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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he lifted his

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

figure out how some girl straight out of jail

to

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

eyes locked onto Raven, brimming with

drag almost

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

that, he turned to

force-wipe out everyone of

Mid-Class Warriors, ten Base-Class Warriors, and

guys yelled back

at the loud roar, her whole body

didn't hesitate,

Vivian from Regalhold's Jennings family- I'm not with

"Jennings family from

yes, yes! I'm the granddaughter of the family head. I bet you've

and a spark of

let her off

not here to help

like crazy. "No, no

smashed my hands-I'd take her out myself

ever!"

touch you,"

let out a

then she glanced at Raven, then back at Jax, clearly torn about something she

crew would just kill Raven

chance to get even personally-and all the payback

thing, Eddie glanced at the mob of toughs behind

Eddie, grandson of Franklin Valor from Regalhold, next in line to take over the family. I'm asking you

sake."

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16:18 Mon, 14 Apr

Chapter 24

Jax's brow furrowed.

Grayson Group

He didn't have the muscle to go head-to-head with a

shift in Jax's face and couldn't help

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

fuss you

family and could

but she'd pieced together enough from his

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rattled that Raven could pull off something

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

plan?" Jax asked, his voice

eyes drilled

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

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

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

breath caught

her whole future

back at him.

flicked a glance at Jax-not because he cared much

want this turning

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

before you bite!" he warned, his voice

didn't even look at

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

nod.

said with a smug grin, "once