Hello my lovelies! I'm deeply sorry this is coming so late but I do have a good reason! I have two jobs, both in retail, and the holidays are coming up, so it's difficult trying to juggle the two. My updates for my stories will be coming a little slower for a while until things settle down and I get back in school and I have a set schedule but please don't give up hope on these stories! I'll try as hard as I can to update as much as possible for you guys :)

Thank you to all who reviewed the last chapter! I'm happy you guys are taking the time to read and review this! Please keep up the reviews, they make me so happy!

WARNINGS: rough sex, anal sex, spanking and some fluff :)

"So, you signed the contract? How was the first scene?" Caroline asked by way of greeting the next morning at breakfast. Jeremy blushed heavily as Elijah fixed him a hearty meal, his stomach growling in agreement with the smell of scrambled eggs and bacon.

"It was…it was fine," he coughed lightly. Caroline gave him a pointed look when he didn't say anymore. "What?"

"You're not going to share details?"

"…there's not much to share," he kept his eyes to his plate. "It was very…intense."

"First scenes usually are, especially if it's your first time," she grinned. "He used the blindfold, yeah?"

"Yeah. That was about as much as I could handle."

"Good morning Jeremy," Dolly greeted cheerfully as she came out with a pitcher of orange juice and poured him a tall glass. "Tyler says this is your favorite, so drink up. He said you had a long night."

Caroline laughed as Jeremy's face grew red. "So it went well, then?"

"Yeah, it was fine. I was scared at first but…it got better," he exhaled softly. The details of last night were far too intimate for him to share with anyone. The things they did were not a topic to be discussed at breakfast. Just thinking about it made him flush.

"Did you have a favorite part?"

"I think after," he smiled softly, remembering how Tyler had stayed with him through the night. It wasn't what he'd expected; from the beginning, he'd expected Tyler to leave after he was done with him. Instead, he held him the whole night and allowed him to speak freely when he wanted about anything he wanted. Knowing now that he took this seriously, that caring for him was something he cherished, made him feel much better.

"I think that's always the best part. It gives the sub and Dom time to bond while the Dom guides them back to reality. I couldn't imagine doing scene without it; I would be a mess."

"Definitely," Jeremy agreed wholeheartedly. It felt like he was living in a dream last night after he passed out. He thought he was floating, but Tyler described it as the phase that all submissives reached when they felt good about pleasing their Doms. He'd been reluctant to admit Tyler was right about him enjoying submission, but he realized he was right.

"Mr. Gilbert," Elijah approached the table. "You have a telephone call."

He shared a shrug with Caroline before following the butler inside to the parlor.

"Hello?"

"Finally! I didn't think I'd ever hear from you!" Bonnie huffed on the other end. "Come have lunch with me at The Grille. I miss you."

Jeremy bit his lip, "I would but…they don't want me to leave the house until the people who attacked me are found."

"Oh come on Jer. They're not going to do anything in the middle of the day," she giggled. "They can let you go for a couple hours just for lunch. Please?"

The orphan inwardly cursed his weak resolve, "Okay, I'll meet you there."

"Yes! I'll be there in an hour!" she cheered before hanging up. Jeremy wished he could feel that same excitement, but only felt anxious knots building in his stomach. He needed to be discrete so Tyler wouldn't find out, but he didn't like the thought of lying either.

Suddenly he shook his head. Tyler was his dominant, not his keeper. Or maybe he was, but he was an adult for goodness sake. He could leave the house and have lunch with his friend if he damn well wanted to.

"Who was it?" Caroline asked when he returned.

"My friend Bonnie. She wants me to meet her for lunch," he chewed his bottom lip.

"I thought you weren't allowed to leave the house?" her eyebrow rose when he looked away. "You're going to sneak out."

"She's my best friend and I haven't seen her in a month," he turned to her. "I know I'm probably asking a lot and if you can't it's fine, but can you cover for me if he comes back?"

"You want me to lie," she gave him a level stare before grinning. "I can try, but if you go now you could probably make it back before they do."

"Thank you," he breathed. He waited until Elijah took his plate to the kitchen before slipping out through the side gate and walking the path to the double gates that guarded Tyler's property. He walked down to the end of the street to the bus stop and waited ten minutes to catch the bus heading towards District 5. It was nearly surreal to go back after spending so long in Tyler's house and he snorted at his own vanity.

The restaurant wasn't overly crowded when he arrived, allowing him to quickly spot Bonnie in a booth towards the back of the restaurant. Jeremy couldn't help but remember that was the booth he and Tyler sat at before and flushed at the thought of said man. He couldn't stop thinking about last night at all, how good he'd made him feel, how he'd kissed every inch of his skin, how he made him c—

"Your face!" her hands flew to her mouth when he sat across from her. "Oh my God!"

"It's not that bad," he shook his head. "I'm fine Bon."

"You're not fine! You wouldn't be living at our boss's mansion if you were!" she sighed intensely. "I knew we should've made you come live with us in District 4!"

"It's okay. Tyler and his family are taking care of everything," he took a deep breath. "And he's not my boss anymore. He made me quit because of how bad I was hurt."

"What?" she gaped. "They're going to pay for everything?"

He nodded.

"Wow…you scored big time Jer!" she laughed in disbelief. "I mean, you getting attacked is awful and I wish it never happened, but look at where you are now! So what's it like living with the Tyler Lockwood?"

"It's interesting. I've learned a lot," he muttered whilst trying not to blush. "They're really nice people Bon, nothing like what they show on TV. I think you'd like them."

She snorted, "I doubt he ever wants to see me again. It's a miracle he's even doing this for you after what we did."

"True," Jeremy laughed. "But they don't mind, really."

"I think it's because he likes you. Why else would he do all of this for you?" she grinned. "So, you haven't seen him bring anyone to his torture chamber?"

He shook his head, avoiding her eyes and trying to keep his embarrassment from showing. But every other thought jumped to the billionaire, and his kisses, and touches, and the way bent him in half with his legs in the air and—

"Take pictures if he ever does! Or I bet you could just ask him about it and he'd tell you," she laughed. "The whole thing is just so kinky, I can't even imagine."

You have no idea.

"I don't want to know if he does. It won't change anything," he shrugged. "He's a good person, so I won't judge how he wants to live after he's done all this for me."

He frowned when her grin widened, "What?"

"You like him," she smirked when he sputtered. "You can't even deny it, can you?"

"I never said that!"

"You didn't have to!" she giggled. "Not that I blame you, Jer. He's really fine, and he saved your life. He's like your knight in shining armor."

"No, no, we're just friends," his stomach dipped at the word. "He's just being kind."

"Right, because he would do this for just anyone," she picked up her menu. "I think you're in denial. You like him, and from how he's reacted to this whole thing, he likes you too."

Jeremy snorted as a waitress came to their table and placed water in front of them. "Yeah right. He just feels bad for me."

"Whatever you say Jer," she gazed at him with a knowing smirk and he shook his head with a laugh. "I could be right for all you know."

"Maybe," he murmured before changing the topic to Bonnie's mom. She didn't bring Tyler up again and he was grateful, though he knew she was thinking about him when she caught him daydreaming during their conversation more than once. It was almost as if he couldn't help but think about their night together and how much he wanted to repeat it.

When he stepped off the bus in District 1, the sun had nearly set. His stomach bunched and clenched as he walked as fast as he could. He'd lost track of time, and he was positive Tyler was home now, and God why did he have no backbone when it came to his best friend? If he was home, and knowing his luck, he would be, he sincerely hoped he understood why he left and didn't punish him. The very thought made him gulp with fear.

Entering the house from the patio, he breathed in relief when he didn't see anyone. He left his shoes by the door and tip-toed in the dark. His luck was good today! He wasn't going to get caught at—

"Where have you been?"

Jeremy jumped when he walked through the living room and saw Tyler sitting in the corner in the dark with one leg crossed and his arms folded. He didn't look angry…but he couldn't exactly read his expression either and it unnerved him.

"You—you scared me," he laughed weakly. Tyler didn't join in.

"Where have you been?" he repeated, his voice harder than before. Jeremy swallowed thickly.

"I was…I went—out."

The billionaire leaned forward, "You went out."

"Yes…sir."

"Where?"

"I was just...I," he inwardly cursed his inability to lie on the spot. A scowl crossed Tyler's face that made him shrink back slightly.

"Don't lie to me," he warned. "Where did you go Jeremy?"

"The Grille, to have lunch with Bonnie," he sighed in defeat. Tyler stood slowly and Jeremy could feel his disapproval rolling off him in waves.

"What did I tell you about leaving the house?" he glared at him until he bowed his head.

"You told me not to," he felt like a naughty child. "B-But she's—!"

"It hasn't even been one day and you're already breaking my rules. And you got Caroline into trouble for lying for you," his tongue clicked against his teeth. "I can't let that slide."

A spike of fear went through the orphan as he curled his fingers into his jeans, "I'm really sorry, sir. I promise it won't happen again."

"I hope it doesn't. But you need to be disciplined," his voice turned silky. "Go to the play room, undress yourself, put your clothes away and kneel in front of the bed in position."

"Okay," he squeaked before running upstairs and doing as he was told. Despite his fear, he couldn't help but wonder if this would be anything like last night. How he hoped it was.

Time passed slowly as he waited on his knees like an obedient dog. He sat for so long that his neck grew stiff and he rolled it to relieve the tension. Perhaps this was part of his punishment, or perhaps Tyler wasn't going to come at all and leave him here. The billionaire was too unpredictable for him to gauge, though he had a feeling this discipline would be pleasurable for him too.

He would have missed the door if he hadn't been watching it. Swallowing heavily, the orphan kept his eyes on Tyler's shoes as he approached him. Fingers curled in his hair and raised his head slowly until he was staring into his Dom's eyes. A moment of silence passed, then Tyler released him and sat on the edge of the bed.

"Come here."

Jeremy rose on command and stood in front of him. Tyler tugged on his flaccid cock and he moaned through biting his lip.

"You like that?"

"Yes...sir."

He hummed, a slow smirk spreading across his face. "Lay across my lap."

The orphan paused for a second before complying. Tyler's hand skimmed his bottom, his fingers digging into his cheeks and he moaned at how strong they were.

"I think three spanks for each cheek should be sufficient. What do you think, pet?"

Jeremy wasn't sure if he should be aroused by this, but that didn't stop his cock from reacting. "Yes sir."

"I want you to count them out loud. I'll start over if you miss even one number. Understand?"

His cock stiffened, "Yes, sir."

Tyler grinned wickedly before his hand came down hard on his right cheek, making him yelp in surprise.

"Jeremy," he reminded amusedly as he smacked him again, this time not as hard.

"One!" Jeremy squeaked. Tyler's hand came down again, this time on his other cheek and he called out the second number, then the third, all the way until he reached six. Despite the stinging , his cock dug into his Dom's leg and it made the billionaire grin.

"Good boy," he praised. "Lie on the bed, on your stomach."

Jeremy scrambled into position as Tyler grabbed a tube of healing cream from the nightstand drawer. He sat on his legs and poured a generous amount in his palm before pressing it into his boy's red skin.

"You did so good pet. I'm so proud of how well you handled that," Tyler murmured as he massaged him. "Were you afraid?"

"No sir," he mumbled.

"You're starting to trust me. I'm impressed, pet," he dipped to press a kiss between his shoulder blades. "I think that deserves a reward."

Jeremy opened his mouth to respond but a moan escaped him instead. Tyler's fingers felt so good and he was so hard and all he wanted was for the billionaire to touch him. He missed the billionaire's smirk as he reached into the drawer for a tube of lube and squirted some onto his fingers.

"Just relax pet. You're doing well," he murmured as he gently spread his cheeks apart and circled his entrance with one finger. Jeremy's eyes shot open and he turned to look at him over his shoulder.

"It's okay," he soothed quickly as he showed Jeremy the two bottles. "Relax, Jer. This isn't what you think it is, I promise. I won't hurt you."

He coaxed Jeremy back down, though he was now noticeably tenser. Tyler resumed his massaging on one cheek as he spread it and gently stroke his puckered hole. He groaned when he slipped it inside slowly and Jeremy tensed around it, trying hard not to think about how it would feel to sink his cock into that tight heat.

"Relax," he reminded the younger boy as his fingers dug deep to massage his ass cheek and pressed a kiss just above his behind, "Trust me Jeremy."

He moved his finger in and out, twisting slightly and smirking when Jeremy suddenly jumped and moaned lowly. He was rewarded with another when he crooked it and pressed against that soft spot inside of him. The billionaire coated a second finger and pushed it in slowly, reveling in his soft moans and trying hard not to let them go to his cock.

Jeremy whimpered as he steadily rocked on his fingers, nearly choking when they pressed repeatedly against that spot that made heat pool in his stomach and his cock ache. His fingers curled into the pillow, his forehead pressed against it hard as he rocked back and forth in the hopes of finding relief. But the teasing only grew worse when Tyler added a third finger and tapped that spot until his eyes rolled in the back of his head and he was breathing heavily. Tyler's fingers moved faster, tapping that spot incessantly, and soon he was nearly crying from pleasure as he neared his peak.

"Turn over," the billionaire panted huskily. He removed his fingers and helped Jeremy onto his back, cuffing his wrists above him before surging between his legs. He slid one onto his shoulder before his fingers were back, twisting and thrusting and tapping inside him and he rode them as much as he could, his cock bouncing between them as pre-come leaked all over his stomach.

"Oh—oh God!" he whimpered as Tyler grabbed his cock with his other hand, his fingers relentlessly pounding into him and matching the one stroking him until he came in long, white strings over Tyler's hand and himself. The billionaire watched intently as his back arched and he cried out wordlessly, his hand never stopping until Jeremy was boneless against the bed. He stared at Tyler dazedly, his arms hanging limply from their restraints, and accepted a kiss.

"Good boy," he kissed his cheek. "You're gorgeous when you cum, pet. So perfect."

He smiled, unable to feel any embarrassment when he felt so good, almost like a dream. There was nothing to be afraid of like Tyler said because he, somehow, knew what he needed at the right moment. It was strange how well he knew him already.

Tyler left him briefly to get a damp rag from the bathroom. He cleaned Jeremy thoroughly when he returned, watching how heavy-lidded his eyes became from the act. He was falling into subspace, that much was clear, and it was a sight he had longed to see.

"How do you feel pet?" he murmured as he tossed the rag onto the floor. Jeremy hummed lowly as his eyes started to close. He could fall asleep right there without a care in the world.

"Jer, hey," Tyler shook him gently and his eyes fluttered back open. "You hungry? You want anything to drink?"

He shook his head, his tongue too heavy to answer. There was only one thing he wanted but he wasn't sure if he had permission to ask. As Tyler pulled back the blankets and helped him under the blankets, he decided to throw caution to the wind.

"Will you…stay?" he whispered as Tyler covered him with the blankets.

"Of course," he murmured as he undressed. He stripped to his briefs and climbed in next to him, pulling him into his arms and laying his head on his shoulder. Jeremy wrapped one arm around his stomach, welcoming the warmth.

"I'm sorry for disappointing you Sir," he breathed.

"You didn't," Tyler squeezed his arm gently. "I was just worried."

"I didn't mean to worry you. I just missed her. She's my only friend."

"She isn't your only friend Jer. You have the girls, the Salvatores and me."

Jeremy smiled sleepily, "You mean that?"

"Absolutely," his hand stroked down his back. "Now sleep."

He did.

"Yes, yes, yes just like—oh my God!" Katherine threw her head back with a sharp moan as Caroline's tongue flicked back and forth against her in the room next door. Spreading her thighs, she sank lower onto her eager tongue, groaning when it slipped inside, and squeezed them around her head as she rode her face. The blonde moaned underneath her, pulling at her restraints and wishing she could put her hands on her. She loved when Katherine dominated her like this, when she took everything she could offer and then pushed her to her limits until she could barely speak.

Katherine raked one hand through her blonde hair. Caroline watched her face scrunch as if she were in pain and pushed her tongue harder against her nub, moving in slow circles that the brunette mimicked with her hips. Her thighs trembled around her head and she pushed faster, and harder, and rougher until she was crying out and shaking as she neared her peak.

"Stick your tongue out, just like—yes, darling, vous êtes absolument parfait!" her fingers scraped Caroline's scalp as she rolled her hips down faster, her orgasm just on the tip of her tongue and so close she could just taste it. Gripping her golden mane tightly, she used her like the tool she had made her, spilling all over Caroline's face with a loud, gratified cry. She groaned underneath her, lapping up as much of her cum as she could, smothering herself in the scent of her Mistress.

"You love when I do that, don't you?" Katherine panted with a laugh as she kissed her hard. "Admit it you dirty little whore."

"Yes, God, yes!" she nodded frantically, her eyes wide and blown from pleasure. Katherine grabbed her chin hard and smashed their lips together again quickly.

"Now, tell me you will never lie to me again," she moved to where the blonde's legs were suspended in the air by the cuffs, revealing her very red bottom. "Or do I need to use the cane again?"

She smacked the blonde's bottom hard and she cried out while wiggling her hips. "Answer my question."

"N-No Mistress!" she gasped when the brunette shoved two fingers into her. So it was going to be a rough punishment, her favorite kind.

"Already so wet and I have not even touched you," she purred lowly as she nipped the inside of her thigh. "You greedy girl. You already want more."

"Yes!" her back arched as she tried to thrust back against her fingers. At this point, she would happily shove her face back between her legs until they both passed out if Katherine would just let her touch. Hell, she would be fine with just tasting if that's what she wanted, but she needed something.

"You want to touch me?" Katherine grinned knowingly when she nodded. "Then consider this punishment for your lies. You will not put your hands on me until I wish it."

Caroline moaned in disappointment, he head falling back against the pillows, "I didn't lie. Not completely!"

"You told me you did not know where he was going."

"He s-said he was going to have lunch with his friend. I didn't know where," she whined when the brunette's thumb stroked against her nub. "Please Mistress, I didn't know!"

Katherine smiled at her pretty begging. She was tempted to give into the blonde's pleas but she merely removed her fingers and wiped them on her stomach.

"I think a little more punishment is in order," she grinned wickedly. "A good, long fucking will insure you never lie again, won't it chéri?"

"Yes!" Caroline gasped out, her body trembling with anticipation and excitement as Mistress reached into a large chest and pulled out a thick, black dildo attached to a harness and lubricant. She coated two fingers before trailing them against her core and thrusting them inside her ass. Caroline arched her back with a loud cry, her legs falling open slightly but staying upright from the cuffs.

"More!" she gasped hoarsely. "P-Please—!"

"Are you ordering me, or asking?" she removed her fingers to secure the strap-on around her waist. Caroline whined at the loss, trembling from head to toe.

"Asking. I'm asking," she panted with a moan.

Katherine laughed as she coated the thick rubber with lube. "Then more is what you shall receive, darling."

Grabbing Caroline's hips, she bent her as much as she was able before slowly pushing into her tight hole. She watched the blonde intently, using her fingers to massage her nub as she thrust into her ass as deep as she could. She bottomed out and rested her thighs against hers.

"Look at how well you take it," she pulled out and slammed back in quickly, earning a choked cry. "My own little cock whore."

She fucked her hard and fast, rendering Caroline speechless as it took everything in her to keep breathing. The pain mixed with the pleasure sent her brain into overdrive; nothing mattered but the woman currently pounding her into the mattress. And she couldn't help but want more as her fingers teased her nub, making her shudder and drench her fingers in cum. Katherine kept moving, her speed never changing, and her body convulsed hard as kept her overstimulated, bringing her over the edge repeatedly, faster than she could even remember. She could do nothing but scream over the slap of skin against skin as Mistress milked her for everything she was worth and sent her flying towards to the deepest depths of her subspace.

"Oh darling, are you tired already?" Katherine laughed teasingly as she pulled out of her ass and wiped the toy off with a damp rag. "We are not done yet."

The blonde could only groan like a wounded animal. Her body was singing, every single nerve and sense on fire. That fire increased when Mistress rammed into her wet core so hard the bed shook, the sound of skin slapping skin resuming as she fucked her as hard as before. She let out a hoarse sob when she slammed into her G-spot over and over until she convulsed again, coating the thick rubber with her cum. Eventually, Mistress slowed down and eased out of her before crawling up her body and gently cupping her face. Her eyes were blown wide, her pupils dilated as she stared at the wall. Katherine wondered if she could even see.

Untying the blonde, she rolled her onto her stomach and massaged a healing crème into her red flank. Caroline whimpered occasionally in pain, but said nothing otherwise. She thrust her hips back, trying to make those fingers slip inside her where she needed them and whining when Katherine ignored her.

"Patience darling," she hummed. Her fingers danced along her red skin before dipping between her legs and massaging gently. Caroline sighed as she rocked back, biting the pillow when Mistress replaced her fingers with her tongue and cleaned her off from earlier. She held her hips down as she buried her head between her girl's legs and licked and sucked until she was jerking above her and her taste fell on her tongue. Lifting her head, she kissed along the blonde's back until she reached her lips, sharing her flavor against her lips as she rolled onto her back and wrapped her arms around her.

"You did wonderful chéri," the Bulgarian breathed into her neck. "Vous êtes vraiment la plus belle personne que je l'ai jamais vu."

Caroline hummed contentedly. They lay there for a long time in silence as they caressed each other, kissing every now and then.

"I shouldn't have let him go," she whispered long after the candles in the room burned out. "I'm sorry."

"Do not apologize chéri. He is here and he is safe. That is what is important," Katherine said softly, threading her fingers through her soft hair.

"But if something had happened—"

"It didn't," she cut her off with a hard kiss. "You did nothing wrong darling. Now come, you need a bath."

Caroline groaned, entirely too comfortable to move, but the sight of Katherine's naked body sashaying towards the bathroom spurred her to follow.

Jeremy opened his eyes with a sigh, his head still on Tyler's chest. Looking up, he saw the billionaire still asleep and gently snoring, his warm breath just hitting his cheek. It was the first time he had seen the billionaire look so peaceful and it was nice. Laying here with him, with their skin pressed together and legs tangled was nice too.

Don't go there, he warned himself as he shook his head. He couldn't forget why they were doing this; Tyler was blackmailing him into doing this for Bonnie's job. He didn't want this…and he couldn't understand when the tables had started to turn on him. No matter how he told himself that he was doing this for Bonnie, because Tyler made him, he couldn't help thinking that this might be the best thing to happen to him in a long time. And Tyler…he wasn't the man he thought he was at all. He cared, which he hadn't expected, and now he—

Don't. Go. There.

Tyler's nose wrinkled, his snoring interrupted by a hitch in his breathing before it resumed and he couldn't help but smile at how endearing it was to watch. His fingers danced down his back lazily and Jeremy shivered at the touch, scooting up so that his face was level with his. He probably shouldn't, but he really wanted to kiss him. He loved the thrill he got when their lips molded together, when Tyler's tongue shoved into his mouth and dominated him to his will, the way his hands roamed his body as if he couldn't get enough. Slowly, he lowered his head and let their lips touch, careful to hold in his moan.

Tyler groaned as his arms wrapped around him, opening his mouth to allow Jeremy's tongue to gently probe its way inside. They breathed sharply through their noses as it deepened; Tyler rolled Jeremy onto his back and he mewled when his lips ghosted his jawline.

"Hey," he breathed huskily.

"Hi," the orphan returned shyly. Tyler grinned at him for a moment before they resumed their kiss. This time, he effectively left Jeremy breathless.

"Feel okay?"

"Yeah."

"Ready for another scene?" the billionaire's eyebrows wiggled jokingly. Before Jeremy could answer beyond his laugh, his stomach growled loudly.

"Or not," Tyler chuckled as he slid out of Jeremy's arms and found his clothes. He scowled at the ceiling, just biting his tongue to keep from asking Tyler to come back to bed, before he sat up and dressed too. He followed his Dom to the kitchen, where Dolly had fixed them plates of food and left them in the oven to keep warm. After setting the table per Tyler's orders, they were seated across from each other eating in comfortable silence. Jeremy looked at Tyler over his plate, blushing and looking away when he was caught every now and then. From the way Tyler was smirking, he clearly enjoyed the attention.

When they were finished, Jeremy cleaned their plates and silverware and followed Tyler to the home theater, a room he'd only enjoyed once. They sat in the front row of plush leather chairs, Tyler immediately reclining his back and Jeremy standing awkwardly, unsure of what he should do.

"Come here," Tyler patted the seat next to him. He sat stiffly as he grabbed the remote and turned on the large flat screen, trying not to watch the billionaire's every move as he found a movie. He'd hoped Tyler would…he didn't know what he was hoping, but he didn't know if he could sit through a movie next to him and not touch him at all. When had he become so used to having this man that close that he longed for his touch?

"Here," the billionaire seemed to understand his conflict, because he gestured to his lap and Jeremy all but jumped at the chance. He laid his head on his thigh and a hand on his knee, sighing contentedly as his fingers threaded through his hair the way he liked. This was so much better, and he couldn't even be ashamed of himself.

"Have you seen this movie?" Tyler murmured as he started The Rum Diary. He wasn't surprised when Jeremy said no.

"I haven't seen a lot of movies. I never had the time…or the money," he said softly. His heart clenched for the kid but said nothing as the film started. Thirty minutes later, he looked down with a smile when he heard Jeremy snoring gently.

Grabbing the fleece blanket on his other side, he threw it over him and tucked him in as best he could. Jeremy mumbled something that sounded like thank you before his snoring resumed. His fingers continued in his hair; it wasn't a surprise the kid was exhausted. He had gone through a lot in the past few days, so it was understandable. What wasn't understandable was when he started caring for Jeremy as much as he did. He was growing on him by the day, and all he wanted to do now was give him the life he deserved; a life free of hardship and pain.

It was early the next morning when Elijah snuck into his employer's pool house with his personal cellphone gripped tightly in his hand. Making sure he was alone, he dialed his cell number with cold fingers and tried not to shiver from the biting cold.

"Elijah, you're up early," Mikael greeted.

"Did you receive the pictures I sent?"

"I did. The Russian ambassador nearly pissed himself when he saw the boy," he chuckled. "He's the one Elijah. He's offered us $2,000,000."

The butler's eyebrows rose, "Is that so?"

"He looked like a child on their first Christmas," Mikael chortled. "Excellent work my son. This makes up for all the trouble we went through with Niklaus."

"That's…that is excellent news," his smile disappeared. "So what is our next move?"

"Now, you wait until an opportunity presents itself. Stay alert Elijah, we'll be in touch."

Rebekah quietly stepped away from her father's study door and tip-toed back to her room with her glass of water in her tight grip, hoping her pounding heart wouldn't alert anyone she was awake. She shut the door quietly, locked it, and pressed her back against it as she slid to the floor with weak knees. Her father hadn't spoken of Klaus once, ever since he disappeared and the media briefly accused him for the murder of Tyler's father. She had never believed it but her father had been a different story. Ever since, Klaus Mikaelson was an avoided topic of discussion…until now.

Her brother's abrupt and quick departure from their home made her realize there was something wrong within her family. It was clear, to all the Mikaelson siblings, that Mikael hated Klaus the most, treating him like a stepchild he was forced to care for rather than his own son. She, Kol and Henrik had searched for him endlessly, and her ire grew at her father for not helping them, but she now realized that there was, perhaps, another reason why. Then Kol and father started arguing, a lot, nearly every day, until he was thrown out and she and Henrik were forbidden from contacting him again. Kol had never been rebellious or vocal about anything until Klaus was gone and Elijah had betrayed them, and though she was upset that he didn't take their father's side, she never thought that there might be another, darker reason as to why he left. And from the way he barged in here the other day, the first time she'd seen him in years, it only confirmed that something wasn't right.

Sighing, she sat her glass of water on the nightstand and crawled back into bed. She glanced at her phone and rolled her eyes at the clearly laid out schedule; after hearing Klaus' name come out the mouth of the man who treated him no better than dirt, she wanted answers. She wanted to know the truth of why her family was broken apart all those years ago. And she knew exactly where to go to get them.

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