Claimed by the Biker Giant (Maxine and Tank) novel Chapter 276

Storm POV

Dad and I were back in the office. I was feeling bare, not having a cut, it’s a symbol of our chosen lifestyle, and I handed it over reluctantly, sure I would get a new one, but it was like giving up a lifelong friend for a new one. It didn’t feel right, at the moment, maybe when I am wearing the new one, I won’t feel so empty.

“Everything will be there by Friday, and you can rir bike to the clubhouse and stamp your name on the place. You do know that you actually own the clubhouse and property. There is a lot ide youn that town; your mother expanded the holdings there because the town needed help, as it had been lost in storms. Gamps going back with you is a relief in some ways. He would have felt out of place here. It’s best that he lives where he has friends and can feel needed as he guides you through what you now own. This is a big step, son, and I am proud of you.” We were almost finished clarifying what needed to be done and where we were headed with all of this when Mum burst in the door. It was so unexpected that it had both of us jumping to defend.

But what came out of Mum’s mouth had me floored.

Cloe agreed to be my wife.

Did Cloe understand what she had committed to?

I hadn’t even asked her yet.

My mother moves fast.

Cloe was in my arms, shaking like a leaf. I don’t know if she was shaking because of Dad twirling her around, or because I clarified what our commitment meant, in my eyes, in the club’s eyes.

“Yes, I get it now, um, how do you feel, um, we hadn’t got that far.” Cloe sounded vulnerable.

“If you don’t want this, say now, and we can put the brakes on.” I didn’t want to stop it, now that Mum had mentioned it was something I wanted, even if I hadn’t realised it, or reached that far in my head. So much happened in a few short days, since Gram’s passing, that my feet have barely touched the ground.

“NO! We need this, I think, I need this, to feel like I belong, if that makes sense.” Cloe sounded stronger as she spoke, a weight suddenly felt like it had been taken off my shoulders, and I wasn’t going into Mayfield alone, but with my woman beside me, which made this whole adventure sound so much better.

We turned to look at Mum and Dad, who were busy on the phones, calling those they wanted to invite to the ceremony.

“Anyone you want to come, besides family, like any close friends?”

“Yes, I have a few close friends I would like there. What about you? Do you want your brother and grandparents to attend?”

“If it’s okay, it would be a chance to say goodbye, we are moving further away from them, even my brother was moving here, just when we thought we would get a chance to know each other again, I am moving away.”

“He can move with you, Dear,” Dad called out, having heard the comment.

“What?” Cloe was stunned.

“Yes, he can work from the office that was Grams. Your brother doesn’t need to be here to do what I need him to do. In fact, we might change him to being in your lawyer group, Storm, instead of ours, and put them under the Astore leadership; he can get the hotel-motel legal side of learning, benefit all of us, having family in that sector.” Mum piped in.

“Guess when they get here, I can ask if they want to come live with me. Storm, what do you think? Would Gramps like to have some older people to talk to during the day?”

“Gramps can introduce them to his circle of friends. From what I have seen of them so far, they would fit in nicely. They have similar tastes.” Mum had Cloe sitting on the lounge, holding her hand, and trying to smooth things over, like Mum was good at.

I slithered out from behind her and moved her chair closer, in case she woke while I was in

the bathroom and needed to go. Cloe was now proficient at getting in and out of bed if the chair was left close enough.

I washed up and brushed my teeth. My mood kept shifting from happy and excited to worrying about taking over the president’s role. All Dad’s training will come in handy, but that didn’t stop me from bouncing around in my head, with worry at something so new, and men relying on me to do it right. I don’t want to let them down. This was a huge responsibility.

“What’s putting that frown on your face?” Cloe asked, her face poking out from under the blankets, watching me.

“Worried about letting the new club members down, they’re all depending on me.” I readily admitted.

“You are worried about what two hundred or so men, who are comfortable at the club, are against the thousands of employees you have under you now, since you have taken over the Astore group? Tell me the logic in that.” Cloe giggled at me, smiling at my sudden drop of the jaw.

“To be honest, the Astore group never entered my head. Most I will never meet, so I guess they were not high on my priority list, but these men and women we will be riding with, are you not concerned with being the president’s wife? Where all the ladies will be looking at you for guidance and answers.” It was Cloe’s turn to frown.

“What?” Cloe almost screamed out.

“When you become my woman, you will get a cut and a road name at the Mayfield club, where we shall have another ceremony, making me president and you the top woman in the club.”

“Geeze, could have warned me earlier, I might not have said yes.” I couldn’t tell if Cloe was joking. She would be like a fish out of water, having no experience with bike clubs before. Poor girl, she was learning to live with no legs, and now learning to help run a club, where she will be the centre of attention, girls cornering her for advice, hope she’s ready for that.