Chapter 28
A week had passed since the raid happened and the Mystic's renovation was well on its way. Klaus watched as men worked, carrying rubble and blackened wood out while new materials were brought in to give back life to the place.
"You wanted to see me, I'm here. So what do you want ?" Rebekah came to a stop before him, arms crossed over her chest.
Klaus gave her an unimpressed stare.
"You've given me the devils eyes for a month already, isn't it enough sister ?"
"You deserve it. And you know it." Rebekah stood her ground.
"I think you should be understanding of my reaction at finding out about my little sister and best friend consorting behind my back. You'll notice a punch is better than a gun to Marcel's head. And despite what you seem to believe, I had nothing to do with Marcel being arrested. I am not stupid enough to deliver my lieutenant on a silver platter to the police no matter how mad at him I am." Klaus bit out, annoyed she still doubted after so long.
Rebekah didn't say anything as she turned her gaze to the construction on going around them. Truth be told, she'd stop believing in his involvement a while ago. But it was easier to hold onto her resentment of Klaus while Marcel was still gone.
"Can I believe you ?" She finally said.
Klaus put his hands on her shoulders and looked her right in the eyes.
"When did I ever lie to you Rebekah ?" He asked seriously. He definitely didn't always tell her everything, but he'd never lied. Even when they were kids and he tried to hide his bruises from Mikael's beating from her, he'd avoid the subject rather than lie.
Rebekah nodded and Klaus let his hands drop, glad they understood each other even as things were strained between them these days.
"You still haven't told me why'd you called me here ?" She glanced at the rebuilding going on around them. Not the best place for a meeting considering all the people milling around, the noise and the dust filling the air.
"I was going to let Matt Donovan take charge of the Mystic, but as you know he left town. So I had to revise my plan and chose someone else I thought would do a good job."
"Did you want my opinion on several candidates ? Or some insight for the new interior decorations ?"
"I want you to become the Mystic new owner." Klaus looked at her with a smug grin.
Rebekah was taken aback. Klaus couldn't mean what he just did ?
"What ?"
"The Mystic is yours little sister." He now full on smirked at her.
"You're serious." She was speechless.
"More than. I cannot think of anyone better for the job than you. And you always complain you're bored at home. I talked to Elijah and Freya and they think it's a good idea too."
"But I never managed a saloon before." Although she was beginning to get exited by the prospect, she still felt a bit hesitating. "Why not leave it to Caroline ?" She said suggestively.
Klaus gave her a stare, not deigning to respond. Besides, while she enjoyed her time at the Mystic, he hardly believed being a bar owner was Caroline's dream.
"Take it as a gift from me and forgive my handling of your and Marcel relationship. I always only sought to protect you, but it seems you might not need that protection anymore. If what you truly want is Marcel, and when he comes back, he proves himself still worthy of you, then you both have my blessing. This place was created by Gloria, Marcel's aunt, with help from our mother's investment, I believe I placed the Mystic in the perfect hands. Be happy sister." Klaus kissed Rebekah's cheek and for the first time in a long time, Rebekah smiled brightly at Klaus.
-O-
Elijah Mikaelson could never be accused to be underdressed for any occasion, but tonight he looked particularly handsome in his suit as he attended the party of his lawyer friend Slater.
"I need your help for a case that's been brought to me." The man said as they drank wine.
"Send the case to my office and I'll give it a look. What type of case is it ?"
"Self-defence kill. Alaric Saltzman happened upon his pregnant wife being attacked by her own brother after he'd killed their two other younger siblings and Mr Saltzman stopped him, killing Kai Parker in the struggle. His wife Jo survived, but her husband is still in lock up pending judgement while she stays home pregnant and alone. I'd take the case myself, but unfortunately a big case is going on at the office and it's all hands on deck."
"I'd be happy to help. I'm pretty much done with my last case." Elijah thought about the iminant release of Marcel.
They talked for a while more before Slater excused himself to tend to his other guests. Elijah mingled for a while, but unfortunately was set upon by a couple of people he'd rather not see.
"My ! Elijah, how delightful to see you. As handsome as ever I see." Aurora de Martel closed in on him. Her perfume cloying the air and managing to make the stoic Mikaelson frown.
"Indeed. We do not meet each other often enough." Tristan de Martel falsely followed up after his sister.
"I can't say the pleasure is shared." Elijah took another sip of his drink.
"I've heard things are getting dangerous in the streets, all thanks to your brother Klaus." Tristan continued, ignoring the insult.
"And what would you know of that ?" Elijah sharply looked at the worm of a man.
"Tristan just meant well, isn't that right ?" Aurora cut in.
"Of course." Tristan pretended to be sincere.
"The day you De Martel do things for the well beings of anyone but yourself will be the day the sky fall." A new voice said sarcastically from a bit behind Elijah.
He turned to see a woman in a gorgeous red evening gown, her dark hair pulled to one side and her sharp hazel eyes glaring at the pair of siblings.
"It must be the day for surprises. Another ghost of social gatherings. What managed to bring you out of your estate ?" Aurora bared her teeth in the approximation of a smile.
"What my sister means is it's always so nice to see you Lady Kenner." Tristan smiled as he quickly grabbed her hand and brought it to his lips.
The woman, Lady Kenner, immediately pulled her hand out, disgust covering her face.
It was time to end this pointless conversation. Elijah put his glass on a near table and held his hand to Lady Kenner.
"Care to dance ?"
She took his hand, ignoring the other two and he led her to the space where couples were swaying to the music already.
"Not a fan of the De Martel ?" He asked once they began to dance, thankfully the song was one allowing for conversation.
"Not remotely. We have that in common I gather." She looked him straight in the eye.
"I do not believe we have met before." He admitted he was finding himself quite intrigued by the young woman before him, already so much poise at her age. Anger too.
"I'll be direct, I believe we can help each other, but this is hardly the place to talk. Come to my house tomorrow, I assure you, I will not be wasting your time."
"Well, I can hardly refuse such invitation." His eyes never strayed from her face. And although she'd been so bold until now, having seemingly achieved her goal, she suddenly seemed hesitant under his gaze.
The song finished and they took a step back from their proximity.
"I'm Hayley." She offered her hand in a clear handshake position, unlike most women who'd offer theirs palm down for men to bring to their lips.
"Elijah." He returned the handshake softly.
"I'll see you tomorrow Elijah." She said before turning and leaving.
Well, it seemed he had some digging to do before then. After all, he hated being caught unaware.
-O-
Davina was absorbed in painting when she felt Kol wrap his arms around her. She put down her brush and leaned back into him.
"What are you doing here ?" She asked surprised.
It was the middle of the afternoon, Kol had been busier since the incident at the Mystic, leaving the morning only to come back at night. She understood, and they did spend all their nights together, but sometimes she missed him a bit.
"I have something for you." Kol disengaged himself from her form a bit before she felt him clasp a necklace around her neck.
"You shouldn't have." She said smiling even as her hand came to touch the pendant. First, it was flowers a few days ago, and now this.
"I wanted to." He dropped a kiss on her neck and Davina sighed at the contact.
"You know even if you don't give me gifts I won't change my mind on giving us a chance right ?" She half turned to him, eyebrow raised. She liked the gifts so far, but she didn't want him to feel he had to bribe her for her affections.
"I told you, I just saw it and wanted to get it for you." He dropped another trail of small kisses on her neck, his hands pulling Davina against him as he felt her shivering.
"Kol, it's the middle of the day." Davina protested, blushing slightly.
"Why should that stop me ?" He cocked his head to the side as he smirked.
Davina smiled as she turned suddenly and kissed Kol.
"You're right, I don't care what time it is either."
"That's my girl." Kol grinned and held her up in his arms as he crossed the few steps to his bed making her giggle.
His hands brushed over her stomach as he deposited her back on the bed and she couldn't help a laugh from escaping her. Kol's eyes lit up like he'd found a new toy.
"Kol." Davina said warningly as she had a bad premonition.
Her husband grinned at her before attacking her sides with tickles. Davina exploded in laughter and was quickly left panting to get her breath back.
"Stop... Kol ! Ha Ha Ha. Can't... Breath... Ha !"
Finally the torture stopped and he let her recuperate enough that she pinched his side. He laughed, but it was more at the retaliation attempt than the touch.
They both were lying on the bed now, Kol leaning over Davina. He moved down to kiss her and she slid her arms around him.
"You're beautiful." He said when they separated, looking at her flushed face, dark air spilled over the pillows and blue eyes smiling up at him. She was breathtaking. But taking in her confused expression she wasn't sure what to make of the compliment.
"I don't need a special occasion to tell the truth." His eyes held her gaze.
Pulling his head back to her, she kissed him again.
"You're mine." He whispered possessively in her ear. "Only me can see you like that." The look in his eyes was intense as he looked at her, no trace of joking there.
Davina took advantage of their intertwined limbs to flip their position so she was on top of Kol before using one hand to push her hair back out of her face as she looked at him. The whole series of action going straight to Kol's cock, which she could clearly feel under her.
"I'll be yours as long as you're mine." She whispered to him before continuing a bit more playful. "But you better remember, I don't take orders well. That's the biggest reason my clan pushed me onto you Mikaelsons in the first place." She smiled.
"Thank God for that." Was all of Kol reply before he cupped the side of her head and kissed her. He was beginning to have a hard time imagining life without Davina in it.
-O-
It had been a long time since Marcel had been out of his little dingy cell. He couldn't help taking a good breath of the morning air, even smoggy as it always was in Chicago.
"Hurry up!" The officer ordered to release him glared at him.
Marcel smiled at him, seemingly riling the man up more, then ignored him. As soon as he walks out the door, he could go home. His heartbeat picked up, but he remembered how he'd been brought to Coleman's office that morning.
"Ready to leave Mr Gerard ? I hope you do not forget our agreement." The inspector had said as soon they were alone in the room.
"I won't." Marcel face did not express any emotions one way or another.
"I'm sure you won't. You're a man of honor after all, I've seen your file, you enlisted at eighteen and fought in the Great War before coming back three years ago when it ended."
"Did you dragged me here to talk about my military record ?" He raised an eyebrow, not letting the fact he'd rather not think of his time fighting that damn war show.
"Only making an observation, none of the Mikaelsons enlisted, staying safe at home."
Marcel didn't respond, but doubted that the man facing him participated in the war either.
"I already agreed to work with you, no need to try to pit me against them anymore."
It was Coleman's turn to stay silent as he scrutinized Marcel for a bit.
"True. Then you already know what I'm waiting from you."
"Yeah, information and evidences on Klaus movements."
Coleman nodded.
"Yes. Oh, and if you are in a position where you cannot pass on information, you are not the only operative in Klaus proximity, you can pass the message to her, she worked at your Aunt's bar."
That last casual reminder had sent ominous thoughts in him. But he would think about that another day. Now he sent another smile to the officer still glaring at him.
"Don't miss me too much." He let the words fall and then he was out the lockup courtyard door and in the street, a free man again.
Waiting for him was Elijah Mikaelson leaning against a car, and behind the car wheel Diego, who seemed exited to see him after so long.
"Time to go home." Elijah said, opening the vehicle door for Marcel.
Yes, it was. Marcel thought somewhat grimly as he entered the car.
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