Page 28 of Rebel

Not sure how to answer him, I try to think of anything I might know about the spectrum. When Taz and Teddy first came to us, he was untouchable. It took years for him to get used to all of us. Taking a chance, I look at Stefanos and give him the truth.

“No, buddy, you didn’t hurt me, this happened earlier today.”

“Was that when you helped to find my yia-yia and papou? If you and your friends didn’t help, would they have gotten away? Please don’t treat me like a baby and tell me the truth.”

“Yeah, the Devil’s Handmaidens along with Tank’s club, The Intruders, with some others were able to locate where you grandparents were being kept. Finding them, we also found all those kids. And, Stefano, I can’t tell you whether they would have gotten out or not. The good thing is, they did and are being treated at the hospital. The best thing you can do for your grandparents is to be there for them because they are going to need you. Help them recover however you can. Now, kiddo, I have a question. Why were you banging your head against the wall? Kiddo, there’s nothing you can tell me that will make me not be here for you. I hope you know how much your dad and brothers love you.”

Shaking his head, he goes to bang his little hands against the floor, but stops.

“I’m sick and tired of everyone treating me with kid gloves. I’m not a dang kid and I deserve to be treated like what I am almost a preteen for Christ’s sake.”

Knowing something is eating him up, I just sit and wait. I can see his wheels turning, but after a few he sits completely on the floor, while putting his hands in his lap. His head looks like the bleeding is slowing, so I wait. I don’t rush him or ask a million and one questions. As time goes by, I start to get tired but refuse to give in. I’ve gotten Thanos and Konstantin to let me in. Stefanos is my only holdout. I’ve tried not to pressure him,maybe I was wrong. I think he’s gotten the wrong impression, so need to make my intentions clear.

“Hey, kiddo, look at me. Come on, give me your attention. I know it’s late but we need to talk. I think I made a mistake and I owe you an apology. Trying to give you time to get used to me might not have been the right thing to do because I was already bonding with both of your brothers. I’m so sorry, Stefanos. Can you forgive me for not thinking this through? Can you cut me some slack? Remember, I don’t have any kids and I’m new at all of this.”

To my utter shock, Stefanos gets up on his feet and just when I think he’s walking away and going back to bed, instead he walks toward me. He sits down next to me. I barely breathe, let alone move, not sure what to do. That’s when it feels like the earth tilts, as slowly he moves closer until he’s almost leaning into me. I say fuck it, and wrap an arm around him, pulling him close. Before I know it, he’s turned toward me and has both arms around me. When I hug him back, I hear his gasp, right before his arms tighten and his head goes to my chest. After about, I don’t know, five or ten minutes, I go to shift and, in a whisper, Stefanos asks quietly, “Please don’t stop hugging me, it feels good.” My arms lift him onto my lap and I cradle him to me, no matter how bad my ribs hurt. The house is quiet except for when the furnace turns on. The noise is luring me to sleep when I hear small snores coming from Stefanos. Just as my eyes start to droop, I hear a floorboard and immediately my eyes fly open to see an amazed Atlas looking dazed while watching us. He moves our way, scrunching down in front of me, his eyes taking both of us in. I shake my head, putting my fingers to my lips, not wanting to disturb Stefanos sleeping. Atlas reaches over, picking his son up and giving me a hand up. Together we take Stefanos back to his room and Atlas places him on the bed, then I cover him up. Leaving his door slightly open, we go backto our bedroom. That thought stops me in my tracks until Atlas grabs my hand, pulling me into the bedroom. After he shuts the door, he roughly brings me to his chest, holding on tightly. I feel wet on my forehead and when I look up, Atlas has tears on his cheeks.

“You okay, baby?”

Shaking his head, he starts to rub his hands up and down my back.

“How did you do that, Rebel? I can’t remember the last time I was able to hug on my boy. What were you doing up?”

I explain how I woke up hearing noises and the rest is history. As we talk about Stefanos and what he said or did, it’s like a light bulb goes off. Stefanos needs to be in therapy at least singularly, I’m thinking maybe one for him being on the spectrum, but also for the entire family. I tell Atlas how he doesn’t want to feel left out and he definitely needs interaction, physically and emotionally. He can’t stop apologizing, which after the first ten times I tell him to stop. Back in bed, we cuddle, just enjoying each other’s company. My mind is spinning because these boys have been exposed to shit they didn’t have to, and then their grandparents, if they make it out of the hospital, are going to need a lot of help. They will all need therapy, got to speak to Atlas about this tomorrow. Right before I fall asleep, I hear him softly whisper in my ear that he’s falling in love with me more and more each day.

TWENTY-ONE

‘SHADOW’

ZOEY

It’s been a long fuckin’ night of sitting on my hands. Well, that’s not exactly true, when we finally got home from the hospital—after I tried to talk to Atlas—I told my ol’ man that instead of putting all of this on Atlas’s head, I was going to go and take care of the problems we currently have at the ranch. He told me I wasn’t and that started World War Twenty-Three. One thing I can’t stand, and Panther knows it, is to be told I can’t do something. When I tried to just go, out of nowhere Avalanche was guarding the door. Jersey and Chicago had the back door and the basement entrance. Dallas was following me. Usually, if anyone else was doing what these assholes were, I’d drop them in a second. I don’t because I know none of these men would hurt me, but there is no way in hell I’d be able to drop any of them.

Watching those boys in the hospital, I can’t get their faces out of my mind. The anguish and hurt is bothering me. I want to make the motherfuckers pay and make it painful. But I can’t because I promised the Doc that I’d wait to see what he wants to do. So here I sit at six thirty in the morning, waiting another five and a half hours before I get an answer. To make it worse, none of the guys went to bed either. They are all sitting aroundin our great room. Someone turned the television on, I guess for noise since no one is talking. Dallas, Jersey, and George are playing cards while Chicago is reading a book. Panther is right beside me just sitting here. Avalanche is on the floor, looks to be meditating. I’m the only one losing her mind as the clock is taking its time moving. Not able to take it any longer, I get up and go to the kitchen to make some coffee. And, of course, my guards follow behind me. Avalanche opens the refrigerator, pulling out eggs and bacon. Chicago grabs the juice while Jersey and Dallas start setting the table.

I watch these grown men trying their best to not only protect me but take care of my crabby ass. I’m not good with my words and usually do my best to never have to talk to a lot of people at the same time. But I owe my ol’ man and his brothers thanks because not many others, well, besides my sisters, would give two shits what I do or don’t do. Clearing my throat, no one looks my way, so I whistle to get their attention.

“I owe you all an apology, yeah, I can admit that my bitchiness is at an all-time high. I want to try and explain why this means so much to me. First, Atlas is a good guy, who has spent his life making sure babies are born healthy. Then there’s his kids, who he’s raising because his ex-wife is a total whore. I mean that literally.

“You throw in his parents, not to mention all those women and children up at that camp. Who knows how many people didn’t make it. We had no clue they were up there, this close to our town. Something is telling me to get rid of them and fast, and if you ask Panther, I’m a firm believer in trusting my gut. But again, I must be getting soft because I left the decision up to Atlas, a man who took an oath to save lives. So probably should just call my dad and tell him what’s going on.”

Panther walks my way, throwing a big arm around my shoulders.

“Nizhoni, have some faith. You are forgetting what Atlas has seen with his own eyes over the last twenty-four hours. Not to mention the brutality done to his mother and father. Lastly, his boys have been affected. The man is not dumb and must know letting them off or calling Sheriff George, there are no guarantees that they will be found guilty and sentenced. We have no clue if they were involved in this, or how wide The Thunder Cloud Knuckle Brotherhood is. They have connections everywhere, it seems. Something to remember and tell Atlas about. Keep an open mind, Zoey.”

Panther gives me a kiss then walks back toward the stove and starts cooking. While I have a free minute, I make my way to the master bathroom, drop my clothes, and take a quick shower, washing my hair too. When I’m finished, I get dressed then dry my hair. Once done, I grab my kutte and go back down to get some breakfast. We are halfway through when not only my phone but both Panther’s and Avalanche’s ring also. Instantly grabbing my phone, I say hi and hear Atlas’s voice telling me they are on their way to the hospital first, then they are going to the ranch. I tell him to let his folks know I’m—no—we’re thinking about them, wishing them well. I can’t tell anything by his voice, so I’m guessing Atlas is a good poker player. When I end the call I see Panther staring at me, while Avalanche is pacing back and forth. George and Dallas have taken over cooking. Both Panther and Avalanche walk me to the great room, sitting down with me. I wait, sure I’m not going to like what I hear. My ol’ man is first and I’m right. Hate this.

“Zoey, that was your dad. He’s trying to get into the ranch and both the Intruders and Devil’s Handmaidens are blocking his entrance. Since he doesn’t have a search warrant, he has no legal right to enter. From what I’ve been told, Noodles and Tink are on their way down.”

Avalanche then moves closer to me, capturing my eyes with his.

“That was Yoggie. Your dad suspended him because he won’t talk, so your dad is assuming he knows something and isn’t sharing. George told Yoggie he has to choose between being a sheriff’s deputy or being a member of the Intruders. From what I’m getting from Yoggie, he told your dad there is no contest. Even though he respects George as a man and sheriff, no one will ever have his loyalty like Tank. That didn’t go over too well, and now Yoggie is on an unpaid two-week suspension. Just as your dad said this, Tank was driving up and the two older men got into a screaming match. Yoggie thinks you should get to the ranch before one or the other does something they won’t be able to take back. He’s worried because Tank and Sheriff George have been friends for so long. Sorry to add this shit on your shoulders, sister.”

When he hugs me, that does it. And as usual, when emotions overwhelm me, I get mean.Poor Big Bird, I think as I start punching, pinching, and stomping him. To his credit, he takes it all, letting me beat it out. He grabs my hands though as I go to scratch his face.

“Come on, skull anii', don’t damage the goods. You were about to break women’s hearts all over Timber-Ghost. Now don’t be a hater, you got your one and only, give me a chance.”

Looking at his twinkling eyes and the smirk on his face, I can’t help it, I chuckle and then start—yeah, me, Shadow, enforcer of the Devil’s Handmaidens—to giggle. Fuck, he always knows how to bring me off the ledge. He lets me go, leans down, and puts a soft kiss on my head.

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