Claimed by the Biker Giant (Maxine and Tank) novel Chapter 246

Storm POV

“Cloe’s stable, the bullet fragmented, and some fragments entered the intestines and bowel, which is why it took so long; we had to repair each place the bullet hit. In the end, twelve fragments caused damage. Cloe will be moved to a VIP room shortly and might sleep the rest of the night. That poor girl has had enough body trauma. Try to keep her away from more, and give that body of hers a chance to heal. You can wait in her room, the same one as before. I think you know the way.” It was Doctor Jacqueline’s way of telling us off and giving us a warning at the same time.

As sheep, we followed Mum as she led the way to Cloe’s room, up one floor to the VIP section. We entered the familiar room, made coffee at the mini kitchen, and each took a seat to wait. No one spoke; all looked lost in their own thoughts.

My mind was in repeat mode, twelve fragments, twelve pieces that caused damage, twelve pieces that could have killed her. Should we all be wearing bulletproof jackets from now on? How did Mum and Dad cope with this constant threat and worry, who said having money would be an easy life? This sucks.

There she was.

Cloe.

I never dreamed I would be back in this room so soon, seeing my girl, lying out, a drip in one arm, and an oxygen mask over her face. If not for the mask, you could swear Cloe was sleeping peacefully.

Grams was the first to reach her bed, taking her good hand and kissing it.

“Sorry, girl, this was all my fault. You shouldn’t have put your life in danger for an old, bitter woman like me.” Grams sobbed out, tears running down her face.

“Don’t talk nonsense, if I had been there, I would have done the same. Cloe needs to hear you care for her, not tell her off for doing what she thought was the right thing.” I growled out at Grams. She might be what she said, and it might be her fault, but she didn’t need to voice it as she did.

“I concur, we are here to lift her spirits, not claiming blame,” Mum added as she said next to Grams.

“We all understand the guilt you might feel right now, Grams, but Cloe wouldn’t want you to carry all that guilt. Cloe willingly put her life on the line for you; accept the gift that she gave you. Treasure it, and try to live well.” Dad continued where Mum left off.

“Come on, love, let it go, can’t change anything.” Gramps put his arms around her and rocked her back and forth. The rest of us tried to get close enough to give her cheek a kiss. Uncle Simon’s phone rang, and he stepped away to answer it.

“Keep me informed of any changes. I am going to take the love of my life home and have her rest. We are too old to be sitting here all night. Call if you need anything,” Gramps spoke softly, guiding Grams to move away.

“Go to our place, and stay in your room, for tonight at least.” Dad pushed the idea of staying in town, just as Grampa Savage came rushing through the door.

“Oh my poor little dove.” Grandpa Savage sat beside Cloe, taking Gram’s seat, as she stood up, and held her hand. Savage stroked her hair and kissed her hand, his eyes twinkling with unshed tears.”

“Tell me the person who did this isn’t breathing.” Grandpa Savage croaked out his question, which almost had me break into tears at the sound of his heartbreaking voice.

“He’s not breathing.”

“Good.”

Gramps said his goodbyes, steering Grams out the door. Just as they left, Nightingale came blustering through the door. Picked up the chart at the end of the bed, and hummed and haa’d over her findings.

“Good, Cloe will recover, no major organs damaged, she will be sore for a while, no heavy lifting, so that means the therapy will have to stop till her stomach heals. But you will hear all this from the doctor when Doc Jaqueline returns. She’s in the theatre at the moment and gave me permission to share the information at our level of understanding. Any questions?” So clinical, it made me angry.

“Are you normally this cold?” I spat out, looking at her. Nightingale’s eyes widened, and then she looked at Cloe and then back at me.

Placed my container down and moved to look at Cloe.

“Hey, you gave me quite a scare. Can I get you anything?” My voice is soft, trying to keep the emotions out of it.

“Yeah, water and a mouthful of that food.” I moved to give her some water and pushed the nurse’s call button.

if “Best to ask the nurse first, you have some work done on her stomach, and are unsure you are allowed to eat yet, you might have to go back to jello again.” I joked, but it was a real possibility.

“No, please, not the jello.” Cloe joked back with a smile.

“You know, they might give you a permanent bed here, instead of at home, if you’re not careful, don’t think they would want my sorry arzz here every day.” The nurse came to a halt when she saw Cloe awake.

“How are you, love?” She asked, coming closer to take her vitals.

“Hungry, but Storm won’t share his dinner with me?” She pushed her bottom lip out as if pouting, and crossed her arms over her chest.

“Let me get you some jelly and ice cream, that’s much better than leftover takeaway.”

“Hey, don’t know my takeaway?” My turn to pout, and I picked up my container and started to eat it in earnest this time. The nurse’s laughter was heard all the way down the hall, as we waited for her to return with the promised jelly and ice cream.