Claimed by the Biker Giant (Maxine and Tank) novel Chapter 239

Cloe POV

Storm’s face when he saw me being wheeled to him was a photo moment; his surprise was evident, and his look boosted my confidence. Everyone that I greeted complimented on my dress, hair, and the wheelchair that Penny worked so hard on. I tried to push some of the compliments to those who helped get me ready. But they brushed that away, as if they already knew someone had to have helped. I wasn’t sure whether to accept all the praise or if it was all false, because it was obvious I needed help. My confidence dwindled with each compliment, rather than rising. Stupid, I know, but being someone who had never received them before coming here, it was hard to accept all this as nothing more than a cover to look good while networking with the family for whatever reason. In the end, I only accepted the compliments from family and those I already knew. How can someone I have never known tell me I was looking great? What did they have to use as a comparison?

The chopper arriving had heads turning to the sound, and I noticed the sudden tension between Storm and Razor, who were close by chatting up some chick. The atmosphere changed as the couple walked forward. I knew who they were; I had seen pictures of them, but hadn’t thought, when I was told they were coming, that they meant Mr. and Mrs. Astore, and that they were family.

OH!

MY!

GOD!

Storm wasn’t rich; he was filthy rich, like obscenely rich. I didn’t know what to do. When the woman leaned in and air-kissed me, it took everything in me not to choke on the dry perfume. But Mr. Astore was a sweetie. I liked him the moment I met his twinkling eyes. When he told me to forgive his wife and why, my heart melted. That was a hard road to walk down, watching the person you have loved all your life slowly lose their memories, and in many cases, who they are to you. Truths often come out, which can be damaging to the relationship. What I mean by that was we found out my aunt had been unfaithful, and the dementia-clouded mind told truths that nearly killed my uncle’s heart. We tried to say it was all fantasy, but he knew it wasn’t.

“Guess, if you are going to be away every Wednesday, I will go for a ride. You positive you can handle this?” Storm had crouched down and was staring me in the face.

“They have maids and other helpers around. I won’t be alone. I am positive I can handle this.”

I wannabe was all I needed to hear to know she didn’t get an invitation.

“Sure, let’s walk around and weed out those not invited, and have the guards walk them out. Mum will know who was invited.” Penny followed us around, hoping to have some fun. She loved watching people be removed from a party, or so she said, when the skank was removed. Each time Storm asked to see the invitation, and none was found. The person was removed. He was selective about who he asked; some he might have known weren’t part of the original invite, but because they weren’t causing trouble, he let them stay.

“How about her? She was saying some not-so-nice things about Cloe at the games table,” Peggy said, pointing to a woman dressed provocatively who was trying to talk to Razor, who was only fifteen but looked older because he had already hit six feet tall and was following his brother and father in the height department, and sporting a small beard.

“Can I see your invitation?” Storm asked the woman.

“You know me, Storm.” She purred, placing her hand on his chest, and finger walking them up to his chin.

“Invitation?” He growled, flicking her hand away.

She pretended to look in her clutch for it and tapped her finger on her bottom lip.

“I gave it to Fixer,” She said, nodding towards mum.

“Mum,” I called out. She turned and walked over.

“We are weeding out the uninvited, and this chick can’t show her invitation, said you took it.” Mum raised her hand, and guards arrived at her side. I loved how they were always so close.

“No invitation.” The guards gave her the option to walk out or be carried.

“Storm, I have had enough. You can stay and enjoy the party.” Storm carried me back to my room and helped me change.

“What’s this?” Storm pulled out an envelope that had been in my dress pocket.

“Something from Great-Gramps,” I replied as he handed it over.

I opened the envelope and pulled out a lovely musical card that played Happy Birthday, and inside was a cheque.

“Oh, my.” I gasped as I looked at it and rubbed my eyes in disbelief.

“What did he give you?” Storm looked over my shoulder and chuckled.

“That’s Great-Gramps for you, guess you are part of the family.” I had been given a cheque for one million dollars.

“We need to get this to the bank before I lose it.”

“Yeah, Monday will be soon enough.” He placed the envelope in my drawer, gave me a kiss, and headed out the door and back to the party. I felt I was keeping him back, and I hope he finds a girl to enjoy himself with. I didn’t like the idea that he was with another girl, but I couldn’t hold him back, because he pities me.