Page 75 of Savage Loyalty

“Nothing’s going to happen to her,” I said firmly, my voice cutting through the room. “Not while I’m breathing.”

Grim gave me a sharp nod. “Then let’s ride.”

The roar of engines split the night as we rode out, a united force of Reapers and Vipers tearing down the highway toward the Serpents’ compound. My heart hammered in my chest, a mix of adrenaline and fear coursing through me. Delilah’s face flashed in my mind, her defiance, her strength. She was out there, and I wasn’t going to stop until I had her back.

The highway stretched like a black ribbon under the moonlight, each mile bringing us closer to the fight. Cruz’s men rode close, their lights cutting through the darkness like silent ghosts. My brothers were stone-faced, the tension palpable even as the wind rushed past us.

When we reached the outskirts of the compound, we killed the engines and dismounted, moving into the shadows to avoid detection. The place was a fortress, surrounded by chain-link fences topped with barbed wire. Guard towers loomed overhead, their floodlights sweeping across the yard.

“Snipers in the towers,” Torch murmured, his eyes scanning the perimeter. “We’ll have to take them out first.”

Grim nodded. “Axel, your men handle the south tower. Smoke, take the north. Everyone else, move in when the lights go dark.”

I crouched in the darkness, my pulse pounding as I waited for the signal. Every second felt like an eternity, the anticipation coiling tight in my chest. My fingers flexed around the grip of my gun, and I glanced at Cruz. His face was set, his expression a mirror of my own.

Finally, the south tower’s light flickered out, followed by the north. A sharp whistle signaled the all-clear, and we moved.

The chain-link fence was no match for bolt cutters, and within moments, we were inside. The yard was eerily quiet, but the tension crackled in the air like a live wire. Shadows darted between the stacks of crates and abandoned machinery, and I could feel the weight of every breath I took.

We were halfway across the yard when the silence shattered. A shout rang out, followed by gunfire, and all hell broke loose. Bullets tore through the air, their sharp cracks echoing off the walls. I dove behind a stack of crates, my gun already in hand as I returned fire.

The Reapers and Vipers moved like a well-oiled machine, covering each other as we advanced. Bodies fell, Serpents caught off guard by the ferocity of our attack. Blood sprayed across the ground, the metallic scent mingling with the acrid stench of gunpowder.

Steel took down a Serpent who had been aiming for me, his knife flashing in the dim light before the man crumpled to the ground. “Keep moving,” he shouted, blood smeared across his face. “We’re breaking through!”

We pushed forward, cutting through the Serpents like a scythe through wheat. Each step felt heavier, the stakes pressing down on me like a physical weight. The air was thick with the stench of blood and sweat, and the screams of the dying echoed around us. I didn’t stop, didn’t think. Every shot, every swing of my knife was for Delilah.

The main building loomed ahead, its doors reinforced with steel. Torch planted a charge, the explosion sending a shockwave through the compound as the doors blew inward. The blast was deafening, the heat searing against my skin, but I didn’t hesitate. We stormed inside the dimly lit hallways a maze of chaos.

“Split up!” Grim barked. “Find her!”

I broke off from the group, my gut leading me deeper into the building. The sounds of the battle faded as I moved, replaced by a heavy silence that pressed down on me like a weight. My heart thundered in my chest as I kicked open door after door, each empty room feeding my desperation.

Finally, I reached a heavy steel door at the end of the hallway. It was locked, but I didn’t hesitate. I fired at the lock, the metal shrieking as it gave way. I shoved the door open, my breath catching as I saw her.

Delilah was chained to a cot, her face pale but defiant. Her eyes widened as they met mine, relief flooding her features. “Ryder,” she whispered, her voice cracking.

I crossed the room in two strides, my hands shaking as I worked to free her. “I’ve got you,” I murmured, my voice rough. “You’re safe now.”

The chains fell away, and I helped her to her feet. She swayed, her legs weak, but she held onto me, her grip tight. “The baby…” she began, her voice trembling.

“You’re both going to be okay,” I said firmly, wrapping an arm around her to steady her. “But we need to move. Now.”

She nodded, her eyes fierce despite the exhaustion etched into her features. Together, we made our way back through the chaos, the sound of gunfire growing louder as we neared the exit. Torch and Steel were holding the line, their faces grim as they covered our retreat.

“Let’s go!” Torch shouted, his voice cutting through the noise.

We ran, the cold night air hitting us like a slap as we burst outside. The yard was a battlefield, but the Serpents were falling back, their forces broken. Cruz and his men were already mounting their bikes, covering our escape as the Reapers regrouped.

Snake pulled up in an SUV, the vehicle skidding to a halt in front of us. “Get her in,” he barked, throwing the door open. I helped Delilah into the back seat, climbing in beside her. My arm stayed wrapped around her as Snake jumped into the driver’s seat, gunning the engine.

Her breaths were shallow, and I pressed a hand to her cheek, trying to keep her focused. “Stay with me, Delilah. Keep talking.”

“I… I’m okay,” she said weakly, though her voice trembled. “The baby…”

“The baby’s fine,” I assured her, even as the sight of her pale face made my gut clench. “Snake, how far out is the doc?”

“On their way to the clubhouse,” Snake replied, his knuckles white as he gripped the wheel. “We’ll have her checked out as soon as we get back.”

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