Claimed by the Biker Giant (Maxine and Tank) novel Chapter 240

Storm POV

“Hey, Mum, did you know about Great-gram’s dementia?” I asked when I had a quiet moment. Penny had absconded away with Cloe; Penny was loving wheeling her about. To me, it was like she was showing off her new toy, but Cloe didn’t complain, and while Cloe was still smiling, I was okay with what was happening. I knew I had to let Cloe do her own thing, whether I liked it or not.

“Yeah, I was told a little while ago. It doesn’t excuse her, because she had been like this for years. It just explains why it has gotten worse lately.” Mum had put up with the woman, tolerated her outbursts, and left great-gramps to correct them.

“Cloe has offered to get together every Wednesday and be with her, while Great-gramps goes fishing with his buddies.” I still have mixed feelings about this.

“How do you feel about that?” Mum asked, giving no hint of how she was feeling.

“Torn, wanting to protect her, at the same time needs to let her be herself, find her own footing, so to speak. It’s hard, and Great Grams has never been an easy person to get along with. Not sure how well Cloe would be with her, when Cloe’s at a vulnerable time in her life, I felt like Cloe had enough hurt.” I replied honestly, I didn’t want Cloe to be alone with that woman, but then Cloe might be exactly who great-grams needs right now.

“Yeah, I feel the same. That girl has been through the wars; Cloe might be stronger than we give her credit for. Let’s let it play out and see where it leads. We both might be surprised. That girl has a heart of gold, and I heard she had looked after someone before, so at least Cloe knows what she’s in for, plus Cloe’s not emotionally connected to her, like we are.” I nod, not liking it, but I agree.

The night went well. The only glitch was when Sandy came to try her luck with me and wouldn’t take no for an answer. As a result, Cloe had her removed. In style, Sandy took on a wildcat and lost. Even though I hadn’t thought of asking for an invitation, hadn’t thought we had sent out any, but Sandy wouldn’t know that, and with Mum’s help, everyone not invited was removed, made it for a better night, because there was no pushing to be the center of attention, that was our birthday girls place, and anyone not with the program was kicked out, no questions asked, we didn’t want cat fights tonight. To be honest, I was turned on by how Cloe handled it. She was a spitfire, and I loved it, got a semi watching her. Does that make me a sick puppy?

The cake was fun, and letting Penny be front and center with Cloe kept both happy. Mum had been hovering around; I think she would push Penny to go to bed, and with Cloe looking like she might be going soon, that would help Mum get her there.

After the cake, I carried a yawning Cloe to bed. She looked beat. There were no more tablets to give her tonight. I think she has almost finished her course of antibiotics, and only a relaxant might be continued, or that’s what I think they are.

“Great-Gramps has always been generous.” I chuckled as I saw Cloe’s face in her birthday gift. He gave me ten million on my eighteenth, but I won’t tell her that. Giving her that much must be blowing her mind. I will help her open an account on Monday.

Cloe virtually kicked me out of my own bedroom, to continue to party, as much as I didn’t want to leave her, I did as she requested and returned.

The chopper had left an hour ago, and the Great-granms were away. The night was winding down; only the diehards were still there, and the security team was busy rounding them up and would make sure they made it home. It had been a great night, no fights. Cloe laughed and met many new faces; all in all, I would say it was a successful night.

“All gone, sir. We checked all the grounds and found no bodies. Do you wish for us to check out the home?” Dirk has been a good leader of the guards and someone I would like to consider a friend, having known him all my life.

“I’m sorry to wake you.” Cloe’s hoarse voice breaks the sudden silence.

“That’s what I am here for, to hold you when you are vulnerable, reminding you that you’re safe with me. I would never intentionally hurt you. You know this, yes?” I needed to hear that she trusted me to never hurt her.

“Yes,” Cloe whispered. I moved over her body, reaching out for the jug of water and filling a glass.

“Here, you need this.” I was holding a glass with a straw, and she took it quickly. I moved my arm behind her back and gently pushed her to a sitting position, so drinking would be easier. Two glasses of water later, her thirst was quenched, and the shaking and half-sobs ceased.

“Thank you.” Cloe’s voice still sounded shaky. Her eyes were glassy, and her bottom lip was quivering. I pull her against me, sharing my warmth. I feel so helpless.

“Want to share?” I pushed softly, hoping that sharing would help.

“Just one of the days that dad threw me down the stairs, to the cellar, and locked the door. That time I broke my arm, too, forever to heal. He kept hitting and pulling on that broken arm, causing pain. Aunt Mabel was a nurse, came visiting, saw it, told dad off, and bandaged it up. after dad refused to take me to the hospital to get it set correctly. Dad was angry that he wasn’t allowed to touch that arm till Aunt Mabel said it was healed. Blackmailing Dad was her only way to give me any treatment. But Dad would hide me in the cellar whenever Aunt Mabel visited. It was a soundproof room, so no one ever knew I was on the floor, either bleeding or unconscious from one of his many beatings.” Cloe spoke coldly, like she was talking about a movie she had just watched that didn’t appeal to her, rather than her own life. It broke my heart that she had gone through all of that and still came out so strong, willing to help others, even in her condition.