Claimed by the Biker Giant (Maxine and Tank) novel Chapter 9

Tank POV

I panicked, no other word for what I felt as I watched Maxine put on her jacket, and was reaching out for her lid. It was a foreign feeling for me; I rarely panic. That was more my brother than me.

“Don’t go.” I tried again, louder this time.

Maxine turned to look at me, tilting her head as she took me in.

“I should see my friend safely home.” She argued that Max was a good woman-caring, considerate. How could her family kick this woman out of her home?

“They will be fine, what could you do following, not like you could stop something from happening.” It all sounded right, but her frown said otherwise. I stayed quiet as she turned and waved to her friends as they drove by. One screaming out the window, not to do something she wouldn’t. Or words to that effect.

“I need to speak with the Prez anyway.” Maxine made it sound like she was staying a little longer only for that reason, and it made my stomach drop. I was hoping for more -more of what exactly? I hadn’t worked that riddle out yet.

Prez was exactly where he should be, seated in his chair, in his office, doing what the Prez does; I have never tried to find out what he does; he was the boss, the figurehead, and we all answered to him; he could make or break you. The respect we all have for him was high. I couldn’t do what he does, or even try to. He has amazing organizational skills. He listens to us all. When we gripe or bring in gossip that could be important, he never judges us, and when we fail, he gives constructive criticism and encouragement.

I have known him all my life and fought with him.

I would die for him, and he would for me, and my brother.

We were born here, grew up together, his father was the Prez, and we all expected him to take over when his father was done. I know no other life, and have never wanted to be part of anything else. There were fourteen of us lads who were born here, closer than any family could be; all their mothers are our mothers. They shared the duty of raising us rambunctious boys; it wouldn’t have been easy. We obeyed the rules, but at school or away from home, we were not exactly law-abiding types – nothing major – and I would like to think it was like any lad growing up and learning to become a man. We rode bikes, drank beer, smoked -well, I didn’t smoke, but most of the others did -and we did stuff. At the same time, we were underage, which could get us in trouble, but somehow, in all the chaos of living and growing up, we survived without having the cops visit our folks. Mind you, it helped that we owned most of the small town, and the cops often turned a blind eye to the minor infractions. We never went to extremes that would cause trouble for the club.

I pushed Maxine on the lower back, urging her into the office and to a chair in front of the Prez.

“What can I do for you? Maxine?” He looked from me to her and back again. It was rare to have a girl in his office, like this, anyway. Those who came in were scruffy and looking for sanctuary, or skanks that were trying to get him between their thighs.

“I have a storage shed, I rent it full of gear, and I would like to move it here. Do you have a spare shed with power and water access that I could use?” She didn’t sound scared of the Prez; that was a good sign, but I think I would have been shocked if she had been.

–

I might have only just started to get to know her personally, but I had known about her for years heard stories and paid little attention to her till now. She was still underage at first, and that was a bit of a no for me. Then, when she became of age, I hadn’t thought of her anymore, except that she was becoming a great asset to the gang with her natural flair for repairs.

“What’s in the shed?” Prez asked encouragingly.

“My grandpa’s things.” She shrugged.

“Can you be more specific?” He leaned forward, his elbows on the table, his hand fisted together, and he leaned on them, staring at her with interest.

“Things I need to repair the baby, a lathe, a welder, a wash bay, and spare parts. Stuff like that.” Prez’s eyebrows rose, and he smirked.

“Come with me, I might have the space you need.”

We followed him out into the darkness and down the cobblestoned path. We passed a few sheds and ended up at one at the back of our largest shed, where we stored wrecks and unrepairable bikes. Old cars and trucks could be seen just beyond the light from the security lighting about the place.

Our fenced land, which was our club’s home, was just over one hundred acres. Out there were cabins and small houses where some of our married members lived, those who didn’t want to live in town or have a place of their own outside the compound. This section was our wrecking yard, full of wrecks and parts, some waiting for someone who could restore them to their former glory.

The old shed door creaked loudly into the night, the beat of music in the background from the party, yet this door sounded loud as it opened.

Going to have to grease that. I thought as the Prez stepped inside and flipped the switch.

This was our third-largest shed, not one I would have thought he would choose.

“This had power and water, as you can see, it is full of wrecks and parts, we can move them and make space for.”

“This will be good, I need to clear this and…” Maxine went on to explain what she wanted, how to have it arranged, and why.

“Done, I will get the boys to empty this side tomorrow, and help you empty that storage shed, get it set up, ready for use.” He never mentioned rent for the space, and I wasn’t about to ask, in case he wanted that to be between the two of them.

“Thank you, I’d better get going if I am to return early in the morning.” It was already after midnight, and I didn’t like the idea of her out on the road alone.

“Stay,” I said again, just like I had when she was going to leave earlier.

“Why? Where would I sleep?” She looked at me, searching my face.

“Sleep with me, I don’t mean you have to spread your legs for me, I am not that kind of guy, but I want to hold you.” I didn’t mention that if I could, I would have, I was that kind of guy, but not anymore.

“Promise?” She asked, making my heart sink further. This angel had been hurt too much; her trust, even I could see, was at an all-time low.

“Promise, I won’t do anything without your permission.” I had seen guys change from being randy sod to a respectful guy. When the right girl showed up, I used to rib them, call them whipped, but I understand now. Find the right girl, and you are whipped, bending over backwards to be better than what you used to be. Not wanting to risk losing a good thing when you find it.

The Prez nodded. We didn’t need his permission to keep a girl overnight, but even he could see this was something different. He knew my story and might be surprised by my request, but didn’t show 1.

The light was turned off, and then the screech of the door closing, a loud bang as metal met metal, and the bolt slid into place.

“I will get a padlock and give you the key; it’s not that we don’t trust others, but some might be tempted to give the machinery a try and break something. Drunken lads tend to do stupid things.” Prez answered the unspoken question: “I understood.” Given the opportunity and the liquor courage, men might want to give her a go.

Maxine allowed me to take her hand and led her inside and up the stairs. I have one of only four rooms on the top floor; that is more than a single bedroom and nothing else. My room was like a small apartment, with its own bathroom, a mini kitchen, and a balcony overlooking the backyard. The Prez has one, the master of arms has the other; the last was empty. We lost our VP a couple of months ago, and no one has wanted to take over his room since. However, I have heard a whisper that might change soon. Voting for who would take his place was about to start, and I had no clue whose names were on the list.