Page 83 of Savage Loyalty

Delilah’s eyes softened as she looked up at me. “Grace,” she murmured, testing the name. She glanced down at the baby, brushing her fingers over her cheek. “Hi, Grace. Do you like that, sweet girl?”

The baby let out a soft coo, and we both laughed, the sound breaking the tension that had lingered in the room. Delilah nodded, her decision made. “Grace it is,” she said, her voice filled with certainty. “Grace Kane.”

“Grace Maria Kane,” I echoed, my chest swelling with pride. “She’s going to move mountains, Kitten. Just like her mom.”

Delilah smiled softly, her gaze falling back to Grace. “Maria was my mom’s name,” she said quietly, her voice laced with emotion. “She always wanted me to have the kind of life she didn’t, to be strong enough to make my own choices. Naming Grace after her… it feels like she’s part of this, part of her granddaughter’s life in some way.”

I nodded, my throat tightening. “Your mom would be proud of you, Delilah. Of the life you’ve built, the strength you’ve shown. And now, Grace will carry that with her, too.”

Delilah reached up, brushing a tear from her cheek. “She’s a part of both of us, Ryder. A little bit of our history and a whole lot of our future.”

I leaned down, kissing Delilah softly. “Our family,” I murmured, my voice filled with awe. “She’s perfect, just like her name.”

Delilah leaned into me, her head resting against my shoulder as we both gazed at our daughter. “And her dad,” she whispered. “She’s already got the best of both of us.”

I pressed a kiss to the top of Delilah’s head, my heart full in a way I’d never thought possible. “Yeah, she does.”

A soft knock at the door drew our attention, and Axel’s voice followed. “Mind if we come in?”

Delilah smiled, her exhaustion melting into warmth. “Come in,” she called, her voice gentle.

Axel pushed the door open, stepping inside with Mia close behind him. Axel’s usual smirk was gone, replaced by an expression I’d rarely seen on him—softness. His gaze immediately fell to Grace, and he froze, his hand resting lightly on the doorframe.

“Damn,” he said quietly, his voice rough. “She’s tiny.”

Mia nudged him with her elbow as she stepped around him, her smile wide and genuine. “She’s perfect,” Mia said, her eyes shining as she crouched slightly to get a better look at Grace. “Oh, Delilah, she’s beautiful.”

Delilah’s face lit up, and she shifted Grace slightly to show her off. “Meet Grace Maria Kane,” she said proudly.

Axel stepped closer, his movements careful and deliberate as if he were afraid to disturb the moment. He peered down at Grace, his brows knitting together as a small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. “You named her after Mom?” he asked softly.

Delilah nodded, her voice steady but emotional. “It felt right. She’s a part of all of this.”

Axel’s jaw worked for a moment before he nodded. “Mom would’ve been over the moon. She’d be proud of you, Delilah. And happy for you.”

“Thanks, Axel,” Delilah said, her voice thick with gratitude.

Mia leaned over slightly, her gaze locked on Grace. “She looks so much like you, Delilah,” she said, grinning. “Except maybe the nose. I think that’s Ryder’s.”

I chuckled, shaking my head. “She’s got the best parts of both of us,” I said, pride swelling in my chest.

“Lucky kid,” Axel muttered, his smirk returning as he clapped a hand on my shoulder. “Congratulations, Kane. You’re officially outnumbered.”

“Don’t remind me,” I replied, though I couldn’t hide the grin tugging at my lips.

Mia reached out to gently touch Grace’s tiny hand, her eyes soft. “She’s going to be so loved,” she said. “She’s lucky to have you two as parents.”

Delilah looked up at me, her eyes shining. “She is lucky,” she said, her voice full of warmth. “But we’re the lucky ones, too.”

Axel cleared his throat, stepping back slightly. “Alright, we’ll let you two get some rest,” he said, his usual bravado softened by the moment. “But let us know if you need anything.”

“Thanks, Axel. Thanks, Mia,” I said, watching as they headed for the door. Mia gave us one last smile and a wave before slipping out.

As the door clicked shut, the room settled into a peaceful quiet. I looked down at Delilah and Grace, my heart swelling as I realized this was the start of something bigger than I’d ever imagined—our family, our future, and it was perfect.

EPILOGUE

DELILAH

---