faces. Well, fuck, can’t catch a break.Rolling the window down, I give them a look and Squirt takes a step back though Shadow just stands there, hands on her hips.

“We need a minute or two. Please try to be human today, Shadow, and give me a motherfuckin’ minute.”

The shock on my club sisters’ faces tells me I may have been a bit brutal, but we don’t have time for pleasantries. Shadow nods her head then steps back as she and Squirt walk about a half a city block from the vehicle. I turn back to Atlas to see he’s watching me with wet eyes. Fuck, I don’t have words to make him feel better. Actually, our club usually isn’t on this end, having to deal with a victim’s anguish before we even start a mission. That happens when we bring back the survivors and search for family members. Grabbing Atlas’s hand, pulling it to my lips, I place kisses all over his knuckles. We sit quietly for I don’t know how long, while everyone gives us space. When I hear a familiar sound, both Atlas and I look up and see a drone. Knowing it’s Freak’s, I squeeze his hand.

“Atlas, that drone is Freak’s, which means he and Raven must have found something, and he plans to use it to scope out the area. If you don’t want all of these people to help you, tell me now so I can stop him from going in. If we aren’t going to try and save your parents, I don’t want him flying that over the area to give the kidnappers a reason to hurt or do something worse…to your folks. What’s it going to be, Atlas?”

He drops his head while his shoulders start to tremble. I don’t do a thing as this has to be his decision. When he raises his head, I see the answer in his eyes but wait for him to give me his words.

“Rebel, I want to handle this myself so bad, but I realize my skills aren’t for this kind of stuff. Promise me you all will go in with the intention to save my mom and dad. I can’t believe I’m going to say this, but I don’t care what you have to do, find my parents and bring them home to me and my boys.”

Releasing his hand, I lean over and place a kiss on his lips. Then I open the driver’s door and get out, moving quickly to Shadow and Squirt. Knowing what I have to do, I clear my throat, getting their attention.

“First, I’m sorry for before.”

Shadow puts up a hand, shaking her head. Squirt is mimicking Shadow, moving her head back and forth.

“Rebel, no need to apologize. As I was explaining to Squirt, emotions can get high so we’re good. Now what’s the plan? Is your ol’ man good with us going in?”

As I try to explain Atlas’s dilemma, my sisters both listen. When I’m done, Shadow pulls out her phone, hitting a few buttons. I hear her tell whomever she’s talking with that it’s a go. It’s like a colony of ants when I see them all exit their vehicles and start to form groups. Feeling him behind me, I wait for it. When his arms wrap around me, pulling me close, I put my hands on top of his. He leans his head on my shoulder, not saying a word. We watch as Tink, Tank, Ollie, and Enforcer make their way to us. Tink looks at how Atlas is wrapped around me and gives me a sad little smile. Something is up with our prez, she doesn’t look like her usual happy person. That thought is gonna have to wait for now.

“Raven found that about a mile or so up are some kind of pop-up buildings. Maybe some kind of hunting cabins or a few small secondary buildings that were placed there recently. From what she found out, there was a home back there but it burned down a few years ago. A few members of the family died in there. Are we flying the drone to get an idea of what we are going to face up there?”

It’s Atlas that tells her yes. Tink drops her head for a second then looks at him and gives him some history.

“Atlas, I truly know how hard that decision was for you. Just know it’s the right one because if we don’t make an attempt torescue your parents, you might lose them forever. Freak said that mainly those who use those kinds of off-the-grid cabins are either drug addicts, ex-cons who have nowhere else to go, or worse, the Thunder Cloud Knuckle Brotherhood have been known to use the cabins when waiting for a pickup. Before you ask, they have connections and are all over the country. They kidnap and sell people for money to support their cause. Don’t go there, with the degenerates out there in the world, some do request older men and women. Don’t ask, Atlas, you do not want to know. I promise, we will do everything we can to bring your parents back to you. I have one question for you. When we go up and if your parents are there and we rescue them, what do you want us to do with the kidnappers? I will tell you honestly, when we break up a circuit, generally most are taken care of so they can’t ever hurt another person. Saying that, this is your decision, they are your parents so that’s why I’m asking you.”

I can tell he’s shocked because Atlas is a doctor. He’s dedicated his life to saving lives, he doesn’t take them. Turning, I look up at his face, seeing the devastation. He moves back and I can tell he’s not sure what to do. Knowing it’s not my decision, I also know he needs some help and clarity.

“Atlas, if you want to wait until we get up there and see the situation, that’s okay. That gives you time to try and make the best decision you can live with. Just remember, these people don’t deserve a second chance. They’ve probably had numerous chances and blew each one. Tink, is it okay if Atlas waits and sees what is going on before he makes that decision?”

---