The Valkyrie Returns and Slays (Raven)

Chapter 469

Chapter 469 I'll Take That Hand First

The moment Rin realized the terrifying truth, panic surged through him.

"He gave her the location... That little brat told Raven where we are!" he muttered

in a frenzy. "Now she's coming straight for me-she wants the boy. What the hell am I supposed to do?"

"Go find Shawn," Oakley said calmly, his tone unnervingly even. "The kid's already dead. No body, no proof. She won't suspect you. I'll take care of Cassian's corpse. You focus on wiping every trace of ever being held here. If there's any evidence left, get rid of it."

The situation was spiraling too fast for blame. Oakley didn't even have time to question how Rin had driven Cassian to such a desperate escape. The only thing that mattered now was damage control.

After all, to protect himself, he needed Rin to take the fall.

Hearing Oakley's composed instructions, Rin's breathing began to settle. He took a deep breath, steadied himself, and nodded gravely. "Got it. I'll go. Just make sure nothing-nothing-is left behind to suggest he jumped."

Oakley gave a curt nod, and Rin turned on his heel, rushing back toward the main building with a group of subordinates in tow.

Once Rin was gone, Oakley ordered his men to clean the lab while he himself took the elevator down to the lower level.

'With Cassian's injuries, there's no way he survived that fall; he thought. 'I'll just wipe the scene before Raven gets here.' But as he stepped into the alleyway where Cassian had supposedly landed, Oakley froze. The ground was pristine. No blood. No disturbance. Not even a single footprint.

again-carefully this time- yet still found nothing. No drag marks, no broken glass, not even the scent of blood in

there was no way he could

wasn't Raven-she still

anyone else, no matter how strong, wouldn't have made it far with a nearly- dead

a sliver of relief. Cassian couldn't be

slipped through his fingers at the last second stung like acid. He was

dispatched more men, ordering a full- scale search of

the entrance to the main building, flanked by guards. But

his collar was snatched, and Raven's voice-cold enough to

base. Then why did I find him nearly dead inside it?"

piercing, merciless-and his body started to

rang loud and clear in his

a beat. 'Not dead? That little bastard's still alive? No... Even if he is,

of hope, Rin tried

his chest and said, "Why would I lie to you? You can check

get

his chest with crushing force, sending him flying across the floor like a rag doll. He hit the ground hard, a

the agony in his abdomen could even register, Saxon's boot came down squarely on his

Rin's eyes went wide.