21. ‘Shadow’
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 around in 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.
“My work here is done. Let’s scarf down our breakfast and get on our way to the ranch before those two kill each other. That would be not only a horrible mess, but would affect everyone we know. Come on, Dallas, George, move it along.”
As we eat our breakfast standing up around the island, my mind is split. I get my dad, Sheriff George, having a job, but he knows what we all do and always seemed okay with it. And for my “other” dad, Tank, why is he rocking the boat? When he gets in a mood, usually all hell breaks out and the only one who can bring him down is Momma Diane. Once done, we all clean up quickly then make our way to Panther’s huge garage. Dallas, George, Avalanche, Panther, and myself pile into the huge SUV Big Bird just bought. Why he needs this monster with the enormous truck he bought months ago, who knows. Jersey and Chicago will be on their way in a bit, as they are taking care of the animals. The guys’ wolves need to be fed, along with the studs in the barn. Panther surprised me a week ago with four mini donkeys and three mini cows. I’m in love and it’s pissing me off I can’t take care of them. After much discussion everyone agreed, except me, to give them the far southern stalls so they are away from the crazy as fuck Arabian horse. Don’t understand why but they are nuts. The palomino and Appaloosa are so docile and kind. One of the hands got a finger bit off because, I guess, the Arabian stud was having a bad day. With my little herd on the other side of the barn, Avalanche hopes the horses will stay calm so when they are in breeding season the Arabian isn’t stressed. Yeah, not stressed, both Avalanche and Panther have wolves that are their pets, for Christ’s sake. I’m sure when the wolves are walking through that section of the barn the horses feel so safe. Shaking my head, I take a seat in the second row and buckle in, knowing that Avalanche drives just like me if not worse. I feel a headache coming on and am dreading this day, as I can’t think of a happy ending. Panther turns to face me from the passenger seat, making sure I’m okay.
“Nizhoni, breathe, it’s going to work out however it’s supposed to. We can’t change fate. Now sit back and try to meditate. No, don’t give me that look, Zoey, you know it works. We’ll get there when we can, Avalanche can only go so fast.”
I glare at my ol’ man for a few minutes then push my head back and close my eyes with the intention to meditate. Instead, with the deep breathing, I relax and fall asleep.
We approach the ranch through the back road that leads through the woods and comes out by the cabins behind Tink and Noodles’s house. When I tell Avalanche to go straight to the survivors’ area, the mood in the car changes immediately. As we approach, I see Dani, Kitty, Malachi, Squirt, Presley, and Omen to one side. Across from them are Heartbreaker, Vixen, Ironside, Wildcat, and Malcolm. Each are heavily armed. When I get out of the car, all my club sisters approach me. Vixen is the closest to me so it seems she’s been elected to update me.
“Shadow, we lost two of the jagbags overnight. One must have been bleeding internally and the other, we think, might have had some kind of existing condition. Doc Malcolm, along with Yoggie, tried for at least twenty minutes to revive him, but no go. The rest have been given water with a little bit of pain medication, but no food as of yet. We’ve been waiting to see what the plan is. Any ideas on what we’re going to do with them?”
I look down on one of our more petite sisters, who could probably—if needed—kick anyone’s ass. Then I catch Malcolm’s eyes and when he shakes his head that tells me most hidden in our safe rooms are in pretty bad shape. I assumed that because they are giving out pain medication, which I never allow. It’s okay though, no matter what happens, Atlas will feel better knowing that they weren’t in constant pain throughout the night. That’s the caretaker in him. Hearing a vehicle come racing up the road, we all turn to see Atlas and Rebel making their way to us. Behind them is Taz and Enforcer. Great, a show, just what I don’t want. What really starts to upset me is when I see the sheriff’s car with my dad driving with Tank next to him. Yoggie is with Glory in her vehicle. Finally, bringing up the rear, is Tink and Noodles. Great, the beginnings of a shitshow. This is exactly what I didn’t want. Usually, it’s at my discretion who is around during this time of our missions. My go-tos are Dottie, Raven, Rebel, Heartbreaker, Glory, and Wildcat, though my right hand has become Spirit, who I don’t see. Before I can ask, it’s like she can read my mind, the door opens up and she walks out covered from head to toe in blood and guts. Fuck, did no one tell her it was hands off until Atlas gave us his decision?
“What the ever-lovin’ fuck, Spirit, we haven’t gotten word yet. Why are you bathing in blood and guts?”
She turns those dead violet eyes my way before looking down to the ground. Oh shit.
“Shadow, I’ve spent the better part of the night making sure that the bodies of the two dead assholes can never be traced back to your club or the sanctuary.”
That’s when it dawns on me that she has always been the cleaner. Making sure nothing identifying remains for the law to find. And I can’t believe I’m thinking it, but she’s extremely good at what she does.
I hear doors opening and can feel bodies surrounding me. When I hear Atlas whisper, “What the fuck?” I turn to face him. He looks like total shit, which is to be expected. This part of our lives will weigh you down eventually. For me, I’ll never stop being the Devil’s Handmaidens Enforcer until I’m either voted out or die. It’s part of what keeps me alive, that and that Panther is able to accept what I am and do. I walk toward Atlas and Rebel, trying to figure out where he’s leaning but, damn, this man can keep his emotions hidden.
“Atlas, before you lose your shit, Spirit was taking care of the remains of two who died overnight, not at our hands, but from injuries sustained during our rescue. Have you made a decision?”
“Shadow, all I’ve done is think about this and try to come up with an answer that would appease everyone involved. When we got here, Tank pulled me over, telling me no matter what, he wanted someone named Brian. Then Tink told me she needed to make sure the men who that touched the two young girls in the hospital needed to stop breathing. I need the ones who beat and whipped my dad, and especially the ones who raped my mother to pay. Sheriff George told me that for some reason he hasn’t divulged to me, he’ll not fight my decision. So before I tell you, Shadow, I need to go in and see them. All of the men and try to make sense to a senseless situation. Rebel understands, I hope everyone here can try and see why I need to do what needs to be done.”
Nodding, I make my way to Spirit and together we walk through the door and follow the hallway to where the hidden floor door is already open. Spirit and I go down first, then Atlas and Rebel. Tank, Tink, and Noodles bring up the rear. Why my dad is going along with this, I have no idea, but I’m leaning toward Tank winning the battle. Spirit unlocks the outer door and you can start to hear screaming and moaning. Behind me I hear Atlas asking Rebel, “What the hell?” Well, Doc is in for a big surprise, I’m guessing. By the time we reach the main door, I use the keypad and unlock the area. What meets my eyes makes me smile. Yeah, I have a black heart. Who the fuck cares, these aren’t good people. Like I always tell Goldilocks, what goes around, comes around.
We have chains attached to the walls all the way around the huge-ass space. Men are cuffed to the chains, sitting on their asses, or standing, each with different levels of injuries. In the center are tables, pulleys, and other instruments of torture. I see Spirit was very busy as by the door, off to the one side on one of the larger tables, are two body parts sitting on it. On one side is a head and directly across is the other man’s head, both faces showing the fear they were experiencing right before they died. Atlas gasps loudly, and when I turn he’s bent over trying to breathe, while running his hands up and down his legs. Rebel is next to him, not touching him, just there within reach.
“Atlas, these two are some of the original men who started this group in our town. We had no idea they were near, which they took advantage of. Both of them begged for their lives when we brought them in. No one laid hands on them, they died eventually from their injuries. Spirit only did that to protect not only our club but also the survivors. Not one is in the shape to withstand a court case or get up on the stand reliving the tortures they’ve been through. Now, follow me as I point out some of their crimes. These two are the ones who beat and whipped your father. That one pissed on him and laughed while doing it. He forced your dad to watch the men who raped and sodomized your mother. Those four are some of them. The younger dude, I’m sure you recognize. He’s the one who was fighting with Kon at the barbecue a few weeks ago. He not only brutally abused your mom; he raped Colin because he refused to hurt your mom. Those two in the far corner are the ones who repeatedly raped the two little girls. The damage done to them you already know about. I will tell you no one who was at their ‘camp’ will come out of this unharmed, and I don’t mean physically. They will carry scars for the rest of their lives, while fighting the urge to commit suicide, or just giving up, hoping for death to take them. We’ve already started to clear one of the buildings so when the victims are ready, they will come here to recover. One of the larger cabins is being made ready for both your mom and dad. Raven’s brother, Ollie, has alerted the therapists at the Blue Sky Sanctuary that their services will be needed. The ranch will take care of everything, including their living expenses, medical and therapy bills. Everything will be made available to them, but we can’t force them to accept it. That’s their decision, as you have a decision to make. Atlas, what’s it going to be?”
Watching Atlas’s eyes take in every single man in the room, everyone waits patiently. When he approaches the kid, Brian, my heart bleeds for him because that asshole doesn’t have a soul. My eyes catch Rebel’s and I give her a look, so she follows him. When he’s close to Brian, the bastard hocks up something and tries to spit it at Atlas. Rebel pushes him out of the way and, with her fist tight, goes right up to him and punches him right in the nose. We all hear the cartilage give and I laugh out loud when she tells him that was from Konstantin. When Brian snorts saying that Kon is a pussy, Rebel pulls her leg back and sends her foot right into his dick and balls. Then she leans really close as tears roll down his face.
“Who’s the fuckin’ pussy now, asshole? Might want to enjoy these last minutes because you’re on the fast track to hell. When your rotting, Konstantin will be living his life to the fullest. No one probably ever told you, but good always prevails over evil, dumb asshole.”
With that she turns and goes right to Atlas, who pulls her close. I know what he’s going to say before he does. I can only imagine how hard it is for him. The pain is in his eyes.
“Shadow, get rid of them all. Make it hurt. Let Tank and Tink have who they want and anyone else. Do me a favor please? The ones who savagely put hands on my mom, after you’re done doing whatever it is you plan on, cut their dicks and balls off and let them bleed out. I owe you, Shadow, and no, I can’t be here. This decision will weigh on my soul the rest of my life, but I have my parents, three boys, and this woman at my side to protect. If any of them are released, I’d be looking over my shoulder until I die.”
He walks up to me, giving me a side hug, then walks straight past everyone and out the door to the outside. Rebel comes to me, touching my face, which generally I don’t allow or want. She stands on tippy-toes and kisses my other cheek.
“I know you think of yourself as a monster. To me you’re an avenging angel for those who can’t fight for themselves. That includes Atlas because, yeah, he’s tough, but his heart would die slowly if he tried to do what you are about to do. I’m forever in your debt. Make sure that asshole Brian hears Konstantin’s name right before he dies. That’s for me. No matter what never forget, Shadow, that I’ll always love you.”
When they are gone, I remove my kutte and take my boots and socks off. Then I braid my hair while every single degenerate watches me. When Spirit comes next to me with a thick rubber apron, I put it on, thanking her. Tank and Tink are off to one side, waiting for me to give them what they want. First, though, I have some playing to do. I put the deadliest grin on my face and with my icy eyes look each and every one in their eyes. The fear on their faces feeds the hole in my soul.
“So are y’all ready to have some fun? I know I am so let’s get this party started.”
They all start to scream, cry, piss, and shit themselves. Ignoring all of their pitiful sounds, I look to the table at what’s on it. Grabbing some wire cutters, I hear the door close and see Dottie and Raven waiting, their kuttes and boots off too. Smiling at them, I move to the first dickless piece of shit, and without a single thought of mercy, start cutting off his fingers one by one. Today is gonna be a great day, as these bastards will never hurt another innocent again. I plan on making sure on this day they each take their last rotten breaths.