Chapter 35
Marcel walked slowly into the park. It was already summer, but this early in the morning, in foggy Chicago the sun would only show later in the day if lucky.
Arriving at the point of rendezvous, Coleman was already sitting on the bench. He casually sat as well.
"Anything to report." The inspector directly asked.
Internally Marcel sneered. Truly treating him as one of his dogs.
"No." Marcel lied.
"Klaus Mikaelson doesn't suspect anything ?"
"No." Marcel shook his head.
"Good. I hope your return home didn't make you change your mind about our arrangement ?"
That was what Coleman cared about the most, he suspiciously glanced to the younger man.
"It didn't. I heard you went to pay a visit to Freya." He turned the conversation. "You sure like to go around to propose deal Inspector." Marcel said somewhat mocking.
"I was just sounding her out, from the start I didn't expect her to agree." Coleman stated without emotions.
"Well, as long as you don't forget what you promised me, there is no problem." Marcel looked at him.
"Of course." Coleman stood up at that moment, there seemed to be no more to be said. "Warn me immediately when the Mikaelsons move against the Salvatores." He said, Marcel nodded, then left.
Marcel watched him leave before closing his eyes and leaning back on the bench.
When he reopened his eyes there was a sharp edge in them. The inspector was too confident. But he was right to worry about him changing his mind coming back, after all...
Yes, Marcel had made his choice. Family first.
-O-
Klaus was sitting in the church. He wasn't praying, he'd long stopped asking for God's help, after all he was the one who had made Mikael unable to hurt him and the rest of his family anymore, when God had never responded to his prayers when he was a child desperate for the abuse of his father to stop.
Despite being lost in his memories, Klaus still heard the pair of footsteps entering the church, he kept his casual posture despite his guard being up the whole time. The church was empty right now and Enzo was guarding the entrance, his guests were special after all.
They sat in the opposing side pew and Klaus finally turned to them.
"How nice of you Salvatore brothers to pay me a visit." His wolfish smile, giving Stefan chills, but Damon as per his usual looked uncaring.
"Desperate time, desperate measure." The older Salvatore replied.
"So I gather, after all you are betraying your esteemed father." Klaus continued amused.
"Then we have a deal ?" Damon cut to the chase.
"If you truly keep your word, we do. If not, then you can pay with your lives." Threatened Klaus.
"We will keep our word." Stefan solemnly said.
"Then that is the best for all of us." Klaus smiled again as the Salvatore stood up to leave as quickly as they arrived. "Ah, take it from someone who has somewhat been in your position before, the feeling of being freed from one's father is quite liberating."
The Salvatore brothers paused at the words before leaving the church.
-O-
When Elijah arrived at the Kenner Estate, the sun had already long begun its descent in the sky. But recently he had been busy both with the preparations to go against the Salvatore and the Saltzman case, fortunately both were coming to an end and tonight he found some time to come see Lady Kenner to talk more about their partnership.
He was shown into the dining room where Hayley was sitting at a dining table, without doubt preparing to eat. She looked at him as he entered the room, but didn't comment on the late hour for a visit.
"Have you eaten yet ?"
"Not yet, I had hoped to be able to arrive before the hour grew too late."
"Eat with me then. I rarely have company." She tilted her head invitingly toward the seat across from her.
"It's my pleasure. Thank you." Politely replied Elijah as he sat down and a set of silverware was put before him.
While they ate, they kept the conversation light, but after they finished Hayley took Elijah to a sitting room. Taking in the cozy, lived-in atmosphere of the room, Elijah surmised that it was probably a place often used and liked by Hayley, he felt humbled that she trusted him enough to bring him here instead of the guest receiving room.
He accepted the glass she handed him and once comfortably sitting they finally began talking business.
"We want to see all of the informations you might have gathered on the De Martel."
Hayley nodded, she had expected this demand.
"I can give it to you before you leave. But whatever you and your family plan for them, I want to be involved and I want to be there when they breathe their last." The dark currents in her eyes spoke of the irreconcilable enmity she felt toward the two siblings.
This time it was Elijah's turn to nod, he had already felt her hostility for the De Martel, and it was understandable if they indeed had been responsible for her husband's death, which knowing the De Martel and now Hayley he definitely leaned on believing her. Somehow he felt envious of Hayley's late husband for the length she was willing to go to avenge him.
A moment of silence passed.
The room was warm with the fireplace lit, the glow from it making the atmosphere more intimate.
Hayley looked at Elijah beneath her eyelashes, he was handsome, the lines on his face attesting at a life with endured hardship but not taking away any of its allure. She suddenly felt restless, warmth pooling in her lower abdomen. It had been over a year since she'd been with a man, with Jackson. The thought sent a spike of guilt through her guts and she stood up, looking away from Elijah.
He had been paying attention to all of her expressions and movements and had taken in the flash of desire in her eyes when she had looked at him. His eyes darkened even as he saw her standing up and taking a few steps away from him. Truthfully, he desired Hayley, his yearning for her only grew with each of their encounters. But, despite knowing she was attracted to him in return, he was aware of her hesitance. Most likely due to her late husband, once again envy coursed through him at her loyalty.
He should leave.
The movement of Elijah standing up in turn brought back Hayley's attention on him.
"I think we went over everything we can as of yet. I will take my leave." He calmly stated, hiding the want he felt pulsing under his skin. Turning, he began to walk away before he did something.
"Elijah."
Hayley quiet voice called out before he could step out of the room. He felt his restrain snap, he turned around and in a few strides he reached her, one hand going to the back of her neck as he brought their lips together. She didn't resist, didn't pull away, instead she kissed him back, cradling his jaw. Elijah other hand settled on her waist and he brought her flushed against him before pulling a bit away, their lips mere inches from each other, noses still touching.
"You shouldn't spend the rest of your life like a living dead, life is too short to waste it that way." He murmured huskily.
Hayley looked at him with half-hooded eyes for an instant as her heart still beat like a drum against her ribcage. She'd been drawn to Elijah since the first time they met. She'd never felt such attraction toward a man before, any resistance felt futile against this desire that made her feel alive again. Elijah made her feel alive again, and he desired her too.
She surged forward and brought their lips back together in a passionate tangle. As their exchange became more and more heated, touches more frantic, she knew they would end up in her bed tonight, but she didn't care, tonight she was living in the moment.
I'm still alive. I swear I'll finish this story despite the infrequent chapters uploads. Here's a chapter to finish the month and summer!
Thanks for all the alerts/reviews/favs as always!