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

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

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

beat later, he turned to Jax, his voice rougher than

said, "if she doesn't go down, the Grayson family's

onto Raven,

voice ice-cold. "You knew I'd drag almost every Cloudshade Crew big shot here

don't mean a

turned to the crew

everyone of them!" he

Warriors, ten Base-Class Warriors, and

yelled back in

the loud

didn't hesitate,

fear, "Mr. Grayson, I'm Vivian from

tightened. "Jennings

on a spring. "Yes, yes, yes! I'm the granddaughter of the family head. I bet you've heard our name. My uncle's Lieutenant

a spark of curiosity flashed in Jax's

he didn't let her off the

not here to help her?"

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

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

ever!"

won't touch you," Jax

let out a big

at Jax, clearly torn about

was worried Jax's crew would just kill

to get even personally-and all the payback she'd been

at the mob of toughs behind Jax,

Regalhold, next in line to take over the family. I'm asking you to let Raven off,

sake."

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Chapter 24

Jax's brow furrowed.

Cloudshade Crew and Grayson Group were

the muscle to go head-to-head with

face and couldn't help feeling

his dad

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

trouble from the Valor family and

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

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a bit rattled that Raven could pull off

a little group and a weak

plan?" Jax asked, his voice edged

dark, sharp eyes

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

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

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

caught at her

believe Vivian would throw her whole future

back at him.

a glance at Jax-not because he cared much about Vivian, but

turning into a total

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

before you bite!" he warned, his

didn't even

for a few

nod.

a smug grin, "once we're