Page 30 of Rebel

Dad got out of the hospital first and we welcomed him into our home without any hesitation. He said that neither he nor my mom will ever enter their home again. That saddens me but I totally get it. He’s also in therapy because of what he witnessed when taken. He has so much guilt, he’s a ghost of the man he was. I swear he’s aged a good twenty years overnight. When Mom finally woke she didn’t want to see him, which I think broke his heart. Everyone got why she was acting that way, except her. It took visits from Tink, Taz, Vixen, Wildcat, Heartbreaker, and finally Shadow. They each spent time with my mom, telling her their stories, which every single one was raped at one period in their lives. I thought Mom would relate to Tink or Taz but, to my utter surprise, her new best friend—God help us all—is Shadow. She managed somehow to get my mom to let Dad come in one afternoon and since then they haven’t been separated from each other, except when she was in the hospital, they let Dad stay a few days but not every night.

Once they told Mom she was getting released, her stress got so bad that Shadow and Tink rushed to her room with options. Shadow offered my parents space at Panther’s stud ranch, while Tink offered them one of the cabins. Mom wanted to go with Shadow, while Dad picked Tink’s ranch. His reasoning won Mom over because it was closer to me and the boys. Mom does go about once every week and a half or so to spend time with Shadow and their animals. She’s in love with Panther’s two wolves Ma'iitsoh (Wolf) and Zhi´'ii (Raven). Yeah, and they are real wolves. I almost shit myself the first time I saw my mother on a lawn chair with the bigger one up on his hind legs, his upper torso on my mother, while—as she puts it—he gave her kisses.The female was lying at Mom’s feet. I screamed, jumping out of the car, running toward her until I was faced with two snarling wolves right in front of me. Thank God Avalanche was outside with his two wolves, coming back from the stables. Before he could say anything, I was facing off with four really pissed-off wolves. In a split second, he said something in his native language and they stopped snarling and approached me slowly. He told me to drop my arms down, hands open, which I did, and each one of the wolves sniffed me then moved on. When I looked at my mom, for the first time since all of this happened she was smiling hugely. Avalanche whistled and all four wolves walked to where he was. He raised his hand and said one word “guard” and they all went by Mom and laid down. Mouth open, I was shocked as he walked toward me.

“Never thought I’d say this to a person not Native, but maybe you should think about getting your mom some kind of hybrid wolf. She seems to have a connection with them. They have done so much for her spirit as she heals, brother.”

We walked back to Mom, who was taking turns scratching behind each of the wolves’ ears. I spent the day out there and was totally surprised at the size of their business. It just isn’t a stud ranch, they also rescue horses and donkeys from the slaughterhouses around here and as far as the Dakotas, Idaho, Wyoming, and even on occasion, Oregon and Utah. They added multiple barns and stables since Panther purchased it. As Avalanche showed me around, I was amazed at the amount of work and dedication it takes to run a business like this. If I remember correctly what Rebel told me, Tink talked Panther to taking his rescue business and making it a 501c3. It helped because both Panther and Avalanche are registered members of the Navajo tribe in New Mexico, and they are also veterans with military backgrounds. I asked Avalanche if it would be okay, if the boys wanted to, they could donate some time and helpout around there. The big man enthusiastically said, “Hell yes.” Even as a man, I can see how my Rebel would lean toward this man. His gentleness, honesty, and soft-spoken ways draw you to him. I’m just glad he didn’t feel the same way. Rebel and I spoke about it and she said she was drawn to him because he was comfortable. And that she’s not the first sister to crush on Avalanche. Now I’m trying to figure out which one has their eyes on the big man.

So we have gotten into a schedule, sort of. During the week when I’m working, the boys, Rebel, and I stay at the house while my parents stay at their cabin on Tink’s ranch. On the weekends, we rotate from the Devil’s Handmaidens ranch to Panther’s ranch. It’s working and everyone is enjoying it, though Stefanos prefers to be at Taz and Enforcer’s place. From what Rebel has told me, my son is now Teddy’s best man for the wedding of Teddy and Olivia. No one knows when that will be taking place, but neither Taz nor Glory fight it.

Rebel and I are beyond good. I’ve never had such a deep relationship with any other woman in my life. She fulfills me while giving me what I need. As strong as she is, in our bedroom she gives up her control to me because I need it. And I make sure she never regrets that. She is the best thing to come into my life and I plan on treasuring her forever.

Today I’m in the office taking appointments. Next up is Tink and Noodles. As I go to walk into their room, I take a breath and open the door. Both turn to me and I walk over, giving Tink a kiss on the cheek and shaking Noodles’s hand. We all sit, Noodles and me in chairs while Tink is on the exam table. I turn the computer on and read my notes then turn to two pairs of expectant eyes. Wow, what a choice of words.

“All right, before we go over the results, have you made any decisions on Faith and Mercy? From what Rebel told me, Raven said no one has seen their parents in over four or five months,which makes perfect sense. As you both know, the girls don’t know how long they were held captive, though that timeline seems to correlate with the disappearance of their parents.”

I watch as Tink looks to Noodles with a very small, gentle smile. I know the answer just from that look. He nods and smiles back at her. Tink looks my way.

“Atlas, thanks for giving us the name of the person working the girls’ case. We’ve thought it through, and are now in the process of becoming foster parents first. Our caseworker, Juan, told us we’d have a better chance to adopt them if they were our foster kids. He said after the courts approve it, to wait maybe three to six months then put in a petition for adoption. So, yeah, we are taking the girls, if they let us.”

I’m beyond thrilled to hear that news but now need to go over the results of the most recent in vitro fertilization procedure (IVF). I know they’ve kept it close to the vest, so to speak, and part of me gets it, but part of me not so much. Don’t think Tink has even shared with Shadow, which seems strange, though not my business.

“Tink, Noodles, as you know this is our fourth IVF attempt. You only had three fertilized eggs remaining and elected to implant all of them. Have you taken a pregnancy test, Tink?”

She shakes her head while Noodles grabs her hand. I can see the results of the stress both have been under. Not sure this is going to help or make it worse.

“Well, as you know, we drew blood to see if you are pregnant. While we waited, I had an ultrasound performed too. The test is back and I’m beyond thrilled to inform you both that you are, in fact, pregnant.”

Watching them, it takes some time for it to penetrate. It surprises the shit out of me when Noodles is the one who bursts into tears, grabbing Tink, and putting his face into her neck. From above his head, Tink is watching me with a serene smileon her face. This has been so hard on her, especially since Squirt is actually her biological daughter from a rape when she was a teenager. Long story for a different time. She mouths, “Thank you” and I just nod. Standing, I leave to give them a moment, but Noodles has other ideas. He jumps out of the chair, picks me up, and swings me around. Now, fuck, talk about shock. I’m not a small guy and he lifted me like I’m the size of a child. Tink is laughing and crying, telling him to put me down, for Christ’s sake. I will say this appointment and news will always be one of my favorites because I know both of them and because of Tink and her club, my family is safe and recovering. I’m beyond thankful this IVF cycle worked out for them. They so deserve some happiness.

TWENTY-THREE

‘REBEL’

MYA

I’m wiped. It was a long-ass day. Today, I went through all of this year’s discipline actions I’ve had to take with our members. Each year I have to collect any unacceptable actions from sisters during meetings, any threats that were made toward our club or a sister specifically, and just keep everything running smoothly. Other clubs consider the S-a-A like the club’s enforcer, but in the Devil’s Handmaidens our enforcer is Shadow. If she needs help, she’ll call on who has the specialty she’s looking for during that specific situation. Her usual go-to currently is Spirit from The Blue Sky Sanctuary and Dottie. Raven and I each have our strengths but Shadow rarely calls on us, and I get it. Spirit is like Shadow’s twin when it comes to their torture skills.

When I walk into the house I hear arguing, which—damn it—all I want is to get into some comfy lounge clothes then get dinner together and chill. My head is spinning and I’m not feeling the best. Atlas told me earlier he should be home around the regular time, which means we can have a “normal” dinner, whatever the hell that means. Stomping into the family room, Thanos and Stefanos are nose to nose.What the shit?I think to myself. Things seem to be a lot better since I convinced Atlas to put all three boys into therapy. It turns out each of them havesome issues that pertain to their mom, Mindy. Whistling, both boys turn to look at me then go right back to in each other’s faces. When Thanos shoves Stefanos, all hell breaks loose. Trying to separate two growing kids wasn’t on my agenda today. I grab Thanos by the shoulders and kinda push and direct him to the sectional, shoving him down on his ass. Turning, Stefanos is directly behind me, so I grab him and get his ass in one of the recliners. Once he’s in it, I pull the handle and his feet fly up. Then I give both shit.

“What the shit is going on, and who said it was okay for you two to get physical? If I hadn’t walked in at that moment, what were you going for, to try and kick each other’s asses? Let’s take a few breaths, then someone—I don’t really care who—is going to explain what the heck I walked in on. I’m going to get these clothes off. I’ll be right back. I’m telling you that neither of you better move out of where I planted your asses. And I’m not joking. Think about what your punishment should be because I’m telling you, something is either getting taken away or more chores will be on you for the next week. Now I’ll be back down in less than five minutes.”

Turning, I am almost to the stairs when the doorbell rings. What the fuck, why didn’t my phone give me a notice? Gonna have either Atlas or Raven look at it. Since I’ve been spending my time between here and the ranch, Raven took it upon herself to hook Atlas up with the best security system possible. Took some time to get the Giannopoulos men on board, but with Apollo and Athena spending time here, Atlas knew how the security made his parents feel safe. Walking toward the front door, I check the side window and see Sheriff George and Yoggie standing there, I instantly know something is wrong. Flinging the door open, I startle them both but neither says a word. I wait and finally ask them in. Walking toward the kitchen, I see theboys exactly where I told them to stay. I do the only thing I can think of.

“You two, go to your rooms and close your doors. I want you to either sit at your desks or lie on your beds and think about what was going on when I walked in. Now move your butts.”

They both get up, running up the stairs. I hear first one then the other bedroom door slam. Turning, I look from Sheriff George to Yoggie and back. Trying to summon my courage, I swallow and just ask.

“Is it Atlas or Konstantin?”

Sheriff George looks to Yoggie then back at me.

“Rebel, it’s neither. I’m sorry and I would have waited for Atlas, but we’re shorthanded and I know he wouldn’t care if we tell you. Earlier today, a rancher called in a body found in one of their secondary pastures. When we went out and after locating said body, it turned out to be, well, ummm, it’s Mindy, Rebel.”

It feels like he punched me in the chest. Oh my God, the boys’ mother. How is that possible, we just ran into her a week or two ago at the grocery store. She looked a little better and she even said hi to the boys. Atlas was just glad she didn’t cause a scene. She even asked about the boys’ grandparents, which I thought was nice.

“Damn, how is that possible?”

Yoggie moves a bit closer whispering.

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