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Levi

Miles City. The name of the town said it all. I’d been riding for days. My club, the Dragon Skulls MC, was expanding some of our operations. Saint, my President, had sent riders out in multiple directions, with orders to check in regularly with options.

As I climbed off my ride, I stretched out my stiff muscles.

I liked Montana. Everyone valued privacy here, although Miles City was a bit more crowded than I liked.

I had noticed several small towns. Some I knew belonged to other clubs, but Saint knew I liked the area. Now I just waited for word from him.

I hadn’t said anything, but I knew Saint was on to the fact that I was considering settling down. The idea of settling down alone didn’t sit well, though. I was tired of being alone and only sleeping with nameless one-nighters.

I walked into the restaurant determined to get some food and maybe a beer or two. A pretty waitress smiled at me while saying. “Welcome. Is it just you this evening?”

“It is, sweetheart. Do you know if that motel next door has any vacancies?”

“I believe so, but if not, there are several more motels just down the road.”

“Perfect. I’ll just take a corner at the bar if you have one.”

“Yes, sir, follow me.”

After taking a seat at the bar, the bartender came up to me asking, “What can I get for you this evening?”

“Whatever cold bottle you have. Can I also get a good cheeseburger and fries?”

“You got it. New to Miles City?”

“Yeah. Just here for a day or two. Looking forward to a clean bed and a hot meal. Drove a lot of miles today. My back can’t handle the long rides like I used to. Getting old fucking sucks.”

“That it does, that it does. We’ll get a good meal and a few beers in you.”

Before I could reply, my phone rang with Saint’s ringtone. “Case, what’s the word?”

“I just stopped for some dinner, followed by a clean bed. Miles City is nice, big though.”

“I think if we’re going to have any luck in Montana, the smaller towns are better. Come to think of it, we have connections in Wintervale, actually. A place like that, we’d only need one person to work with local contacts.”

“Are they that trustworthy?”

“Baranov Bratva family. Let me talk with their Pakhan. I’ll get back to you.”

“You got, Prez.”

“Be safe, Case.”

I hung up my phone as a cold beer was placed in front of me. Taking a long drink, I discreetly looked around at the bar. For the most part, it was empty. I watched as the hostess led the most beautiful creature I’d ever seen to a nearby table.

I saw the frustration and exhaustion on her face. I wanted to destroy whatever put that look on her face. I blinked at my reaction. I hadn’t even met the lady, and here I was thinking of her as mine. For all I knew, she was married with kids. To be honest, though, that wouldn’t really stop me.

I kept watch as the waitress brought her a whiskey, and then the manager joined her briefly. I watched as the expressions on her face changed as she talked to him. I wasn’t sure I liked the way this man brought a smile to her face. As soon as he left her, I was going to have to make my move.