Page 76 of Savage Loyalty

Delilah’s head rested against my chest, her body trembling as I held her close. “I thought…” she started, her voice breaking.

“Don’t,” I interrupted gently, pressing my lips to her temple. “You’re safe now. I’ve got you, Delilah. I’ve got both of you.”

The roar of the SUV’s engine filled the air as we tore down the highway, leaving the wreckage of the Serpents’ base behind. Delilah’s breaths grew steadier, her hand gripping mine like a lifeline. She was alive. She was safe. And I wasn’t going to let anything take her from me again.

When we arrived, the clubhouse was chaotic. Reapers swarmed the parking lot, their expressions a mix of relief and anger. Snake pulled the SUV up to the main doors, and I climbed out, carrying Delilah in my arms. The movement around us stopped as everyone took in the sight of her, pale and battered but alive.

“Get the doc,” I barked, not bothering to hide the edge in my voice. Torch nodded and ran inside to make the call.

I carried Delilah through the doors, the clubhouse eerily quiet as the brothers parted to let us pass. I set her down gently on one of the long couches in the common room, her hand still gripping mine.

“You’re safe,” I told her again, more for myself than for her.

The roar of engines outside drew my attention, and I turned to see Cruz and his men pulling into the lot. Axel was off his bike in seconds, his face dark with worry as he stormed through the doors.

“Delilah,” he said, his voice sharp. He dropped to his knees beside the couch, his eyes scanning her from head to toe. “Are you okay?”

She nodded weakly. “I’m fine, Axel.”

“Fine?” Axel repeated, his tone sharp with disbelief. His hand hovered over hers as if afraid touching her might break her. “You don’t look fine, Dee.”

Delilah managed a faint smile, though it didn’t reach her eyes. “I’m here, aren’t I?”

Axel’s jaw clenched, his gaze flicking to me. His dark eyes burned with unspoken words, but he swallowed them down, focusing on Delilah again. “You scared the hell out of us,” he muttered, his voice quieter now.

“She’s going to be okay,” I said firmly, stepping closer. My tone left no room for argument. “The doc’s on the way.”

Axel’s head jerked in a terse nod, his shoulders relaxing just enough to signal he wouldn’t press—yet. The tension between us simmered, but for now, we both wanted the same thing: Delilah’s safety.

The front door banged open, and Torch strode in, his phone in hand. “Doc’s five minutes out,” he announced, his gaze sweeping over Delilah before settling on me. “She needs anything now?”

“Just space and calm,” I replied, crouching beside her. “We’ve got it handled.”

Delilah’s grip tightened on my hand. “The baby…” she whispered, her voice trembling again.

“The baby’s strong,” I assured her, leaning close. “Like their mom.”

Her lips twitched, a faint shadow of her usual fire sparking in her eyes. “And stubborn, like their dad.”

Axel’s gaze snapped between us, his brow furrowing, but he didn’t ask the question hanging in the air. Not here. Not now.

The minutes crawled by until the doc arrived, his medical bag slung over one shoulder. He knelt beside the couch, his sharp eyes assessing Delilah with practiced efficiency. “Let’s get her into a quieter room,” he said briskly, nodding toward the hallway.

I didn’t hesitate, scooping her into my arms and following the doc to one of the private rooms. Axel trailed behind, his presence a reminder that this wasn’t over—at least not between us.

The doc set to work, checking her vitals and asking questions in a calm, steady voice. Delilah answered as best she could, though exhaustion weighed heavy on her. I stayed close, my hand never leaving hers.

“She’s dehydrated and in shock, but she’s stable,” the doc announced after what felt like an eternity. His gaze flicked to me, then Axel. “The baby’s heart rate is strong. Both of them just need rest and fluids.”

Relief washed over me, stealing the breath from my lungs. Axel exhaled sharply, his shoulders sagging as he scrubbed a hand over his face. For the first time in hours, the tension in the room eased.

“I’ll stay with her,” Axel said, his voice low but resolute.

“No,” Delilah interjected weakly, her gaze locking onto mine. “Ryder stays.”

Axel stiffened, his jaw tightening as he stared at her. “Delilah…”

“Please,” she whispered, her voice trembling but firm. “I need him.”

---