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

a person-he

girl straight out of jail

turned to

down, the Grayson family's done for

locked onto Raven, brimming

I'd drag almost every Cloudshade Crew big shot here to take you

prove it-brains don't mean

turned to the crew behind

everyone of

Two Mid-Class Warriors, ten Base-Class

guys yelled

jolted at the loud roar,

didn't hesitate, leaping

Grayson, I'm Vivian from

tightened. "Jennings family from

fast, like her head was on a spring. "Yes, yes, yes! I'm the granddaughter of the family head. I

words "lieutenant general" landed, and a spark

didn't let her off

not here to

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

hands-I'd take her out myself if I

ever!"

touch you," Jax

a big

then she glanced at Raven, then back at Jax,

crew would just kill Raven

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

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

next in line to

sake."

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16:18 Mon, 14 Apr

Chapter 24

Jax's brow furrowed.

knew of Regalhold's Valor family. If his Cloudshade Crew and Grayson Group

to go head-to-head

in Jax's face and couldn't help feeling

Grayson," she said smoothly, "he's still got his dad in the way-Franklin's spot isn't his to grab

if you're worried about him kicking up a fuss you

from the Valor family and could put you

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

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Raven could pull off

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

asked, his voice edged

dark, sharp eyes drilled into

lowering her tone. "I

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

"you'd have a military lieutenant general backing

caught

whole future on the

back at him.

at Jax-not because he cared much about

turning into a total

said, rushing, "her ideas don't mean the Jennings family's on board. You don't match their standards

it through before you bite!" he

Jax didn't even look

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

nod.

a smug grin, "once we're