Hello, Who is this?

32) The Mission

Riley and Lucifer ended up at Shield where they stocked up on weapons and gear they would need. 

"Don't take too much. I don't want to look like we were expecting a fight."

"I don't really use weapons anyway. Makes it more fun to watch their confusion and shock."

Both of them let out a short chuckle then headed to LA for a quick change of clothes and to get ready for the evening. Once there, Riley took over the shower quickly cleansing herself and making sure to shave and look like she was going out on a date. She needed to throw everyone off for this to work. She hoped that since Lucifer was not easily hurt (next to impossible to realistically) that he would be okay for the foreseeable future. If everything went right, they would have Rumlow and Walker in custody before the end of the night. If it didn't, she was hoping that Lucifer could be left out of it. She didn't want anyone suffering for her. She had to bring more than just trouble to the world, she hoped.

When they arrived back in New York, both Lucifer and Eddie were surprised to see the other. "Well, good to know Trouble here still knows how to find trouble." 

Eddie smiled at the new guy before turning to face Ry. "Riley, you aren't going to like the dress code for the club. It seems to be a gentlemen's club, no women unless-"

"So, you're saying she needs to be a stripper or an escort?"

Eddie glanced at the man again and nodded. His eyes refocusing on a now very pale Riley. He was trying to think of what to do to help her. He knew that this was an assurance Rumlow had set in place. He didn't want Riley to surprise him so he set up somewhere she would never go.

"Well, I guess it is time to create a whole new Riley for this one. He doesn't have as much control over me as he thinks. I am not broken anymore, it is time to start acting like it."

Riley took off towards the nearest dress shop after asking Lucifer for his card because all of her money would lead the Avengers right to them. She really didn't want to look at herself in any of the dresses so she asked someone who worked there to help her find something to help her fit into a club but not stand out. 

When she walked out to buy it, Eddie was there to pay for it, claiming the Avengers would be watching Lucifer's money as well. The only one none of them knew was involved was Eddie and he wanted to help. Riley smiled at him in gratitude and asked if she could walk out in the dress after it was purchased to which they obliged. 

Leaving the store, she had her black heels on, a short, shimmery, backless black dress with her hair in a ponytail. Riley felt sick to her stomach but was trying hard to put on a brave face. She decided it no longer mattered, her mates were sure to reject her now and the only life left was the torturous one Hydra and Rumlow offered. If she was lucky enough to escape that, she decided she might join Eddie on his crusade to avenge his own mate's death. She would talk to him about it if she made it out of this one alive. 

Both men's jaws hit the floor. Her dress hugged her figure perfectly. Her hair pulled up and away from her face, showed her neck and jawline in a new light. The halter top helped cover her two soulmarks and the low back helped accentuate her bottom. The scars were on full display but the way she held herself allowed them to make her look strong and fierce rather than meek and broken. If this was the new Riley, the two men weren't sure if they wanted the old one back. This one owned the room with every step. She drew attention without trying. She radiated the fire that Lucifer always knew was hidden in the shadow of her past. There she was though, owning the room like it was as easy as breathing.

She walked down the road, not paying attention to the looks she received or the whispers as she went. She reminded herself this was the plan she chose and it was the best bet to get both Rumlow and Walker into Shield custody. They needed them alive and after the announcement today, she wasn't sure Hulk or Clint would listen to reason. Her mates probably didn't care anymore but that was the point of the show earlier. She needed them far from the mission. Her family wouldn't hesitate to kill Rumlow, possibly Walker too for being associated with such a vile organization.