Page 4 of Savage Loyalty

Torch hesitated, his gaze flicking between Chains and me like he was caught in the middle of a fight he didn’t want to be part of. “I just... I think we should be careful,” he said finally, his voice quiet but steady. “The Vipers aren’t stupid. If we go in half-cocked, we’re gonna end up like Brick.”

The mention of Brick’s name was like a punch to the gut, and the tension in the room thickened. Chains’ jaw tightened, his fists clenching at his sides. “Don’t you fucking bring Brick into this,” he growled, his voice low and dangerous. “He’s gone because we waited too long to make a move.”

“Brick’s gone because the Vipers set a trap,” I snapped, my voice cold. “And if we rush in blind, we’re gonna end up just like him. That what you want, Chains?”

Chains didn’t answer, but the fire in his eyes burned hotter. Smoke let out a low whistle, leaning forward to stub out his cigarette on the edge of the table. “Alright, alright,” he said, his tone dripping with mockery. “Let’s all take a deep breath and remember we’re on the same side here.”

“Enough,” I said, my voice cold and sharp. The weight of leadership settled on my shoulders, heavy and suffocating. “We’re not hitting them blind. We do this smart, or we don’t do it at all. You got a problem with that, Chains?”

Chains muttered something under his breath, but he didn’t argue. He knew better than to push me when I was like this. Smoke smirked again, his dark eyes still glinting with amusement. “Whatever you say, boss.”

I turned my attention back to the map spread out on the table, ignoring the tension still simmering in the air. “Here’s the plan,” I said, my voice steady and commanding. “We intercept the shipment tomorrow night, just outside of Reaper territory. We hit them hard and fast, take out anyone who gets in our way, and send a message they won’t forget.”

Torch nodded, his nervous energy shifting into something more focused. Chains leaned forward, his expression still hard, but there was a flicker of determination in his eyes now. Smoke just leaned back in his chair, lighting another cigarette and watching me with that infuriating grin.

“This is about more than just revenge,” I continued, my voice cutting through the room like a blade. “This is about survival. The Vipers think they can walk all over us. Tomorrow, we remind them who the fuck we are.”

The men nodded, their tension giving way to resolve. Chains cracked his knuckles, his voice a low growl. “About damn time.”

By the time the meeting broke up, it was well past midnight. The clubhouse had emptied out, the noise replaced by the low hum of the jukebox in the corner. I poured myself a whiskey, the amber liquid burning as it slid down my throat and stared out the window at the rain-soaked parking lot.

Brick’s voice echoed in my head, sharp and accusing:You think this is just another job? You think this is just about turf?

I clenched my jaw, shaking off the thought. Brick was gone, and I couldn’t afford to let his death distract me. The mission came first. It always came first.

As I turned back to the empty room, I made myself a promise: no matter what it took, no matter how many bodies hit the ground, I’d make sure the Vipers paid for every inch they tried to take.

Tomorrow night, they’d know what it meant to cross the Crimson Reapers.

* * *

The night was dark, the moon obscured by thick clouds as we waited just off the road near the river. The roar of the nearby water filled the silence, but it wasn’t enough to drown out the tension buzzing between us. Chains was crouched beside me, his hand resting on the grip of his pistol. Torch was further back, his eyes darting between the road and the tree line. Smoke had gone ahead to scout, his bike parked under the cover of the trees.

“They’re late,” Chains muttered, his voice a low growl. “Think they caught wind of us?”

“Maybe,” I said, scanning the road. “Or maybe they’re just cocky enough to think we won’t do shit.”

Before Chains could respond, the faint sound of an engine broke through the night. Then another. The headlights appeared a moment later, cutting through the darkness as two trucks rolled down the dirt road toward us.

“They’re here,” I said, my voice calm but sharp. “Smoke, you see them?”

Smoke’s voice crackled over the radio. “I see them. Two trucks, four riders escorting them. No sign of Axel.”

I clenched my jaw, my grip tightening on my pistol. “Take out the riders first. Torch, you have the rear rider. Chains, you’re with me on the lead truck.”

The ambush unfolded like clockwork. Smoke took out the first rider with a well-placed shot, the man’s bike skidding out as he hit the dirt. He swung his bike around to block the road, forcing the trucks to a screeching halt. Chains and I moved in fast, our guns trained on the drivers as the remaining riders scrambled to draw their weapons.

“Don’t fucking move!” I shouted, my voice cutting through the chaos.

One of the riders hesitated, his hand hovering over the gun at his hip. Chains didn’t wait for him to make a decision. He fired once, the shot echoing through the night as the man dropped to the ground.

“Next one tries to get smart, you get the same,” Chains growled, his voice dripping with menace.

The drivers raised their hands, their faces pale in the dim light. “Alright, alright!” one of them stammered. “We’ll stand down!”

“Open the truck,” I ordered, motioning for Torch to cover them. “Now.”

One of the drivers climbed out slowly, his hands shaking as he fumbled with the latch. The back of the truck swung open, revealing crates stacked high and marked with symbols I didn’t recognize.

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