Blood and Horsemen

The Opening Move

The engine of River's car hummed softly as she maneuvered through the waking city streets. She replayed Rafe's words over and over in her mind: *They're playing for keeps this time.* Damon, Kai, Michael, and Will had been pulling strings behind the scenes for weeks, slowly tightening the noose. But now they were done waiting in the shadows, and River knew the next moves were crucial.

She pulled up to a familiar old gym—one that had seen better days but still held the spirit of Bloodsport in its walls. This was the place where she had started, where she first learned the fight wasn't just physical, but mental. Now, it would serve as the first line of her defense. If they wanted to take her down, they'd have to come through every inch of Bloodsport's legacy first.

Inside, the smell of sweat and worn leather greeted her, along with the faint thuds of someone pounding on a punching bag. River stepped through the door, spotting Jax in the corner, his fists slamming into the heavy bag with the precision of a seasoned fighter. Jax was one of the few left she could truly trust, someone who understood what Bloodsport really stood for.

He looked up when he heard her enter, wiping the sweat from his brow with a towel. "You look like hell," he said with a half-smile.

River smirked. "You try sleeping when half the city wants you dead."

Jax chuckled darkly, tossing the towel aside. "What's the plan?"

River leaned against the doorframe, her arms crossed. "The Horsemen are setting up something big. They're bringing in outsiders—fighters who don't follow any rules. They're aiming to break Bloodsport, tear it down, and rebuild it their way."

Jax's smile faded. "Sounds like they're not playing around."

"They aren't," River said, her voice firm. "But we're not going to sit around and wait for them to bring the fight to us. I need fighters—ones who are loyal, who won't turn for a quick payday."

Jax nodded, his mind already running through the list of potential allies. "I know a few who won't sell out. Some old timers from the early days. You can count on them."

"Good. Start making calls. We don't have much time."

As Jax grabbed his phone and walked off to start making arrangements, River's own phone buzzed again. Another message.

**Unknown:** *Tick tock, River. They're closing in.*

She stared at the screen, her gut twisting. Whoever this was, they knew more than they should. And they were watching her every move.

River's instincts told her this wasn't just another threat from Damon, Kai, Michael, or Will. This was something—or someone—else entirely. But there was no time to figure it out now.

Her focus shifted as she heard the gym door creak open. A tall, broad-shouldered figure stepped inside, and River's eyes narrowed as she recognized him. Trent. He was one of Bloodsport's best, a fighter who didn't back down from anyone. But more importantly, he was someone who had never been bought—at least, not yet.

"You called?" Trent asked, his voice gruff but steady.

River met his gaze, measuring him. "You still fight for the right reasons?"

He frowned, stepping closer. "If you're asking if I'm in, yeah, I'm in. I'm not letting them take everything we built."

River gave a single nod. "Good. We're going to need every bit of strength we can get."

They didn't need a full army—just the right people. And Trent was exactly that.

As they discussed strategy, River's thoughts drifted to Winter. She had been quiet this morning, her calm demeanor unsettling. Winter had her own demons to battle, and River didn't blame her for stepping back. Damon had left his scars, and while Winter had found her way to deal with him, River knew this was a different kind of war now.

With a plan starting to form, River stepped outside, the crisp morning air biting against her skin. The weight of the city's silence was almost oppressive. This wasn't just a fight for Bloodsport anymore—it was a fight for survival, for everything River had worked for.

As she leaned against the hood of her car, her phone buzzed again. This time, the message sent a chill down her spine.

**Unknown:** *Move fast, River. They know where you are.*

Her heart pounded, eyes scanning the quiet street. There was no one around, but the sense of being watched was palpable. She couldn't afford to stand still anymore.

With a deep breath, River climbed back into the car, pulling away from the curb. There was no time to waste. Every second brought Damon, Kai, Michael, and Will closer to their goal. And if they caught her unprepared, there wouldn't be a second chance.

As she drove, her mind raced. She needed to outthink them, outmaneuver them. And right now, the only card she had left to play was the one they weren't expecting—an alliance with the very people Bloodsport had shunned. The outsiders.

If they wanted chaos, River was going to give them chaos. But on her terms.

Pulling into a desolate parking lot on the edge of the city, River killed the engine and stepped out. She stared at the horizon, the sun just beginning to rise. This was her city, her fight, and she wasn't about to let anyone take it from her.

The real battle was here. And River was ready to make her move.