Page 55 of Savage Loyalty

My bike was waiting for me, but I couldn’t bring myself to leave just yet. Instead, I stood there, staring at the house, hoping—maybe stupidly—that she’d pull up any second, that this was all some misunderstanding.

But deep down, I knew better. Delilah wasn’t coming back. Not today. Maybe not ever.

The thought made my chest tighten, the anger bubbling over into something sharper, more dangerous. She thought she could just disappear, leave me in the dust like I didn’t matter? Like we didn’t matter?

My fists clenched again, nails biting into my palms as I turned back to my bike. Fine. If she didn’t want to talk, I’d find her. Delilah might be good at running, but I’ve spent my life chasing—and catching. This time wouldn’t be any different.

She couldn’t outrun me. Not when I was the one thing she’d never stop thinking about, no matter how far she tried to go.

The call came in just as I swung my leg over my bike. Grim’s voice was clipped, urgent. “We’ve got a problem. One of the Serpents. He’s alive, but not for long.”

I didn’t need to ask for details. The tone in his voice told me enough: this wasn’t a delay we could afford. I gunned the engine, the roar of it drowning out everything else as I sped toward the warehouse.

The dimly lit warehouse reeked of oil, blood, and sweat—a trifecta of desperation and inevitability. The Serpent, bound to the chair in the middle of the room, glared up at me with defiance. His face was swollen, a fresh cut above his eyebrow dripping crimson onto his leather vest. The Reapers stood in a semicircle around him, their presence heavy and menacing.

“You’re wasting your time,” the Serpent spat, his voice hoarse but filled with venom. “I’ll never talk.”

I crouched in front of him, meeting his gaze head-on. “See, that’s the thing. I don’t need you to talk. You will. They always do.”

The man’s jaw clenched, his bravado wavering for just a second. Behind me, Axel cracked his knuckles, the sound echoing in the silent room like a promise.

“We know about the attack,” I said, my voice calm but laced with steel. “We just need the when and the how. Make it easy on yourself.”

The Serpent laughed, a hollow, bitter sound. "Go to hell."

Blade moved in for another strike, but the Serpent jerked his chair back just enough to dodge the blow. "You think you can break me?" he snarled, blood and spit flying as he strained against the ropes. "You don't know who you're messing with."

I leaned in closer, my voice low and deadly. "Oh, I know exactly who I'm messing with. And I also know you won't leave this room alive unless you give me what I need."

The Serpent sneered, a flicker of fear finally breaking through his tough facade. He yanked against his bonds, the chair creaking under his weight. "Do your worst," he spat.

Blade didn't need a second invitation. This time, the crowbar slammed against the Serpent's kneecap with a sickening crunch. His scream echoed through the warehouse, raw and guttural. Still, he didn’t give in.

"Tell me!" I barked, grabbing his bloodied face and forcing him to look at me. "When and how?"

His breathing was ragged, his resolve cracking. "You'll regret this," he hissed through clenched teeth, but his eyes darted around the room, seeking an escape that didn’t exist.

"You don’t have time to waste," I warned, my grip tightening. "Neither do I. Talk. Now."

The Serpent held firm and said nothing.

“Wrong answer.”

I stood and nodded to Blade, who stepped forward with the crowbar in hand. The Serpent’s defiance faltered as Blade swung, the metal connecting with his ribs in a sickening thud. The man gasped, his head lolling forward as he struggled to catch his breath.

The crowbar connected with a sickening crunch, and I felt a twisted satisfaction as the Serpent crumpled to the side. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.

His breath came in ragged gasps, his chest heaving unnaturally where Blade's blow had shattered bone. His eyes once filled with malice, now darted frantically around the room, looking for an escape that didn't exist. I could see the realization dawning in those slit pupils - he was trapped, broken, at our mercy.

He gritted his teeth, a guttural growl escaping as he struggled against the ropes. "You think I’m scared of you? You think pain is gonna make me talk?"

I crouched down, my eyes locking on his. "I don’t care if you’re scared. I care if you break."

He spat blood at my boots, defiance still burning in his eyes. "You’re wasting your time."

"We’ll see about that,” my voice was low and dangerous as Blade stepped forward.

Blade swung the crowbar again, this time aiming for his shoulder. The crack of bone was sharp, his scream piercing through the tense silence. Sweat dripped from his brow as he panted, the pain finally overtaking bravado as he finally spilled their plans.

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