Tyler turned over, his hand unconsciously seeking out Caroline but brushing the cold empty place that once held her. Caroline. He did a mental shake to clear the cobwebs as his eyes slowly opened. Where was she? He rose from the bed immediately glancing around his room. When he still didn't see her he got up moving toward the bathroom. Her bag was still there on the floor in his room so he hoped that all she had done was sneak downstairs for breakfast. Taking a quick shower he dressed fully intending on finding her but he heard her melodic voice on the other side of the door.

"Thank you Mason. If you hadn't…" She was talking to Mason? About what? He wondered and Tyler moved closer to the door not giving a second thought to the fact that he shouldn't be eavesdropping.

"I would do anything for you or for Tyler. I don't think somehow he will thanks me for this," Mason continued his voice bordering on…apologetic?

"I'll talk to him, explain things and maybe he will forgive us both," Caroline answered and Tyler heard her take a few steps toward the door. He jumped back but instead of coming in right away she stopped, "Hey can I ask you something?"

"Anything, cara," His uncle replied.

"Just wondering how what I will do will help."

He could hear the smile in his uncle's voice as he replied, "Every argument can be solved with a gun or a kiss…"

"I'm the kiss?"

"And Tyler's the gun, and we may need both tonight."

"He won't be happy about this," she muttered almost to herself, " But I am doing this for him. I would do anything for him."

"I know."

"Now go wake up my nephew, he missed breakfast and now we're going to the range."

"Bye Mason and thanks."

Tyler stepped back into the room, his arms folded. He didn't know what that was all about but he suddenly had a bad feeling about it.

"Where have you been? And what wont I like?" she jumped on her as soon as she entered the room.

He saw her startle, "Shit…I had a meeting with Padrino."

"What?!" He almost bellowed as his arms flung out.

"Please just don't…I need you to calm down," her voice, her eyes pleading.

"I will not calm down! What the hell? How did he know you were here? Did Mason tell him? I can't believe he would betray me like this. And why didn't you wake me, I could've gone…."

"Ty! I requested the meeting!"

The shock actually had him speechless for a minute before he croaked out, "What?"

Caroline stepped forward taking his hands between hers, "Give me a minute to explain. Please. Just listen and hear me out."

She guided him to the bed. Tyler knew she was nervous when she ran her hand through her hair but nothing could prepare him for what she said.

When Caroline felt him pull away from her before she even finished she knew this would not go well.

"I can't believe you did this! Now they own you too. Do you have any idea what you have done? I didn't want this. I never wanted this! I would have given anything…"

"So would I! Don't you get it?!" she interrupted his tirade, "I would give my life for yours. I would do anything for you."

"And now he owns you. And there is nothing I can do about it!"

"Ty…"

But he didn't listen storming his way out the door, slamming it. Caroline could feel the tears pushing at the back of her eyes but she couldn't bring herself to regret what she had done. She would take on Godzilla and Mothra to make sure Tyler didn't go through this alone.

Tyler couldn't understand why she would do that, commit herself to this life. She could've, should've left it alone. And his uncle… He stormed down to the range looking for the man he thought would never betray him. The first person he saw was Angelo, "Where's Mason?"

"He just stepped back inside," the man answered quirking a brow at Tyler and pointed in the direction he had just come from. And so he turned on his heal until he saw his uncle come into view. Mason smiled at him until he saw his face and then he looked suitably apologetic but Tyler wasn't having any of it, his rage blinding him. As soon as his uncle was within reach he swung punching him. He felt the satisfying smash of his fist against Mason's jaw.

Righting himself his uncle asked flatly, "Feel better now?"

His response provoking, Tyler punched him again.

"I guess not. Caroline told you, I presume."

"I trusted you Mason, with my life…with hers. And you let her do this. Pledge her life to this!"

"Tyler…Caroline was in the middle of this from the night she pulled that trigger."

Tyler staggered backward under the shock. They knew. How the hell did they know? "W-what are you talking about?"

"Don't play dumb with me," His uncle's eyes glittered, "We knew, Padrino knew from then that you weren't the one that pulled the trigger."

"And you let me….Why?" That was a question for so many things. Why they had let him lie? Why they had let him take the blame for Caroline? Why had his uncle stood there as he cut up and disposed of a boy's body?

"Because he needed to know how loyal you were to her. And this proves how loyal she is to you. Do you have any idea what a force you are? You and Caroline together. Open your eyes Tyler."

"I love her," He whispered even now knowing he would do it again. He would do it all again; give up that innocence freely that had been taken away that night.

"I know," his uncle stepped forward and rested a hand on his shoulder, "I know."

They stayed that way until he got his emotions under control. As he turned his uncle said, "Come. Let's go back to the range. Luca and Marco have challenged us."

He nodded, giving his uncle a half-hearted smile, knowing the sick feeling in his stomach that came from worrying about Caroline would never go away. He loved her too much.

Tyler didn't see Caroline again until it was time to leave. He had spent the day on the range. He and Mason had dominated as they usually did and many of the guys had grumbled about their winnings. After that they had spent lunch and the better part of the evening in meetings with the clans. There had been talk of expenditure and revenue, protection racketeering, smuggling, money laundering and the legitimate sides of the business, shares in airlines, clothing designs, biotech labs and manufacturing. If Klaus had found a way in, the clans were in it. Luca had waxed poetic about how even the lowest in the clans now lived like royalty due to their new leader and that soon enough no one would be able to touch them. And though Tyler listened his mind was preoccupied with the coming night. When he was finally dismissed to get ready he rose but his uncle followed giving the final details for the meeting. He dressed quickly in the brand new clothes that had been sent for him, a gift from Klaus, along with the ring that they wore. Taking a deep breath he went down to the car, also provided by Padrino and waited for Caroline.

When she finally emerged from wherever she had been Tyler couldn't help but admire how good she looked. She was sexy as all hell and that dress that would bring any man to his knees. Red was his definitely his favourite color on her. The dress showed off a good amount of her legs and the bits of black lace interwoven with the red would make any man's dream. He slipped his hand around her waist and ushered her up into the car. She still looked at him a little wearily as though she expected him to say something but he didn't. When they arrived at Café 216, Tyler led her up to the large wooden doors. He merely held up his hand, the black diamond glittering in the night as they had bypassed everyone in the line and heard a few people grumbling. The two guard shaking him down for weapons. It was a well known fact that no one could bring weapons here. It was Switzerland as far as Clan wars went. It made Tyler nervous to be going in bare but there was nothing to be done about it. Caroline raised both hands quirking a smile at the guard who just smiled back. Tyler couldn't help the smirk that came to his lips. She was already charming them.

When they moved in they were greeted Adriano, his wide girth giving him away on the crowded dance floor. The man merely quirked an eyebrow to the side as he led Tyler and Caroline whom he kept securely on his arm as he led them up the stairs to the private room. He motioned to the table and the side bar before leaving. Tyler knew he would return once the capodecina from Favara had arrived. Tyler turned looked to Caroline at his side. A small traitorous part of him was glad she was here even though he was scared to death for her.

"Stop frowning," she said flatly.

"I will if you get out of here," he answered back, looking her in the eye.

"You of all people know I can't do that."

"I wish you hadn't done this. What if you get hurt? What if this goes sideways? What if…"

Her eyes softened as she placed her finger on his lips, "Shhhh."

Taking his hand she turned his palm inwards to slide from her knee up between her legs. Tyler's eyes widened in shock and he almost pulled it back but she had a vise-like grip on his fingers as they slid tantalizingly upward bunching the flimsy material of her dress. He couldn't look away as her eyes became hooded and his hand slid further. The dry hard cold of steel was a complete contrast to the wet warm flesh he had expected to encounter but the woman across him just smiled and said, "I told you…I am here for you." Straightening her dress she walked further into the room.

Caroline took a moment to take a calming breath, almost smiling wickedly. That had certainly shut him up. She could still feel his eyes as they bore into the back of her head and had the urge to turn back and kiss the living daylights out of him. When she had been picking out her dress for the evening she had chosen it with Tyler in mind. Red the color of fire and passion she thought as she smoothed down her dress. It wasn't something she would normally choose. It was far too short and far too revealing. But over the years she had learned her best friend was a legs man and if this was the only time she would get to show him what all those years of cheerleading had done she was going to milk it. Bobbing her head to the music that could be heard she moved to find a seat to await the arrival of their appointment.

She was hoping that everything tonight went off without a hitch because if it didn't she still had no clue how she would get what Padrino wanted; but there was no way she could fail, no way she could afford to. Letting out a breath she finally looked at Tyler. He was still watching her, his eyes wide and dark. Giving him a small smile she mouthed, "I couldn't let you do this alone. I love you."

She watched as his immediately softened, his face relaxing as he started to reply but the door opened at that moment. The meeting was about to begin.

Tyler's body immediately stiffened as he turned around but he forced his posture to relax as he saw the couple that entered. It seemed the man had brought his own distraction. Tyler barely glanced at the dark haired beauty but met the man's eyes who walked in behind Adriano.

"Signori, you honor me with your presence. Tyler Lockwood di Clan Ribera incontrare Matteo Donovan del Clan Favara."

Both men inclined their heads and sat.

"House rules apply," Adriano continued. And both men understood what that meant, no bloodshed in this house. All matters would be settled at another place and time. He left then leaving the men to conduct their business.

"I prefer Matt," the blond man spoke to Tyler "and this is my sister, Vicki."

He nodded flashing a smile at the girl who had sat beside her brother. "Matt then," Tyler agreed, "this is Caroline." He watched as Caroline immediately flashed a brilliant smile at Matt. And for a moment the man seemed mesmerized. His eyes lingering on her for a moment too long and Tyler had to fight with himself to keep his face impassive. He seemed to catch himself after a few seconds and he turned back to Tyler reaching into his pocket as he pulled out the package.

"This contains all the titles for the Armonioso properties in payment for the…assistance Padrino Mikaelson provided."

"He will be pleased to know that Campobello di Licata still has power over Favara."

Matt's eyes narrowed as he registered the jibe but said nothing as Tyler opened the envelope thumbing through it for a few moments. Once he was sure everything was there he slipped the envelope into his pocket.

"Now that all that stuffy business is over, would you like a drink, Matt?" He heard Caroline's voice break into the tense moment and immediately the man's eyes flashed with interest. Tyler didn't like it at all. Caroline was his. But he also knew firsthand what a distraction she could be which was probably why Padrino allowed her to accompany him in the first place. But he still imagined ways to cut out the other man's liver as he watched Caroline with interest.

"I think that is a great idea," he heard Vicki coo and he realized she had moved toward him. Her outfit was sexy he would give her that, the black complimenting her bronzed skin. But the revealing leather getup was decidedly less tasteful than Caroline's. If this was meant to be his distraction he was very far more amused than aroused but he knew he had to play the part. He smirked at Vicki using the one that always got girls going. It was equal part dangerous, amused and mischievous. He could almost see the wheels turning in her head as her eyes lingered on his lips. Tyler watched out of the corner of his eye as Caroline sat with Matt's drink in hand, her body so close to his that he literally just had to move an inch touch it. Her smile was alluring and sexy and he knew it was going to be one hell of a night.

Caroline stood making sure to swing her hips just that bit more knowing that Matt was watching her every move. And she kind of hoped Tyler would be too. Sidling up to the bar she poured a scotch knowing that Matt would drink whatever she brought him. Reaching in between her boobs she slipped a half of the tablet into his drink knowing she needed him just hazy enough that he thought it was the alcohol that did it.

She sat next to him making sure that her cleavage was in full view, her bare legs teasing him as she crossed them. Her body may have appeared to be focusing on Matt but in her mind she had already scratched out Vicki's eyes. Seriously could you be more obviously desperate? Skin tight leather that was cut in all the places that revealed she had on no underwear. Come on! Any other night and Caroline would have laid into her but tonight wasn't about her and Tyler as much as it was about finishing what they came here for. And in one of Matt's pockets was a chip Padrino wanted and there was no way she was going back without it.

As soon as she saw him finish his drink, she spoke, "Come on. Dance with me."

He smiled an absolutely white smile that lit up his face. If her heart didn't belong to someone else she could see that smile getting to her. But as it was she just saw it was for what it was. A way to get to her. Caroline took his hand and moved in front of him, wrapping his hand around her waist. The music wasn't as loud up there but she could still feel it vibrating through the frame. So she moved. She felt Matt shift in closer as she moved her hips. Caroline turned around and almost couldn't hide the wicked smile as she saw the dazed look on his face. Grabbing him by the belt she dragged his body nearer. When his fingers gripped her hips tightly she knew she had him and continued gyrating as she stealthy slipped her hands into his pockets as she searched for the chip.

Tyler's jaw clenched as he saw Caroline sidle up to that bastard. He wanted to drag her away and put her in the car driving her as far away from here as possible. He had no idea what she was doing but if she didn't stop….He was going to break Adriano's house rules.

"We should dance too," Vicki purred beside him but he steered her toward the bar instead, "How about we have a drink first?"

He walked over to the bar determinedly not looking at Caroline. He and Vicki stayed by the bar and Tyler was able to shift her advances without making it obvious. It seemed like forever he had been making small talk with her when a slightly out of breath Caroline made her way for another drink.

"We should go," he said to her, his eyes hard.

"Do we have to?" his best friend pouted looking at Matt who grinned at her reluctance to leave.

"Yes, we do," he answered.

"Sorry Matt," she smiled at him and Tyler had to grit his teeth to keep from cursing.

The other man stepped forward as he slipped something into her hands, "You should call me sometime. I am sure something can be arranged."

And Tyler knew exactly what he meant but there was no way Matteo Donovan was getting his girl.

"Maybe," And with that she sauntered to the door leaving Tyler to say the pleasantries.

As soon as they were in the car Tyler almost screamed, "What the hell was that?"

But she just smiled as she pulled out a microchip from her bag, "Side mission. I couldn't tell you before."

"What?"

"Let's just say I was the kiss and you were the gun."