Chapter 11

Fluffing her wavy hair arranged in a faux bob, Caroline gave herself a last one over in the mirror. The red dress was exquisite with its fringe swaying at each turn. Her lips were painted red too, to go with the dress. Taking a shawl with her and one last time checking for the gun in her handbag, she took a breath and stepped out her small room.

She didn't expect Klaus Mikaelson to be waiting for her, leaning against a car before her building.

She saw his eyes taking her in from toes to head, and thought it was not her imagination when a glint of appreciation entered them.

"Hello love." He addressed her first when she came to stand before him.

"Mr Mikaelson." She bobbed her head.

"Give me your wrist."

Not knowing what it was about she still obediently brought up her hand. He took something from his dashing white suit pocket and put it around her wrist. It was a glittering diamond bracelet.

"All the Ladies will be wearing shiny jewelry. Now you won't be left out."

She couldn't help admiring the bracelet and wonder how much it cost. She raised her eyes back to his.

"Shall we ?" He opened the car's door for her.

-O-

Caroline couldn't ever recall having been to such a lavish venue before. The golden chandelier glinted, reflecting upon the tower of glasses while champagne flowed. The music was lively and the singers lovely, the crowd dancing and everyone having a good time. It felt as if they had stepped out of dreary Chicago and into another more brilliant and hedonistic world.

She thought it was probably the difference between the rich and the poor, while common people had to submit to the prohibition or face the law, allowances were made for the powerful.

Klaus swept two glasses of bubbly from a passing server's tray and gave her one.

"Here you go sweetheart."

Giving a small smile of thanks in return, she took a sip. Her eyes however were on the crowd. She couldn't recognize anyone obviously, but knew quite a few important Chicago people were gathered here. But what was a mobster like Klaus Mikaelson doing there ? It definitely wasn't to have a good time if what she'd heard about him was correct. No, he had to have some kind of business here.

"Not used to all the bling ?"

Said man called her attention back.

"It's very lavish. But I prefer Gloria's joint." She honestly answered.

"That makes two of us. Still, sometimes it's necessary to step out of one's comfort zone."

"And is today necessary ?"

"Yes. Tell me, do you dance Caroline ?"

"If asked properly."

The amused smile revealing a hint of dimples on his face did not seem faked. He drained his glass, leaving it on the table next to them, and then extended a hand to her. She put her hand in his and let herself be pulled in the dancing crowd.

Swaying to the music with Klaus Mikaelson was not something she ever imagined would happen when she'd stepped down from the train to Chicago. Neither did she ever thought she'd come so close to the man that she could smell his cologne. Recently it felt like a lot of unexpected things were happening to her that she hadn't envisioned. Now she realized she probably had been naive to think that she could stay on the periphery while not getting involved.

"I have not said it yet, but you look ravishing in this dress."

Here was the charm the Mikaelsons were reputed for, along with the ruthlessness. And the family head seemed to have it in spades. His burning blue eyes focused on hers were too intense, she turned her gaze to the singers, it was safer she felt.

"I'm glad the dress didn't disappoint."

"Due to the one wearing it without a doubt. You know you're quite the dancer."

"Well, I've had training. I happen to have won my hometown pageant when I was 16."

Klaus did not pursue the subject, but he could not help be intrigued by this young woman who for all she claimed to be a common story seemed to have more to her. What could have happened to her since being declared a pageant winner to send her alone to work as barmaid in the big windy city.

From the corner of his eyes, he caught Wilbert Briggs figure, the reason he was here, at one of the table looking in his direction or rather his blonde date.

"Sorry love, I have someone I need to talk to. Why don't you go get yourself a new drink at the bar." Klaus stopped dancing and gestured to the bar with his head.

Caroline could take a hint and didn't say anything stepping away in the direction indicated.

"Mr Briggs. Ready to talk business ?" He didn't beat around the bush and said as soon as he sat at the table.

"You can talk with my accountant. I want to dance." The slightly pudgy man returned as he rose from his seat to walk to the bar.

Klaus followed his back, his eyes darkening a bit with veiled temper, but did not say anything and looked on as Briggs began to talk to Caroline, extending a hand. She cast a glance his way, and didn't look away until he nodded discreetly, only then did she take the proffered hand and let herself be led away.

Trying to refocus his attention, Klaus turned back to the waiting attendant.

"Well, let's talk business then."

-O-

"Thanks for the dance Doll."

Caroline kept her fake smile plastered on her face even as she only felt repulsion at the leering man slobbering over her hand, until he turned his back on her and she saw him join Klaus to the table he was sitting talking to a bookish looking man.

Not long after they all stood up and Klaus made his way back to her. Not stopping on his way he signaled with a tilt of his head to follow him.

They only stopped once in the elevator.

"Where are we going ?" She finally asked, unsure why they left the party if not to leave.

"Mr Briggs, whom you just met, wants a more private meeting to conclude our talks." Klaus replied blankly, far from his charming self of earlier.

Caroline didn't ask more. Once out of the elevator, Klaus led her to a room.

"Wait here. Mr Briggs will be here soon. And I'll be back later."

Caroline sharply looked at him. Did he just imply he was going to leave her in this room with that man ?

"Just me and him ?" She asked somewhat disbelieving.

"Yeah. Is that alright ?"

Caroline didn't respond. Every part of her rebelled at the very suggestion. But she backed out now and she would definitely never be trusted by anyone in the Mikaelson orbit.

"I'll give you some extra money for your time." Klaus casually said.

"I'm not a prostitute. I didn't agree to sell myself." This time her tone had a definite bite to it.

"Everyone sells themselves, just different parts Caroline."

He left the room as she was still digesting what he said. Clenching her purse tightly she swore no matter what she wasn't going to let this disgusting man touch her. Fuck Klaus Mikaelson.

The door opened again and Mr Briggs entered.

-O-

"Klaus how lovely to see you out of your lowly streets." A sugary voice who never missed to irritate him sounded in his ear.

Taking a last drag from his cigarette, he crushed it in an ashtray before turning to the red headed woman.

"Aurora. How unfortunate to meet you here."

"Always such a joker." She smiled batting her eyelashes.

"On the contrary, I'm always serious, you can ask around."

"Did you gift away the lovely little blonde you were dancing with earlier ? She was lovely, I'm sure Wilbert will appreciate her." She giggled.

"And what do you know about that ?" His eyes narrowed as he took a threatening step toward her.

"Oh come now dear ! Everyone knows of Briggs preferences for blondes and the color red." She kept smiling.

"Go back to stitch yourself to your brother's hip Aurora. I have no time to spare you." He left without taking another glance at her. Feeling more frustrated by the minute.

-O-

"How about another dance Doll ?"

The man put on some music.

"Oh. I feel like dancing the Charleston." She put a fake smile on. Anyway, she just needed to stall until Klaus comes back.

"But then we can't dance close, and I want to be closer." He took her hands and began to sway with her, much too close for Caroline comfort.

"You weren't this stiff earlier. Just relax Doll."

Well, earlier she didn't have to be wary of him trying to jump her in the middle of the crowd, just of wandering hands, she bite back in her head.

"Look at you so young and pretty, like a movie star." His hand went to her hair and she turned her head away while taking a step back. But he still went to try to kiss her and she pushed him away. He didn't budge much because of his pudginess but she successfully avoided his kissing attempt.

"I was promised your attention !" He colored slightly red in temper.

"I would like a drink." She said, fake smile in place as she reached for her purse she had to leave aside to dance.

"And I'd like you !" He said before reaching for her with grabby hands.

She tried to avoid, but he cornered her and just as her hand closed on her purse, she felt his hands trying to cop a feel. She struggled and he got angrier in his grip on her as he tried to put his hand under her skirt. If only her other hand wasn't pinned under her, she couldn't open her purse well with only one hand and reach for her gun. Just a bit more...

The door opened with a bang. Startled, they both turned toward it, Briggs in anger at the disruption, her in renewed hope at the distraction as she finally successfully pushed him back in his surprised state and put some distance between them.

"What ?!" Briggs screamed in anger.

Klaus Mikaelson took a few steps in the room, the gait easy as he walked before the other man.

"Sorry mate. The deal is off." He smiled and then expression turning stormy punched the light out of Briggs.

"We're leaving." He commanded, and Caroline didn't need to hear it twice in a few steps she was out the door and didn't stop until they were out the hotel.

The silence lasted until they were back in the car and on their way back. By then Caroline couldn't hold her tongue anymore.

"I first was told I was a Lady today and ended up treated as a whore. You're a fucking bastard for offering me like that." She told him what she thought. She didn't care if he was the most feared man of Chicago right at that instant. She was pissed.

He didn't say anything, didn't look at her either, and even if he was driving she didn't think it was because of that. Finally, he stopped, back before her apartment building.

"You changed your mind. Why did you change your mind Klaus ?"

She was past Mr Mikaelson, she'd earned calling him by his name directly. He still did not answer though, but he did turn to her. It only angered her more.

"I'm not a whore for the record. And you can take your shiny extra back." She said taking the bracelet off her wrist and carelessly leaving it on the car seat as she slid out of the car and back to her flat not turning back once, even as she felt his burning stare on her until she disappeared inside her building.

-O-

Caroline, make-up off, now back in comfortable warm clothes, sat heavily on her bed making the springs whine.

She knew she shouldn't have gone off on Klaus like that, that it was not conductive for her mission. She should just play her part and gain his trust to help put him behind bars. But she couldn't help it when back at the hotel in that room alone with that disgusting man, she'd realized the truth.

That man pocket handkerchief was red. Klaus had planned from the start to give her away, to pimp her off.

Klaus Mikaelson was very charming, yes, with his dark blond curls and handsome face. But now, she wouldn't forget he was calculating and ruthless too.

She just wished she had not felt that tinge of hurt when she thought he was gonna let a man have his way with her, and then of relief that he came back, hitting that man making her wonder if it was just him venting out or venting for her as well. And she had wanted to know. Why did he come back ?

And that was dangerous. She could not afford to fall for the charm of Klaus Mikaelson. Not when she was a police informant and would get killed if he discovered it. She couldn't get closer to him.

I call this chapter an exercise in mashing two shows together.

By the way, I imagine them wearing their decade dance costume for this chapter.

Thanks for the comments, like and alert!