Claimed by the Biker Giant (Maxine and Tank) novel Chapter 262

Storm POV

The day went well. I like her grandparents and brother. I didn’t mind Richard watching me closely; he would be, and should be, wary of me. I am holding his sister, who Richard just learned had a terrible life, after he left. I won’t say abandoned her because he wasn’t to know that his father was going to become the monster her was. I wonder if her father used the product he sold. Like, was he a junkie of some kind now? High-end user? There are different kinds of drugs he could be using, not just cocaine, morphine or ecstasy, which are the popular ones. It might explain some of his behaviour, the violence, apparently he was a loving, caring father, till his wife died, and the grief turned into something else. Something cruel, something that was deep, controlled, because the outside world never saw that side of him, his close buddies had to, his sister Mabel for sure, but she didn’t do anything to stop it, just came and bandaged her up and left.

The more I piece it all together, the angrier I get, and I started to understand what real hate feels like, and what it was doing inside of me, how it was gnawing at me, pushing me to act on it. Dad’s calming voice and Mum’s knowing looks keep me grounded and resist the urge to act. Of all of us, Mum understood how Cloe was feeling, and when was in the kitchen making drinks for Cloe, Mum pulled me aside.

“Son, don’t let it eat you up inside, and change who you are, don’t let that man infect you on the inside, meddle with your mind, stay true to the man we all love, and respect. Consider Cloe’s feelings compared to how you are feeling. Accept the anger and hurt on Cloe’s behalf, and then let it go; don’t carry it around. It’s not yours to keep. Cloe needs your strength, not just to be her legs, but to hold her heart gently, help her heal on the inside, to see that what her father was doing to her, or what her sister did to her, but that’s a story for another day, was not the only way to solve issues. I can see you are seething inside, that you want to go out and beat the crap out of that man, the same as the rest of us do. You know, as a family, we will give that man what he deserves, what her sister deserves. In the meantime, she needs you, the real you. Think about it, and don’t blow it.” Mum gave me a hug and a kiss on the cheek before leaving the kitchen with snacks. Quickly, I loaded up a tray of coffee and tea. I could use a tea trolley, but felt the room was already full; the trolley would take up space. Well, that’s what I used as an excuse, as I carried it out to the lounge, where we were all seated. The conversation was light. Cloe looked calm and happy, but signs of tiredness had started to creep into her eyes. Cloe was resisting it. I would let her go a little longer, give her a chance to admit she needed to go to bed. Dotty had given her meds about half an hour ago, maybe that’s why Cloe was looking tired, but I thought Dotty had stopped the valium.

I leaned in and whispered in Cloe’s ear.

“You are looking tired, struggling to stay awake.” I didn’t ask if Cloe wanted to go to bed; I left that up to her. How long Cloe would fight it was up to her. I didn’t mind carrying my girl to bed asleep, won’t be the first, and I get the feeling it won’t be the last.

“Sorry, I am getting tired, got to hit the bed, good night.” I nibbled her ear and kissed the lobe before standing with Cloe in my arms.

“Storm, can I carry my sister upstairs to her room?” wanted to yell no.

“Babe, you okay with your brother carrying you up?”

“Sure, stay close. I need you.” I love that she spoke it loudly enough for everyone to hear.

“Storm, what are you to my sister?” Richard asked as he took Cloe from my arms.

“Storms my boyfriend,” Cloe answered before I could.

“I knew it, no one looks at a woman like that, without being invested.” Cloe’s Grandma called out with a satisfied grin on her face face, it was the first time, our relationship had been labled out loud the family as a whole, and for once it wasn’t me labling it, as much as I had wanted to, let everyone know, I had tried to leave that to Cloe, for when she was ready.

“Storm, can you lead the way to our room?” Making it clear that we shared a bed. Richard growled softly at that, but what could he do? I walked up the stairs and opened our door, moving aside to let him carry Cloe in.

“Richard, don’t be mad, Storm cares for me, he’s not Dad, I trust him with my life.” Cloe was telling him softly, while I gathered her nightcloths. He placed Cloe on the bed and sat beside her, holding her hand.

‘Sorry, just got you back, only to find you have a whole new family, and I feel I have been replaced.” What the?

“Do you remember where Mum’s office is located?”

“Sure, all offices are close to each other.”

“Nine O’clock tomorrow morning, don’t be late, Mum hates tardiness.”

“What, you booked an appointment already?”

“Yes, and treat this like any other interview, just because you are Cloe’s brother doesn’t automatically give you a job. Go sell yourself, Mum is very good at reading between the lines, don’t sell yourself short, just because the company you are working for was holding you back, tell her

what your goals are, and what you can bring to the company.”

“Thanks, man, I really do need a change.” Richard took the resume and kissed Cloe on the cheek.

“Will let you get some sleep and catch up tomorrow. You have no idea how happy our grandparents and I are to find you.” Richard left. Once the door clicked shut, I started getting Cloe changed, then myself. Cloe looked to be in deep thought, but was not ready to say anything, whilst we got ready for bed, I felt good inside. This felt like the right direction. I wonder if the grandparents would be up to moving closer to us?