CHAPTER 9 – A hunch

"Mick Jagger, really?" I asked in disbelief.

"A little push never hurt anyone" Lucifer shrugged as I turned the page.

"Justin Bieber" I read the name out loud. "Well, I must say, I'm not surprised at all" I scoffed.

"Big push" He admitted it meaningfully as I chuckled at his comment.

He kept his word giving me his ledger of favours, as now I was sitting on my bed with him, going over it throughout.

"Have you called in their favour already?"

"Some"

"Bieber?"

"No"

"Jagger?"

"Hmm" He nodded confirming.

"What was that?" I asked excited. I still couldn't believe I have a possibility to see all these things from first hand.

"Curiosity killed the cat, little Huntress" Lucifer warned me smirking. He was obviously teasing me, seeing my enthusiasm.

Mean, mean Devil...

"Oh, but you know that satisfaction brought it back" I told him trying to look as innocent as possible, batting my eyelashes as he understood my innuendo perfectly.

"I like where this conversation is going" He grinned approving. "Go on"

I nudged him playfully, changing the subject.

"Still, I don't understand why someone would take such a deal"

"Why not?" He turned it around. "You never wanted anything really bad?"

"Sure I did."

"Come on then, don't be so close-minded." He pouted. "You can have one for free, just because I like you" He offered as I examined him in disbelief. "I won't even put your name in here."

"There's no free lunch, Lucifer." I scoffed, yet considered it for a moment, but quickly I dismissed the idea. I'm not going to cheat my way anywhere. "Are you sure you don't want anything from me?" I asked teasing as he released a half-smirk.

"You offend me, love." He faked resentment. "I can assure you, I'll make you mine without any of my powers." He declared it confidently. "Well, except my irresistible charm, of course." He grinned smugly as I rolled my eyes. I knew he's not serious, yet my heart started to speed up in my chest.

"Oh really?" I decided to play his game though. "And what's your plan exactly? Because, you know, so far it didn't really work" I reminded him that we still haven't slept together as for a moment he remained silent. His piercing eyes undressed me brazenly as he leaned closer barely noticeably.

"First of all, I'll make you fall for me" He started, lowering his voice. "Helplessly" He added, his eyes wandering upon my lips. "Then when you can't take it anymore…" He said as our faces were only a few inches away. "I'll show mercy." He finished it, his sweet words caressing my lips. He was good. Very good at making me ache for him as I felt the warmth of lust stealing over me inevitably.

Too bad I couldn't stand arrogance…

"Hmm" I run my fingers through his hair, earning a small growl from him. "But what if you'll fall for me instead, my poor little Devil?" I purred seductively. Fire of deep desire flickered in his eyes as I noted it satisfied. That's right, you're not the only one who has powers.

"Who said I haven't already?" He whispered with unexpected honesty as he gently cupped my face, caressing my cheek.

His question took me aback even though it was only rhetorical. I knew he's just teasing. He wasn't the type who would have these kind of feelings. It was enough to remind myself the case of Lindsey… But then why did my heart hammer so strong and my face redden immediately?

I almost jumped out of my skin when my phone went off.

"It's Benny" I told Lucifer trying to get myself together.

"Impeccable timing" He murmured under his breath not hiding his annoyance. As for me, I was rather grateful for his call. Things were about to escalate quickly.

"He wants us to go there. Someone was killed again" I informed Lucifer, feeling sober right away. Another murder?

"Crazy guess: That's not paint." I frowned seeing a puddle of crimson fluid on the floor of Benny's gallery.

"Mm." Lucifer hummed concentrated as he bent down to stuck his finger in it. "Definitely blood, though. But curiously, not human." He told me confidently as I froze.

"Did you really just tasted it?" I questioned disgusted as we heard a quiet sob from not so far. "Benny?" I called as I noticed him sitting on a bench, totally broken, in front of him something small, covered by a white sheet.

"Poor Diddy." Benny muttered, shaking his head. It was his pig.

"This is the murder?" I put the picture together, feeling relieved. I was already picture the worst.

"I'm sorry. I didn't know who else to call. Ain't no 911 for pets." He explained, standing up to greet us.

"It's okay" I ensured him sympathetically while Lucifer couldn't contain himself anymore.

"Bacon for dinner, I guess." He noted with a half-smile as I nudged him not so lightly. "And my deepest condolences, Benny." He added while I just rolled my eyes.

"What happened?"

"Hector and I went to an opening. Came back to find..." He stopped, fighting with his tears. "It's Pig Diddy."

"Do you think it could be Yellow Viper?" I thought out loud, meaning my remark mostly for Lucifer, but Benny spoke first. Viper was once a friend of Benny, but years ago he was arrested by the police. Although they were on good terms, it was fortunate for Benny. He lost one of his biggest rivals as well.

"He's out?"

"You didn't know? He was released last week."

"No, I had no idea.

"No phone calls? No contact?"

"I sent him letters when he was inside San Quentin. Money for lawyers, too. But he sent the letters back all torn up. I always felt bad for how things turned out. How I got lucky. Viper went down. He was my best friend..." He remembered bitterly.

"Well, with friends like that, I'd hide the knives." Lucifer cleared his throat meaningfully as this time I did my best to ignore him.

"Yeah, it is possible. Viper must've snuck into my show. He fired those shots. Killing Pig Diddy was a message." Benny added, getting all worked up.

"All right, don't worry." I calmed him. "We have to call Chloe. Get a squad car to watch his house tonight." I turned to Lucifer. "Viper comes by, you'll be safe." I said to Benny reassuringly, but he got angry instead.

"Aw, y'all don't know him like I do. He's fierce. He won't stop till it's my blood on the floor."

"And you don't know me. If I say you'll be fine, you'll be fine." I raised my voice a bit to get his attention as he finally nodded. "Thanks, Benny." I beckoned as we left the building.

I called Chloe, telling her the news and asking for the police watch as she promised me the location of Viper, so we can talk to him.

"You know, I've found another reason not to ask you a favour" I started while we were waiting for the address. "Did the favour you did to Benny also involve getting him off on the felony B&E charge that put Viper in prison instead?" I went on seeing Lucifer's puzzled expression.

"Well, I may have pulled a few strings." He admitted it eventually. "Why?"

"Well, if Viper hadn't have gone to prison, he wouldn't have targeted Benny and shot up his show, which means Paola Cortez would still be alive." I did the logic following the steps of happenings.

"Wait, you're not seriously blaming me for that girl's death?" He turned to me surprised.

"Just saying." I held my hands up. "Cause and effect. You might not know what you're starting with even the slightest altering."

"No, no. I-I can't be held responsible for what happens after I give someone a favor." Lucifer shook his head adamantly. "I mean, if there's one thing the Devil knows, it's that people need to take responsibility for their own bad behavior." He added it just like it makes it better.

I looked him in the eye in disbelief. Did he hear what he just said?

"Exactly" I agreed, but he didn't understand the real message. For a moment we locked eyes then he released a half-smile, thinking we're on the same page. I didn't have time to explain how wrong he is, because Chloe sent me the address.

"A community center?" Lucifer asked disappointed as I put the data into the GPS. "This is where we'll find the deadly Yellow Viper?"

"According to his parole officer." I confirmed it, checking the route.

"Oh, after five years behind bars, a brothel would be my go-to." He said as I scoffed.

"Yeah, you know, because of comments like this, I feel like I'm already falling?" I mocked him as I started the engine, ready to find out what happened for real with this two men.

The encounter didn't go as expected. Why, of course probably I never should've expected Viper to talk to me. Police or not, I wasn't his favourite kind of person.

He seemed different though, than Benny described him. He was teaching youngsters how to tag, how to do graffiti to art. And to be honest, he was good at it. Teaching and painting as well.

We hadn't got a chance to admire his work, or try to convince him further more because a rival gang appeared, ready to avenge the poor, dead girl who got into crossfire.

Things went sideways and before I could do anything Lucifer and I were forced to hide, desperately wanting to avoid the bullets. Then the power went off completely.

"Hey, what's happening? What the hell is happening?" I asked confused as the gang members started to disappear, while some invisible power struck them. I only saw some shadows.

"Maze is happening." Lucifer said grinning as I understood. She's from Hell, just like Lucifer, and even though I didn't know her role, she was able to kick some ass for sure.

"Ass saved. You're welcome." She came up to us when she was finished. It only took her a few minutes to put out at least ten people. Impressive.

"Thanks and sorry for…" I started but she growled at me, and I was sure, she changed her mind, considering to kill me instead.

"His ass, not yours."

I stepped back, bumping right to Lucifer's hard chest.

"Don't bother, Little Huntress" He whispered into my ear when she was further. "She's just jealous of our closeness." He explained finding it very entertaining, but as for me, I only grinded my teeth. It was so not worth it. I gave no reason to her for being jealous of me…

We waited for Chloe to arrive, gave her all the info then soon they found a gun in Viper's bag. It was a .38. Same calibre fired at Benny's show. He was guilty, and already headed to the precinct but somehow it didn't made sense. There was something I missed. Something funny.

"What? Stop staring." I nudged Lucifer as he was gazing at me with a knowing smile.

"You're having a hunch," aren't you?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about." I shook my head. The case was done. We should head home and forget it. "Are you so addicted to creating chaos, you can't just let things go?"

"I think you should trust it." He continued without even listening to me. "I mean, why would a seasoned parolee bring a gun to a children's art class, right?" He asked the question that bugged me too. Viper was a lot of things but not a fool. Could he be played? Could he be innocent? "If he hated Benny so much, why would he bother to go after him and miss?" Lucifer went on, seeing consideration on my face. "I mean, to pop off in a crowd like that and not hit anyone, he'd have to be the worst shot in the world." He scoffed then it hit me.

"Or the best." I murmured, picking up my phone. I had to warn Chloe. Even if she'll hate me for the rest of my life for meddling into her work, Viper was innocent. The whole thing was on Benny… "Go to Benny" I ordered my sister via the cell. "Just listen" I interrupted her disagreement a bit harsher than I intended, but we had no time. "It was him. Benny is behind all of this. Viper is talented for real. What if he's been the true talent all along? When Benny heard he was getting released, he tried to take down the competition before Viper could take down him. Planned a simple frame job. Parole violation that would send Viper back to prison. But when Paola Cortez died, he had to improvise, right?" I followed my train of thoughts. "He knew pointing the fingers at Latin Kings would eventually get back to Viper." I added a bit calmer. "No, not personally. Hector pulled the trigger." I answered her doubts. "I saw his Marine tattoo when I met him. A heart in crosshairs. Sniper unit. Best marksmen in the world." I finished my case waiting in agony for Chloe to react. "You go there and question him. You owe them that much!"

"I'll go check, you go home" She said after a few seconds, then ended the line.

I sighed relieved. Maybe Viper will be delivered justice for this time.

"I already said, stop staring at me!" I scolded Lucifer. His intense gaze unsettled me as proudness and longing combined in his eyes.

"Have I mentioned how sexy you are when you're bossy?" He asked checking me out. "I knew you had it in you" He complimented me honestly.

"All right, then get your ass into the car or I leave you here." I told him, getting into the vehicle while he haven't ceased grinning at me.

He let out a deep growl of desire then followed my example. He and his fantasies...