Page 68 of Valkyrie Unknown

“Besides,” Zeke said. “If he liked them then, he can still like them now. You don’t have to give up what you enjoy because something new comes along. You can appreciate both.”

Finn looked me over. “Uh-huh.”

The possessive as fuck kiss that Finn gave Zeke earlier flashed through my thoughts. I had no doubt they were talking about more than movies.

I wanted to keep the conversation simple. “Do you only watch modern movies?” I asked Finn. “Is there a span of years that qualifies? For instance, if it’s more than five years old, you’re done with it?” I was genuinely curious how he thought this should work.

He shook his head. “I’m simply saying that all other things being equal, if the choice is between the old and the new, then maybe it’s time to move on….” He twisted his mouth as if he’d just realized he was on a side of this discussion he didn’t want to be on.

“Fine. I don’t want to get philosophical about movies.” Or be involved in thinly veiled conversations about whether or not I should be here. “I personally like the ones that require minimal thought. LikeSpeed.”

“Fast and the Furious,” Finn countered.

Zeke threw up his hands. “Holy shit, the two of you are the same kind of weird.”

His reaction cracked the tension inside me, though I wasn’t sure why. It might be because the exaggerated exasperation, plus the movie titles, were a reminder that not everything had to be examined through the lens ofwill this incite Ragnarök?

“You like the intellectual movies?” I asked Zeke.

Finn snorted. “No. He likes a different kind of stupid. Not that Vin Diesel is stupid.”

I twisted my face in disagreement. “I mean… Pretty can still be dumb.”

“You made that too easy.” Finn pointed at me. His tone slid toward lighter.

I shrugged and gave him my sweetest smile. “I’m waiting for you to prove otherwise to me.” Because now that Finn wasn’t trying to kill me, I was willing to admit he was attractive. Thick white hair that flopped over one of his green eyes. A lean but strong build on a frame that was as tall as Davyn. A hidden pain that I wasn’t sure I ever wanted to uncover.

“Says the woman wearing her shirt inside-out.” Finn reached over and plucked at an exposed seam on my top.

I looked down. How did I miss that?

“Sucker Punch.”

It took me a moment to realize Zeke was talking about the movie and not my reaction to my lack of attention to detail.

“No,” I said at the same time Finn said, “Absolutely not.”

The visuals and choreography were incredible, but the underlying question ofis this a descent into madnesshit too close to home. I’d heard too many people imply that about Mom in my life, and while losing my mind wasn’t a fear for me, the movie had made me question if it should be.

Finn’s abrupt scowl made me wonder?—

Nope. I wasn’t wondering anything deep about him.

“Jupiter Rising,” I said. Speaking of Channing Tatum… “Magic Mike.” Davyn wouldn’t watch those with me.

“If you like half naked men grinding on each other, we can give you that.” Finn pointed between himself and Zeke. “Show you some real sword play.”

Maybe in another life where he wasn’t a god who would rather see me dead.

“Underworld,” Zeke said.

I wrinkled my nose. “It’s not as much fun?—”

“—when you know the reality.” Finn finished the thought.

“Bullshit. I love John Wick and the only thing real about that are the actual guns and bikes,” Zeke said.

Ooh. Speaking of swordplay…“I love John Wick.”

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