Lucifer waited until Chloe was safely on the elevator with the doors closed before he turned to look at his brother. "Should we do this out over the ocean? No sense making a mess of the downtown area."
"Brother, brother. I'm not here to fight." Michael said with a slight smile. "I came to see what makes this world your favorite. After eons punishing these vile creatures, why would you choose to spend time living among them?" He walked to the bookshelves, studying the titles, "Amenadiel told us how he tried to get you back to hell, but you refused because Los Angeles is your home. He says you've changed." Michael looked around the penthouse in approval. "I decided to see for myself if you have changed and find out what makes this place so special."
"Go find your own planet."
"Too late. I like this one. You never were good about sharing your toys…" he pursed his lips in thought, "but I do wonder about Chloe. She seems very unusual, almost more that human. I would certainly like to play with her and find out what makes her different."
As the brothers talked, Chloe stood inside the stalled elevator, wondering what to do. After Lucifer shoved her in and the doors closed, she felt an overwhelming urge to get back into the penthouse. It was irrational, but she felt like Lucifer needed her. In her rush to get the doors to open again, she hit the wrong button on the panel. The elevator locked up. She started to shout for help, when she heard her name mentioned. She stilled, unable to resist listening. She could hear the two men talking very clearly. The voices were identical, yet she could tell the difference. Michael made a suggestive statement about her. A second later, she heard a loud crash as if someone had gone through a glass table. Lucifer's angry voice shouted, "She isn't a toy and you won't touch her."
She heard another loud crash, then "Oh have I hit a sensitive spot? I think I would enjoy touching her quite a lot. Maybe I'll let her teach me about physical pleasure. I mean if it's good enough for you…"
There was a roar of anger and the sound of shattering glass, as the elevator finally re-set and started to descend. The last thing she heard was Lucifer's possessive voice, "She's mine."
When the elevator doors opened downstairs in the club, she stepped out, her emotions whirling. She thought Lucifer was going to kiss her before the interruption; then the angry words with his brother. Lucifer wasn't over her, any more than she was over him. Hope bloomed in her heart, quickly followed by worry. Michael was an angel; one who hadn't been disowned. She reasoned that he was probably more powerful than Lucifer. She desperately wanted to go back to the penthouse to help, but knew it would only weaken her partner.
She rushed toward the exit, but changed direction when she spotted Maze at the bar.
"Maze, please go up to the Penthouse. Lucifer's brother Michael is up there. They got into a fight."
"Okay, I've got it." Maze moved out from behind the bar as Amenadiel joined them. She met his eyes and then jerked her head toward the elevator as she pulled out her knives, "Michael is here."
They took the stairs quickly, but paused at the entrance to the penthouse to cautiously peer around the corner into the living area. Lucifer sat alone on the floor surrounded by rubble with a broken bottle of Scotch in his hand. The coffee table was shattered, the couches overturned, a section of the bar mirror was gone and part of the mangled patio railing hung crookedly against the wall.
He rubbed his jaw and gave them a sour look, "Better call in a work crew. The Penthouse needs a make over."
Amenadiel offered him a hand up. "What happened?"
"Oh Michael was baiting me and generally being a self-righteous ass. I disagreed with something he said."
"Well, I'm sorry I didn't get here sooner. Michael made himself known to me earlier today. He thinks you should go back to Hell."
"Really?" Lucifer said with sarcastic huff, "I thought he was here because he missed me."
Amenadiel shook his head sadly as he remember how close the twins had been in the beginning.
Lucifer looked away in embarrassment and added in an annoyed tone, "Next time, send me a text will you? Or better yet, a poo emoji. I'll know exactly who you mean." He brushed off his suit as Maze put the sofa upright.
She gave both men a worried look, "There are too many angels popping up in this city lately. I think I'll go stay with Linda for a while."
Lucifer nodded stiffly, "Good idea, Mazikeen. I'll handle my brother myself."
As soon as Amenadiel and Maze took the stairs to the Penthouse, Chloe ran for the exit. She knew that keeping her distance from Lucifer was the only way to help him. She concentrated on putting miles between herself and Lux. However, her thoughts stayed on Lucifer, wondering if there was still a chance for them. Maybe she imagined the possessiveness she heard in his voice. Perhaps he was bluffing to protect her from his brother. Claiming her to keep her safe? She couldn't find an answer and her stomach tied itself into knots as she tried to understand his thinking.
Not even her nightly routine with Trixie could soothe her. Alone in her bed, she dreamed. She found herself surrounded by white feathers; so warm and soft. Strong arms came around her waist. She knew without seeing that it was Lucifer. His hot, smooth skin pressed against her bare back and legs; his warm breath on her cheek. Satin lips nibbled her earlobe and nuzzled down the side of her neck to kiss her shoulder. Long, nimble fingers slid up her ribs, leaving a trail of fire on her skin as he cupped her breasts. One hand wandered downward to wrap around her waist again, pulling her tightly against his heat. His velvet voice sent shivers through her as he whispered against her skin, 'You're mine.' She shook her head in desperate agreement as she turned in his arms. She wanted him closer. She wanted...
Desire was replaced by panic as she turned to find green eyes looking into hers. She whimpered in fear as the feathers surrounding her turned black as night. She woke with her heart pounding as the images evaporated, leaving only dread.