When Chloe got up, her family was already by the heated infinity pool. Trixie sat on an inflatable doughnut texting while Lucifer was reading a book on the outdoor daybed, a jar with sparkling water and melon slices on the small table. It wasn't really that warm but, in the sun, it was more than agreeable.
"Morning guys! Why didn't you wake me?" She shielded her eyes from the light with one hand. She was still wearing some wine-colored cotton pants and the white top with which she slept.
"There was no need for it. I made us brekkie and yours is waiting on the kitchen countertop. Coffee is hot and the Greek yoghurt with granola and red berries and is not getting cold, actually it will taste better the more it soaks. Shall I make you a Croque Madame?" He sat upright, leaving the book next to his highball, looking at her expectantly.
"Yes. Why not?" She suddenly realized she wasn't in a restaurant placing an order. His language was always formal, and she fell for the firm but inquiring tone. His food was mostly much better than anywhere else, and she was getting used to it. She felt she needed to be more appreciative. "Yes, please! Yours are delicious!" She placed a light kiss on his lips. Dan had never made her a decent breakfast. Coffee, yes, and maybe some cereal bowls. But that was it.
"I am delicious, as well. You might try me for dessert." He whispered and his eyes sparkled.
Lucifer jumped up, killed the Grimes song on the soundbar and strode to the kitchen. Even barefoot and in a speedo, he emanated the admirable grace and elegance of a predator. She looked down at herself. Plain, as always. And unkempt hair. She still couldn't fathom what made him choose her. She took a sip from his glass. No alcohol? She had at least expected some white wine in it. She waved Trixie, who was still texting, and returned to the house. "I'll be right back." At least she could shower and comb her hair while he cooked.
xxxxx
Efficient as she was it took her less than thirty minutes to reappear on the main floor and directly steer towards the kitchen island. She contemplated the perfected table setting: a small fruit plate with sliced kiwi, honeydew melon, watermelon, starfruit, pitahaya, strawberries with green pepper on top and glazed with pure honey. Then there was the cold glass of yoghurt he had mentioned before, another of fresh strawberry-orange juice, a white cup with its saucer for the coffee and finally the main plate and a silver placing plate. All this and the silverware on a white starched napkin on top of a tray – over the top for a simple breakfast.
He appeared out of nowhere and breathed down her neck while he embraced her. "I had no idea whether you fancied joining us at the pool or not, so I put it on the tray, but as I can see I have to take you out to town so we can show you off. Pretty little red dress, Mrs. Morningstar! And nice high heels! Am I finally rubbing off on you?"
She was startled at first when she felt his hot breath, even scared for a split second, sensing the danger he emanated, then relaxed as her brain told her that it was him, then turned her head and looked on his delicious lips and she pressed herself onto his bare, well-groomed and toned chest before she kissed him, savoring his presence. "This is just a small appreciation for all your effort."
"You deserve no less, Chloe." He stated matter-of-factly, but he enjoyed being praised, loved, needed it. She snuggled a bit more, inhaling his scent until he interrupted her.
"Your food is going to get ruined if you don't eat right now. When you have eaten properly you can show me all your appreciation." He grinned lasciviously, sucked on her lower lip, went back to the gas stove and pushed the toast with the sunny side up out of the pan and onto her plate.
"Well, what did you find out about the cartel?" He inquired. "So far, I know that they target the Spanish speaking community of Los Angeles and they seemed to think that Drago is part of it as his wife is. They are many Latinos working at his place. There are two new employees, one seems to be Cuban and the other is definitely from the most boring place in the Midwest and barely escaped the palliative life of an accountant. Perhaps they have links to the cartel but most likely they have not. The majority of the staff is with the Montenegros for more than two years."
"They are the brand-new kids on the block. There's next to nothing in the database. Maybe they are poking around and the ones that get scared or are not involved with some other gangs or the mob get to be their new marketplace?" She took a bite of the savory sandwich, noticing the crisp bacon hidden under the cheese and the bechamel sauce. "Wow! This is amazing!"
He smiled satisfied in return. "I'll try to pull some favours. Most likely I can provide us with more information later today. In the meantime I have offered the Montenegros an strategic alliance. I'll place two events there to make everybody clear that Petra is my turf now." He leaned over the island, getting closer to her face and plate.
"Either they'll withdraw, or they'll come for you. That's your game plan?"
"Precisely, my dearest detective!" Lucifer had his complacent smile plastered on his face. "And you know that the latter is pretty exciting for me." She let him get a bite of the Croque Madame he had been staring at shamelessly. Egg yolk dripped on his chin which she caught with her fingers, but he licked it off before she could retrieve them, and sucked her tips, his eyes flashing briefly at this feat.
Christmas shopping with Lucifer was a hell loop for Chloe.
First, he stood in front of every display of every store on any story of two different malls additional to Beverly Drive, be it Williams-Sonoma, Pandora or just H&M at Trixie's request, commenting the products on display. He rated their attractiveness, their pleasure value, the grade of temptation they offered, the quality of the material or the wow factor. The Christmas window dressings were absolutely beautiful, Chloe had to admit, but standing five minutes in front of each one before entering the stores and him pestering the shop assistants was tedious and embarrassing, although the young women were quite eager to help out. He hadn't pulled her into a Victoria's Secret store and when she said she wanted to have a glance he almost had an outcry: "That's for middle class teenagers! Not for an active adult woman who needs stability and support for her jewels and tempt her husband at the same time!" He had then heavily breathed in and out and concluded with: "We get some nice Italian wear at Saks."
"As a good detective you must understand that hunting for the right gift is as rewarding as catching a killer. It takes time to gather all the information. We need to comprehend how much the person to be gifted longs for the object of her or his desire. We have to know why certain types of people go to certain shopping malls while others prefer a different setting. We cannot get Dr. Linda the same gift as Miss López. They are fundamentally different. They experience different types of joy. And then there is the need to get Beatrice something colorful and pretty. She wanted to upload a little dance with her friends on TikTok. Right, urchin?"
Chloe stood in front of him, looking perplexed, while Trixie nodded fervently.
"Are you going to write a thesis on shopping behavior or a market research for every friend and family?" She felt somewhat steamrollered. This crazy shopping spree was something she hadn't experienced before, and it was getting to her.
"Already did that. I actually hired a personal shopping consultant and therefore we will be super-efficient. We are meeting her at the café downstairs in ten. I already submitted our needs and Beatrice can enjoy a nice shake while we speak to her."
"So what did we do the last four hours?" She rolled her eyes.
"I needed to see your reaction." He said as if that was explanation enough, put his arms around her and kissed her on her temple.
xxxxx
Sunday slipped into a red, white, green and golden blur after that and it was getting dark when Chloe remembered to talk about the Virgen Morena again.
"You were texting a lot today. Did you get anything on the cartel so far?"
"Nothing. Practically unknown. Perhaps it's just a hoax."
"And the deaths?"
"There we are getting somewhere. The late clients were all customers of a certain law firm, or at least their offspring is."
"That is interesting!"
"Indeed. They make their last will, and somebody makes sure it stays that way. Devious!"
"Tomorrow in the morning I will check on the law firm. Maybe I can pull something out of the database or on the owners and employees."
"I thought Monday is home office and Tuesday is already Christmas Eve. Beatrice is on holiday, I was going to stay at home, too." Lucifer complained and started playing with her hair.
"Okay, maybe they can send me something."
