Claimed by the Biker Giant (Maxine and Tank) novel Chapter 285

Cloe/Tempest POV

Fixer and I headed to my office, while Storm headed to his, taking the men with him, something to do with researching why the jobs ordered at the clubhouse were never done, and to investigate, all out of my area of expertise.

“Tell me you are on the pill?” Fixer asked, with no preamble; she was never one to mince words. Her concerned face made me wonder where this sudden interest came from. Did becoming Storm’s woman officially bring this about?

“Yes, get a six-monthly jab. Dotty said it would be best not to have an unexpected pregnancy before I get my legs.” I replied honestly, studying her face, to make sense of all this.

“Good, I am too young to be called Grandma. Let me get used to not having my son around. I miss him so much.” I almost laughed. It had only been a day, and Fixer was already complaining. I get it, but I still found it funny. Fixer never mentioned being worried about being a grandma before, when I lived in her home. I wonder what changed.

“What’s happening? Why the sudden worry?” I couldn’t stop myself from asking; this was not the Fixer I had gotten to know.

“Now that he has left home, it hit me harder than I expected, and there’s talk about Doom, Skunk and Sprocket wanting to transfer to join Storm, that’s hit Blaze, Prez and Tandy too. We all talked about their request, and it’s not like we can stop them; all the children leave the nest at some point. It just feels too soon. I wasn’t ready. We missed him at breakfast and dinner, and even Penny was complaining that Storm was gone and too far for her to visit you.” I thought Fixer was going to cry, and I had no clue how to handle that. I had never had a grown woman cry on my shoulder before.

“Having Storm’s best friends here will help Storm have a great day. I am okay with them staying here till they find their feet, and I am positive that Storm can find them work, either in the company, around town, or even here, doing something. We will look after them.” Fixer was suddenly holding me to her now, crying on my shoulder, and I was running circles on her back, trying to comfort her, and feeling like I was not doing a very good job.

“You’re right, and I am blubbering like any mother who has lost their child, not dead, but becoming an independent man, who no longer needs his mothers guidence. I have other children, but he was my first, and it hurts more than I want to admit.”

“Storm will always need his mother. You haven’t lost him, not really, I know he was worried about moving away to a place where he knew hardly anyone, not really. Bet Tank is talking to Storm exactly like you are to me, missing his son, and suddenly feeling old because the children are starting to leave home. You both feel it being the first child to leave.”

“You’re right, it’s hard for both of us, thank you for listening.” Fixer blew her nose, and when Fixer was back under control, we chatted about changes to the house and what plans I was making moving forward. She would like me to continue painting, but we shall see. I do enjoy the airbrush, but I will have to see what time I have left after the dust settles and whether I can fit it in.

It didn’t seem long before Tank was at the door, informing Fixer it was time to go home. He didn’t look like he had been teary-eyed, so maybe he got stronger at hiding how upset he might have been. Fixer reluctantly hugged me and grabbed hold of Storm, like he was about to disappear.

We waved them goodbye, promising to catch up soon. Storm had his hand on my shoulder, giving him comfort more than me. We stayed outside, eyes in the sky, till the sound of the chopper faded away. We moved back to Storm’s office, sandwiches being brought in, so we could chat about what had just been discussed. Something we promised each other, anything big, we keep each other in the loop. What ‘big’ means for now is unknown, but sooner or later, we will find the right balance.

“Dad and I found that the previous president was spending the club’s money; luckily, he and his woman are dead. We will pursue his estate, as we have proof that the club funded much of the work done on his home. We’ll need to visit the clubhouse to see what needs to be done and get things rolling. I want your feedback, from a woman’s point of view.”

“What about other officers’ women? We can get Jip’s lady involved in that; she would have better knowledge of what’s needed.”

“Yeah, was thinking of calling a meeting, while I talk to the men, you can work on the women, get both sides on it.”

“Sir, the chopper is about to land. They have bikes and three men on board. Permission for them to land.”

“Yes, let the chopper land.” Storm tried to reply calmly, but he was on his feet and headed to me so fast. Storm excitedly pushed me out the door, the guest who was arriving, I have a feeling it might be Storm’s best friends, or maybe I am hoping it was. Storm needs them more than he will admit. Doom, Sprocket, and Skunk climbed out of the chopper, and men arrived to help unload the bikes and their suitcases. We have three borders. The look in Storm’s face said it all: emotions he couldn’t hide, tears tumbling down his cheek, before he wiped them away. A smile on his face as the guys came closer.

“Storm, can we come live with you?” Doom called out, a huge grin on his face, and the three walked to Storm and pulled him into a four-way group hug. It took a lot of effort not to cry at the joy these guys had being back together.

“A bit late to ask, as usual, always have been, and sure, you can live here, we have work already for you, once we get you transferred into the club.”

“Work? Greez, man, can it be unpacked first?” Sprocket good-naturedly moaned.

The security guards wheeled their bikes into the garage and helped carry bags to the top floor.

“Pick any room, along the left-hand side of the hallway.” Storm had me in his arms as he gave instructions to his friends, each claiming a room. Our lives have just changed again. I thought as Storm joked with his mates, while I was still in his arms, and I felt forgotten while they talked, walking back down to the lounge, leaving the staff to put away their clothes.