Raging Barons MC – Book Nine – Knuckles
Knuckles: Chapter 1

-:- KNUCKLES -:-

Standing at the side of the room, that the organizer of the underground fight ring calls his office, I’m watching a young fighter speaking to a woman a couple of years younger than himself.

The young woman is sitting against the wall, keeping her head down and eyes on the ground. If I’m being truthful, she looks scared to death.

Colton leans into me and quietly asks. “Any idea what’s goin’ on with those two?”

“No, but he’s not a threat to her. I’ve seen them around here a few times, and I think he’s more likely her brother, well that’s the vibes I’m getting from them. He watches over her all the time, but somethin’s not right with them both, so keep your eyes and ears open.”

Colton gives me a chin lift, then wanders towards where the young woman is sitting. I watch as Colton leans against the wall, folding his arms over his chest, and gets himself comfortable. I move away from the office and nearer to the entrance, where I’ll be acting as a bouncer tonight.

“Hey, are you fightin’ tonight, or on the door?” Glancing to my left, I give an icy glare at Byron Jones as he’s followed me from the office. He’s the organizer of tonight’s fights and he knows damn well I’m not fighting.

“On the door,” I reply, but keep a cold eye on him. Then he points at Colton. “What about your boy?”

“No, he’s on the door.” I know where he’s going with this, slimy fucker that he is.

“Fuck, I need another fighter.” Snarling while he walks back to the office. Looking over at Colton, I give him a small negative shake of my head, ‘cause I don’t want either of us pulled into any last-minute fights this fucker could throw out.

The young man walks into the changing area and I follow him, nodding for Colton to watch the woman as I pass him.

In the changing area, I note the man is getting changed, ready to fight. Stepping over to him, I quietly ask. “Who are you fightin’ tonight?” He looks up at me but must recognize me from other fight evenings, deciding to reply.

“Great Gordon the Gob Shitter!”

Chuckling as I realize he means Gordon the Great, as that’s how they announce him when he climbs into the ring. “Watch his left. He throws his arm out before he throws forward. He steps back before he does that stupid bellow and jump too. Don’t let him get too close, he bites.”

Watching me closely, he asks. “Why are you telling me this?”

“Don’t want to see him win against you. I’ll be putting money down on you, so make sure you watch for what I’ve told you.” Stepping away, I turn when he speaks again.

“Are you at the door?” I nod toward him, but say nothing, waiting for the reason he has asked.

“Will you watch that nobody touches my sister? I can’t watch her when I’m fighting, and one fighter tried messing with her the last time I was in the ring.”

“I can do that. I’ll tell Colton to watch her, too. Maybe she needs to sit closer to where I’m working. Then if anyone steps up, I can fuck them off.” Cracking my knuckles at the thought.

“You’d do that? I’ll pay you out of my winnings.”

“Nah, don’t need money to do the right thing. If we can’t protect innocent women, there has to be somethin’ wrong with us.”

“Thanks, I’ll owe you one. I’ll speak to my sister and tell her to stay near you, and to be quiet. I’ll get her as soon as the fight is over.”

“Okay, she doesn’t need to stay quiet if she doesn’t want to. But if anythin’ happens to you, I’ll take her with me. I’ll keep her safe. You know I’m in an MC, and we don’t abuse women. She’d be safe until you come for her, or she’s able to look after herself.” I can see my words affect him, as his eyes are a little glassy, but he gets past it and holds his hand out for me to shake. “Name’s, Lincoln. Lincoln Waters and my sister is Jolene, but I call her Jo.”

“Knuckles, and I’ll use ‘em to keep her safe if the need arises.”

Walking out of the changing area and over to Colton, I stand and wait while Lincoln squats down in front of Jo, murmuring to her. They are not speaking for long before Jo gives a small nod to Lincoln, stands, and steps towards me.

“Jo, this is Knuckles. He’s going to keep an eye on you to make sure you are safe, along with his friend Colton, while I’m fighting. If anything goes wrong, you go with Knuckles until I come and get you.”

Jo turns to her brother and whimpers, “No, you can’t get hurt. I can’t go with anyone, Linc.”

“You will go with him if anything happens to me, no arguments.” Gently pushing her toward me. I look down at Jo and as she tilts her head back and our eyes meet, I’m shocked at the jolt of feeling that runs throughout my body. She has the most beautiful caramel-colored eyes I’ve ever seen, matching her hair, which has a combination of brown and gold highlights, and natural too, I would venture to guess.

“You’ll be okay. I’ll not let anyone hurt you, and Lincoln will be okay. He’ll be back to us before you know it.” Turning to Lincoln, I glare. “Remember what I told you, he fights dirty, so watch him closely.”

Nodding, Lincoln kisses Jo on the top of her head and whispers something into her ear, then when she gives him a small nod of her head, he walks away.

Colton steps over, lifts an eyebrow, and waits for his orders. I look at the door I’m watching tonight. “You take the right side and I’ll take the left. Jo can sit beside me against the wall. You’ll be able to see her from your position if I have to step away for any reason. You make sure no one speaks or touches her.”

“Got it. Don’t worry. I’ll be alert. Let any fucker try something.” Smacking one fist into the palm of his other hand, and with a feral grin on his face.

If we didn’t already have a brother named Fist it would suit Colton, but I’m gonna suggest Rage when it’s his time to patch into the club.

“Come on Jo, let’s get you settled before the doors open and all the assholes wander in.” It only takes a few minutes to get Jo seated next to where I’ll be standing. Colton hands her a bottle of water and a few seconds later, Byron shouts for us to open the doors.

Looking around, I notice the other two doors have a pair of bouncers standing next to them, which has me thinking it’s gonna be a busy night.

Lincoln’s fight is the third one. He’ll beat that fucker with no problem, I’m sure. I’ve seen him fight, and thought he’d be a good one to prospect for the club. I’m surprised when Colton mentions this, as I’ve thought about it a couple of times myself.

The evening is busy and breaking up a couple of fights has taken us away from Jo, but stepping back as quickly as we can, we’re relieved to see she’s still sitting quietly with her head down.

When it’s time for Lincoln to fight, I keep an extra eye on Jo, and I can tell she’s getting upset when her hands are shaking in her lap. From our position, we can’t see the fights but we can hear the shouts of “Yeah, kill him”, “Knock him out”, “Fuck him up”, and others that are thrown out eagerly by the crowd.

“He’ll be okay Jo.” I try to comfort her, but I’m gruffer than a lot of my brothers. I’m not a person who replaces being gentle, easy, but I’ll give it a shot with Jo until her brother comes for her.

“Let me go see what’s happening,” Colton says, and winks at me as he hurries away. He’s only stepped away a few minutes before all hell breaks loose. I position myself in front of Jo, as it’s the only way I can keep her safe.

Colton pushes through the crowd and back to his side of the door. “Your brother knocked the fucker out. He’s good, won easily.” Jo looks at Colton and a tear runs down her cheek, but she gives him a small smile before looking into her lap again.

Colton shrugs and pushes a few of the crowd away from us, making sure the door stays clear, and I can keep my position in front of Jo.

Twenty minutes later, Lincoln walks over and holds his hand out, which I shake. “Thanks for watching Jo for me, and the information about Gordon. It came in handy, and it helped me get him down fairly easily and quickly.”

“No problem. I’m glad you got him down. Now maybe the asshole will retire.”

Looking over when Colton grunts. “No, I want a go at him. He’s been mouthing at me long enough.” Looking disgusted as he rubs the back of his neck, I can’t help but smirk.

“Come on Jo, it’s time to go before all this lot gets to leaving.” Placing a hand on her back, Lincoln guides her out, and as he is about to leave, turns. “Maybe we’ll see you next time?”

“Yeah, maybe you will.” Thinking, yeah you certainly will because something about Jo has me wanting to know more.

The rest of the evening runs as expected. We break up fights over fights in the ring, and money lost betting. Byron walks over to me and hands over the green for our night’s work. I count it making sure the fucker pays us in full because it’s not unknown that he short-changes sometimes.

“You comin’ next week?” Byron asks as he’s marking something in his notebook.

“Maybe, depends on things,” I respond. I may be working at TJs or Club Whisky, so I’ll not commit to here until I know. They will always be my priority.

“How about you?” Byron asks Colton, and I quickly give Colton the look, the one he knows means to shut the fuck up. Shaking his head, Colton doesn’t speak, but he said no regardless.

As we wait, we collect our winnings from the night. We made a killing betting on Lincoln, which has Colton rubbing his hands together and grinning like a fool.

Back at the clubhouse, we sit at the bar where Reuse is serving and listening to Stitch, who’s deep in conversation with Wings.

Axel enters the common room and walks over, looking at Reuse. “Usual Jack.” Flicking his fingers to the bar in front of him. “You two been fighting?” he asks, but I note he’s using his President’s voice.

“Doorman,” I reply, knowing better than to ignore him, even though I’m tired.

“Okay, next time you fight, I think we should come and watch. Have a brothers’ night out.” Chuckling, then rubbing his hands together, with more than a little excitement showing. But when he slaps Colton on the back and winks, I shake my head, ‘cause shit if I lose I’d never hear the end of it.

Stitch, Wings, and a few brothers who are within hearing distance quickly agree. I’m not sure when the next fight will happen as I usually send the coordinator a text asking who’s available, and if I feel like hammering some asshole, then I’ll put my name forward, and if not, I’ll ignore his reply. “I’ll let you know, Pres.”

Axel grins. “You do that.” Turning to Colton, he gives him a look over. “You been on the door too?”

“Yeah, I was a bouncer tonight on the same door as Knuckles, but we did very little bouncing.” Colton always looks so proud when he tells anyone he’s been with me, but I don’t know why, as I’m nobody special.

“Get a fight same night as this fucker…” pointing at me with his glass of Jack. “We’ll all come and put some money on you, so you’d best win or Mia will be on my ass, which will have me on yours.” Chuckling to himself, we all know they both do as they like, but are protective of each other.

“Okay, I’m heading to bed. I’ll see you tomorrow. I’m on the door at Club Whisky tomorrow night, so I need some decent rest.” Rubbing the palm of my hand over my left eye, which is feeling irritated.

“Night.” Is called by various brothers, and I quickly head to my room. After a quick shower, I climb into bed naked, throw the covers up to my waist, and close my eyes. As I’m trying to sleep a pair of caramel eyes are imprinted on the back of my eyelids.