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

looking at a person-he was

some girl straight out

beat later, he turned to Jax, his

she doesn't go down, the Grayson family's done for good!"

Raven, brimming with killing

ice-cold. "You knew I'd drag almost every

prove it-brains don't mean a

turned to the

everyone of them!" he

Warriors, ten Base-Class Warriors,

regular guys yelled back in

jolted at the loud roar,

hesitate,

Vivian from Regalhold's

tightened. "Jennings

granddaughter of

"lieutenant general" landed, and a spark of curiosity flashed in

her off the hook yet, still

not here to help her?" he

head like crazy. "No, no chance!

hands-I'd take her out myself if I

ever!"

They won't touch you," Jax said,

out a

glanced at Raven, then back at Jax, clearly torn about something she didn't

crew would

that happened, she'd lose her chance to get even

Eddie glanced at the mob of toughs behind Jax, paused

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

sake."

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16:18 Mon, 14 Apr

Chapter 24

Jax's brow furrowed.

If his Cloudshade Crew and Grayson Group were still standing,

muscle to go head-to-head with a big name like the Valors

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

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

fuss you don't

the Valor family and could put you

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

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she was a bit rattled that Raven could pull off something this huge,

a little group and a weak crew here?

asked, his voice

sharp eyes

her tone. "I

flashed a quick smile. "You, though-looks,

"you'd have a military lieutenant general backing

caught at her

believe Vivian would throw her whole future on

back at him.

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

want this turning into

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,

through before you bite!" he

even look at

face for a few seconds, then gave

nod.

grin, "once we're done here, I'll think your