Chapter 5
CHAPTER FIVE
Miles
I lean against the cold metal railing of the club’s porch, staring out onto the beautiful Montana landscape.
Two days here, and I’m still waiting.
Waiting for a lead, waiting for news—waiting for anything but silence.
My fingers drum on the railing, my impatience threatening to swallow me whole.
The wind kicks up, sending a chill through my bones.
I pull my leather jacket tighter around me.
It smells like oil and sweat, but it’s comforting.
A reminder that I’m part of something, even if it feels like I’m stuck in limbo.
“Nothing’s fucking happening,” I mutter to myself, frustration boiling inside.
My eyes scan the horizon, hoping for a glimpse of action, or a sign that Stiletto is still out there. A sign that I know won’t come.
Footsteps crunch on the gravel behind me.
I don’t turn. I know damn well who it is before she speaks.
Siren’s voice cuts through the quiet. “I thought I’d find you here, sticking to the shadows.”
I finally look over my shoulder.
She leans against the doorframe, arms crossed, hair framing her face like a halo.
Her presence is like a shot of adrenaline, but right now, I don’t have the energy for distractions.
“Nothing’s happening,” I say, bitterness slipping into my tone. “Just sitting around while they talk in their little… church.”
“Church?” She raises an eyebrow, smirking as she fights to hold back laughter. “It’s more like a board meeting. Club business.”
“Same difference,” I reply, waving a hand dismissively. “What are we doing? Where’s the action? How long do I have to play this waiting game? I came here to find your sister, not to twiddle my thumbs.”
“Relax, Miles. It’s part of the process.” She glances away, then back at me. “They’re working on leads. They wouldn’t keep us waiting if it wasn’t in our best interests.”
“Leads? We better have something soon. I want to get to Stiletto before it’s too late. And as far as best interests, what about your sister’s best interests?” My voice is low but fierce.
The urgency grips me tight. I understand the MC lifestyle is something the girls have chosen, but I didn’t sign up for this bullshit, so why should I play by their rules?
Siren studies me, her gaze sharp. “You think they won’t find her?”
“Do you?” I shoot back, challenging her certainty.
“Of course they’ll find her. It’s just a matter of when.” She steps closer, all playful energy. “And speaking of matters—when are you going to tell my dear sister how you really feel about her?”
I chuckle, shaking my head. “I don’t have a crush on her.”
“ Sure , right",” she rolls her eyes, a sly grin on her lips. “Keep telling yourself that, Miles.”
“Listen, it’s not that simple,” I insist, the heat creeping up my neck. “There’s a lot at stake here.”
“Life’s short, Miles. You gotta say something when we get her back.” Her smile softens, revealing a deeper understanding.
“Yeah, well…” I hesitate. The truth hangs heavy between us. “Maybe I do have feelings for her. But what if it’s not the right time?”
“Time waits for no one. Look at this mess we’re in.” She gestures around us. “You can’t take anything for granted.”
“Guess you’re right,” I admit, the weight of it settling in.
Siren’s words echo in my mind, and for the first time, I wonder if I’ve been a fool all along.
Her lips curve into a knowing smile. “I get it. It’s a lot.” She steps closer, hands on her hips, her big brown eyes studying me intently. “Hey,” she says, stepping closer, her tone shifting. “You okay?”
“Yeah, just... thinking about all this shit.” I shrug, avoiding her gaze.
“Yeah, I’m thinking about it a lot lately too. Are you thinking about my sister?” Her question hangs in the air, teasing, prodding.
“I don’t think I ever stop thinking about your sister,” I admit, the truth is slipping out before I can catch it.
“Well, don’t overthink it. We’re gonna find her before it’s too late.”
“I pray that you’re right.” I nod, but doubt lingers like smoke in my mind.
I kick the gravel under my boot, sending a few stones skittering across the pavement.
The club’s building looms behind me—solid, unyielding.
It feels like a damn fortress. Yet, it’s a fortress that couldn’t protect one of their own.
“Church is where the officers and full patch members discuss club issues, in case you didn’t know,” Siren says, her voice steady. She leans against the wall, arms crossed. “They vote on stuff. Strategy, rules, deal with major issues.”
“Right,” I nod, piecing it together. “And you don’t get to sit in there because…?”
“Because I’m just a prospect.” She shrugs, but I catch the hint of frustration in her eyes. “It’s like an inner sanctum or some shit.”
“Sounds pretty exclusive,” I mutter, more to myself than her.
“Do you think they’ll find her?” I ask, the words spilling out before I can stop them.
I hate how vulnerable I sound, but I need to know.
“My sister?” She straightens up, looking me dead in the eye. “Of course they will.”
“Yeah?” I scoff, folding my arms. “You really believe that?”
“Why wouldn’t I?” Her brows knit together. “She’s strong. Just like us.”
“Strong doesn’t mean safe.” I shove a hand through my hair, frustration boiling over. “What if they don’t find her in time? What if?—”
“Stop.” She cuts me off, stepping closer. “You have to trust them. Trust us. We’re not going to let her die, Miles.”
“Easy for you to say, she could already be dead. ” I shake my head, but her gaze holds mine, fierce and unwavering.
“Look, Miles.” She softens a bit. “You can’t let fear cloud your judgment. If you keep worrying, you won’t be able to think straight when we do find her.”
“Mmm,” I exhale sharply, tension rolling off me. “You’re right in a sense.”
“Of course I am.” She smirks, lightening the mood just enough. "Now, come on, try to be positive in the meantime. One way or another we’re going to get my sister back.”
The wind bites at my skin as I lean against the rough brick wall, the scent of stale cigarettes lingering in the air.
“Faith ain’t gonna cut it,” I reply, frustration creeping into my tone. “I need action.”
“Action is coming.” She meets my gaze, those dark eyes fierce and determined. “Trust me, Miles. It’s only a matter of time.”
“Time.” I huff out a breath, glancing away. The shadows stretch long in the dusk, just like my fears. “I can’t let them take her from us.”
“Then don’t.” Her voice is firm, cutting through the doubt. “Stay sharp. Stay ready.”
“Yeah.” I nod, feeling the pulse of urgency in my veins. “Let’s hope they know what they’re doing.”
“Hope is all we have right now.” She gives a small smile. “And trust.”
We lapse into silence as the night deepens around us, the biting chill seeping through my leather jacket.
The club’s garage is a hulking shadow against the inky darkness.
Light spills out from underneath the metal door, casting long shadows that dance and flicker across the gravelly parking lot.
“Come on.” Siren’s voice cuts through the semi-silence between us.
She tugs at my sleeve, pulling me from my thoughts. “It’s time to head back. They’ll be done soon.”
Nodding, I trail after her, the gravel crunching under my boots.
The words of our earlier conversation spin through my head like a broken record: Time waits for no one.
Nothing in this life is guaranteed. And yet here we are, playing a waiting game that could cost us the woman I care so deeply for.
Back inside the clubhouse, the bar area smells of stale beer mingling with sweat hits me like a punch to the gut.
Some are laughing, and others look more serious. A group of men come out from around the corner and I struggle with understanding how these people can act so okay when one of their own is gone.
Stiletto is somewhere, and it really looks like no one is doing a damn thing about it.
My heart clenches as I throw a look towards Siren, her face set in a grim determination.
She catches my eye and gives me a small nod, her own apprehension reflected in the dark depths of her eyes.
“How about we grab a drink,” she suggests quietly, leading me toward the bar.
I follow without protest, sinking onto one of the bar stools that line the counter.
The burn of the liquor is harsh and uninviting, but it’s a welcome distraction from the whirlwind of thoughts churning in my mind.
“Do you think they discussed her?” My voice feels rough around the edges as I swallow down another mouthful of whiskey.
Siren gives me a glance from where she’s sitting next to me. “No doubt,” she murmurs. “But I know better than to press them. We need to wait for them to say something to us.”
I scoff quietly under my breath, spinning the whiskey glass in my hands. “Patience has never been my virtue.”
She sighs deeply, understanding where I’m coming from.