CHAPTER 8 – Favors

"I very much approve Benny Choi's new avant-garde approach to clothing" Lucifer smirked as he eyed up the model walking down in front of us on the catwalk. She was only in her underwear.

I insisted we come to see the designer's new collection and since Lucifer knew him up close he arranged a good spot for us. Although, now I was sure he didn't do it in selflessness...

"The models don't appear to be wearing any." He noted satisfied as I rolled my eyes annoyed.

"The Benny Choi brand isn't about clothes" I lectured him as he still gazed the sexy girls. "It's the shoes" I added yet I knew he didn't even hear me. "Why do I even try?" I asked myself irritated folding my arms around my chest. I knew I'm not the most attractive woman here, but a little attention would've been nice. "Should I take off my clothes too so you'd finally hear what I say?" I mocked him bitterly.

"If you took off your clothes, dear, your words would be the last thing to interest me." He answered right away as a strange spark flickered in his eyes. "But please, don't do that" He leaned closer taking advantage of my surprise. "I'm not a sharing type, love" He whispered into my ear sending shivers down my spine. "And I want you all for myself" He added smoothing a lock back to its place as I held back my breath in anticipation. Becca, get a grip! I warned myself. The last thing I needed was a player. And Lucifer was the king of them.

"So, is it about the shoes?" He asked proving that he was listening all along.

"Yeah" I nodded clearing my throat. "These guys kill for limited edition kicks" I said regaining my presence. "Six G for a pair"

"Oh, even my little Huntress is impressed" He noted with a smirk. "Go Benny" He cheered as a model stopped in front of us, seductively, grabbing Lucifer's tie, then she moved on, licking her lips. "Dangerous" He noted grinning. "Lucifer likes" He smirked, making me scoff.

"Seriously, you're so simple!" I cried out loud. His behaviour just really pissed me off. How could he acted like so cheap?

He turned to me examining my face as I refused to look at him. I folded my arms around my chest again and stared right into the nothing in front of me, determined to ignore him.

"Are you jealous, love?" He asked in disbelief as I suddenly raised my gaze at him and we locked eyes. "Seven hell, you are actually jealous" He declared it, reading me with huge amusement in his tone.

I wasn't. At least I'd liked to think that the strange, tightening feeling in the pit of my stomach had nothing to do with the images my mind played of him and that other woman.

"You are being ridiculous, Lucifer" I rolled my eyes "I could get you anytime I want even with those girls fighting over you" I bluffed brazenly, raising my brows challenging. For a moment he seemed unbearably pleased then a smug half-smile lit up his face.

"You know you do, little Huntress" He admitted it genuinely, lowering his voice as his eyes wandered upon my lips, making me uneasy right away.

Earspitting gunshots rippled through the air without any sign and before I could think, I felt Lucifer's hard body on mine as he pushed me down on the ground, providing cover.

"Some hell of a reflex" I murmured getting lost in his deep brown eyes for a second, yet he looked just as surprised as me.

"I know, right?" He frowned confused. "What do I get in return?" He smirked regaining his consciousness.

"Most probably another bullet, if we are not fast enough" I pointed out the fact that we are still under attack.

"Oh, you are no fun" He scoffed getting off of me, as we cautiously searched the way out of this mess.

Not everyone was this lucky though. A girl was murdered cold-blooded during the shooting. Poor thing. She wasn't even the real target...

"Are you ready, love?" Lucifer asked me from the distant. He hasn't even stepped into the bar yet he urged me impatiently.

"I need a couple of minutes. But what's the rush? The bar doesn't open in another half an hour..." I enlightened him as he finally showed up. He left an hour ago, refusing to tell me where, after he told me to prepare everything for the evening.

"Nonsense, Maze will finish it, we have a meeting" He dismissed my concerns, ushering me out as I started to have a horrible feeling.

"What kind of meeting?"

"Just a meeting" He shrugged nonchalantly.

"Lucifer"

"A case-kind of meeting" He fleshed me one of his irresistible grin. "I might have convinced the police department to accept us as consultants of Chloe"

"What is wrong with you?" I squeaked in high-pitched voice. Working with my sister was the last thing I desired. "Good luck with that" I murmured, turning around.

"Oh, come on, my Huntress, you don't have to meet her as often, I promise" He read the situation perfectly as he grabbed my arm to prevent me leaving.

"Why?" I asked defeated, letting him turning me around. He could've anything in this world, why did he wanted to work on stupid police cases?

"Because it wouldn't be the same without you" He confessed simply, leaving me dumbfounded as I found myself against his toned chest.

"No, I mean why this investigation" I shook my head, changing the topic, not wanting to show the effect his honesty had on me.

"I am the Devil. Historically invincible, until now, and that's what makes this case so exciting. Real danger. It's the perfect opportunity to see what other mortal qualities I have." He explained as the matter of fact.

"Okay, I get it" I nodded eventually. "You want to feel new things."

"Exactly."

"How's that?" I slapped him hard on the face just to teach him a lesson.

"Bloody hell! That hurt!" He complained for a moment then he realised that it really did hurt him and his smile widened. "Do it again."

"I didn't know you're into that side of the BDSM stuffs" I teased him.

"You naughty little thing" He eyed me up with great hunger in his eyes. "Why, I'm usually not, but you could punish me everyday as you like"

"Moron" I nudged him releasing a small laugh as he chuckled, shaking his head in disbelief. "What?"

"Not everyone has the nerve to call me that."

"Well, get used to it" I ensured him. "I'm not like everyone " i winked at him, leaving the bar. I really hoped this would worth it...

DDD

"Lucifer, my man!" Benny greeted us as we entered. So the meeting was with the allegedly real target to gather information.

"Hey! Nice to see you." Lucifer returned the warm welcome as they exchanged a manly hug.

"So it's Benny Choi and his blinged-out pet pig. Of course they are." I murmured in disbelief as I felt a bit awkward. I always liked Benny's work, and it was an honor to meet him, yet we were here to solve a case. I had to act as profession as I could.

"His name is Pig Diddy. This is my assistant Hector." Benny introduced the piggy and the other man present.

"I'm Rebecca Decker, I work with Lucifer" I quickly shook hands with them as Benny examined me thoroughly.

"I see" He nodded knowingly but before I had a chance to explain, Lucifer was being himself.

"Ooh. Someone love his mommy?" He questioned patronizing, noticing the assistant's tattoo on his arm.

"Ex-Marine, bitch." He took offense for good.

"Right. Yes, Benny and I go back to the start of his very impressive career." Lucifer now turned back to me.

"Huh, let me guess, you did him a favor." I asked putting the puzzle together.

"Lucifer helped me get my first show. He was a real inspiration. I try to reflect that in my art." Benny admitted it without hesitation.

"Any idea who took a shot at you?" I changed the subject just to stay on track.

"Nope."

"No recent threats, nothing?" I continued in disbelief. He must've received uncountable warnings.

"Look, I'm no snitch." He started as I scoffed. "Even if I did know, I can't talk. I'm an artist. I process tragedy through my work." He bullshitted me again.

"And I'm no police. But if you'd prefer to process tragedy back at the precinct, I can call the police. I'm sure they have some holding cell that could really use an artist's touch." I gave him one of my charming smiles. The decision was up to him.

"Yes, Benny, that favor you owe me, I'm calling in my IOU." Lucifer backed me up. "Answer Becca's questions."

"Hector clashed with some punks in Latin Kings colors that night." Benny started eventually.

"We were at capacity, they wanted in. They were making threats, they were upset." Hector confirmed that as I frowned. I haven't heard that before...

"And you didn't mention this earlier because...?" I asked although I had a guess. Reputation ruled everything in this business.

"My fans aren't just buying shoes. They're buying Benny Choi. Artist, activist, man of the people. You know, I wore colors back in the day. Asian Boyz. I was low level. You know, a punk. Got out before the cops even knew my name." He said as I couldn't help but nodded.

"Ah, protecting your rep. Wouldn't want to risk that seven-figure endorsement deal, would we?" Lucifer mocked him brazenly.

"I didn't talk because if a Latin King hears an ex-Asian Boy done dry-snitched him to the cops? Those thugs will retaliate on principal. I was trying to prevent more death." Benny explained. It was most probably right, but he wasn't so innocent he liked to picture himself.

"Well, aren't we the little saint?" Lucifer pointed it out too.

"Latin Kings versus Asian Boyz. That really narrows it down. Did you get names?"

"Diego, Dani, I don't know. A couple, I think. Joined at the hip." Hector answered after Benny gave him the permission.

"Diego and Dani. Right. You need to call us if you remember anything else." I politely ordered them, sensing that this conversation is the best I'll get for now.

"Uh, yeah, I'll call." Benny said not so convincing as Lucifer gave him a look. "But be careful. Them Latin Kings about to raise hell." He warned us from the door.

"My specialty." Lucifer acknowledged it happily. I rolled my eyes then we left the building.

"Was that one of your favors?" I asked curiously as we were alone. "Who else did you helped out?"

"Well, I've been giving favors for thousands of years. Would you like a peek at my ledger?" He offered seeing my face.

"I'd love to!"

"Alright then, so how about we hit the cop bar, and get dangerous with some bottom shelf first, huh?" Of course it wasn't free!

"I don't think it's a good idea" I murmured feeling uncomfortable. "We can drink at Lux too. And it way more easier."

"Oh, come on. We spend too much time there."

"I work there" I raised me eyebrows at him as he shushed me.

"Nonsense. I hear the Paddock Lounge is every new detective's rite of passage."

"Forget it. We need to send Chloe the names and wait for an I.D. on those kids. 150,000 active gang members in L.A., it could take awhile." I found another excuse. Let's just say I wasn't really popular in those bars.

"Oh, you're right. No time for a quick drink, then."

"Duty comes first." I nodded triumphantly.

"You are the oldest young person I've ever met! And coming from an immortal, that's saying something." He insisted stubbornly, like a mule.

"Look, I'm not gonna drink at a bar where everyone hates me."

"Did you ever consider they hate you for that very reason?" He tried to lessen the tension, but I just huffed.

"Yeah, they certainly hate me for several reasons, but that's not one of them."

"Well, don't let those Philistines inhibit your right to toast our first official case! Please, Becca, it's the least we could do." He pleaded. "I've never been in a place like that" He added, making me guilty if I refuse again. "Besides, you know, I need something to dull the pain." He pretended to limp because of the horrible agony.

"Ugh! If I say yes, will you shut up about the leg?" I gave in in the end. I knew it will be no fun, but at that moment it was easier than listening to him anymore.

DDD

Murmurs spread across the bar right at the second we entered. It didn't surprise me, although I did hope they won't recognize me that easily...

"Here comes that bitch Decker." "Who's the hell's that guy?" "Want me to lose this guy?"

"Well, somebody's not being crowned homecoming queen, are they?" Lucifer asked sympathetically as we sat down at the counter.

"Yeah. Now order. Please." I grunted feeling all the hateful eyes on my back.

"Right. Uh, two shots of your finest swill, please."

"So, about this whole favor thing." I started trying to occupy my mind. "How does it work? The Deal with the Devil"

"Well, people come to me to ask for favors, and more often than not, I'm happy to oblige." He said it simply with a warm smile.

"What do you get?"

"Well, sometimes, I have something in mind, but, usually, like with Benny, it's simply to be repaid at a later date. A devilish IOU, if you will." He explained patiently as I shook my head. It was still so unbelievable.

"Who would take a deal like that?"

"They all do." He ensured me as his magnetic eyes mesmerized me. "Stop worrying all the time, Becca" He suddenly reached out for my hand to squeeze it. "You're with me, you have nothing to be afraid of" He caressed the top of my hand wanting to ease me up, yet to be honest he only managed to make me even more nervous. I didn't want to feel this secure in his presence. It's the best if one's only relying on oneself. And most importantly I didn't want my heart hammering in my chest every time he touched me.

"Palmetto Bitch." A guy came for his drink and broke the intimacy in the split-second.

"Ooh! Juicy! Do tell." Lucifer asked suspecting a story behind this remark. And he wasn't wrong.

"That's Anthony Paolucci. He's partners with the guy who took a bullet in the Palmetto case. Malcolm Graham." I started. "Chloe was working on the case, and I helped her. That was the first and last ever. And it didn't turned out good."

"Ah, yes, the infamous Palmetto." He nodded me to go on.

"Malcolm got shot meeting with some gangsters, and Paolucci thinks he took the bullet like a hero; I think he was on the take." I continued. "I told everything to Chloe who, of course, believed me."

"Aha! So you're a snitch. A nog. No wonder nobody likes you." Lucifer agreed as I punched him on the shoulder.

"Oh, thanks,I feel so much better." I drunk my swill in one sip."I don't know, I just was following my gut. I should've kept my big mouth shut..."

"Caught in the crosshairs of another man's crime." He added philosophically.

"I don't need your sympathy, but thank you." I sent him a fake smile, taking his drink too to finish it.

"Fair enough." He agreed, standing up. "Still, no excuse for that man's rudeness."

"No, no, no, no" I grabbed his arm desperately."I can handle Paolucci. I don't need you to stand up for me." I told him begging. The last thing I needed was him, protecting me. Now that I'll stay in the city for good, I needed to keep my honor and dignity, whatever little was left there.

"Understood." He said calmly then he disengaged himself gently and stepped to Anthony. "Excuse me. Hello."

"What do you want?" He barked obviously being in the mood. Oh, boy, this won't go any good...

"Well, firstly, let me state that I'm in no way standing up for my partner, Rebecca Decker." He pointed at me as I felt the sudden urge to disappear from the whole earth."But on behalf of myself, and only myself, I think you're a complete sack of ass." He declared it, punching him hard on the face. The man almost fell down, his only fortunate was that his friends caught him.

I couldn't help but let out a celebratory chuckle then I decided it's time to go.

"Are you crazy?" I fastened my steps to reach Lucifer."Let's get out of here, til we can"