Lucifer's POV

The hot water ran crimson before it cleared and swirled down the drain as Lucifer scrubbed the last remnants of someone's life from his skin.

The act was mechanical, completely devoid of the remorse or horror that might have plagued a different man. A normal man, which Lucifer was not.

Death and violence, now as routine as breathing, had lost their shock value a long time ago. It made sense, given his upbringing around a rowdy group of bikers. As much as his parents tried to shield him from the brutal parts of the MC lifestyle, Lucifer had grown up and seen things no child ever should have.

It was a miracle he made it to the age of twenty-eight with only one gunshot and a few stab wounds. 

"We need to talk." The sound of approaching footsteps made his jaw clench. "Right now."

"I love you, brother, but you're really beginning to annoy me." Lucifer flicked the tap off with an elbow and glared at Jameson after he stopped in the doorway, arms crossed. "How many times do I have to tell you fuckers to knock before barging into my bedroom?"

"Remember the guy you kidnapped two weeks ago?" Jameson asked, ignoring Lucifer's attitude. "He's still here in case you forgot! We haven't used him for shit, and I'm interested to learn what's the endgame here?"

"You talk as if you're bothered by my new pet." Lucifer reached for a towel, patting his hands dry with more force than necessary. "Are you?"

"Bothered sounds about right."

"Then this feels more like a you problem."

"This isn't a fucking joke, Lou. We're wasting resources keeping him here. If you won't put him to work as the new club hacker, then we should just get rid of him."

"Oh. You want me to kill him?"

"I'm sorry. Does 'get rid of him' mean something different to you now?"

Rolling his eyes, Lucifer tossed the towel onto the sink and brushed past Jameson out of the bathroom.

Even back when they were kids running wild in the streets together, Jameson had always been level-headed and pragmatic. Someone who would come up with a Plan B, C, and D. It never got addressed, but Lucifer had heard the whispers for years. He knew some members thought Jameson was better suited to lead the club rather than Lucifer with his hot temper and impulsiveness.

"We have more money than we know what to do with, Jay. We aren't wasting resources," Lucifer said dismissively. He sat on the edge of his king-size bed and checked his phone for missed messages. "But if you must know, I'm merely breaking Angelo in before I put him to work around here."

"Breaking him in how? What does that even mean?"

"It means he needs time to process everything. To get it stuck in his head that this is his permanent home now. That his life is in my hands and his future is mine to mold how I see fit. Once he accepts that I'm his master—his God—I'll have him doing whatever the fuck we want." Lucifer's lips curved into a wicked grin at the thought. "So please stop second-guessing my decisions. I know what the fuck I'm doing."

"Of course." Jameson's lips pressed into a thin line before he changed topics. "You called him your pet. Should I be worried about you getting attached? I know how crazy you get with your playthings."

Lucifer stood from the bed and laughed, slapping a hand on Jameson's shoulder. "Since when are you concerned about where and who I stick my dick in?"

"Ugh. I'm out."

Jameson walked out muttering something under his breath. Lucifer followed but went in the opposite direction down the hallway, his heavy boots loud against the hardwood floor. He fished a key out of his pocket and unlocked the door to Angelo's temporary room.

The sight that greeted him made his lips twitch with amusement and mild concern.

Angelo lay on the floor fast asleep, tangled in the sheets he'd apparently dragged off the bed. He had them pulled up to his mouth like he was a child hiding from monsters in the dark. Lucifer's first instinct was to mock him for it, but he paused, considering.

It'd been two weeks since he'd brought Angelo here, and during those two weeks, Lucifer hadn't visited him until today. He wanted Angelo to suffer, so he had him locked away in a windowless room fit for a prisoner. There was an ensuite bathroom, but no television. No artwork on the walls. Not even a bible got placed in the nightstand for jokes.

Lucifer had hoped the isolation would break Angelo's stubborn will and make him more compliant, but judging by the reports from Reina, it seemed to have the opposite effect. The woman delivered three meals a day to Angelo, and according to her, he still refused to speak. Not a single thank you or fuck you tossed out.

But maybe he'd have something to say to Lucifer.

"Rise and shine, angel." He crossed the room in three long strides and delivered a sharp kick to Angelo's side.

"Ow! What the hell?" Angelo's eyes flew open, his face twisted in a hard scowl. Pulling the sheets down to speak properly, he muttered, "I wasn't asleep."

Lucifer raised an eyebrow. "Then why didn't you acknowledge me as soon as I came in?"

"I didn't know it was a requirement."

"I thought you were going to be a timid little bean, but I see now I'm going to have to do something soon about this smart mouth of yours." Lucifer looked around the room, taking in the untouched bed and bare walls. "How have you been settling in? Not all my guests receive this type of treatment, you know."

"I would hope not. You couldn't have put me in a room with a window or TV?" Angelo's brown eyes shot a glare that could've cut glass. "I don't even know what day it is. Or the time, for that matter."

"It's Thursday. You've been here two weeks," Lucifer answered flatly, as if stating the obvious. "Why are you sleeping on the floor and not on the bed?"

"I don't want to get too comfortable here," Lucifer whispered, breaking eye contact. "When can I have my phone and computers back?"

"When I feel you're grateful." Lucifer turned to go, but Angelo scrambled to his feet.

"Please, wait!"

Hiding a smirk, Lucifer glanced back. "Yes?"

Angelo's gaze dropped to the floor again. He took a shaky breath, then mumbled, "I'll do it."

"Do what?" Lucifer stepped closer, crowding into his space.

"Whatever you want me to do." Angelo's words tumbled out in a desperate rush. "But you've got to get me out of this room. I-I'm going crazy in here, man."

Lucifer studied him, the gears in his mind turning as he savored the hopeful, pleading look in those pretty brown eyes. He'd always loved it when they begged.

"I don't know." Lucifer sighed dramatically, crossing his arms. "How can I be sure you won't try to run off as soon as I give you a little bit of freedom around here?"

"Stay with me. Or take me with you. I don't care what you do." Angelo twisted his hands together, desperate to feel the sunlight. "I just want some fresh air. Please."

"Say my name."

"Please, Lucifer."

"Good boy." Lucifer smiled. He reached out and ran a finger along Angelo's neck, making him shiver. "I should collar you first, though. Just in case you try to play me." He jerked his head toward the door. "Come."

Shock flashed across Angelo's face, but he kept quiet and obeyed, following Lucifer into his bedroom.

"How vanilla are you?" Lucifer asked. "With sex, I mean. Do you have any kinks?"

Angelo blinked, confused. "I...I have no intention of sleeping with you if that's what you're trying to get at."

"It's not. I was only curious." Lucifer chuckled. He kneeled in front of the large ottoman near his closet and lifted the lid off to reveal a collection of sex toys.

In searching for a shock collar and its remote, a knock sounded at the door.

"At least somebody knows how to follow the rules around here," Lucifer muttered to himself. "Come in!"

Hunter, one of the club's prospects, hurried in and thrust his phone at Lucifer. "Prez, you need to see this."

The urgency in Hunter's voice sliced through Lucifer's focus like a blade as he took the phone.

"What is this?" Lucifer asked, pressing play on the video. "And why should I care?"

"The mayor had a livestream today. It just ended, but you need to hear what he said toward the end..."

On the screen, Mayor Sheppard stood at a podium, his round face red and blotchy. He pounded his fist as he delivered a passionate speech to a large audience. Lucifer raised the volume.

"It's time we cleaned up our community and took back our city!" Applause soared. "For too long, criminals have peddled their drugs and perpetrated violence like it's something natural. Well, no more! Reelect me as your mayor, and I vow to eradicate all thugs and all gangs, starting with those lawless motorcycle clubs..."

The video clip ended.

Lucifer and Hunter locked eyes as Lucifer said, "The goddamn mayor just declared war on us."