Chapter 8
Chapter 8
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The voice cut through the air as a man in his forties, decked out in a police chief’s uniform.
He strode into the blood–drawing room with a handful of officers in tow.
The police chief, froze for a split second, staring at the heap of bodyguards sprawled across the floor.
Madeline latched onto the sight of him like he was her last lifeline, her voice cracking with desperation.
“Ryan… Officer Lawson! She’s gonna kill me! Arrest her–shoot her, put her down!” she shrieked, her words tumbling out in a frantic mess.
Maybe it was Madeline’s outburst, but Ryan’s hand darted to his holster the moment he stepped in.
He yanked out his gun and leveled it straight at Raven’s head, the barrel a cold, dark void.
Brynjar and the other two caught the chief’s move, their faces hardening like stone.
Jax’s voice dropped to a lethal chill.
“Take her out. I’ll clean up the mess,” he ordered, his tone flat and unyielding.
But Raven? She just stood there, a faint smirk playing on her lips despite the gun aimed at her skull.
“Ryan, five years ago when I walked out of Bastion Prison, you were still a lowly guard. Climbed the ladder fast, huh? Guess promotions make you forget the little people,” she said, cool as a breeze.
Ryan blinked hard, caught off guard.
Then it hit him–like a lightning bolt, his eyes widened.
“You–you’re HER…” he stammered, shock lacing his voice.
In a flash, he lowered the gun, quick as if it burned him.
His whole frame started trembling, from excitement, or, just fear.
“You–you got out of THAT place?” he asked, his voice shaking like a leaf.
Raven didn’t bother answering. Instead, she tilted her head slightly.
“Today’s between me and the Graysons. You sure you want in on this?” she asked, her tone calm but edged with steel.
Ryan’s face stiffened.
He turned slowly to Jax beside him, hesitating before forcing the words out.
“Mr. Grayson, I can’t touch this one. Take my advice–settle it if you can,” he said, bitterness creeping into his voice.
He couldn’t shake the memories of Bastion Prison, those chilling scenes that still made his skin crawl.
She’d been just fourteen back then.
Then she was sent to THAT hell hole.
He’d heard the rumors: anyone sent to that hellhole who survived came out a force to be reckoned with, a name that echoed in the shadows.
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Chapter 8
He figured her power had grown into something downright terrifying by now.
“Settle it?” Jax echoed.
His brows knitted together in confusion.
He’d been tight with Ryan for years–Ryan knew every card he held, every trick up his sleeve.
But here was Ryan, pushing for peace.
Now he wondered who the girl really was.
Jax’s gaze shifted to Raven, heavy with a new kind of respect. He let out a quiet sigh.
“Let Dane and Madeline go. The Grayson family will pay whatever you want,” he said, softening his tone.
“Whatever I want?” Raven let out a soft laugh, sharp with amusement.
“Wiping out your whole clan wouldn’t take more than a word from me. Those two? They’re dead today,” she said, half- teasing, half–disdainful.
Dane locked eyes with Raven for a long moment, then turned to Ryan, his voice low and urgent.
“Kill her. I’ll give you half the Grayson fortune,” he murmured.
Ryan’s face twisted into a wry, pained smile.
“Mr. Grayson, half your family’s cash sounds sweet, but you’ve got to be alive to spend it,” he said, shaking his head.
Jax went quiet.
Then he fixed Raven with a steady look.
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“I don’t know why Ryan’s so scared of you, but no matter who you are, can you outmuscle the military?” he asked, his voice deep and deliberate.
“Dane’s dad is a brigadier general–fought tooth and nail for Vyrdenia, racked up medals like candy,” he went on.
“If anything happens to Dane today, no amount of clout’s gonna save you from the fallout,” he warned.
“Dane didn’t actually hurt your brother–not really. How about he apologizes, we throw in some compensation, and call it square?” he offered.
Raven’s eyes tightened a bit at Jax’s words.
She wasn’t afraid of this Grayson family brigadier general.
She knew the deal–guys who made it that high usually had a ton of baggage, scars inside and out.
They’d given it all for Vyrdenia, bled for it big time.
After a quick pause, Raven flicked her gaze to Dane. His eyes were already glassy from losing blood, barely clinging to consciousness.
With a small nod, she tipped her head at the two guys holding him to back off.
They nodded back, then pulled the needle out of Dane’s arm.
Jax watched, letting out a soft breath he didn’t even know he’d been holding.
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Chapter 8
He thought maybe this crazy girl wasn’t totally fearless after all.
Otherwise, even Rex’s fancy military title wouldn’t have kept Dane alive.
But just as he started to chill, Raven’s voice sliced through again.
“For his dad’s sake, I’ll let him live. But he came at me–wanted everyone I love dead. He’s off the death list, but he’s not walking away easy. Break both his legs,” she said.
Her tone was cool as ever, making Jax’s heart jump right back into his throat.
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