Chapter 17
Kings Bleed Too
War had no mercy.
The abandoned mining town erupted into chaos as explosions tore through weathered buildings and gunfire echoed across the valley. Black Venom scattered into defensive positions while Bishop's mercenaries descended from rooftops and broken storefronts like shadows finally given form.
Smoke swallowed the streets.
Concrete exploded into clouds of dust.
The final war had begun.
"Left side!"
Roman's warning came through the radio a fraction of a second before automatic gunfire shredded the wall beside Ryder.
Tiny and Diesel answered immediately, forcing the attackers back behind overturned vehicles.
Sophia moved beside Ryder with practiced precision.
"You still think I should've stayed behind?"
He fired twice before glancing at her.
"Ask me after we're still alive."
"I'll take that as progress."
Even in the middle of a firefight, she managed to make him smile.
For one impossible heartbeat, the years between them disappeared.
Grace remained trapped inside the old church.
Bishop stood calmly beside her as though the battle outside were nothing more than background noise.
His lieutenant looked uneasy.
"They're pushing through."
"They always were."
Bishop folded his hands behind his back.
"The question isn't whether Ryder wins."
"It's what he'll sacrifice to do it."
Outside, Ryder's team steadily reclaimed the town.
Every advance came at a cost.
Logan suffered a gunshot wound to the shoulder.
Diesel fractured two ribs pulling civilians from a collapsing building.
Tiny continued fighting despite blood soaking through his sleeve.
No one retreated.
No one surrendered.
They hadn't ridden this far to lose.
Sophia spotted movement inside the church bell tower.
"Sniper!"
She shoved Ryder aside just as the rifle fired.
The round missed his heart by inches, tearing through his upper arm instead.
He hit the ground hard.
Blood spread rapidly across his sleeve.
"No!"
Sophia dropped beside him.
He gritted his teeth.
"It's not bad."
She looked at the wound.
"You've officially lost the right to judge injuries."
Roman covered them while returning fire.
"Move!"
Another bullet shattered the church steps.
Ryder forced himself upright despite the pain.
"I'm still standing."
Sophia grabbed his vest.
"You don't always have to."
Their eyes met.
For a brief moment, the battle vanished.
"I failed you once."
His voice was almost lost beneath the gunfire.
"I'm not failing you again."
"You don't have to save me every time."
"I know."
He gently touched her face.
"But I'll spend the rest of my life trying."
Grace watched through the church window as Ryder struggled to remain on his feet.
She smiled sadly.
"So."
Bishop looked toward her.
"What?"
"You were wrong."
He raised an eyebrow.
"About?"
"You said monsters couldn't love."
She looked toward Ryder shielding Sophia even while bleeding.
"They love harder than anyone."
Bishop's expression darkened.
"That's exactly why they lose."
Another explosion rocked the church.
The stained-glass windows burst inward.
Roman's team stormed the western entrance.
Tiny and Diesel secured the eastern side.
Bishop calmly walked toward the altar.
"You've taken everything from me."
Ryder stepped through the smoke, weapon raised.
Bishop smiled.
"No."
"I revealed what was already broken."
"You murdered innocent people."
"I reshaped history."
"You destroyed families."
"I built power."
Ryder slowly lowered his weapon.
"No."
He looked around the ruined church.
"You built fear."
Bishop laughed.
"And what's the difference?"
Ryder's answer came quietly.
"Fear ends."
Without warning, Bishop drew a concealed pistol.
The shot echoed through the sanctuary.
Sophia reacted before anyone else.
"Ryder!"
She shoved him sideways.
The bullet struck her instead.
Time stopped.
She staggered backward into his arms.
"No..."
Blood spread across her jacket.
Ryder caught her before she collapsed.
His hands trembled.
"Stay with me."
She smiled weakly.
"I told you..."
She struggled for breath.
"...I was stubborn."
His composure finally shattered.
"No."
"You promised."
"I know."
"You don't get to leave."
Tears streamed freely down his face.
Around them, every member of Black Venom stopped fighting.
Their president had fallen to his knees.
Not because he had been defeated.
Because the woman he loved was dying in his arms.
Even legends can break.