Page 38 of Loki

“So?”

Loki shook his head. “You don’t get it. When it is a family dinner, you don’t say no. You go.”

She shrugged. “Fine, you go. I’m not family.”

“But he invited you.”

“Still doesn’t make me family, so I don’t have to go.”

They crept down the street and turned the corner.

“If he invited you, you can guarantee he invited Elle as well.”

“That’s a hell of a giant fat no. No way she’s coming down here. Not after what just happened. I don’t ever want her down here.”

“That might be hard, considering she’s dating Thor now, and he lives down here.”

She stopped and blew out a breath. She didn’t want to talk about his family. “I’m tired and need at least some sleep before work in a few hours. Can we... not talk about this?”

“Sure. But that’s not going to change the situation. So, I’ll have to work quick to discover who is in contact with Surtr.”

She slowed her pace. “How do you know it’s Surtr?”

“Are there other people who want you dead or alive I should be aware of? I mean, I’m all up to protect you, but it would be prudent to have a list of how many murderous maniacs I need to be on the lookout for.”

“Haha. You are so funny.”

“And hot, right? I’m funny and hot.”

She rolled her eyes. “Yeah, sure.”

“What about fantastic in bed? I’m really incredible in bed, aren’t I?”

“Enough with the compliments for one night. Your head is monumental enough already.”

“Which head? My cranium or my—”

Val turned, yanked Loki by the collar, and slammed her lips to his. “Shut up,” she whispered. “If you ever want to see me naked again. You will stop talking.”

Loki nodded. “Noted.” He reached for her hand and laced his fingers in hers. “But if I can’t talk to you, I get to hold your hand at least.”

She opened her mouth, but he kissed her again. “Humor me.”

She blew out a breath. She had to admit, his fingers entwined with hers did give her a sense of calm she hadn’t had previously.

They walked up to her apartment and stopped by Elle’s door. She pulled her hand from Loki’s and raised it to knock on Elle’s door but stopped when the toilet flushed inside.

“See, she’s fine. No harm. No kidnappers. Nothing.”

Val sighed inwardly. Elle was safe. Now she just needed to make sure Elle stayed that way.

Loki pulled her down the hallway to her apartment and stopped at the door. “So, are you going to let me in?”

She wanted to. Hell knew she wanted to. But she shouldn’t. She should go inside— alone— and try to sort things out.

“I’m exhausted,” she lied.

Loki nodded and shoved his hands into his pockets. “I get it.”

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