14. ‘Atlas’
FOURTEEN
‘ATLAS’
My back is killing me, as I know this isn’t going to turn out the way we all hope for when a baby is being born. This labor and delivery started out like any other normal one, but when Lori dilated to eight, almost nine, and the nurses were getting her ready to deliver her twins, she suddenly started to hemorrhage. They called me as I was in my office, and I immediately went to the delivery floor so I could do an exam and see what was going on. After checking her out, I know without a doubt we need to get her to surgery. Her husband isn’t here yet, though I personally think he’s trying to avoid it. Looking at Lori, she must see it on my face as she grabs her mom’s hand.
“Lori, we need to get you to surgery to save the twins. Don’t panic, just try to stay calm.”
“Dr. Giannopoulos, if you have to make a choice, save the babies. Do me a favor, please. I have a restraining order keeping my soon-to-be ex-husband away from the babies. Mom, give that paper to Dr. Giannopoulos. Thank you so much. My mom has medical power of attorney on my behalf. Do what you do best.”
I nod to the transport person who, after disconnecting all the wires and monitors, pulls the bed out of the room, moving quickly to the surgical wing. I’m right behind him, hurrying so I can sanitize my hands and get into the surgical area. Lori doesn’t have a lot of time and neither do those babies. Her mom is keeping up with me, along with Lori’s father. I know her sisters are in the waiting area. When I get to the doors, I turn to her parents and try to leave them with some hope.
Once sanitized and gloved up, I make my way to where Lori is lying back on the bed, drapes all over and around her. Glancing at the anesthesiologist, she gives me a nod, which tells me she’s gotten her epidural and that lets me know it’s time to start. As I ask for a scalpel, I do what I always do before a surgical procedure. I pray that God gives me the power to save all three lives that are currently in my hands. Then I make the incision to try and get these babies out as quickly and safely as possible.
Watching as the twins, both in incubators, are taken to the neonatal intensive care unit, or as we call it the NICU, I’m beyond exhausted. Anna, one of the top OB/GYN nurses, is helping clean up the mess I made trying to save Lori. She’s also spent but somehow, not sure how, I saved her and both of the babies’ lives. All did not end great as I had to perform a bimanual uterine compression and massage, along with the addition of oxytocin. The bleeding finally slowed down, but we are going to need to keep a close eye on Lori. She’s going up to ICU, where she can be monitored throughout the rest of the evening.
After placing my orders and making sure my staff is okay, as these types of births can take it out of a person, I clean up and make my way to my office. Opening the door I see an envelope on the floor, so I pick it up and go to my desk. Plopping down, I take a minute or two to decompress then grab my letter opener and slash the envelope open, pulling out a single piece of paper. Unfolding it, my heart stops and I can’t breathe. I’m seeing double and can’t even read what the cut-out letters actually say. Closing my eyes for a quick second, I then open them and read the letter, already reaching for my phone. Looking for her number, I hit Rebel’s contact and wait.
“Hey, Atlas, everything okay?”
Just hearing her voice, I can feel my eyes filling up. Clearing my throat, I try to hold it together.
“Rebel, I need you and your club’s help. Just got out of surgery, came to my office, and found a handmade note telling me that whoever they are took my parents. They demand the only way I can get them back is to switch my boys for my parents. Oh God, what am I supposed to do, sweetheart?”
Not sure, but she must hear the desperation in my voice when she tells me to hang tight, she’s on her way. She also told me she is planning on leaving the boys at the ranch, explaining it’s the most protected and safe place for them. I agree. She reassures me she’s on her way and then hangs up. I place my elbows on my desk, running my hands through my hair just as I hear a ping, informing me of a text. Unlocking my phone, I hit messages and then see the new text from an unknown number. What I see has me putting my fist in my own mouth so I don’t scream and cry out loud. It’s a picture of my parents. My dad is beat to shit, looks to be barely conscious, but it is my mom that has me wanting to commit murder. She only has her bra and panties on and she’s lying on a dirty bed, hands above her head, cuffed to a headboard. Her legs are tied together. Then an unidentified voice tells me to make my choice. Suddenly a picture of my three boys appears on the screen before the video ends. I’m fuckin’ screwed is the only thought that comes to mind.
Not sure how long I rub my temples. Then unexpectedly I hear boots to the floor running, so I stand, looking for a way to defend myself. I grab the large trophy I got last year for my dedication and contribution to the community center clinic. Shaking my head, I stand ready. The door bursts open and I see bikers in the doorway, down the hall, and I think more after the curve. First in is Rebel, then Heartbreaker. Motherfucker, that’s when I see all three of my boys with huge red eyes and desperation across their faces, though Kon looks beyond pissed. Rebel pulls me away from my desk, putting her arms around me, right before all the boys grab onto me too. I can’t stop the helplessness that surfaces as I bury my face into Rebel’s neck. We stay like this until we hear a voice. Surprised, I look up to see Tink, Glory, Raven, and Shadow standing off to the left of us. Tink is the one waiting to speak.
“Sorry to intrude, Atlas, but we need to figure this crap out. Before you get pissed, Thanos, Stefanos, and Konstantin all insisted they have every right to be here as it’s their grandparents in trouble.” My head snaps to Rebel, who throws her hands up.
“No, I didn’t tell them, Atlas. Thanos overheard and told Konstantin, who then had Wildcat call Malcolm to bring the kids back. Once Stefanos was back, Konstantin told him and all three went directly to my cage and waited for me. Now, we don’t have time to argue so let’s shove this to the side and get down to business. Boys, you promised, so go over there by the table, sit down and be quiet. I’m treating you like adults, don’t disappoint me.”
Watching my boys listen to Rebel without any arguments almost makes me smile. I see Raven move around my desk, putting down three laptops and two tablets. Tank and Enforcer push their way past everyone, with Tank pulling me close. The feel of his arms almost brings me to my knees, but got to be strong. Not sure how he knew but Tank whispers in my ear.
“Atlas, time and place, son. You have folks who have your back and nothin’ wrong with a man shedding some tears, for Christ’s sake. I’ve done it a time or twenty.”
Releasing me, he gives me a small smile which I return. Hearing more noise, I look up to see Noodles, Panther, along with some of Panther’s guys, and another huge guy who looks serious. Noodles walks directly to me, stranger at his side.
“Atlas, brother, got no words except we’ll get your folks back. Now, this is Ollie, he runs the Blue Sky Sanctuary. He’s also ex-military and so are all of the folks at the sanctuary. I see his sister is already at work.”
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. My God, 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.