Page 14 of Knuckle's Dispute

“I get it, Nessa.You’ve never been one to force a situation on anyone.However, given the situation you’re currently in, I don’t think that stupid fucker would believe you’re on the compound because you’re forcing his hand in this situation.If he’s a true man, he’d recognize the fact that you don’t have anywhere else to be and you need protection now that it’s more than just you,” Aaron tries to reason with me, leaning in even closer because he can see the tears filling my eyes and knows I’m about to have a breakdown.

I hate crying in front of anyone.No one other than my brothers ever sees me cry.Even our parents haven’t ever seen me cry since I was a little girl and believed they loved me.It quickly became obvious they didn’t love a single one of us as their children.Well, unless you count Nicole.She gets shown love from them no matter what she’s doing.Even the times she’s been arrested they’ve been right there to bail her out without any hesitation.The boys and I have always had nothing but their cold, hard orders to do what they want us to with our lives.

The first tear slips free from my eye and rolls down my cheek.Aaron catches it before it can fall and land on Kaden.I’m so uncomfortable from the surgery and my emotions are all over the place.This shit is so much harder than I thought it would be.Right now, I should be surrounded by my family and away from the club and Knuckles.

“I’ll come home with you guys.You can protect me and it will take time for Barb and David to realize I’m no longer in Frostford.I can get my own place close to the three of you and raise Kaden there,” I whisper, looking up at my brother because he still towers over me even when we’re sitting down.

“I don’t think that’s the best option for you, Nessa.Barb and David might be here in Frostford, but if you’re on the compound, they can’t get to you.Eventually, when we get the situation resolved, you can move to be closer to us if that’s what you truly want.For now, you have to remain here.It’s the best, and safest, option,” Joseph says, sticking his nose in our conversation as normal.

If all three of my brothers are around, there are no secrets between us.They butt into conversations not meant for them all the time and there isn’t a single thing the three of them don’t know about me.Honestly, they’ve been better parents to me than our own ever thought of being.So, if they want me to stay here and think it’s the best solution for now, then that’s what I’ll do.Just so they don’t have to worry and can focus on work and whatever else they have going on in their lives.

“Fine.For now, I’ll stay there.If this causes any shit with Knuckles, I’ll disappear with my son and it will take a lot for any of you to find me.Do you all understand?”I ask my brothers, sitting up straighter and looking at them each so they realize how serious I am.“My life is complicated enough as it is and I don’t need to add anything else to it.”

“You’re makin’ the right decision, Janessa.We’ll do everythin’ to keep you safe.Those fuckers won’t get close to you or harm your child.We all know it’s just a matter of time before they realize you’ve had a baby and will use him against you,” Rooster says as if he already knows what’s going to happen and is trying to prevent it.

Honestly, there’s no reason I’ve been avoiding Rooster, Marie, or anyone else from the club.The only reason I haven’t let them in here is because I don’t want to be close to everyone Knuckles has in his life.They’re his family and have been in his life a lot longer than I’ve been around anyone here.I’m just their lawyer and they don’t have to help me at all.

“You get things taken care of here, Janessa.Once you’ve been discharged, your brothers can bring you to the compound.We’ll have meals prepared for you so all you have to do is heat them up so you can focus on taking care of the baby.Knuckles won’t have a thing to say about this, Janessa.This is our decision and what we want to give you.You’re family and nothing will ever change that.Especially a stupid fuck like Knuckles who needs to pull his head out of his ass,” Marie says, resting her hand on my leg and gently rubbing for a second before she backs up a step and they leave the room.

***

It took a few hoursfor Dr.Matthews to discharge me, but I’m finally able to go home.Aaron and Joseph went out and bought me several new clothes to get home in while adding even more stuff for the baby.I’ve got a small duffle bag of clothing and other necessities.That’s definitely way more than what Kaden has right now.My brothers are definitely going overboard with him and there’s no way in hell I’ll be able to stop this shit from happening.Once these three crazy as fuck men in my life have made their mind up about something, there is no changing it.I’ve learned this plenty of times over the years and tend to simply go with whatever they do because it’s easier than arguing and fighting with them.

Daniel lifts Kaden from the bed where I’ve just dressed him in a cute little outfit.Aaron got him a custom made football jersey with his number on the back of it.All three of my brothers played football in school.The only reason they didn’t make it to the NFL is because that wasn’t the plan our parents made for them.Along with the jersey, he’s wearing a pair of sweatpants and the cutest little socks with footballs all over them.I watch carefully as my oldest brother straps Kaden in his new car seat and covers him with a blanket to ensure he doesn’t get cold.Before he lifts the car seat in his hands, Daniel pulls the cover down over my son so no one can see him.

Aaron and Joseph help me out of bed while Joseph lifts my duffle bag in his hand so we can get the hell out of here.I hate hospitals and only stayed here as long as I did because of the fire and giving birth the way I did.If my brother’s weren’t here with me, I wouldn’t have stayed like Dr.Matthews wanted me to.Not only was I seeing her, but I was also seeing one of the hospital doctors for the smoke inhalation.Thankfully there won’t be any lasting damage from the fire other than some scrapes, bruising, and I’m still coughing every now and then.It’s definitely better than before, but I’m sore as hell.So, I stayed.

Now, I’m heading to the compound and I’m not sure how to feel about it.Especially considering this will be the first time I’m seeing anyone from the club.Other than glimpsing them through the door of my hospital room.Daniel is next to me as we leave the room while Aaron pushes me into the hallway.My mouth drops open in shock as I take in every single member lining the hall toward the elevator.What has the tears falling is seeing Kurt and Seth standing among everyone else.They’re beaten and bruised, but large smiles cover both of their faces as they look at me.

“Are you both okay?”I ask, making Aaron stop in front of them as I avoid looking at Knuckles a little further down the hallway.

“We’re good, Miss Janessa.Are you okay?Is your baby okay?”Seth questions me, his voice laced with concern as he looks at the car seat in my brother’s hand.

“I’m okay, Seth.And my son is absolutely perfect.You’ll have to come see him at some point,” I tell him, a smile on my face as he nods his head in response.

I’ve definitely gotten closer to him than anyone else in the club.We’ve spent more time together as I’ve put together his case before being put on bedrest.He’s a great guy and one I can see myself becoming really good friends with.Kurt is just as good as Seth, but we haven’t spent as much time together so I don’t really know him.I can feel eyes on me as I continue to interact with Seth for a few minutes.Without looking, I know it’s Knuckles watching us.I don’t know what the hell his problem is since he’s the one who refuses to believe me about our son.This is on him and not me.So, he can look all he wants as long as he leaves me the hell alone.

“We better get the baby in the car and out of this hospital,” Daniel finally says, his voice barely above a whisper as he looks down at me.

“Okay.Let’s get out of here,” I say, sitting back in the wheelchair once again and letting Aaron push me toward the elevator.

The entire time we make our way down the hall at a snail’s pace, I can feel Knuckle’s eyes on me.Others are looking at me as well, but he’s the one I’m drawn to and can feel no matter where I am or what I’m doing when he’s nearby.I don’t know what the hell it is about him, but I hope it ends soon.Or that this situation with Roger and his parents ends and I can finally move on with my life.

When we get to the elevator and the doors slide open for me, my brothers obviously crowd in the small box along with Rooster and Marie.When Knuckles tries to get in with the rest of us, I shake my head causing Rooster and Joseph to step forward and not allow him to enter the elevator.Rooster doesn’t say a word as him and Knuckles enter some kind of intense stare down.They’re having one of those silent conversations only men seem to be able to have.I close my eyes and rest while ignoring the situation in front of me.There is no reason in hell for Knuckles to be anywhere near me.He needs to leave me alone and keep his distance since that’s what he wants.

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