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

wasn't looking at a person-he was facing a

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

later, he turned to Jax, his voice rougher than

go down, the Grayson family's done

locked onto Raven, brimming with

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

I'll prove it-brains don't mean

turned to

everyone of them!"

Warriors, ten Base-Class Warriors, and over

yelled back in

the loud roar,

didn't hesitate,

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

"Jennings

yes! I'm the granddaughter of the family head.

landed, and a

off the hook yet,

to help her?" he

like crazy. "No, no chance! She got my

hands-I'd take her out myself if I could.

ever!"

touch you," Jax said,

a

Raven, then back at Jax,

worried Jax's crew would

chance to get even personally-and all the payback

Vivian could say a thing, Eddie glanced at the mob of toughs behind Jax,

next in line to take

sake."

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16:18 Mon, 14 Apr

Chapter 24

Jax's brow furrowed.

his Cloudshade Crew and Grayson Group

muscle to go head-to-head

Jax's face and couldn't

Grayson," she said smoothly, "he's still got his dad in the way-Franklin's

a fuss you don't need,"

plan saves any trouble from the Valor family and could put you back on top in Bastion-maybe even

heard what came through Jax's phone, but she'd pieced together

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Raven could pull

Bastion was just a small-time nowhere. Taking down a little group and a weak

Jax asked,

eyes

perfect age to get married," she said, lowering her tone. "I had my sights on

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

firming up, "you'd have a military lieutenant general backing

breath caught at

would throw her whole future on the

back at him.

Jax-not because he cared much about

didn't want this turning into a total

mean the Jennings family's on board. You don't match their standards for a son-in-law. One bad step, and

you bite!" he warned,

even look

Vivian's young, good-looking face for a few seconds, then gave

nod.

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