Chapter 2
"Once you get the hang of it it'll get easier." Matt, the bartender Gloria had instructed to teach her said. Beside Matt and Caroline, there was another barmaid named Sylvia, she wasn't here today as it wasn't her shift. They took turn and had a day off a week, the Mystic opened after lunch until late in the night, Matt or Sylvia generally opened and Gloria was there every night. There were also a couple waitresses to walk the floor. That was what Matt had told her.
Right now it was late afternoon, but the night crowd hadn't made its appearance yet. A fact Caroline was glad for as it gave her some time to absorb anything she could learn from Matt and find her bearing.
"Generally, our bar patrons know to not touch the employees and risk pissing off Gloria but if anything happens just tell her or me and we'll take care of it."
"Thank you Matt." She sincerely thanked the blond boy. He barely looked older than her, and with his easy smile and cute blue eyes, he didn't look like someone who'd grown up surrounded by the dark side of Chicago. At least that's what she'd gathered in one afternoon. Caroline wondered if Gloria had given her a chance because she reminded her of him.
Caroline hadn't lied, she was a quick learner and beside a couple mistakes she quickly got used to the work. She also knew her way around the brands of whiskey and bourbon, her dad had been a fan, so it was a point on her side. Before long she was determined to know the other alcohol as well. By the end of her shift at ten, she was exhausted. Thankfully, her small flat was not far from the bar, still Gloria told Matt to walk her home as it was dark out and Chicago streets not nearly as safe as a small countryside town, before he run back to the bar to help Gloria.
Once in the safety of her apartment, Caroline slipped out of her shoes, thank god she'd chosen to wear flat heels, and sat heavily on her bed making the springs whine. It was her life now, and she would see it to the end. After all it had been her choice to come here. And once she decided something she wasn't the type to give up halfway. Her mother had called her stubborn, but Caroline knew she got it from her and had never missed to say as much every time she was called so, with her mother they had shared a laugh about it.
It still hurt to think of Liz Forbes, Caroline quickly changed her track of thoughts.
She hadn't seen any big shot gangsters at the bar yet. Not that she'd know in any case, but none of the patrons tonight had the aura of importance and power she imagined surrounded powerful people. Though she saw plenty of shifty guys, probably low level thugs. But it was her first day and she'd left early for a night at the Mystic. If big shot came, they probably arrived late in the dark. But still early enough to enjoy a few hours of fun at the Mystic before its closure. In time she would learn she was sure.
-O-
At the Mikaelson offices the member of the family had gathered in Klaus office. He looked at his siblings and lieutenant. Elijah had of course chosen an armchair in which he primly sat his legs crossed, arranging his cufflinks a disinterested look on his face. Freya was occupying a chair before his desk, patiently waiting for him to speak. Kol was lounging on the couch, clearly uncaring of propriety, his ever present mischievous smile on a corner of his lips. Marcel, his right-hand man stood leaning against the wall, used to the Mikaelson ways already. Klaus leaned back in his desk chair, crossing his fingers before him.
"Elijah, what did you learn on the police side."
"Inspector Coleman arrived two days ago and was warmly welcomed by Chicago police chief. Apparently his record is quite stellar and he's a straight-laced man who would never accept a bribe. His methods against criminal are also considered rather ruthless, as he will counter violence with violence."
"Sounds like it's gonna get fun around here." Kol smirked from his place on the couch.
Klaus ignored his younger brother, his mind registering the new information, calculating.
"We'll just go on as we are right now, his first move will tell us more about him than hearsay. Any other problems ?"
"The Italians are getting bolder. I had to teach a lesson to a couple of their thugs to stop encroaching on our territory." Kol reported with a vicious glint in his eyes that didn't speak good of the state of those thugs.
"Old Salvatore was never happy with you taking over Mikael and especially when your family has grown as big and powerful as his in the last few years." Said Marcel.
"Right now the power of the city is mostly divided in between the Salvatore and us, but the balance will break sooner or later. As impatient as Salvatore is probably sooner." Freya cautioned.
"Then it will be a war on three fronts." Klaus low tone captured everyone's attention in the room.
"War ?" Elijah warily spoke.
"Three fronts, not two ?" Kol scrunched his eyebrows.
"With their new Inspector, if blood rain down the streets in a fight with the Italians, the police won't stay out of it, they'll probably aim to take advantage of us weakening each other to try to take care of all of us scourge of the good people." Mirlessly smiled Klaus.
"Indeed, it would be the best strategy." Elijah thoughtfully said.
"Are we ready for that kind of war ?" Freya looked directly Klaus in the eyes.
Considering, he answered his oldest sibling.
"We always knew we'd have to fight against the Salvatore if we want to take total control of this city, and though the police angle complicates things it's not unmanageable. Marcel, how is our force compared to the Salvatore."
"In quantity we are pretty much even, though they have a bit more money being an old family an' all. If we're talking quality, we should have the edge."
"For now we'll prepare, keep it quiet, run the operations as usual. When things come to a head we'll be ready." Klaus concluded darkly.
-O-
Panting, cheeks flushed, the beautiful blond fell back on the bed as she waited for her heartbeat to settle down, her lover next to her in a similar state. Her breath under control again she licked her lips and rolled on her side, leaning her head on her elbow as she stared down at the man at her side.
"So what was the meeting about that even Freya and Kol were there ?"
"You know I can't tell you Bekah, Klaus would kill me."
Rebekah snorted.
"Only if he knew it was pillow talk after you had sex with his baby sister. Klaus doesn't care if I know about the business as long as I keep my mouth shut and don't betray him."
He sighed, but knew she was right.
"A war is coming. With the Salvatore."
"Pity. The sons are at least easy on the eyes." Rebekah uncaringly said as she traced the dark skin of her lover's chest with a finger.
"The police is also on the move. Keep your head down in the coming time." He seriously warned.
"The police ? They've always been too scared to go against the mob." Bekah frowned disdainfully.
"Things are changing. Listen to me this time Bekah and be careful." He gripped her wandering hand with his.
"You're cute when you worry about me Marcel. How should I show you my appreciation ?" She leaned closer to him, his gaze heating as he looked at her.
Before she knew it, she found herself flat on her back, Marcel looming over her, her smile captured by his mouth.