Page 6 of Knuckle's Dispute

“Ma’am,” I barely hear someone calling out as I remain on the floor with my hands cradling my stomach in protection of my son.Yes, I’m having a baby boy.

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My eyes open and Ifind myself in a white room with my head killing me.I try to remember what happened while trying to figure out where the hell I am.

“Shh!You’re okay, Janessa,” Marie says and I turn to the side to find her and Rooster sitting at my bedside.

“What happened?”I ask them while locking my eyes on the door as it opens to reveal Doc and Knuckles walking in the room.

Knuckles doesn’t even look at me as he leans against the wall closest to the door and crosses his arms over his chest.I quickly avert my eyes away from him and focus on Doc.I’ve seen him coming and going from the clubhouse once or twice when I’ve been here meeting with various men while they’re my clients.

“How are you feelin’?”Doc asks me, his voice soft and gentle as he offers me a small smile.

“Like shit.I feel like that every single day though.I’m close to my due date and can’t take a break.Can you tell me how long I’ll be here?I have a client to meet with,” I respond to Doc, trying to sit up in bed.

“You need to be on bedrest for the remainder of your pregnancy, Janessa.I’m worried about complications and you goin’ into premature labor.Ideally, you’re able to go into labor now, but we like to keep the baby inside as long as possible.Your blood pressure is also elevated slightly and I’d like to keep a close eye on it,” Doc informs me as I turn away from him and close my eyes against the anger coursing through me.

“When can I go home?There’s no reason for me to remain here at the clubhouse.I’ll be perfectly safe in my house,” I state, my stubbornness coming out full force as I fold my arms over my chest.

“I’d really prefer you remain here where I can monitor you.If not, I’d take admittin’ you to the hospital,” Doc starts as I cut him off with a shake of my head.

“I’ll hire a nurse if I have to.I don’t want to be in the hospital or here in the clubhouse.I’m not affiliated with the club more than being their lawyer.I can have a nurse come in every day and check my vitals and call for help if I start to feel as if something is wrong,” I tell him, my voice hard and unyielding as I turn my full attention toward Doc and away from Marie and Rooster.

“I can’t honestly stop you from doin’ anythin’.You’re a grown woman and I know you’ll do everythin’ in your power to ensure you don’t put your baby in jeopardy,” Doc finally agrees with me as he turns and leaves the room.

Rooster places his hand gently on my arm to gain my attention.“We need to know what happened today.From the time you got to the office until you called me.”

“I’ll give you any information you want.I’m just not gonna talk withhimin here.He wants nothin’ to do with me and that’s fine.That also means he doesn’t get to know anythin’ about my life or what’s going on in it,” I tell Rooster, not once looking at Knuckles.

“Are you fuckin’ kiddin’ me!I’m the Sergeant at Arms for the club and you’re gonna need me here with you for protection whether you like it or not,” Knuckles growls out, anger lacing his voice as he pushes off the wall and moves closer toward me.

“Homicide is the Enforcer and just as good at protection as you are.I’d say he’s probably better than you if I’m being honest.I don’t need, or want, you anywhere near me, Knuckles.I’ll take anyone in the club over you without hesitation,” I state firmly, not looking at the man I’ve dreamt of since the day I first met the club.

“This is bullshit, Rooster!You know it’s bullshit and you’re not sayin’ anythin’ about it,” Knuckles explodes, turning and hitting the wall where he was just leaning.

“This is also her choice, Knuckles.If she doesn’t want anythin’ to do with you, I really can’t blame her.I’m not gonna force her to do anythin’ she doesn’t want to.Not only is she pregnant, but she’s an adult and can make her own decisions.Janessa will have more than enough protection surroundin’ her and that won’t include you.You made your bed and it’s now time to lay in it, Knuckles.Give her the respect she deserves and leave the room.Now,” Rooster orders before turning back to me and putting a small smile on his face as he waits for me to start speaking.“Send Omen, Homicide, and Seth in.”

I don’t know what he says, but Knuckles is talking under his breath about me being a bitch and other shit.That’s his fucking problem and nothing I’m gonna concern myself with.Fucking bastard!However, it doesn’t take him long before the three men Rooster requested enter the room and close the door behind them.

“Now that we’re all here, can you tell us what happened today?”Rooster asks me as I rest back against the pillows that are softer than what I’d get in the hospital.

“So, I went to the office this morning as normal.I wanted to get ready to meet with Seth for our appointment and had a few calls to return for potential clients.From the second I walked through the door, everything that could go wrong happened.My entire desk was covered in water from the roof leaking.This fried my laptop and destroyed all the files on my desk.There were multiple leaks in the office and I tried to put buckets and stuff under them, but I know the carpet is ruined.Anyway, I ended up having to call in the fire department when I started seeing smoke from the outlet where my coffee machine is plugged in.Apparently there was a leak there too and I didn’t notice it.Oh, and one of the walls also fell in and tore up more of the carpet.The fire department made me leave and told me I can’t come back until they deem it safe,” I begin telling them as I look up at everyone surrounding one side of my bed.

“Are you fuckin’ kiddin’ me?”Omen yells, clenching his fists at his side.

“Okay.So, when did you first notice the two bikers followin’ you?”Homicide questions me, stepping closer to the bed next to where Rooster remains sitting.

“It wasn’t long after I left the office.I was walking toward the stores to get what I need to make an office in my home.I’ve got an empty room that will work for now as an office.It’s off the garage and means clients won’t have to enter my home.Anyway, as I was walking down the street, the hair on the back of my neck started to stand on end and it’s a feeling I’ve had more than once.I know when someone’s following me and it’s not something I ever ignore.So, I was close to the shop you found me in and ran in and went to the closest group of people before calling you.If the men came in, I wanted to have witnesses in case they did anything to me,” I tell them honestly while lacing my fingers together and averting my eyes down so no one can see how truly scared I am of this current situation I find myself in.Not only with the health of my son but with the bikers following me.

“Do you know who would’ve hired them?”Rooster asks me as Marie places her hand over mine.

“Since my ex is in jail, I’m gonna guess it’s his parents.They paid me a visit a few months ago and I know they’re still in town.They won’t leave until I give them what they want.Before you ask, they want me to drop all charges against my ex and get him out of jail before he gets sentenced and ends up in prison,” I answer them honestly as I hear a few of them growl in response to my answer.

“That’s not gonna fuckin’ happen!”Rooster shouts, jumping out of his chair and beginning to pace the room.“Church.Now!Get everyone in there.Seth and Marie, get Janessa home and make sure she’s comfortable.I want you to get everythin’ she needs.Janessa, I’ll call you later to let you know what’s goin’ on.”

“Okay,” I say slowly, not sure what that’s supposed to mean.

“And make sure you hire the nurse.If I find out you don’t have one, you’ll be movin’ back into the clubhouse where we can keep an eye on you.This is an argument you won’t win, Janessa,” Rooster orders me as he leaves the room with Homicide and Omen following closely behind him.

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