Chapter 40

It had been two days since the death of Giuseppe Salvatore and the official end of the conflict between the Mikaelsons and Salvatores, finishing in favor of the Mikaelsons. And today was the day they would be taking over the Italians territory, beginning with the biggest club.

Klaus was flanked by Kol and Marcel has he entered the club, followed by some of their men.

The club was admittedly more luxurious than the Mystic, but Klaus prefered the old saloon to the swazzy atmosphere of this club. But he also felt incomparably satisfied at the thought he was taking over, he was now pretty much the king of Chicago.

Their entrance caused a bit of commotion but the bouncers didn't know whether to move to intercept or not, it was a known fact after all that the Mikaelsons had taken the Salvatore territory over. In the end they didn't move, probably in self-preservation, they knew who had just entered the club and the reputation of the Mikaelsons.

Klaus made his way unimpeded to the stage, jumping on it he reached for the microphone and announced clearly :

"From now on, this club and all the territory of the Salvatore is under me, Klaus Mikaelson, and my family."

-O-

This afternoon Rebekah had brought Davina along to the Mystic again. She honestly believed Freya had orchestrated most of the time she was pulled to the club just so she got out of the house more, and wasn't bored, since Rebekah didn't actually needed her presence while she learned to manage the Mystic. Still Davina found ways to entertain herself by talking to Josh or people watching.

Right now she was quite amused by a group of girls giggling while not so subtly stealing glances at Josh behind the bar counter. When her friend came back toward her, she leaned toward him and teasingly smiled at him.

"You seem to have a group of admirers." She whispered.

She saw Josh give a brief look to the table of girls before snapping his gaze back to the glass he was wiping, a frown slightly marring his face.

"You don't look happy about it ?" Davina was curious at Josh clear uncomfortableness.

In her opinion, Josh was a sweet guy, he would make a great partner, and she hoped he would find someone that would make him happy.

"I'm not." Grumbled the bartender.

At this moment a new customer arrived at the counter and Davina saw Josh lit up at the sight of the man.

"Aiden." Josh greeted him with familiarity.

While he went to serve him, Davina observed their interaction. They seemed to get along quite well, and the other man seemed as happy to see Josh as he was to see him. Davina finally understood why Josh always felt uncomfortable under feminine attention.

Smiling to herself, she got up to leave not wanting to interrupt the two. As she left, she threw a 'have a good time' to Josh. Should she go find Kol ?

-O-

Marcel and Klaus were at the dock after having come back from the takeover.

Marcel looked at Klaus, his brows scrunching up, but he now it was now or never. The two of them were alone, and the longer he waited to tell Klaus the more it could be used against him.

"Klaus, we need to talk." He finally bit out.

"Ah, I expected this to come, I assume this is about Rebekah." Klaus turned to Marcel smirking.

Marcel immediately understood Klaus expected him to ask for Rebekah's hand. With a pang he wished that was the case. He took a slow breath.

"No, it's not about Rebekah, not today."

Klaus lost his grin and his expression turned serious mirroring Marcel's.

"What's going on ?" Klaus tone took on an edge like anytime he was faced with a threat.

"It's about when I was in jail."

"I had nothing to do with it Marcel." Klaus stated.

"I know now, I didn't then. Between pointless interrogations and beatings, Coleman came to see me a few times, one of his visit was to tell me about Gloria's death. And then he proposed a deal to me."

Klaus tensed, Marcel could see the cogs of his mind turning while he analysed their isolated present situation.

"Back then I was angry, I had doubt you had a hand in me ending up in jail and was just told you'd let my aunt die in a raid."

"Gloria's death was an accident I didn't want any more than you." Klaus bit out harshly.

"Yeah, but she was one of my only family's left." Marcel's tone was hard. "Coleman wanted me to spy on you and help taking you down, in exchange I would take your place. I agreed."

Klaus snarled and began pacing in agitation, his eyes never leaving Marcel.

"Then is that it ? Are you going to try to kill me here ? You realize it won't be easy."

"I have no intentions to kill you Klaus, if you'd just listen to me to the end instead of jumping to the worst conclusions !" Marcel shouted back.

"You just announced your betrayal !" Klaus stalked to him and grabbed his shirt lapel. "You betrayed me ! And what about Rebekah ?! Was it just some grab for power ?"

Marcel pushed Klaus back and punched him, his accumulated anger toward Klaus coming to the surface.

"I didn't betray you ! And do not bring Rebekah into this ! I love her ! Because of you, for months I couldn't openly be with the woman I love out of fear of your temper !"

Klaus came swinging and caught Marcel in the jaw. Ignoring the pain, the darker man continued.

"I accepted the deal but I didn't tell anything to Coleman ! I was supposed to tell him when the confrontation with the Salvatore would take place so he could take both sides down but I didn't ! Because it would tear Bekah apart if she had to choose between me and her family. And because despite everything, you're my friend Klaus, my brother !"

"Am I suppose to believe that ? How do I know you won't betray me later ?" Spat Klaus although calmer than before.

"I don't care, believe what you want Klaus." Marcel sat on the ground, the fight having taken a lot out of him.

Klaus silently sat next to him.

"I think of you as a brother too. And about you and Rebekah, I was angry at the deception, but I have come to believe you are good to each others."

"I am truly in love with your sister, in all her bratty, beautiful glory."

Klaus let out a huff of laughter.

"I'm on your side Klaus. By now Coleman realized it too, I don't know what his next move will be, but he can't stay, he won't leave it alone until he's taken you down." Warned Marcel.

"Inspector Coleman will not be a problem for long, no matter what I have to do to make him disappear, he threatened my family one too many time." Klaus eyes narrowed dangerously.

"Are we good ?" Marcel got up and reached out a hand to Klaus to help him up too.

Klaus clasped the offered hand and stood up, giving a brief hug to Marcel.

"We're good." He promised.

"One last thing, Coleman told me a few things when he thought we were working together. He said he had someone else working for him, an informant, a barmaid."

Marcel didn't say more and left first, leaving Klaus with his thoughts.