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[ Satanists. Of all the things they could possibly assigned to, they caught a case about people claiming to be Satanists. If she actually believed in a higher power, she'd assume it was laughing at her.

It wasn't until a third body was found that the investigation shifted. The murders were all the same, all looked like the women had been offered up like sacrifices. It was enough to lead them to a number of previously unsolved cases that spanned back over eight or so years and to the cult that was suspected in them. One name cropped up as the possible leader and that was what they had to work with.

They found him. They found the swanky apartment building he lived in. And they were promptly dropped into the open apartment one door down from him, she and Lucifer under the guise of being a newly married couple. The aim wasn't to get into the cult as members. It was to get the leader - Henry - to decide that she was worth becoming the next victim.

While she pretended she was married to a man who continued to claim he was the devil.

Luckily, being a consultant meant Lucifer was still meant to stay out of harm's way. So he was tasked with being the working husband while she remained home and used the time to get to know the neighbors, including the all too interested Henry who, as she found out, worked from home and was happy to help her get settled in.

It was two days of that - of sending Lucifer away and spending her time unpacking with a cult leader who seemed too interested in being in their apartment - before the weekend hit and they were promptly invited to a welcoming party by none other than their suspect. ]

I shouldn't have to say this again, but keep a lid on the whole "I'm the devil" thing. [ She was looking at her reflection as she spoke, adjusting the necklace she was wearing, the larger gem at the bottom serving as her camera. It went well with the dress she wore - a short, blue number she suspected was there thanks to him. ] You'll have more to worry about than your angel if you spook them before we get what we need.

Why on earth would I do that? Being my bride gives you a veritable 'in', as it were, though, honestly, if I were to ever marry, I may have to flay someone alive if they thought about touching my wife. If only for the principle of the thing. If the devil wants his wife dead, then I'm certain I can do it myself, thank you.

I always did hate the ones who murdered in my name. Makes me feel far too much like Father; sycophants who use someone else as an excuse to do as they please. If you're going to kill someone, have the balls to do it in your own name.

[He was more or less muttering to himself, adjusting his jacket in the mirror before looking over to see her fussing with her necklace. He slipped up behind her, hands moving to the thin chain to adjust it before they rested on her shoulders. He leaned in, face next to hers, eyes meeting hers in her reflection.]

I am enjoying playing at being your other half. Though, you've been failing in your wifely duties. I'll have to give you a demerit for that. Or perhaps a spanking.

[Brows rose in the mirror and he grinned at her, hands sliding down her shoulders along her arms, Lucifer's gaze starting to look a little heated as his eyes skimmed down over the dress she wore.]

Keep talking like that and I'm going to test how well a jail cell holds you.

[ It was the only thing she offered since addressing any of the things he said was bound to lead into some ridiculous conversation they didn't have time for. They were already working at being 'fashionably late.' They didn't need a reason to make them any later than that.

Her gaze shifted to his as he moved behind her, a small sigh leaving her lips as she watched him in the mirror. Every time she thought she was almost able to push that night from her mind, he seemed to get closer. And their current situation, one where they finally had to act the part of a couple, wasn't helping. ]

Spank me and I'll have a reason to test if your bones break, too.

[ She flashed a smile at him in the mirror then stepped away from him, turning around to face him instead. ]

Come on. I don't want anyone to leave that party before we get there.

Not very well, I can promise.

[It didn't help that all he had to do was merely ask someone to let him out and they likely would. Then there was his other ability to just... get out of things. Cuffs. Cars. He was a regular Houdini, and her frustration at that was something he liked to prod at.

She quipped at him, leveling an almost threat at him and he found himself more than a little interested at the idea.]

Now, now, wifey, no need to harp. You're welcome to give the spanking if you'd prefer. Or both? I'm agreeable to both.

[She moved away and he sighed, the scent of the perfume she wore trailing after her and making him want to follow. Maze hadn't been particularly pleased at this facade -- all the more reason to play along with it. His little demon was acting more like a mother hen than he was used to and he found it confining.]

No one arrives on time to a party, my dear. That's the joy of parties. You come and go as you please. I'm certain that our little wannabe minion will understand a newlywed couple being a little tardy. We could arrive properly mussed. What do you say?

[ It was more than frustrating, though she wasn't sure what bothered her most - his ability to escape or her inability to figure out how he did it.

He earned a look, the kind that would have gone along with the threat of shooting him if she hadn't already done that, with his comment, but she was already moving to grab the clutch that she'd tossed on the bed before getting dressed. ]

We're not actually newlyweds and we're not arriving mussed. [ She added her phone and keys to the clutch then snapped it closed, looking at him over her shoulder. ]

Could you at least try to remember this is a case and not some kind of game to keep you entertained?

You want to keep up your little act, don't you? What newlywed couple doesn't take every opportunity to explore the carnal desires of one another? It's a well known fact, Detective, and the more you give me that look in public like you'd like to toss me out the window, the more likely you are to ruin your own masquerade before I ever get the chance.

[He straightened his jacket, smoothing down the lapels and giving her a rather huffy look before moving to slip past her.]

Existence is a game, my dear, and the sooner you clue into that, the happier you'll be.

[ She opened her mouth to argue, to say she was completely capable of acting like they were a couple when she needed to, but the fact that she earned that look from him was enough to stop her. Not because she was pleased with managing to get it, but because it was clear that they were going to keep going back and forth if she didn't let it go.

Shaking her head to herself, she turned to follow after him. ]

As long as people's lives are at stake, it's not a game for me.

[ Her reply was quiet as she reached for him, catching his hand to get his attention as she nodded toward the direction of the door leading out of the apartment. ]

The moment we step out of here, we're a couple. Okay?

Oh, so now you want to play. I believe I'm starting to get a little chafing on my neck from all the tugging you're doing on my leash.

[Was he perturbed? A little. He was also confused. The idea of being able to play this out with her had seemed fun at first, but she'd been doing everything in her power to make it so that they never got to actually play at being the couple they were pretending to be. Made it much less fun than it had sounded. Add in the rude little satanists trying to sully his name, again, and he was feeling a little piqued. If that wasn't bad enough, there were all those strange feelings knocking around inside him that flared up whenever he looked at her. Or thought of her spending time with someone that she was trying to lure into killing her. It bothered him and he didn't know why.]

[ His expectations about playing house and throwing around the newlyweds card as reason for being close were the reasons she made sure there was distance between them. He was a distraction she didn't want herself to get lost in when she was trying to work. And living with him, even when she was sleeping in a different bedroom, made it hard to spare herself from that distraction. ]

You know the undercover part doesn't extend to the time we're alone together, right? [ She curled her fingers around his hand and moved ahead of him, heading for the door. ]

How better to get into the role?

[And because he was feeling jilted and in need of some sort of reaction from her, he waited until the door was open and they were halfway out into the hallway before tugging on her hand, pulling her back towards him and sliding a hand up to her cheek. He leaned in, close enough to kiss, but not -- he always left that to her to do first, and she'd never taken him up on it past that one night.]

You might want to remember that you're currently married to the prince of darkness, my love. If they are who they say they are, they've already figured out who I am, so paying me the proper accord while we're in public wouldn't hurt. Nor would getting into the spirit of it behind closed doors. I'm not going to bite -- unless you ask.

[ Her hand, the one holding the clutch, ended up against his chest as he pulled her in and she tilted her head into the touch. As much as she wanted to chalk the reaction up to the door being open, it was a response she hadn't given that much thought to. Just like the way he leaned in made her heartbeat jump as her eyes momentarily dropped to his lips. ]

If they've figured out who you are, I have bigger problems on my hands, don't I? [ She smiled slightly as she turned her head, lips finding his wrist to brush against it. ] I don't remember asking last time.

[ In reference to the mark he'd left on her shoulder that night. She lifted her head again as she stepped back, pulling him out into the hallway with her so she could pull the door closed. ]

It's less a matter of if they've 'figured out', as you say, as it is if they believe I am who I am. Most don't, as you've proven quite aptly.

[He felt something tighten inside him as her lips brushed his wrist, his eyes locked on her lips as he was so very tempted to lean in and close that distance. Then she made that offhand comment and he paused, realizing she was right, something he hadn't actually thought about before. He'd been so careful to only play within the limits of what she allowed, that moment had been an unrestrained bit of something he hadn't expected.

He hummed in answer, letting her pull him along as he remembered the way she'd work high-necked shirts until the mark had faded. Spoiled all his fun, that had.]

You're right. I'd be happy to let you return the favor. A bite when I'm least expecting it. Though, you can hardly blame me, can you? Mid-orgasm's a bit hard to remember all the rules. And it was a delicious moment. I'd very much like to repeat it. I give you my word, no marks unless you ask.

[Guess whose mind wasn't on the party or undercover work at the moment?]

[ Being out of the apartment made it impossible for her to argue with him, though she wanted to remind him that he needed to keep the whole Satan thing to himself. They weren't supposed to know what their neighbor was.

The comment about the bite was more for the sake of it than for scolding him for it. She hadn't complained that night or afterward, despite her efforts to keep the mark hidden until it was gone. Getting caught up in the heat of the moment was an acceptable reason and, honestly, it wouldn't have been half as enjoyable if he'd paused to ask permission first. Not that she was admitting that.

Her hand shifted in his, palm slipping against his so she could lace their fingers together as she led the way down the hall. ]

If you keep talking about sex, they're going to think that's all we do when we're together. [ Newlywed mode: on. She smiled as they reached the door and she knocked on it. ]

If I keep talking about it, maybe I'll get to do it again.

[He smiled when the door opened, their host looking out at them with a smile for Chloe and a curious look for Lucifer.]

Sorry we're a bit late. The little missus here couldn't keep her hands off me, not that I blame her. In we go, dear.

[And because he was in a mood, he punctuated that by giving her a slap on her ass and nudging her into the apartment as Henry the serial satanist stepped aside for her.]

[ She opened her mouth to say something - to try to excuse him - but she was cut off by the slap to her ass before she was nudged forward. If his goal was to play the part of the obnoxious, handsy husband, he was pulling it off perfectly to start with. Even if it was a test of how well she could control herself. ]

Sorry.

[ The apology was aimed at Henry as she stepped inside and pulled Lucifer along with her, their host closing the door behind them before leading the way toward a room full of people.

She recognized a few as other neighbors, but the rest - about two dozen people - were all new faces to her. After a moment, she turned a smile on Lucifer. ]

Would you like a drink, honey? I'd be happy to get one for you while you get to know our neighbor.

[He beamed at her, that look that said he was enjoying this part of their little game before turning to Henry.]

There's nothing quite like having a lovely creature waiting on you hand and foot, is there? Yes please, my dear. You know what I like.

[He gestured for her to go off and do what she did, smiling back at Henry and looking around at the other guests as he did. The idea of being in a room full of potential satanists didn't bother him. He was more than aware that if he happened to show his true face to these would be evil-doers, most of them would crap themselves and cry like the infants they were. It added a sharpness to his smile as he continued to talk to Henry.]

My darling wife tells me how helpful you've been in getting her sorted here. Quite nice of you.

[ Playing the part of the submissive, seemingly helpless wife had been irritating enough in her time alone with Henry. Adding in Lucifer's commentary as her 'husband' made it that much more annoying and made her glad for a reason to step away from the two of them.

So as they made conversation - Henry was happy to share how pleased he was to help and offer more - she headed away from the two of them to the bar to both get drinks and make conversation with a couple who was standing nearby.

The more she could learn about Henry and the rest of the people there, the better. And what easier way to do that than to admit to being new while asking about the names of the other guests? ]

[Chloe did her detective thing and Lucifer did his... Lucifer thing. He smiled at the looks of the wives and girlfriends of the others there, keeping up a quick rapport with Henry about the sanctity of a strong marriage and the joys one could find in them.]

Of course, there's marriage and then there's marriage, isn't there. It's mostly for the legality, all that form signing and contractual obligation and whatnot. They seem to frown more on having fun while married than if you're merely 'dating'. I almost miss the seventies and the swingers era.

[ It wasn't long into their conversation that the woman's attention was taken up by Lucifer as well, much like every other woman in the room. Her boyfriend - or husband, she hadn't gotten to asking what their relationship was - took a little longer to notice the loss of his companion's input as he pointed out and named the people in the room he knew for Chloe.

When he finally did realize it, she excused herself to let the two of them talk, instead getting the drinks she'd left to get in the first place so she could return to Lucifer and offer his to him. ]

I'd like to borrow my husband, if that's okay. [ Another smile was all Henry got before she was hooking a hand around Lucifer's arm to pull him away, all too aware of the amount of attention they were getting. ]

What can I say? She misses me when I'm gone all day.

[He gave Henry an almost apologetic look before following after Chloe, an arm in her grip and a drink in his free hand.]

Ooh, are we going off to play hookey in the bathroom? I'm all for that, my darling.

[They passed a few of the guests, two of the women giving him 'that look', the one he knew meant if he offered an invitation, they'd take him up on it. Likely in said bathroom. Something to mull over as he tried to figure out what bee had nested in Chloe's bonnet to have her dragging him off like this.]

[ Those looks were exactly the problem and she led him along until they were out of sight. Once they were, she tugged him closer, intending to at least make it look like something was going on in case anyone followed them. Her hand went up to his neck to drag him down to her as her lips neared his ear instead. ]

Can't you turn that attraction thing off for an hour? You're going to piss off every man in the room if their dates can't keep their eyes off of you.

[ And it was going to look a little odd if his 'wife' was the only woman in the room who was capable of not looking at him like that. ]

[She pulled him in and he obligingly let her, his freed arm moving to slide around her waist and pull her in closer--

and then he heard what she was saying and let out a disappointed sigh.]

It is what it is, darling. I can't 'turn off' being who I am. It's hardly my fault their men can't keep them satisfied enough to not wonder how green the grass is on the other side of the fence. It's to my everlasting despair that you don't look at me like that, especially since you know just how green that grass is.

[His hand slid a little further up her back, nose nudging her ear.]

You almost sound jealous -- as a good wife should. Feel free to start a catfight. I'd be more than happy to see that dress sacrificed for the greater good.

[ It had been worth a shot, though she'd never seen him actively trying to make women look at him the way they did. It was different from him questioning their desires - both of which she'd witnessed enough times to know he was being honest about not being able to turn it off.

So she offered no counter on it as anything they would start into would sound like a newlywed already having trouble as a couple. It was something that would've been easy to use to their advantage, but she preferred not going that route to get closer to her suspect.

Still, she didn't immediately pull away from him, even as his nose nudged against her ear. ]

I'm not jealous. [ The statement was punctuated with a sharp nip to his earlobe, her way of taking advantage of his offer to bite back. Then her lips brushed against the same spot as she continued. ] If you sleep with any of them, make sure they're single or their dates are okay with it.

[ With that, she slowly pulled herself back and moved to return to the party. Because maybe, maybe, there was a tiny bit of jealousy there that she wasn't willing to own up to. ]

[He sucked in a quick breath at the bite, hand pressing her closer for a moment from the tease. Then her words filtered through and he found himself frowning at her. And to make it worse, she moved away, taking that lovely mouth and warmth with her and making him feel like a petulant five year old.]

If I'm sleeping with anyone, de-- darling, it'll be you. Unless you'd like to add extras to the mix.

[That idea was intriguing, enough so that the frown vanished as he moved to follow after her, fingers lifting to trail along the curve of her neck as he took a sip of his drink. It wouldn't be the first time he'd been hit on while his attentions were directed at the detective; the player party came to mind, but after their night together, he felt he had more of a chance to succeed, and he had no intention of giving that up yet.]

I like when you get jealous. You're incredibly sexy when you look like you might punch someone in the face -- other than me, that is.

We're not adding anyone to the mix.

[ She bit back another comment as she walked away, though it wasn't long before he was behind her and that brush of fingers was enough to earn a slight shiver. The attention he got didn't bother her, really. She'd seen it happen almost every time the two of them were together and she was used to it by that point.

Though the rest of the times hadn't involved pretending to be married to him. And most had been before she'd known exactly why women gave him the looks they did. ]

I'm not jealous. [ She glanced at him as they came back into view of other people, her attention settling on him instead of the rest of the party as they remained out of earshot of most. ] What were you and Henry talking about earlier?

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