Page 19 of Knuckle's Dispute

“Okay.He really hasn’t been around here anyway since he got hurt as we all expect him to recover,” I tell them, watching as Eric’s shoulders sink slightly from the tension he’s holding in his body.“You’ve both been around Janessa since she got out of the hospital.How’s she doin’?”

“She’s okay.I had dinner with her last night and she’s exhausted.The baby keeps her up all night long.She tries to nap when the baby does, but it doesn’t always work.Especially when she feels she has so much to do.I try to help her when I can, but she keeps pushin’ me away and wants to do everythin’ on her own.Today she wants to go to the grocery store.It’ll be the first time she’s out of the house since she got back.Well, other than doctor’s appointments,” Seth answers me, his voice full of concern for the woman I’m asking about.

“Who’s goin’ with her?”I ask, sitting up straighter in my seat and looking him in the eyes.

“Seth and I are goin’ with her.Will that be enough for her?”Eric asks me, confusion in his eyes as he looks at me from the corner of his eye.

“No, it won’t.I want a full patch member on her as well.I’ll be at the gym.If anythin’ happens, call me immediately and I’ll be there to help with whatever is goin’ on,” I order them, watching as they both turn and leave the common room.

Finishing my bottle of water, I head for the door of the common room and straight to my bike.Straddling it, I put on my helmet after turning my hat backward and start the engine.I don’t hesitate to take off and leave the compound because the need to get to Janessa is overwhelming and the only thing I can think about when I’m at the clubhouse.

Riding through town, my eyes are always alert and watching the road around me.Not just because of the other vehicles, but because of the potential threats against the club.There’s always someone after us and we never know when the club will come under attack.Right now, the threat of those against Janessa is out there.I have no fucking clue who I’m even looking for because Rooster and Brick haven’t shared any of the information Brick’s been looking up.I keep waiting to be called in for church or a meeting with a few select officers, but it hasn’t happened yet.I’m not sure what the fuck they’re waiting for, but it’s annoying as fuck and I’m not the only one who feels this way.

When I pull into the parking lot of the gym, I take in the fact that it’s once again packed.Business has always been good and lately, it seems as if even more people are coming in for one reason or another.Some of the guys want to train to fight while others just want to get into shape.We’re here to work with them all and today I know I’m gonna need to pack my schedule as tight as I can to keep my mind off of everything going on back at the compound.Of everything I don’t have the first clue about because my head’s been up my ass.

Don’t ask me what changed or why I’m suddenly ready to go see Janessa.I won’t be able to answer you no matter how hard I try.The need to put my trust in her and listen to what she has to say is becoming too much for me to push deep down.I want to learn every single thing about her and see the baby she claims is mine.Honestly, Ineedto see the baby.Doubts have been creeping in my mind about the fact I’m wrong about not being his dad.Tease has seen the baby and I know he’s got pictures on his phone.My best friend has told me more than once the baby already looks like me and we have the same bright blue eyes.He’s also mentioned again about getting a paternity test done so there isn’t a doubt in my mind about the baby being mine.It’s something I’ve talked to Doc about and he’s assured me he’d be happy to get it done and wait for the results to come in after putting a rush order on them.

Riding around the building, I park my bike next to Brick’s.After shutting off the engine, I remove my helmet.Without hesitation, I head for the door of the gym so I don’t get back on my bike and ride to the compound to see Janessa and the baby.She’s got plans today and I won’t ruin them for her.No, I don’t want her to leave the compound, but I don’t want her to feel like a damn prisoner either.So, she’ll be leaving with the two Prospects and a full patch member.Tease will go with them today.

“Boss Man, it’s about time you show up,” Brick says the second I walk in the door of the gym and make my way to the locker room.

“Shut the fuck up.Had shit to take care of at the clubhouse,” I growl, letting the door of the locker room shut behind me.

Brick follows me in the room and leans against the lockers behind me.While I open my locker and grab out a clean pair of clothes for the day, I wait for Brick to run his mouth.He hasn’t been here as much lately so I’m sure he’s got something to say.

“What’s up your ass today?”Brick finally questions me, his voice lower than normal with the way it echoes in the locker room.

“Talked to Seth and Eric about Janessa and how she’s doin’.Got a fuckin’ problem with that?”I bark out, stripping out of my clothes and hanging them in my locker while putting my gym clothes on.

“No problem with it.Didn’t think you’d be checkin’ up on Janessa the way you seem to be doin’,” Brick responds, a smirk on his face as I turn around and look at him.

“Shit changes, Brick.By the way, any news on whatever Rooster has you searchin’ for when it comes to Janessa.The two of you have been tight-lipped about the situation and it puts Janessa, her child, and the rest of us in danger because we have no fuckin’ clue what’s goin’ on,” I state, my voice hard and cold as I push past him and leave the locker room to go over to the front desk and find out what’s going on with today’s schedule.

Ethan is at the front desk today and I greet him before grabbing the book with all of our classes listed and who has appointments with the trainers.There’s a separate section of the book for the fighters who want to train.That’s where I’ll be today because I need to be in the ring.

“Harley and Jared are gettin’ ready to start their classes for the mornin’.We’ve got several guys waitin’ to train in the fightin’ rooms.Brick has started with a few of them.Where are you gonna work today?”Ethan asks me as he does everyone because he needs to know where we all are in case something happens he can’t handle like a medical emergency.

“I’ll be in the back room with the fighters.Need to get in the ring today.Brick won’t be in there for long if I have my way.He’s already annoyin’ the fuck outta me and I just got here,” I inform Ethan as I set the book back on the counter in front of him.

“He always annoys the fuck outta you.He’s learned how to press every single button you have and today will be no different,” Ethan says with laughter filling his voice as I look up at him.

“This is true.Grab me my water bottle please so I can get to work.”

Ethan grabs my water from the fridge we keep under the desk for the employees.After grabbing it from him, I make my way toward the back room, greeting clients as I pass them by.Today is gonna be long as hell and I’m looking forward to thoroughly exhausting myself so I might be able to get some sleep tonight.

***

I’ve been working forhours and I’m tired as fuck.My body is covered in sweat and I know I’ll be sporting a few new bruises tomorrow.Brick was annoying me more than normal today so I made him get in the ring with me.He can definitely hold his own against me as most of the guys in the club can.Brick got a few good hits in on me before I took his ass down to the mat and didn’t let him up again.

“Boss Man, your phone’s been ringin’ for the last ten minutes non-stop,” Brick says after I get down from the ring with a new client I sparred with to see where he stands.

“Give it here,” I state, dropping to the floor and reaching out for my phone.“Hello?”

“Micah, got a fuckin’ problem here,” Tease says, not bothering with pleasantries.

“The fuck is goin’ on?”I question him, immediately alert as I start to walk to the locker room to change really quick.

“Took your girl shoppin’ for groceries and a few things for the baby like she wanted.We weren’t in the store five minutes before notice we were bein’ followed around by two guys.Seth got behind them to find out who the fuck they ride with.All I know is they were wearin’ their cuts on inside out so we couldn’t see the name, but they’re definitely bikers,” Tease informs me, his voice calm considering what he’s telling me.

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