Investors rightly want to get returns on their investment. That doesn't mean that the goal of the company is an "exit strategy." It means that the company needs to work towards a way to pay the investors the return agreed upon. Getting acquired is one way to get the investors their returns, but it could also be an IPO or another larger investment.

On loyalty, this really comes down to treating people how you want to be treated. If you always go to the wall playing hardball with a company, generally they will do the same to you.