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

at a person-he was facing a

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

turned to Jax, his voice rougher

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

eyes locked onto Raven, brimming with

I'd drag almost every

I'll prove it-brains don't mean a damn thing against

to the crew behind

force-wipe out everyone

sir!" Two Mid-Class Warriors, ten

regular guys yelled back

loud roar, her whole

didn't hesitate, leaping

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

"Jennings family from

I'm the granddaughter of the family

a spark of curiosity flashed in Jax's

off the hook yet,

here to help her?" he

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

smashed my hands-I'd take her out myself if

ever!"

won't touch you," Jax said, his tone

let out a big

at Jax, clearly torn about something she didn't

was worried Jax's crew would just

her chance to get even personally-and

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

of Franklin Valor from Regalhold, next in line to

sake."

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16:18 Mon, 14 Apr

Chapter 24

Jax's brow furrowed.

and Grayson Group were still standing, he wouldn't give them

muscle to go head-to-head with a

noticed the shift in Jax's face and couldn't help feeling like luck

his dad in the

up a fuss you don't need," she pressed on, "I've got an

Valor family and could

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

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rattled that Raven could

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

your plan?" Jax asked, his

sharp eyes drilled

just hit the perfect age to get married," she said, lowering her tone. "I had my sights on Eddie at

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

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

caught

Vivian would throw her whole future on

back at him.

a glance at Jax-not because he cared

didn't want this turning into a

Grayson," he said, rushing, "her ideas don't mean the Jennings family's on board. You don't match their standards for a son-in-law. One bad step, and

before you bite!" he

Jax didn't even look

eyed Vivian's young, good-looking face for a few

nod.

"once we're done