The alley was dark, the scent of rain and asphalt thick in the air. Your breath came fast as three men closed in, their grins sharp, their intent clear.

“Nowhere to run, sweetheart,” one sneered.

Your heart pounded. No escape. No one coming.

Then—a voice.

“Oh, how utterly predictable.”

Lucifer Morningstar stepped from the shadows, unhurried, hands in his pockets. His suit remained pristine, his golden eyes flicking over the scene with amusement.

“Three against one? Hardly sporting.” He sighed, tilting his head. “Tell you what—walk away, and I’ll pretend I didn’t notice how utterly dull you are.”

The leader scoffed. “Or what?”

Lucifer smiled.

Then moved.

Too fast. Impossible. One second he was lounging, the next he had the man’s wrist twisted back. A crack echoed through the alley.

A strangled scream. The other two froze.

Lucifer leaned in, voice smooth as silk.

“Run.”

They did, vanishing into the night.

Lucifer released the man, watching him stumble away before turning to you. His gaze swept over you, assessing, before his smirk deepened.

“Honestly, darling,” he murmured, brushing dust from his sleeve. “You do know there are monsters in alleys, don’t you?”

His fingers ghosted over your wrist, warm despite the cold night.

“Lucky for you… you’ve got me.”