Claimed by the Biker Giant (Maxine and Tank) novel Chapter 292

Storm POV

We were at the clubhouse when more than forty men arrived in response to Jip’s call to all club members about a clean-up day: the more the merrier, and to reduce the workload on others.

I was impressed with the turnout on such short notice.

Jip introduced my mates and me to those who showed up, and we started the big clean-up. Large skip bins arrived, and rubbish and items of no foreseeable value quickly filled them; new bins arrived. The shed we allocated for material storage was now clean and empty, ready for the first delivery. An area cleared for the train carriages and the new playground for the kids, plus a section for the older children, where flying foxes, wall climbing, and other activities would be created. Tempest had thought of all ages and tried to cater to them, giving us ideas to work on, not just for the club’s adult members but also for the club’s property for all. I was excited to see all those who showed up look so pleased that the club was being upgraded, which it had sadly needed.

We had stopped for a break, and sandwiches were brought out. We sat around on logs and upturned crates.

“Storm, can I ask a personal question?” One of the men started carefully.

“You can, but I reserve the right not to answer if it’s too personal,” I replied jokingly.

“How’s Tempest coping with the news report. I think it would have hit her hard, like that’s not something one wants to see of their so-called family on the world news.” Others nodded in agreement and stared at me, waiting for a response.

“Not as well as she tries to pretend. It has hit her hard. But it’s not so much the news that what her father and sister had done would reflect on her, but how the public might bombard our town, and the impact and bad arrivals here causing trouble, that were worrying her the most. I need you guys to keep an eye and ear out for anyone trying to stir up trouble; we need to nip it in the bud before it can manifest into something nasty.”

“We already thought of that, and have groups of people watching the town centre, and the truck stops have been alerted to keep an ear out too.”

“Yeah. We got Tempests back. You would have to be blind and stupid to think that girl had anything to do with what her father did.” Said one of the men who had been here when Tempest sent that chick packing, and that had been the talk of the morning. I had heard a number of the guys informing those not here what happened, and they are impressed with Tempest and love the plans for the clubhouse.

“Thanks, guys. I will tell Tempest, she will appreciate it.” I wasn’t sure what else to say. We have put out feelers with our security team. Dad, Mum, and the whole family are working on putting out any fires before they grow, if there are any. Now that our members have her back, we shouldn’t have any issues. Just when I said that, my phone pinged. Another staff member had been bad-mouthing Tempest, and Gramps had dealt with it. Looks like our home was not safe until we weeded out all the problem staff. This will have Tempest and me on eggshells till this blows over.

We got back to work, trucks arrived and left. The morale of the tired me was high, and a lot of work got done. Late afternoon, the last truck left with a bin full, and we called it a day.

“Catch you all on Saturday, for our official introduction. Thank you all for coming today.” The men left, still in good spirits. We rode home, leaving Jip to organise the clubhouse for the night. He had been doing it long enough that I didn’t need to ask what he was doing. I trust him completely.

Tempest looked exhausted, and she filled me in about her day and the new lass that would be coming to live with us, as of Sunday. The girl had something to sort out first. I was glad, she needed a woman her own age to be with, too many men around here, no one for Tempest to unload on, girl chats that sort of thing. Sounds like the girl could do with a nice home, and I had to agree: one of the guys might fall for her. I hope so, they need good ladies too. It can’t be easy for them to see how happy Tempest and I are.

Saturday came before we could blink. I had taken a lightweight wheelchair to store at the clubhouse so that Tempest could arrive on the back of my bike. The harness Dad made works like a treat. What’s left of her legs below the knee fit snugly in the small bags, and Tempest loves riding on the back, very comfortable, she had said, which made Dad’s face grin from ear to ear. It was a statement ride in the gate, the four of us, it will surely gain some attention from those who haven’t met us yet. We rode with me at the front, then Doom, Sprocket, and Skunk bringing up the rear. It’s how we have always ridden when out and about; it just fell that way, and for us it works.

The clubhouse was full, many more than I had expected.

Jip greeted us, walked us to the bar, I sat Tempest on the bar, and stood next to her, my arm around her back. Jip stood on a chair.

“Hey! Yup.” He called out and blew a loud, piercing whistle through his fingers, which gained instant silence; it worked a treat.

“Today, we officially hand over the Presidency to Storm, his lady Tempest. With them are new members, transferred over with Storm, they are Doom, Sprocket, and Skunk, each waved as their names were called out. Cheers of welcome rang out, stamping of feet, whistles, and thumping tables.

“Hooray.”

“Thank you to the members who came and helped with our first cleanup. Starting next week, the clubhouse will be closed for repairs. We have some surprises arriving on Monday, as we have our meetings outside until the place is ready to reopen. The more hands we have to fix up the old place, the sooner we can get back inside, hopefully before the rains begin. Bar’s open, and free booze tonight, courtesy of our new President.” The cheers were louder for the free booze than for our arrival, but that was expected.

The night was full of meet-and-greets until the doors opened for non-members, and if I thought the place was full before, it just got a whole lot more crowded. For once, my best friends stayed by our side, ignoring the wannabes who came to try their luck on the new meat. They looked the same as the ones at home, desperate, and easy, all three were over that sort of girl, since I met Tempest, they had slowed down with bedding just anyone. It surprised me a little, but when you reach the stage where all those girls feel like the same, you start looking around for something different. Even when you don’t know what you are looking for.

The ladies of the club came to greet Tempest. I have lowered her to the wheelchair, and she was happily greeting all those who came to her. The smile on Tempest’s face made my chest swell in pride. She looked a natural amongst the ladies, even a few men came and shook her hand, and welcomed her to the group. It was getting late, well, late for Tempest, almost midnight. Way past her bedtime, our guards stood near the door, watching me for a signal that it was time to go. They knew it would be soon.

“Tempest ready to go?” I asked when she was alone at last.

“Yes, more than ready.” I signalled the guards, who nodded and moved outside to wait for us, no doubt checking the area. I leaned in and told Doom, who then told the others, and we slowly made our way to the door, saying goodbye to many along the way. It took another half hour to get outside and position Tempest on the bike. A nom took the wheelchair away.

Back at home, after dinner, we are lounging around in the games room, the television tuned to a sports channel.

“No, offence meant, but Doom, Skunk and I have been talking, we would like to know if you can bring in a transportable bedroom. We want to move to stay on the club grounds while the refurbishments are underway. Not that we don’t mind living here, but we feel it is easier to live on site and get more done that way. Plus, you two are newlyweds, so we feel we are intruding.” Sprocket smiled at the two of us, wiggling his eyebrows at us. I was shocked and disappointed, but understood.

“Sure, can have one there tomorrow, get the site ready for its arrival,” Tempest answered, before I could even think. She already booked it online while also booking other items we needed for the job.

“Thanks.” The three of them chanted together.