The Valkyrie Returns and Slays (Raven)

Chapter 24

Chapter 24

The instant Jax's dropped phone started ringing, he and Dane both froze, holding their breath.

A split second later, they whipped their heads toward Raven, eyes wide with pure shock and fear.

Raven gave a small smile and flicked her hand in a laid-back "go ahead" motion.

That little gesture dialed the tension in their chests up to max.

Jax hesitated for two shaky breaths before bending down, grabbing the phone, and hitting accept.

"Yeah?" he mumbled, keeping his voice low.

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"Sir, we're done! A dozen guys just hit Cloudshade Crew HQ-bodies are dropping fast, and the crew's about to break!" The voice on the line came quick and panicked.

The words slammed into Jax, and he staggered back a step, thrown off.

But maybe because he'd steeled himself before answering, he pulled it together fast.

“Just a dozen?” he asked, leveling his tone.

"Yeah! All Warriors, every single one-we can't keep up!" the guy fired back, sounding desperate.

"How long can you hold?" Jax pushed, his voice turning grim.

The answer came shaky and rough.

"We can't-can't hold... ahh!" he yelled.

A scream ripped through before he could finish.

"Thud!" The sound of a body hitting the ground came next.

The call didn't cut off, though.

A moment later, a clean, sharp voice-cool and almost cheerful-slid into Jax's ear.

"Tell Raven Valor for me-mission complete. Cloudshade Crew's finished!" the guy said viciously.

Then he hung up, leaving a sharp beeping sound behind.

That hit Jax like a brick to the head.

Jax's mind went blank in an instant.

It was over. For real this time.

Everything he'd sunk half his life into-gone in minutes!

With Cloudshade Crew wiped out, the Grayson family's biggest edge in Bastion was ash.

The high-and-mighty Grayson family might collapse in no time. Dane stared off, dazed.

While Jax stood there on the brink of losing it, Dane looked like he'd checked out too.

He'd been close enough to hear every word from the call.

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16. 16.

Mon,

Chapter 24

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lifted his head to

at a person-he was facing

now, he couldn't figure out how some girl straight out of jail could

beat later, he turned to

said, "if she doesn't go down, the Grayson family's done for good!" Jax snapped out

locked onto Raven, brimming

he said, voice ice-cold. "You knew I'd drag almost

don't mean a

turned to the crew behind

out everyone of

Warriors, ten

yelled

at the loud roar, her whole

hesitate,

fear, "Mr. Grayson, I'm Vivian from Regalhold's Jennings family- I'm

eyes tightened. "Jennings family

granddaughter

landed, and a spark of curiosity flashed in Jax's

didn't let her off

here to

crazy. "No, no chance! She got my grandpa killed,

my hands-I'd take her out myself

ever!"

touch you," Jax said, his

let out a big

then back at Jax, clearly torn

Jax's crew would just kill Raven

happened, she'd lose her chance to get even personally-and all the payback

mob of toughs behind Jax, paused for a split

Valor from Regalhold, next in line to take over the family. I'm asking

sake."

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16:18 Mon, 14 Apr

Chapter 24

Jax's brow furrowed.

Crew and Grayson Group were still standing, he wouldn't

to go head-to-head with a big name like

Jax's face and couldn't help feeling like luck was

his dad in the way-Franklin's spot isn't his to

you're worried about him kicking up a fuss you don't

and could put you back

Jax's phone, but she'd pieced together enough from his and

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rattled that Raven could pull off something this

a small-time nowhere. Taking down a little group and a weak crew here? No big

asked, his voice

eyes

perfect age to get married," she said, lowering her tone. "I

a quick smile. "You, though-looks, style-you're way

marry me," she said, firming up, "you'd have a military lieutenant general backing you. That's twenty

caught

believe Vivian would throw her whole future

back at him.

flicked a glance at Jax-not because he cared much about

this turning

Jennings family's on board. You don't match

through before you bite!" he

didn't even

for a

nod.

he said with a smug grin, "once we're done here, I'll think