Page 30 of Knuckle's Dispute

Waking up as the sunbrightens the sky, I find Knuckles standing next to the bed with Kaden in his arms.I pumped last night after preparing a bottle for Kaden so he could feed him and start bonding with his child.

“Mornin’, Janessa.Kaden got up and I thought you could use some sleep.I’ve already changed his diaper and now he’s eatin’.He’s already burped once twice,” he informs me, his voice soft as he carefully sways back and forth with Kaden against his bare chest.

“Thank you, Knuckles.I appreciate you letting me sleep in for a little bit,” I tell him, pushing myself up in bed and watching the two of them.“Knuckles, what does this mean for the two of us?”

“I don’t know yet.All I know is I can’t stop thinkin’ about you.I haven’t been able to fuck another woman since we spent that night together.Everyone’s noticed and I’ve gotten more shit about it than I’ll ever admit.Especially from Tease, the fucker.Why don’t we just take this a day at a time and see where it takes us.I’ve got to get to the gym for a class.You gonna be okay here today?”he asks me, shifting our son to his shoulder and burping him again.

“I’ll be okay.I’m gonna head to the store for groceries.I’m almost out of food and I need to eat and drink in order to produce milk to nurse our son,” I tell him, getting out of bed so I can get changed and ready for the day knowing Kaden just went back to sleep.

“I want guys on you, Janessa.I’d prefer you not to leave the compound at all, but I know that’s not a realistic expectation.I know some of the guys are headin’ to your office to finish up the work needed to get it open again.Take Tease, Seth, Eric, and Carbon with you.I’ll let Carbon and Tease know they’re to go with you today.Be careful, Janessa,” Knuckles says, stepping up and pulling me into his arms, pressing a kiss against my forehead before walking out of the cabin and leaving to head to work for the day.

After quickly showering, I get Kaden ready to head to the store.My nerves are high as fuck because the last time I went to the store didn’t end so well.However, this is something I need to do.I refuse to become a prisoner here in this cabin or on the compound.Roger and his parents controlled my life for so long and I let them.I never fought back or did what I needed to do to keep my independence.Hell, I never even told my family what was going on in my life for the longest time because I was ashamed and embarrassed.I’m not the one who should be ashamed or embarrassed—that would be Roger and his parents for their atrocious behavior and every vicious word they’ve ever spewed at me.Fuck them and the fear they’ve instilled in me.

Chapter Fifteen

Knuckles

GETTING EVERYTHINGOFF of my chest with Janessa yesterday was something I didn’t know I needed to do.For the first time someone other than Tease knows my horrendous past.Janessa might not know every single detail, but she knows what I’ve been through and why I don’t blindly trust people.Tease is honestly the only person I trust completely and without any hesitation.Not just because he’s my cousin but because he’s been there for me when I’ve been at my absolute lowest.We’ve spent countless hours going through my past and me reliving everything I’ve ever been through.Especially the time I spent with Rose.She was the worst foster parent I ever had.Well, besides the one who tried to rape all the girls who came through their door.However, everyone only wanted us there for the money and nothing more than that.We were all a paycheck and no one ever truly cared about us for any reason.

Tonight, I have a fight and while I’d love to have Janessa here with me, she has a lot going on and after earlier today, there’s no way in hell I’m about to bring her out in front of this crowd.Janessa called me earlier from the store in tears and I heard the fear in her trembling voice.She not only had a note left on her car, but she also was surrounded by a bunch of bikers.Thankfully she was able to get in the car with Kaden after loading the groceries she bought.Janessa locked the doors of the car and kept Kaden in her arms while the bikers tried to smash her windows in to get to her.Tease and the rest of the guys beat the fuck out of the group surrounding my woman, but it was still enough to scare the shit out of her and make her not want to leave the house again.I honestly can’t blame her.

Instead of being at the fight, Tease is staying at the compound today with Janessa and my son.He’s watching over them and making sure Janessa doesn’t leave the compound and no one gets in.Rooster put everything on lockdown and the gates are to remain closed at all times.He also called Janessa’s brothers and they’ll be here soon.They’re pissed as fuck about the situation and want to get to the bottom of it just as badly as we do.Between all of us, I’m sure it won’t be long at all before we have the answers we need and get rid of the stupid fuckers coming for my woman.Especially when it comes to putting Roger’s parents behind bars.No, I still don’t know the details of this situation, but I’ll get them.Brick is about to spill everything he knows whether Rooster approves it or not.

“Knuckles, what the fuck is goin’ on?”Homicide asks, walking in to the locker room where I’m sitting on a bench with my hands half taped as I think of the hell Janessa went through a few hours ago.

“Just thinkin’ about the shit with Janessa when she went to get groceries earlier.Not only was a note left on her car, but she was surrounded by a group of bikers.The same ones who cornered her in the boutique that day.Only there were more than two of them this time.Tease said there were seven guys.The worst part is she wasn’t alone.Our son was with her and she had him in her arms while the assholes tried to break into the car to get her.I wasn’t able to get to her before the fight, but Tease says she’s in horrible shape right now.She can’t sleep, is refusin’ to eat, and just holds Kaden in her arms.Janessa won’t put him down for any reason and Tease can’t get her out of the bedroom at the cabin,” I answer Homicide honestly as he takes a seat next to me and grabs the tape to finish wrapping my hands.

“I heard about that shit.I’m not sure if this is from her situation with her ex or if it has to do with somethin’ else.Rooster has all of us lookin’ into things and tryin’ to find out where these bikers are located.So far, they’re hidin’ better than anyone I’ve ever seen before.It’s like they’re nothin’ more than shadows who just show up when they want to and then disappear into nothin’ when they’re done creatin’ chaos,” Homicide says, finishing my hands and setting the tape down on the bench between the two of us.

“Everyone better be out searchin’ for them when they’re not here or at work.I want those bastards found immediately!”I yell, jumping off the bench and pacing the locker room as thoughts of this shit fill my head.

“You need to focus, Knuckles.You’re facin’ Grudge and he’s been trainin’ like crazy.Apparently you’re not the only one who has shit to work through tonight.I’m gonna be in your corner since Tease isn’t here.Omen will be with Grudge,” Homicide informs me as I warm-up and get ready to go out to the cage.

“You’re usually with Grudge when he fights.Why are you with me tonight?”I question him, not stopping warming up so I’m ready.

“Just switchin’ shit up.Grudge needs someone who isn’t gonna just do what he wants and will be there for him.You need someone who will make you pull your shit in when you get too fuckin’ lost in your head.It’s gonna happen and we all know it.Now let’s get the fuck out there so you can get right in the head for Janessa.She’s gonna need you tonight,” Homicide says, slapping me on the shoulder and turning me to face the door.

---