Claimed by the Biker Giant (Maxine and Tank) novel Chapter 172

Fixer POV

The guys must have finished their chat, or were hungry, because they both sprang out of the chair, like it was a hot potato.

I hadn’t heard Uncle Simon and Tandy arrive and wondered if they had something to discuss, if they just popped in like this, or if they came to see how things went with Sticks without invading the hospital room, if she was unwell and not up for visitors.

“Hi, Uncle, Tandy, didn’t know you were coming for a visit,” I said as the food was passed around.

“I came to find out about Sticks and how it went with the dash, using the chopper.” Uncle Simon said as he loaded his plate with mashed potatoes.

“My visit was to confirm our picnic at the swimming hole. We can make it in two days’ time; we will have them all available, no sports carnivals, no spa dates, or other important events that take their attention away from family gatherings. It’s harder to coordinate the whole family, now that they are older, and one has children of their own.” Tandy complained as he added some spicy chicken to his plate.

“You can come with just the Mrs. I wouldn’t have minded, we all know what it’s like trying to make things happen,” I say, and I say Tank filling my plate, when he thinks I won’t notice.

He chuckles and nods in agreement.

“So, Prez, congratulations on fatherhood. I saw the picture, lovely little family.” Uncle Simon speaks

to Prez, avoiding any other questions that I might have, and he notices I didn’t answer his question regarding the chopper.

We ate and chatted, like one big family. It was good, something I never had, other than when I was at my grandparents’, and less often once Grandma died.

It was agreed to have the family gathering then. Jenny would be back and most likely happy to meet all of Tandy’s family.

Tandy was leaving, not staying the night. Just popped in to confirm and to ask for permission to visit Sticks, taking his wife along, who loves babies. Tandy promised more visits from the wife once the baby was home and offered to babysit if they ever needed one. That’s one keen woman to hold babies, a clucky old hen.

Tank knew I was waiting to speak with Uncle Simon. He had kept touching my thigh, and I hadn’t realised I was giggling it up and down, like it had a mind of its own, burning off the tension, growing inside me.

The opportunity to corner Uncle Simon arose after we said goodnight to Tandy, and he headed back home to his wife. Prez and Blaze went next door to check on the cells, the guards, and the members. Melony and Zero went upstairs for some alone time.

“Uncle Simon, do you want to talk here or in the office?” I asked, giving him no chance to back out.

“Office, if it’s that bad.” We headed to the office, Uncle Simon leading the way. I was thankful he sat on a lounge and not behind his desk, because they would have put me on the wrong foot. I was not going to sit like I was being told off or given instructions. He must have known this and chose to sit more casually.

“What’s got your panties in a knot?” He chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

“Savage,” I replied softly, but firmly.

Uncle Simon sat up in his chair and leaned his elbows on his knees.

“What about him?” He asked cautiously, keeping a close eye on me, searching for something.

“Let me give you a story, starting from when I found out your mother, my beloved wife, was gone and nearly took you with her. I was in the middle of the ocean, on a tour, well, I won’t go into where, but I couldn’t get home for a week, we had no friendly ports, and no flight that could reach us. So, I had to leave you with her parents, sending me updates. By the time I made it back, the funeral was done, and you were still in the hospital.

You had a broken leg, head injuries, and, as a very young child, the doctors wanted you to stay in. I sat with you for the week while I was on personal leave. My in-laws promised to try look after you, while I worked out how to leave my job. But my mother-in-law got sick, had a small accident at home, and couldn’t look after you.

The woman we thought was your aunt looked after you, and somehow, managed to forge the signature my mother-in-law had signed, changing from temporary custody to full custody. By the time I found out, it was too late to fight, and as I still had six months before I could leave my job, I couldn’t get back to fight for you. I thought you were safe. I came and visited you a few times, but they always managed to make it look like you were happy and settled in their home, so I renewed my contract, thinking you were better off where you were. Then started hearing about bruises.

We thought it was the age, you running about, and maybe bruising easily, but when I saw you on video calls, you still appeared happy. Things didn’t really get bad till you were six or seven, and you had a broken arm, and the explanation was not satisfactory. I asked Tandy to look into it, and he mentioned abuse. I asked what we could do about it, and before we could withdraw you, threats started. threats to hurt you more, threats to hurt my parents-in-law, if we tried to take you.

I snuck into town. I was going to take you, but somehow they found out I was in town, and that kitten incident happened, and I backed away, unsure what to do.

Tandy said the paperwork they had forged gave them rights, made it look like I had agreed to it, too. All I could do after four more failed attempts to snatch you was to watch and wait. I buried myself in my work, or my worry for you would eat me alive. I got updates and pictures until it was only Tandy, and he tried to send what he could. He had your back the whole time. I wish I had spoken to Simon; he might have been able to assist, but he, too, was in a world of hurt.

He didn’t get to know you were being abused till much later, even though Tandy hadn’t told him. He wasn’t exactly the easiest person to contact. There’s a lot more to this. I have glossed over most, but believe me when I say, you were never far from my thoughts.” he spoke so softly, and his eyes every now and then went distant, like he was thinking about a time in the past.

“Why did you hide or not reveal who you were?” I asked, almost in tears, but somehow holding them back.

“You had recently met my folks, whom I have yet to talk to, and I know that you had also gained your mother’s wealth, and been dealing with a lot of crazy stuff, I didn’t know if you were a plastic barbie, or what, I knew you got married to a biker, and that confused me, because a plastic barbie, with a biker, made me think of those girls you seen on the back of bikes, looking like they were some kind of accessory. I wanted to come and meet you, and get to know you, before revealing who I was. I had no idea if you hated my guts for never getting you out of your situation, and it was only a few weeks ago that I was rescued by a team Simon sent in, and spent a week in hospital recovering, getting my discharge, because I wanted to be near you in whatever capacity I could get. I jumped at the chance when I was offered the opportunity to be your pilot.” His dam broke, and tears started to flow, and I sat and watched as the water trickled down his chin.