Angelo's POV

Angelo clung to Lucifer as the motorcycle sped down the lonesome highway. 

He had memorized the route back in the few instances where he'd been outside the clubhouse, mostly to tag along and be a background character while Lucifer committed another heinous act.

But the scenery speeding past him now was unfamiliar; misshapen shadows produced by towering trees and the occasional flash of wildlife blurred in his periphery. Houses grew fewer and farther between, giving way to dense woods that seemed to swallow the road whole.

A chill that had nothing to do with the cool wind that whipped past him had run down Angelo's spine.

Where was Lucifer taking him? Had he finally pushed the man too far? Visions flashed through his mind of Lucifer dragging his lifeless body deeper into the dark woods and toward a shallow grave.

Was this the day when Angelo would meet his maker?

He was almost certain of it until the bike slowed and turned onto a hidden driveway.

They emerged into a small clearing where a rustic cabin sat perched beside a river that reflected the last embers of the sunset. It was an unexpectedly tranquil view.

Angelo blinked in confusion as Lucifer cut the engine and announced, "We're here."

"And where is...here?" Angelo dismounted the bike on shaky legs. He looked around, trying to get his bearings in the unfamiliar setting.

"It's like my second home," Lucifer replied, his gruff voice taking on an uncharacteristically soft note. "I come here occasionally to calm down and get away from... Well, everything and everyone."

The admission caught Angelo off guard. He studied Lucifer's chiseled profile, surprised to see the hard lines of his face had relaxed slightly.

"If I knew you'd be this upset about me getting food, I never would've left Asher's side," Angelo said. "Please don't hurt him, or kill him, over my stupid mistake."

Lucifer glanced over his shoulder. "Conserve your energy and only worry about yourself, yeah?"

He then stalked toward the back of the cabin before Angelo could get another word out.

They walked to the river's edge where Lucifer plopped down on a large, flat boulder. Angelo joined him, and then unpacked the Wendy's meal he had bought.

As they ate in strained silence, Angelo snuck glances at the man beside him.

The reddish-orange sunset painted Lucifer's face in pretty shades that outlined the sharp angles he'd been blessed with. He looked lost in thought as he stared out over the water, jaw muscles ticking.

"It's beautiful out here," Angelo said, his voice barely louder than the calm babble of the river.

"I had the cabin built shortly after taking over the club." Lucifer picked at a fry, still not meeting Angelo's gaze. "Don't get me wrong—I love running the club and fucking shit up with my brothers. But sometimes, I need my own space. For my sanity's sake."

"If I was in your position and if I could afford it, I'd do the same thing," Angelo said. "Having your privacy is important, especially with the insane life you live."

Lucifer finally turned to look at Angelo, and a smile played at the corner of his mouth. "I'll get your bedroom door fixed so you can lock it at night. But it stays unlocked during the day. That work for you?"

The statement, so unexpected, made Angelo pause mid-chew. "I-It does! But, uh, why the change of heart?"

"I've learned that my normal way of doing things doesn't work well on you. You act out more instead of obeying. And at the end of the day, we need to be able to trust each other, right?"

"Right."

Lucifer crushed his empty burger wrapper and tossed it back in the bag. "Well, contrary to how I initially came off when we first met, I do want to earn your trust. I don't want to force it out of you. Not anymore."

Angelo swallowed hard, searching Lucifer's face for any hint of deception. But the biker's expression was open, almost sincere in a way Angelo had never seen before.

This was going to be a problem.

Unease swelled in his gut. Was this a tactic to make Angelo let his guard down? Or was Lucifer actually showing him a softer side, trying to make amends?

Even as his mind raced with questions, guilt began to kick Angelo's ass because hidden in the deep pockets of his baggy jeans were two new cell phones—an iPhone and a burner phone.

When he'd arrived at that gas station with Asher, he hadn't just snuck off for Wendy's. He'd made a risky decision and ran to the nearby Walmart to purchase the phones. Angelo needed a way to contact Maxxx and Phil without Lucifer knowing, certain the biker was monitoring his main phone.

With his wallet back in his possession and Asher not being the brightest bulb in the bunch, Angelo had no choice but to take the risk. Even though it might be one that could cost him dearly if discovered.

"I want that, too. For us to trust each other and not be at each other's necks all the time." It wasn't a complete lie, even if Angelo knew that he was far from being trustworthy. "This is a good start."

Angelo hesitated a moment, then he reached out and placed his hand over Lucifer's where it rested on the ground between them. His hand didn't move an inch, but Lucifer's eyes glanced down, then back up.

"I don't know what the fuck it is about you," Lucifer murmured, his voice a low rumble, "but I swear you tempt me in ways I haven't been tempted before."

Something shifted in Lucifer's expression as his eyes wandered down to rest on Angelo's lips. The vulnerability from minutes prior was now replaced by a heat that made Angelo's heart throb erratically.

His pulse raced like a marathon runner at the blatant desire in Lucifer's eyes. Fuck his life, apparently. His body seemed to have a mind of its own because he knew he should pull back and put distance between them. But he didn't. Instead, he heard himself responding with something that was totally out of line. 

"I could say the same about you."

Lucifer didn't need more of an invitation. He leaned in, closing the space separating them until their faces were mere inches apart.

A challenge was there. A beautifully dark dare.

Angelo wanted to accept both. He also wanted to decline. He wanted to know why the hell his body refused to move away from the killer staring at him.

"I need you to tell me something, Angelo. And I need you to be honest with your answer."

"O-okay."

"Tell me you don't want me right now," Lucifer challenged, his breath ghosting over Angelo's lips.

"I-I don't understand."

"Yes you do, angel. Don't play dumb. Not right now."

Angelo's mind spun. Lucifer's intoxicating proximity clouded his judgment. This was wrong, so very wrong. He needed to focus on escaping the hell he'd been living in, not fall deeper under Lucifer's wicked spell.

Then again, he could use this moment to his advantage.

Lucifer was probably a master manipulator, so it wouldn't be that unfair if Angelo were to use Lucifer's desires to his advantage. To string him along long enough until he could find a way out.

Could he do it, though? Could he really seduce the devil?

"You're thinking too hard about it. Just say it," Lucifer pressed. "Tell me you don't want me. Tell me to fuck off forever. Tell me you hate me, can't stand the sight of me. Tell me everything you're feeling right now."

"I..."

Struggling to maintain his composure, Angelo's breath hitched. He couldn't tread carefully here. Lucifer wouldn't accept some half-assed answer. No. Angelo had to be bold. Not afraid. He had to be honest.

Even if it'd get him in a whole new world of trouble.

"I want you," Angelo whispered, the truth of it ringing in every syllable. "I don't want to want you. I wish you would fuck off forever. I can't stand you most of the time, but I...I still want you. Part of me does, anyway."

Lucifer's eyes flared, a spark of surprise quickly consumed by the inferno of lust raging inside him.

He didn't say another word before he closed the remaining space between them, his lips pressed firmly against Angelo's in a kiss that scorched and marked, claiming him with the desperation of a man starved for connection.

Maybe, in a way, Angelo needed that connection, too. Whatever the hell it may be.

That's what he told himself after not pushing Lucifer away and knocking him upside the head before making a run for it. There was no going back after this. Angelo knew it. Lucifer knew it.

So Angelo kissed him back, hungry and demanding.

He moaned a little when Lucifer's hands came up to tangle in his long hair, a gentle tug here and there. They surrendered to each other in that kiss, swapping pieces of their twisted souls with each possessive sweep of Lucifer's tongue.

Did Angelo know what he was doing? Fuck no.

Was this another terrible mistake? Perhaps.

But it was too late to turn back now. He'd made his choice and succumbed to the devil. All he could do was pray that he hadn't just sealed his fate.