Page 5 of Knuckle's Dispute

Before I can get more than a few steps, Rooster is in front of me and slapping a folder against my chest harder than necessary.

“Fuckin’ read it.We all know about her past and you’re the only one who doesn’t.You haven’t been in the meetin’ we had before decidin’ to retain her as our lawyer.If I remember right, you were on a run,” Rooster growls at me and removes his hand from my chest before turning and heading back toward Brick to find out what he discovers on the camera feed.

I don’t bother opening up the file as I continue to pace.No one is going to convince me to give Janessa the benefit of the doubt about this situation.Instead, I get lost in my head once again and pretend I’m in the room alone while Brick does his thing and tries to figure out what the hell is going on with the condoms in my stand.And if anyone else has something to worry about.We all enjoy sex on a regular basis and who knows when the condoms were tampered with.The sooner this situation is figured out, the better it will be for all of us.

Chapter Two

Janessa

TODAY’S BEEN THE dayfrom hell.Not only am I upset about Knuckles talking to me as if I’m nothing more than a common whore, but my new office is falling apart.The roof is leaking and my desk was covered in water after the heavy rain last night.One of the walls fell in and ruined the carpet.To top it all off, there was almost a fire in the office when water started hitting the outlet my coffee pot was plugged into.I managed to unplug it before anything happened and called in the fire department just to be safe.That was a huge mistake.They made me leave the office and I have no clue when I’ll be able to open up again.I’m supposed to be meeting Seth here and have to make other arrangements.For now, the only option I really have is my home.There’s an extra room off of the garage I can use as an office.I’ll just have to go shopping before I can meet Seth.

Walking out of the office, I make sure the fire department knows the code for the security system and to lock up when they’re done going through everything.No, they won’t let me stay here with them.I tried to stay and be here while the fire department was inside, but the chief practically forced me out of the building and away until it’s safe to enter once again.This means I’ll have to contact a construction crew to rebuild, an electrician to ensure everything is up to date, a roofer to fix all the leaks, and anything else the fire chief recommends.I’m not about to let this building fall apart again.This is my one chance to prove my parents wrong about having a law firm in a new town where I won’t know anyone.

My parents threatened to cut me off, take me out of the will, and do everything they could think of to get me to stick to the plan they set out for me when I was a little girl.I never really had a chance to do anything else in my life.There are still days when they praise Roger and believe I’ve made up most of what happened between the two of us.They don’t believe the hospital reports or anything else from that time in my life.Not when they don’t want to.Though it really shouldn’t surprise me because when I was in the hospital after a beating from Roger or his attempted rape, neither one of my parents showed up to see me.My brothers were the ones there for me.They’re always the ones there for me.

I’m literally the middle child of five and nothing I’ve ever done is good enough for my parents.I went into law because it’s what they wanted for me.They’re both successful lawyers and are so busy they bring their work home with them almost every single day.I’ve got two older brothers, Daniel and Joseph, a younger brother, Aaron, and a younger sister, Nicole.Nicole and I don’t get along either.We’ve never seen eye to eye and she’s always been able to do whatever the hell she wants without having to face any consequences.I’m the only one who’s ever had to stick to the plan and followed every order given by my parents without exception.I’ve had to pay for everything I’ve done and what my sister has done as well.The boys are the only ones who have ever stood up for me.I’ve never doubted their loyalty or love.They’re the ones who helped me move here and made sure I was settled in before leaving me on my own.And they’ve always been my biggest supporters.Especially knowing I needed to get away from Roger and his psychotic parents.

Anyway, leaving the office, I make my way down Main Street where all the shops are.They’re small and not the usual chains or boutiques I’m used to shopping in, but they get the job done and will have what I need for now to get an office set up at home.As I walk down the street, the hair on the back of my neck stands up straight and I immediately know someone’s following me.It’s not like I’ve never felt this before.Roger has been known to stalk me and find out every single detail of my life whenever I tried to break up with him in the past.He doesn’t know the meaning of the word no and sees me as his property and is obsessed with me.So, I definitely know this feeling well and my guard instantly goes up.

I search the surrounding area and don’t see anyone out of place.However, I know someone definitely has eyes on me.Turning, I act as if I’m about to head into one of the closest shops and turn my head to see two men wearing cuts walking behind me.They’re not even trying to be inconspicuous about their intent as they speed up their steps and try to grab me before I get in the store.

Since I’m already at the door, there’s no way in hell they’re going to catch me before I can get around other people.Witnesses who will have my back if it comes down to it.I rush to the closest group of people and turn to face the door.Both men remain outside on either side of the door and I know I’m about to be stuck in here for a while.Pulling out my phone, I pull up Rooster’s name and press it to my ear while moving a few steps away from the group of people.

“Janessa, we’ll be headin’ your way in a few minutes,” Rooster answers his phone.

“Rooster, there’s been a change of plans.My office has been temporarily shut down.It’s a long story, but at the end of the day, I’ll be working from home until I can get back in my office.That’s not why I’m calling though.I’m on Main Street and there are two guys outside wearing cuts.They’re following me and I don’t have another way out of the store I went in,” I inform Rooster as panic fills me and my heart beats out of my chest and my breath catches in my throat.

“We’re on our way.Don’t move, Janessa.We’ll be there in a few minutes.Send me the name of the store you’re in and don’t move.Call Marie and stay on the phone with her until we get there,” Rooster orders me before hanging up the phone as normal.

I swear the men of the Dirty Slayers MC don’t know how to properly end a conversation when they’re on the phone.

Shaking my head, I call Marie and let her talk my ear off.She’s rambling about nothing at all, but that’s okay.It’s pulling me out of my head and all I’m trying to focus on is her voice and words to force the panic down.Everyone in the store is looking at me funny as I pace frantically around the store and try to pay attention to Marie while waiting for Rooster and whoever else to show up.

I have no idea how much time passes as I wait to hear the rumble of bikes getting closer to the shop I’m hiding out in.The two bikers are still standing vigilant outside the front door as if they’re standing guard over someone in here.Instead, I know they’re just waiting for me to leave so they can do whatever they’re plan is for me.At this point, I have a feeling these two are someone Barb and David hired to take me out or make me change my mind about dropping all the charges against Roger.What they don’t understand is the fact that while I did press charges against the asshole who enjoys torturing me more often than not, I’m not the only one who is ensuring he stays behind bars.The prosecutor is definitely pressing charges against him to make sure he remains behind bars.I know a lot about him, but I don’t know everything.A friend in the office back home has told me as much.

Finally, the thunderous roar of multiple bike pipes fill the outside of the shop and the store windows start rattling as they pull up and park.I watch as the two other bikers look at one another before racing from the storefront and away from where I’m hiding out.My entire body is trembling and I collapse to the floor before anyone can get close to me.I can’t see straight as my vision blurs and I know I’m about to pass the hell out.This won’t be the first time it’s happened.

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