Chapter 3

Caroline had been in Chicago for a week the first time she saw them. The Mikaelson in the flesh. The terror of Chicago streets.

She was going about serving the patrons as usual behind the bar that night when a hush fell upon the saloon. She felt the hair on the nape of her neck standing in the tense air. But as soon as it happened, everything was back to normal and the noise in the Mystic came back. From the corner of her eyes, she looked at the group of people who had entered as they made their way up the stairs to the second story full of booths. It was easy to see they were regulars. There were three men and one girl.

The girl held the arm of one of the men, but not in the possessive way a lover would, similarly the man looked at the girl with fond exasperation as she was saying something but not as a man look at a woman. The two other men followed behind. Both were dark haired and there was definitely an air of family in their features who hinted at them being brothers, or related, at least, just as the other man and girl had their own similar features. The older dark haired man had a politely bored look on his face, that would make others wonder if it was his permanent expression. The younger one, had a mischievous air clinging to him, eyes taking in his surroundings as if looking for a new toy to break.

The girl was beautiful, and obviously liked to be the center of attention, as well as being the best dressed woman in the room. But what attracted her gaze was the last man. His curls sleeked back, sharp eyes who only softened as he looked at the girl at his side. And there was the aura of power she had imagined would surround those big shot gangsters. But it was more than that, you could feel the authority dripping from him, charisma in spade as he walked into the room. He was handsome, all of them were good-looking, unfairly so it could be said.

"That's the Mikaelson." Matt quietly told her from beside her, and Caroline chastised herself that he had caught her interest. She turned her eyes to her new friend to stop herself from staring more.

"That's Klaus Mikaelson, his brothers Elijah and Kol, and their sister Rebekah. They generally stay on the floor above so you don't have to worry about serving them unless they specially come to the bar to ask for a drink. Gloria or one of the waitresses will take care of it. Just stay out of their way and you'll be fine."

Seeing his serious look she could only nod and swallow the questions burning her tongue.

Unable to resist the temptation she took a peek at them again, they were now settled in the big central booth, only visible from a certain angle at the bar, it was so anyone in the booth could indicate the bar staff for an order while mostly in privacy from the rest of the ground floor. Just as she had turned her eyes toward them, Klaus turned his head and his eyes met hers. His shocking blue eyes froze Caroline for a second before she tore her gaze away going back to her inventory of the bar remaining alcohol. Her heart pounding took a bit to settle down and she didn't dare look again.

-O-

Caroline had just finished grocery shopping and was heading back to her flat when an obvious thug reeking of cologne and cheap tobacco blocked her way. Warily she looked around, she was in an isolated street and nobody was around, at least nobody who would try to help her.

"What's a doll like you doing here all alone." The man drawled in what he probably thought a suave way.

"Look, I just want to get home, so please don't block my way."

"Then I should escort such a pretty girl like you home, it's unsafe in those streets alone." He stepped closer and she stepped around, avoiding being in his reach.

"No thank you. Please go back to your business."

"Maybe I want you to be my business."

"For the last time, no thank you." Caroline clutched her handbag closer, her small gun was in it.

"Ah, don't play hard to get." He tried to reach for her, but she evaded him again now completely on full alert.

"Leave me alone !"

Now the man looked angry at her and shouted.

"You bitch !"

Caroline readied herself to fight back if he lunged, just when a voice interrupted.

"She told you no ! Get a hint and scram !"

The man turned in the direction of the voice, but Caroline didn't take her eyes off him yet, taking advantage of his distraction to put more space between them.

"Who the hell are you ? It's none o' you're business ! Walk away before I mess your pretty face." He threatened the girl who'd help her.

"You can try, but I doubt someone as daft as you seem to be could beat anyone." She sneered.

"You... !"

Caroline having put enough distance with the man sneaked a glance toward her helper, she was a girl around her age, with dark skin and pretty green eyes who were glaring at the thug right now.

"I believe you were told to leave mate. It's not your territory here." Another man stepped out of an alley shadow. He was tall, handsome with dark hair and an easy smile who barely hide the danger hiding behind as the thug paled at his appearance. He grumbled something, but left with his tail between his legs.

Caroline took a breath in relief.

"What are you doing here ?" The girl asked the other man.

"Apparently I'm saving you from trouble." He closed the distance with her, though stopped at a respectable way away.

"I could have handled it alone, he didn't look that strong." She crossed her arms on her chest.

"Those type of two bit thug usually carries around a knife. It would be a shame if a gorgeous girl like you were hurt." He winked at her and she huffed.

Caroline felt there was history there, but decided now would be a good time to remind them of her presence.

"Hm. Thank you for the help. It was unexpected, but appreciated." She told the girl.

"Don't worry about it. Us girls got to stick together in those rough streets. And I hate those kind of lowlife." She gave her a quick smile.

"Do I get a thank you too ?" The man asked, though his eyes were on the girl not Caroline.

"I said I could have handled it." She snapped at him.

"Now you're just being mean on purpose. And here I was worried about you." He put his hand on his heart as if wounded.

The girl just rolled her eyes.

"Well, thank you, your presence probably avoided a fight."

"At least someone recognizes my contribution." He finally turned toward her and she saw his eyes sweep her over as an appreciative look entered his eyes. "The name's Enzo, beautiful, feel free to use it." He gave her a charming smile and she answered with a polite one.

"Well, as the two of you look like you'll be alright, I unfortunately have business waiting for me elsewhere."

"No one holding you back." The girl gave him an insincere smile.

"Can't wait for the day you change your tune." He called back before disappearing into an alley.

"Hi, I'm Caroline." She extended her hand to the other girl.

"Bonnie." She smiled shaking the hand before she seemed to remember something. "Wait you're Matt new friend who works at the Mystic ?"

"You know Matt ?" It was Caroline turn to tilt her head in question.

"Yeah. We both grew up around here. My family owns a flower shop. And my grandma's related to Gloria, she's taken Matt under her wing since he was small, his mom used to be a waitress at the Mystic before she bailed on him and skipped town with some guy. I'm only telling you that because everyone already knows the story and he said you were a nice girl, so you won't look down on him for it."

"Of course not. Matt really helped me when I started working and still do."

"Good. There's already too few good people in this goddamn town."

Caroline laughed, she was beginning to like this Bonnie.

"Who is Enzo ? You two seemed to know each other."

"He just likes to come make an annoyance of himself from time to time. And he might look charming, but better stay away. He work for the Mikaelson, if you work at the Mystic you should know who they are."

"Yes."

Caroline and Bonnie parted ways on good terms and promised to see each other again, Caroline had said she'd visit the flower shop as she wanted to brighten her flat a bit anyway. Her mind was on another point though, it seemed she'd met a big shot of the Mikaelson's, because she might not know much about this Enzo but she recognized he wasn't a lower minions, he was an elite. Also an interesting fact was he had said to the other man that he wasn't in his territory, which meant the thug probably belonged to a rival mob.

-O-

"Here Inspector the files you asked."

"Thank you Brady." Inspector Coleman thanked the younger officer.

Looking through the thick package would take some time, but it was always good to learn more about your enemy. And that was what the Mikaelson and all other gangsters were, an infection ruining this city and he'd been charged to cure it. Reading Klaus Mikaelson file, he thought as long as they were left to rot once he was finished with them, he wouldn't mind if it was either in a cell in jail, or a dirt grave.

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Be honest, how many of you thought Klaus was the one who would help Caroline? Nope Bonnie is Caroline knight!