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He was one of the most feared and revered, and rightfully so since he had earned it. He hadn’t been born into it but had worked his ass off, had done things no other man of his background and means had been able to pull off.
It was sheer grit and determination, it was his hard work and his cunning that he was now The Leader, once just a Mafioso.
Yesterday, nothing more than Klaus, from a family of five siblings who had lived in a trailer, with a less than affectionate mother and an absentee and abusive father, today one who was more than his name.
At fifteen he had escaped and never looked back, working his way upwards in the hierarchical chain in the streets and now ultimately he was The Boss, Niklaus Mikaelson.
Some called him The Leader, some The Boss, the cops called him Padrino and a certain rather ravishing blonde called him Hybrid, an inside joke they shared.
The tiny smile that graced his handsome features often appeared on his face whenever he thought of her, and lent his hardened face a look of mischief.
However it wasn’t that he was going soft for her, he convinced himself as he put cufflinks on, he was bound to think about her because of their meeting regarding the collaboration on the new arms deal.
Niklaus had scored that deal with the Italian Mafia fair and square, but Caroline Forbes had convinced him to do business together.
She was a shrewd one and was on top of her game. Much like him she had ascended the ladder through her hard work and perseverance hence had earned the respect in the Mafia business. They had often butted heads over certain deals and staking claims in certain areas from time to time but neither had ever crossed the boundaries or broken the unwritten rules. He himself enjoyed any dealings where she was involved and they often discreetly mixed business with pleasure, so over the years they had shared a unique ..... bond if he were to say.
Though they were rivals they both were firm believers in honour among thieves. Hence he had considered her proposal for this collaboration.
He checked his weapons, two knives and three pistols and then put on the black coat of his suit. The suit paired with a white shirt and a small pin, which was a sword entwined with a rose, at the lapel, was how he usually dressed.
He smiled thinking what new word would she call him today then stopped himself, as vulnerability was something that he looked down upon. He had long ago let go of his notions of morality and that is why he was the absolute best at what he did.
Checking his appearance twice as his blue eyes carefully surveyed himself for any imperfections in the mirror, he adjusted his tie and then left.
________
“Immaculate.” She commented and the self satisfied expression appearing on his devilishly handsome face had her raise one perfect eyebrow.
Her sunshine blonde hair unbound with curly tresses running past her shoulder, a look he preferred. He stopped himself again from dwelling too much on how magnificent she looked.
She gestured for him to cooperate with her security as the guy patted Niklaus down then lifted four fingers to let her know that he had four weapons. He then proceeded to check the four men Niklaus had brought with him.
She nodded, then promptly announced, “My turn, I hope you won’t mind Mr Mikaelson, our business demands thoroughness.” She came close, a little too close for his comfort, her aquamarine eyes never leaving his as she ran her hands down his body, teasing him. Her smile with pink petal soft lips seemed entirely professional to the onlookers but had his breath hitch because he knew what it meant. So, business and pleasure it was.
He saw his own desire reflected in her mesmerising eyes and it ran a frisson of excitement beneath his skin.
“Five weapons. Immaculate and cautious as always.” She stopped then moved to sit at the plush sofa in the hotel room they were conducting their business in. He followed suit.
She never failed to impress him. Both sat facing each other on opposing sides with their men standing behind them.
“I gather you liked my proposal?” She asked as she crossed her legs that were bare from knees downwards in her form fitting coffee coloured skirt and an off white shirt, with a cowl neck. A bracelet adorned her right wrist.
“It was intriguing. I have drawn papers that I will need you to sign.” He replied in his British accent that always did something sinful to her but thankfully he was oblivious.
“Of course. It will mutually benefit us. Since the area where the shipment will arrive falls under my turf. I shall make sure the transaction goes smoothly without any of the .....over enthusiastic petty thieves wanting to steal it in a bid to outsmart The Leader and gain rank in our world.” She gestured for a drink and one of her men poured whiskey which by now she knew he liked, “Also I am sure I can and will provide you with additional surveillance and security as I am better familiar with every nook and cranny that can be used to thwart the deal.” Her smile was always easy on his eyes.
He leaned forward and the fitted suit deliciously stretched over his biceps she knew very well was all hard muscle. Tension around them grew thicker but only the two of them were privy to it.
One of Klaus’s men brought the papers and then both of them signed. She knew each and every word of the contract owing to her meticulous nature, hence was pretty assured.
Once signed both stood up. Her bracelet jangled as she extended her hand for a shake. He grasped it and as always even a mere touch was electric.
She pulled her hand back and this time he lifted a brow.
“This concludes the business part of this meeting Mr Mikaelson. However there is something I'd wish to discuss in private if you may allow me.”
“Of course.” A small gesture of his two fingers and his men shuffled out.
A second later, her men left too. He waited as always for her to give a hint of her inclination. It was different this time, to his surprise she came closer, languidly grasped his stubbled face and kissed him slowly. His tongue found hers, his hands ran over her delectable form. Desire red hot and fast that was how it had always been, this was unfamiliar yet even more arousing. His hands cupped her buttocks and she moaned in his mouth. He couldn’t stop himself from touching and teasing much like she was.
And just like that she broke the kiss. Both a little out of breath. “It feels like you are romancing me.” His comment made her smile. Klaus was known for his keen observation.
“And what if I am?” she teased, biting his lip lightly.
He kissed her once and then twice. “Then I’d say you have something on your mind.”
She moved out of his arms much to his regret and had him craving his cigar.
“Let’s say I have an ulterior motive.” Caroline poured herself a drink.
“I think we were accomplishing the said ulterior motive a minute ago.” His wit was nothing she was a stranger to and it often made her laugh.
A rich sweet sound, had his own lips coiled up in a smile.
“Well another one. Bear with me for a few minutes.” She took a sip and Klaus poured himself a drink too.
“Okay.”
“Will you marry me?” Caroline quietly asked. If he had less control on his emotions he would have spit out his drink such was his astonishment. To conceal his astonishment he downed his drink in one large gulp.
“Love, I was actually expecting a ring with down on one knee sort of a thing.” The drink left a bitter taste in his mouth or maybe her question had. He loosened his tie a little.
“My authority and claim is in danger. My uncle on my mother’s side, Jon Gilbert, thinks he has a claim to my land and title.”
“Jon is a pitiful nincompoop. No one would side with him...”
“But there are people who are encouraging his pitiful notions.”
“Wasn’t he in France and had denied you protection when you were on your own after your mother died and your father tried to sell you? Besides, he can run shop in France; he has no claim here.” Klaus’s rant came out in a rush.
Very few people knew that Caroline’s sleazy father had tried to sell his own twelve year old daughter.
“How did you know about my father?” she swallowed feeling ill at ease.
“Sweetheart, I have been doing business with you for years now. I make a point of knowing my rivals inside out. I believe you once called me scrupulous.”
“I told you he has managed to ally himself with some of my rivals in an attempt to dethrone me. He wants to branch out here from France. According to Jon’s allies, I have been given only two options: either I marry one of the two of the strongest mafia ringleaders or I call him out guns blazing.”
“I am the one and only, love.”
“Jon seems to think Alaric is your competition.”
“Please Alaric isn’t even Jon’s competition. So he has given you a choice between me and Alaric.” Klaus battled with the unknown emotion of jealousy.
“No. He just mentioned Alaric. He doesn’t know about our .... association. If you marry me, we can have a powerful alliance even more so than anybody else and I'll blindside his pathetic ass. He would have no option but to leave since the area that he has taken is surrounded by our territories.”
“Why not call him out?”
“And lose loyal men in a fight with a coward. I have better sense than to subject my men to some pointless bloodshed when I can easily get rid of Jon by marrying you.” Caroline announced matter of factly.
“How romantic?” He did not like the way she was proposing to him. He had never harboured any romantic or familial notions coming from a dysfunctional family but somehow this was very unpleasant.
“Oh no! This has nothing to do with romance and everything to do with business.” She smiled at his obvious discomfort to her arranged marriage proposal, since he was someone who prided himself for keeping his sentiment close to vest.
“And yet you said you were romancing me earlier. Why do I get the sense you are enjoying this, Cara?” He used the endearment he often called her in the midst of passion, just to rattle her.
Her smile faltered, his voice and that endearment slithered over her skin raising goose bumps. The first time he had called her that during their love making, he himself had immediately explained, it wasn’t exclusive, he liked using endearments during sex, even before she could ask. It had relieved her then but irritated her now however she brushed it off since she needed him to say yes.
“Don’t go there.” Her sombre expression made him feel like shit.
“You’re right. My apologies.”
“You have my word, you have nothing to worry about. This marriage shall last only as long as I drive Jon out of here. You shall be under no obligation whatsoever and our personal .....” he smirked at her hesitance and she glared then he laughed, “Thing does not have to be affected by it. What I mean is we shall be husband and wife for appearances sake only.”
“What if I do not agree?” he pocketed his hands.
“Then I'll have to blackmail Alaric.” Then she closed the distance between them, “Do this for me Hybrid. You'll have more land to control and more money, all extra profit goes to you.” The sadness that permeated her eyes was new, he could see it was costing her to expose herself raw like this. He didn’t want to say no and yet he didn’t want to agree as well.
“I need time to think.” He remarked and left.
€€€€€€€
Jon Gilbert was a parasite feeding off of others and leaving them dry and rotten. But Caroline was determined to see him lose. And marriage to Niklaus Mikaelson was a minor hiccup . She had known Klaus would eventually agree, the deal she had offered him, was essentially irresistible. She knew he wasn’t power hungry but he wasn’t naive as well.
She adjusted her veil and ran a smoothing hand down her ivory white gown. Caroline had chosen a traditional with all the trappings wedding because she knew she shall only marry this once, even if it was nothing more than a facade.
But getting Klaus to agree to it had been the fun part. He had reluctantly acquiesced and then had surprisingly shown more enthusiasm for the wedding preparations than she had expected.
“Why are you registering for so many unnecessary things?” He asked as she tagged an umbrella with cats and dogs on it.
“Nothing is unnecessary in wedding preparations, Hybrid. Don’t be such a killjoy.” She then tagged a large vase.
“I am not a killjoy, just practical and sensible. And really what would you do with that ugly umbrella?”
“You don’t get the pun. Raining cats and dogs.” She shook her head, “Hence proved killjoy.” She pointed her CCD tagging gun at him. “Plus it'll be hilarious to see the faces of the guests when they get these ridiculous gifts. Two birds, one stone. Me getting to humiliate them and have fun at the same time which I believe you’re unfamiliar with."
He found her child-like exuberance utterly adorable, “Which one humiliation or fun? Because I have plenty of experience in humiliating my rivals and I can have fun when I want to.” He smirked. "Also aren't the gifts supposed to be for us,?"
“Drinking and visiting strip clubs doesn’t count as fun Hybrid. And these are for the guests sort of like return gifts.I am too classy for this." She rolled her eyes at a particularly hideous lamp.
His stupid smile was entirely too dashing for her taste.The fact that he had cancelled his meeting at the docks with a new supplier to be with her here was already doing irritating things to her heart, she didn’t need him to smile at her like that.
“Ok then what about gambling and target practising?”
“That’s work.”
“How about bench pressing and fencing?”
“Now you are just showing off.” She threw the CCD tagging gun at him, he caught it expertly. He lifted it and pretended to fire a shot. “So you think this is fun.”
“Try it.”
&&&&&&&&&&
Caroline was laughing by the time they left the store.
“You didn’t need to tag condoms.”
“What? Those are for Julian. He needs to stop making more humans. Eleven kids.” He shuddered and she laughed loudly.
“What if he gets angry at you?”
“I'll just say I accidentally packed my wedding night stash with his gift.” He winked and she narrowed her eyes at him trying to smother her smile. “You’re disgusting.” Then moved over to sit in the driver's seat.
“What? Wait. Caroline. Caroline.” He called out after her as he followed her and sat in the passenger side of her Ferrari before they drove away.
She reminisced, a smile tugging at her lips as she holstered a gun at the left ankle and a dagger at her right thigh then headed for the altar.
___________
He knew it was a fake wedding and a marriage of convenience but he still felt like sweating standing at the altar waiting for Caroline. Their guest list included gang members, ringleaders and many of the worlds wanted Mafia members, but no family because neither he nor Caroline had wanted anyone to be a part of their false union or to deal with the hassle of explaining the whats and whys of their decision.
She entered and all the air left his lungs. She was a vision. A siren that called out to him and she was his. His woman . That singular thought gave him a jolt. She came to stand in front of him. They said their I dos and exchanged rings, all the while he couldn’t take his eyes away from her.
He unveiled her beautiful face and kissed her. The kiss was just for show but her lips were magic beneath his. Her potent response stirred him. Vaguely cognizant to the shouts erupting around them. He pulled back perhaps after a few minutes or an eternity later, he didn’t care. Mesmerised, he led her to the dance floor.
“You are playing the part of a doting lover very well.” She commented, her heart thudding against her ribcage, the intensity of his gaze made her breathless. She needed to remind herself it was all a show.
“Well, I am a perfectionist, love.” Her comment pissed him off a little, but he couldn’t very well admit that he was feeling something profound or maybe he was affected by the wedding-y environment. Yes, him being affected by the mushiness of the festivities explained his sentimentality.
_________
"So this is it." Caroline smiled at him, when they entered the bedroom, for practicality and performance they had decided to maintain one residence. Caroline did not want to raise suspicions.
She took off her veil hoping she would feel less perturbed. He was close behind her. In a room alone with him she could feel the heat radiating from his body until he moved away.
She felt her hands go damp. She shouldn't be anxious, they had done this plenty of times.
"It seems so." Awkward, he felt awkward so he poured a drink for both of them. He took off his tuxedo jacket and loosened the bow. Then went to her as she sat on the bed.
If he didn't know her better he would think the color in her cheeks meant she was blushing.
"Brandy. Soothes the nerves." He handed her one flute.
Touched, she wanted to smile, hence replied a little curtly.
"Are you getting me drunk to have sex with me or do you think I am one of those weak nervous virginal brides?"
Taken aback by her bluntness he drank the glass he was offering in one large gulp and put his glass on the dresser nearby.
Then laughed, "You and I both know I don't do that. I can seduce you just as easily." He pulled her in his arms and began slow dancing, her cheek resting against his chin, it was torment.
"Ass." She said affectionately then, as he dipped her and brought her back. There was something seductive about slow dancing in his arms without music, like this.
"And Cara, you are anything but weak. Strong, beautiful and full of light. That's how I see you. That brandy was for both of us. I think the mawkishness of this wedding has affected us both."
She understood he was admitting that he was just as affected by it all as she was and was chalking it all up to the whole wedding slash marriage vibe.
It relieved her, that like her, he wasn't having any romantic epiphanies and to him it was all just about their deal, "You always were a smooth talker. I am glad that this is all business."
"Yes. Much like before." He kissed her then, his hands cradling her face. "Yes." She mumbled in his mouth, her hands fisting in his white shirt.
A toe curling sizzle coursed through her. He angled his mouth and tasted her sweet tongue. Lost, she was lost in the pleasure his hands and mouth were stroking. Her moans spurred him, he lifted her and laid her on the bed. Clothes came off and he smiled, briefly pulling back.
"What?" She sighed, lifting her head.
Klaus kissed her ankle and then her thigh, oddly he found it irresistible. She sat up, tingly all over.
"Who do you think was going to kill you?"
"Hector, Ivanov, Jon, Julian." She unfastened the weapons and he pointed to the nightstand where she leaned over and placed them.
He laughed, "What's next Klaus? Are you going alphabetically?"
Her laugh pleased him.
He was right, she was a siren in black lingerie, a fierce need to claim her, engulfed him.
Caroline pulled him down for a mind numbing kiss.
"I know you'll at least give me a head start before killing me, Hybrid."
He rolled her in his arms so she sat on top of him. Tucking one stray curl behind her ear he vowed, "I will never kill you."
"Nice promise for a wedding night." Her remark made them both laugh.
"I shall make love to you until both of us can't see straight. How's that for a promise?" He pulled her down for a kiss.
"Better." She sighed.
Both gave into the passion that thrashed inside them.
___________________________
He screamed when Roberto landed another punch. Trust was something that didn't come easily to her however once she trusted she didn't take lightly to being double crossed. To her money was a sorry excuse for betrayal.
Roberto her right hand man was very skilled at torture and doling out punishment. One of her lackeys was currently subject to both.
Caroline was getting a little impatient; she had better things to do. She took off her black gloves she had been wearing after returning from an opera she was scheduled to attend with the buyer from Russia earlier. She reached down and pulled out a knife from her ankle hidden under her black velvet flute dress.
"Roberto." She gestured for him to move back. In one angry move she stabbed the lackey's ear. "You won't have to listen to Jon's bullshit anymore. Consider this a favor." He yelled and she stuffed a glove in his mouth. Hands and feet bound he struggled but couldn't put up much of a fight. Rage saturating her as she moved to his other side when a knock to the basement door interrupted her. She jerked her head in the direction of the door. Roberto answered and her trusted butler Mr Fell materialized.
"Madame. It is Mr Mikaelson. He is injured." No sooner had the words left his mouth she threw the knife down. "Matt, Jesse. Take care of this mess. Oh and do not forget to send his tongue to Jon in one of those Tiffany Boxes. Roberto, Emile. Come with me." Ordering two of her men to follow her.
$$$$$
He was bleeding, his white shirt practically red from all the blood. Her heart dropped low in her chest but she steeled herself. She rushed to his side. He was half conscious, almost reclining on the sofa in the foyer leading to the main hall. "Klaus. Look at me. Klaus." She tapped his cheek twice.
"Hi. Beautiful." He smiled then his eyes rolled back, as he passed out.
"Pick him up and bring him into the bedroom."
Once in the bedroom her men laid him on the bed.
"We cannot take him to the hospital for obvious reasons. Mr Fell, call Dmitri. Roberto bring me something to put pressure on this wound." Both men complied.
His left shoulder was bleeding profusely. A bruise on his right cheek and a cut on his lower lip. Sitting beside her she put a towel on his wound and he swore. "Fuck. This hurts like a wanker."
"What else do you expect? You've been shot." She swallowed, she had known fear just a handful of times in her life but this was nothing compared to those times.
"Call my man, Lucien. He'll know wha.." he hissed, "What to do."
"Shh. It's okay." She put his head on her lap, cleaning the sweat from his forehead. "It's okay. You're safe. You'll be okay." She didn't know who she was consoling more, herself or Klaus. He had to be okay. He was strong and young, he would be fine, she mentally repeated as he faded in and out of consciousness.
Once Dmitri came with his assistant and medical supplies, he ordered everyone out.
Caroline exited the room, unbothered that her evening dress was soaked with blood. She immediately ordered.
"Emile. Find out who did this?"
Emile merely nodded and left.
After a few hours Dmitri and his man came out. He ordered his assistant to wait in the car.
"The bullet grazed an artery. He has lost a lot of blood. I've given him two units of blood and patched him up." He explained. Caroline merely nodded too choked up. Her concern for her husband, almost paralyzing.
"I will come back and check up on him in the morning." He placed a gentle hand on hers.
"Thank you."
Dmitri then turned away intending to leave, but twisted around and said, "Your husband will be fine, malishka." He knew Caroline enough to understand her distress for Klaus.
She couldn't say anything hence only nodded again and Roberto then escorted him out.
______________
She kneaded the flour into dough adding just the accurate mix of ingredients for the doughnuts. The oven bell dinged and she took out the cake she had baked earlier. Baking often soothed her.
All through the night she had stayed at his side until in the wee hours of morning when she had fallen asleep due to exhaustion. His vitals had remained stable over the night, she knew because Dmitri had taught her a few things.
Caroline was struggling with her emotions for her husband, fake husband, she reminded herself. The moment she had seen his blood and him unconscious it had terrified her. She hadn't known how paramount Niklaus's wellbeing was to her. She could argue that her concern stemmed from her fear of losing to Jon but she was not a liar, she knew what her feelings meant.
And Klaus had been so pale and so lifeless. His handsome face devoid of his usual roguish smile, and his hands cold and clammy. Something inside her knew she wouldn't be the same without him.
A tear fell as she continued to knead the dough. She couldn't recall the last time she had shed tears. She washed her hands and sat down on the kitchen stool. Too fatigued to fight it she let them fall.
A few minutes passed and she heard footsteps. Quickly getting up she washed her face at the kitchen sink. Then began icing the cake as she saw him come down the stairs. In a pair of black sweatpants and a sleeveless vest with his left shoulder bandaged he didn't look any less threatening or handsome than usual.
"You should be in bed." She remarked not looking up, not wanting him to see her all shaken up.
Klaus did not know how to react nor did he know what to say to her. In a pink top and white slacks with an apron and her hands full of flour upto her elbows, she looked endearing.
She had been awake all night staying at his side. He knew more than once he had reached for her hand and she had silently given hers.
He couldn't ask her why she had stayed by his side, same as he didn't want to face his own feelings for her. She had gone to an opera last night with Andre, a Russian liquor dealer, dressed up in a skin hugging black velvet dress. She had been breathtaking.
He knew he had no right to question her because they had decided to keep their businesses separate. But he had been livid with jealousy, drinking himself into a stupor and Jon had taken advantage of his indisposition.
True he shared a mutual physical relationship with her and it had been clearly defined that it didn't come with feelings, however he was having a hard time following that definition.
When had he become so emotional towards her ?
She made a smiley on the cake and wrote get well soon with pink frosting.
"I didn't know you were such a sentimental one." The way he said it sounded like an insult, a sour response culminating from his own vulnerability.
Caroline put the frosting down. It irked him even more that she laughed, "This is me being efficient and not sentimental. Why don't you just say what you are feeling, Hybrid, instead of lashing at me. I know this is making you uncomfortable."
He sat on a stool nearby scratching his head. He looked like an adorable child.
"Yeah. Ah.. you did not have to do this for me." Sheepishly he replied.
Her smile, even bigger now. "Get off your high horse,l I am not doing this only for you. Every once in a while I bake and send cakes to my mens families, it makes them feel appreciated. And baking helps me relax." Caroline improvised, disinclined to accept her feelings for him.
He didn't understand why she would exert herself like that for her men, but he understood her compassion.
"I thought murdering people did that for you." Klaus smiled now.
"That too." She began flattening the dough with a rolling pin. Unconsciously she smeared her cheek with frosting.
Klaus got up and went to her. He took the rolling pin from her and licked the frosting from her face. A jolt of desire shot through her. Never leaving her eyes he then kissed her.
"I'm sorry." That quiet apology with that mind fuzzing kiss melted her even more.
"You're forgiven Hybrid."
"Why must you call me Hybrid?" He teased.
"I succinctly remember you insisted I call you the Hybrid, when you tried to steal my Prada bag the first time we met, a moniker you were trying to get notorious with."
"Stolen Prada bag. Oh no, don't remind me. The way you said it that night ruined it and I realized Niklaus is much better if I wanted to sound menacing." He licked the frosting from the cake and she swatted his hand away. "This one says "Get well soon". I am sure this one's for me."
"It is. But let me serve …" the rest of her words were swollen by his delicious and very hot mouth. She tasted the frosting on his tongue.
"You didn't have to stay awake last night." Caroline was gradually penetrating his defenses and it was time to stop resisting. He let himself feel for her whatever emotions she arose and it suddenly suffused him with elation, pride, gratitude and passion.
"I know, but I wanted to, Hyb...What do you want me to call you?"
"Hybrid is fine. Exclusively for you."
She laughed, "You make it sound like a prize."
He revelled in the sound. "Oh it is." Then winked and leapt at the cake intending to tease her.
She pushed it out of his reach and he winced when he reached for it, hurting his shoulder.
"I told you. You should be in bed." A little miffed with his stubbornness.
Feeling immensely pleased by her concern he kissed her cheek, then grabbed a water bottle taking a swig from it.
Caroline realized she was totally defenseless against his tiny gestures of adoration. "I am sorry. I know Jon.."
"Jon took advantage of my inebriated state. Don't be sorry, Cara. We shall deal with him together."
And together they had been thus far. Sitting in her car she remembered how life had changed when Klaus had become a part of it. He had gradually made his way in her heart and it had all been rather peachy, until last week.
She needed to talk to him. This would either end up in roses or would blow up in flames, was her last thought when a round of bullets took out the tires of her car, and it swerved off the road and crashed into a mail truck.
_________________
Six months ago, Klaus Mikaelson had said the so-called marriage vows in an elaborate scheme to get rid of his now wife, Caroline Forbes’s enemies, and had never looked back.
It was nothing more than a contract marriage of sorts with some very desirable added benefits that they both enjoyed.
Not only their chemistry was intense and as fiery as the first day but they also had a decent companionship and easy comradery. They often spent time together and lived in the same mansion since it was necessary to present a united front.
Lazy mornings and at times late evenings, with Caroline’s baking they had fallen into a comfortable pattern. Who knew that Caroline Forbes the Ringleader would be an amazing Baker as well.
Initially he had been reluctant to marry her but then he had agreed because it was an advantageous offer and nothing more than that. And had absolutely nothing to do with the strange feelings Caroline awoke in him.
It had all been great until last week when she had dropped the ultimate bomb on him, he thought as he was driving back home. Home sounded hollow now when things between Caroline and him had been tense.
“ I am late.” Caroline announced as he entered their bedroom and began changing his clothes. They had seen each other naked multiple times so it wasn’t awkward anymore.
“Late for what?” Klaus twisted his head to glance at her. She was sitting on the bed and had been unusually silent since he had come home.
“I am late!” she emphasized. Her worry was visible on her enchanting pale face and in her shaking hand that she ran through her blonde hair.
Klaus understood her meaning then. He had expected shock and panic but something akin to surprise and joy slowly seeped in which was even more alien to him. He didn’t understand what he was feeling and why.
“How? I thought we were using protection.”
“Sometimes they fail..” She got up and went to him. He took a step back and had her stop short. After a brief pause she added, “I swear I will take care of this. You don’t have to worry.”
“Right.” His heart twisted in his chest painfully as he realized what she was suggesting. “Of course. This marriage was nothing but a deal. It will do us both good to remember that.” He replied bitterly and then left.
The voice of his ringtone jolted him out of his reverie. He picked it up and the news on the other end sank his heart, shaken to his core he ordered his driver to rush to the hospital.
----------------
He sat beside her and waited for her to open her beautiful eyes. For the time he had been waiting for the doctor to tell him Caroline was fine he had prayed to a faceless and nameless God.
A bandage on her forehead and another on her left wrist, which had been dislocated in the crash. His blood boiled, pure rage burned within him. She stirred after some time and he sat up straight.
Her eyes fluttered open and his handsome face was the first thing she saw. He smiled and made her heart sing. It was going to hurt a lot when he would leave, she thought.
“Hey. How are you?” He whispered his hands close to hers on the hospital bed. He wanted to hold her hand but didn’t know if he could.
“I am fine. Don’t tell anyone I was out cold I have a reputation you know.” She joked.
He smiled and mimicked zipping his mouth. She laughed and combed her fingers through his. On an impulse he leaned forward and kissed her forehead. Caroline was well aware of Klaus’s possessiveness but this tenderness was novel and heart warming.
“I'll gut whoever did this.” Klaus ran his thumb over her bandage on her forehead. She smirked.
He laughed, “You already did.”
“Ordered a hit. Some two bit assassin. Didn’t feel like getting my own hands dirty.”
“But then again there’s a certain pleasure in carving up an imbecile.” He clenched his teeth. The bandages on her perfect body were not sitting well with him. The animal inside him was vengeful. His woman was hurt. When he first heard of the crash all he could think about was her and the baby, and how he would not be able to live on without them.
She saw anger in his eyes, but didn’t feel it in his tender touch. Such a contrasting man, loving him was a torture in itself.
“I am not pregnant.” She sighed, breaking the spell of intimacy and he got up, moving away from her.
“So you took care of it.” He put his hands in his pants pockets feeling useless and suddenly uneasy.
She came up behind him, “ I was never pregnant. It was just one false positive test. And I wouldn’t have done that without discussing it with you.”
“How long have you known that you weren’t pregnant?”
“Two days.”
“And you didn’t tell me?” Klaus sounded like a disgruntled husband.
“Are you going to complain that I forgot to fill the gas tank, next? This marriage....”
“I know. But this is different.” He instantly interrupted because he didn’t want her to say that this marriage was a farce.
“I understand but honey you were in Malta and weren’t picking up my calls.” She quipped as she stood beside him now and he smiled.
“Network problems, my bad.” He explained. She scoffed and he lifted his hands in surrender. He took one step closer. “Would it have really been so catastrophic if you were pregnant?”
Her eyes widened. Dumbfounded, she didn’t know how to respond.
“I.... I maybe a murderer, a monster but I am not a liar, Caroline. I want what we have. I want it forever. I want you by my side as my equal, my partner, and my wife. You are my Cara, my one and only Cara."
Telling her that the endearment had always meant more and only for her, "I can’t see myself getting to the next day without you, much less the next ten years or fifty. I don’t know love but it feels like you're mine.”
She kissed him and poured her own heart and love into it. He pulled her flush against him, channelling his emotions and desire. She was everything he needed and yearned for.
Breaking the kiss he asked, “Tell me now. Damn me or bless me, love.”
“What do you think, Hybrid? I have been twisting myself into knots thinking I’ll lose you. You took one step back when I told you I might be pregnant and I felt you took my world away.”
“I was terrified. I wanted it with an intensity that scared the living shit out of my damned soul. It was too perfect for someone like me.” He tucked one curl behind her ear.
“At first I had a crisis of conscience about the kind of mother I'd be and then I was going to take care of the baby myself. I wasn’t going to begrudge or burden you for that. I couldn’t let go of something that came from us. I was prepared thinking, I might have to let go of you, but at least I’ll have a part of you I could love forever.”
“And here I thought you weren’t a sentimental fool.” He couldn’t stop smiling.
“I guess I am for you.”
“You still haven’t said those three magic words to me, Cara.”
“Who's the sentimental fool now?” she laughed.
"I am ready to be your fool forever."
She confessed in between kisses, “I...” kiss, “Love.” Kiss, “You.”
And he knew he would always be a fool in love with her.
###$$$$$$€€€€
perfectpro Wed 19 Jan 2022 01:08AM UTC
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mmiighty Mon 17 Oct 2022 04:10AM UTC
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recklessnesspersonified Mon 17 Oct 2022 05:45AM UTC
Last Edited Mon 17 Oct 2022 05:47AM UTC
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