Claimed by the Biker Giant (Maxine and Tank) novel Chapter 113

Tank POV

I pulled Fixer onto my lap, and we started to eat, listening to those talking around us, most of it was about some party the group had gone to, or maybe it was a work do, or team building, it was hard to know, maybe it was all three, but in different groups, we were not included in the chat, it felt like we were waiting for something, but what I wasn’t sure.

Fixer made a sign that she had had enough to eat, and I could finish what was on the plate.

That was when a man walked ever so slowly into the room, looked around, which had gone instantly quiet, and the people gave him a kind of respect you don’t often see, nodding and bowing to him. He was as old as time, walked forward, like he owned the world, even though it was at a slow pace, his pace, not in any rush, to reach where he was headed, and it was as if everyone held their breath as they waited for him to speak. He took everyone in, and it felt his had summed them all up in one quick glance, and when he looked at me, and I was garnished with unexpectedly smile, but when his eyes moved to Fixer on my lap, his smile bloomed into something so much more, his cold eyes, softened and lit up, with a sparkle of joy, a dimple on his cheeks formed, and you could tell he was genuinely pleased to see us, her.

He continued forward, and Fixer climbed off my lap to stand. I couldn’t tell if she knew who he was, but this man held everyone’s attention in the room, including Fixer. No one spoke, all waiting for him. When he reached her, he pulled her into his arms and spoke softly to her. I wasn’t sure what he said; his voice was too soft, and he spoke words only for Fixer to hear.

“People. This young lass is my grandniece. I am her mother’s uncle, on her grandmother’s brother. Treat her like you would me.” He announced to everyone, and I caught Fixer as she fell backwards onto my lap.

“Hey, Fixer, you okay?” I held her close to me; she was shaking, and tears were flowing down her cheeks. Deep, heavy sobs came raggedly from her, whose name I still didn’t know, who sat in a chair next to me, the one that was left for Fixer if I hadn’t pulled her to my lap.

“Yes, I will be okay. Give me a minute; this was unexpected.” She said, while wiping her tears.

The room’s attitude to us changed in a flash; only Tandy was not surprised.

“Fixer, this young man…” that got the room chucking.

“You may not remember, but you have met him a few times in the past: Mr Simon Anderson, he was your grandmother’s twin brother, and owns the other half of the family fortune. The other half of what you now own. What your uncle and aunt gained was something they hatched up together to hide your true wealth.” Tandy gleefully announced, and those in the room stared at Fixer with new awe and interest. They judged the person by her looks and failed in their assumption.

“That’s my direct line, don’t give it to anyone, only you and Tank,” he said, giving Fixer another brief hug, shaking my hand, and shuffling out the door, the crowd parting to let him by. I was looking forward to tonight, when he comes to visit, and hopefully stays the night. I feel Fixer would love for him to stay for a little while and catch up on her family history. I think the box with the photos should come out too, while he was here, and might give some clarity to some of it.

“Team, as you now know, this is Fixer and Tank, your bosses. If she decides to keep you on, after the way you greeted her when she first arrived, I wouldn’t blame her for firing the lot of you. I am ashamed of you all.” Tandy admonished them, making it clear that they were here for her, on his request, not the other way round.

“Fixer, let me introduce you to the team one at a time.” Tandy started introducing each person, informing her of their history with the house, and working with her family; some go back generations of employment with her family, and what their job was at the house. Some were bodyguards, and I was wondering whether she would keep them or leave her guards with the club, but in some ways, it makes sense to have outsiders caring for her safety, because if a war happened, the club would come first, and she could be left with no protection. Plus, these guards have been guarding family members for a very long time, and all are highly trained. I think we need to talk about this. They would know the dangers she will face better than we do, having been around the family for many years.

“Thank you, I will check these portfolios and let you know how I want to proceed. Please continue with your party. I need to leave.” Just like that, Fixer dismissed those around her, collected the files Tandy had ready for her, placed them in a provided bag, handed it to me, nodded to the people as we went by, and together we left, our heads held high.

I heard, as we left the room, that Tandy was telling them off and that if they were out of a job, it was their own fault. That their behaviour reflected badly on him, and tarnishes his name, having worked for the family for generations, does not hold water when the new boss was treated so poorly.