Songbird

Summary: She asked for his protection. He gave it to her. But with Klaus Mikaelson everything came with a price and into his web Caroline Forbes went. However that was only the beginning. Mafia!Klaroline AU/AH. (Short Story)

Warnings: Crime, violence, abuse, mentions of domestic abuse. Mature themes.

Added Information: In this story Caroline is 24 years old and Klaus is around 32.

~Prologue~

...

"That's where you are wrong sweetheart. You have more than nothing. You have everything."

"You have yourself."

...

Mystic Falls

March 2010

The hard leather edge of his boot was connecting repeatedly with the soft skin of her stomach. With force.

He kept kicking her and all she could do was crawl to the floor. She didn't have any more strength, she could not fight back any longer. Her screams had ebbed away. She didn't believe anyone could have screamed as loud as she had. But this time she didn't stood there taking the punches without fighting back.

This time her voice had risen. The fearful whispers broke into a cry and she screamed and yelled and she wouldn't stop until her throat closed. Until no voice would come out. Until his hand wrapped around her neck and suffocated the life out of her before he threw her on the floor and started kicking her without mercy.

She was chocking on her own blood, her vision blurry as her eyes were swollen shut, all bruised blue and red.

The world was fading away. She didn't know if this would be the end. She realized at that moment that she wanted to live. She didn't want to die.

It was just moments before she passed away from the pain and the blood loss that she heard the sound that brought her hope.

Someone was banging on the door. But it was more than that.

Along with the sound of her bones cracking the sounds of sirens coming closer reached her ears.

Maybe she was hallucinating, maybe she was not.

When she closed her eyes she didn't know if she was ever going to come back.

Chapter I: Loup Noir

...

Chicago. Today.

Strange, I've seen that face before, seen him hanging 'round my door.
Like a hawk stealing for the prey, like the night waiting for the day.

Smoke, shadows and the booze flowed.

Bright light illuminating only her body while candles casted their soft glow on every table underneath the stage. Her voice a melody that filled the air. Behind her the orchestra played the music tune that accompanied the lyrics that were escaping her red lips.

She was leaning against the piano, her eyes closed, her breath coming out in waves as she sang. Her voice deep and low. Words escaping her mouth dressed as a melody. Pure magic masqueraded as a song surrounding everyone near her.

Every romantic soul was enchanted by her voice. Daydreamers and bohemian souls gathered by the dozens in order to hear her sing.

And so they did. And just like every other night for the past year, inside the wolf's lair she was singing. However she was not dedicating her songs to the audience underneath the elevated stage.

She was singing for him. For the man watching her like a hawk, monitoring her every move, claiming her with his gaze.

As she was signing memories were crossing her mind like flashes of darkness and light.

The cheerful young girl from the small town of Mystic Falls she once had been would not recognize the woman that was now performing on Loup Noir's stage.

One thing was certain. Her life had changed. So many times and in so many ways.

Detroit.

September 2013.

The clock pointers of the old clock were set in the small hours after midnight. The drumming echo at each slow turn of the seconds hand was the only sound resonating in her small apartment.

She closed the door behind her gently, her hands shaking. The living room had surrendered to the darkness of the night. She didn't bother turning the lights on.

Her heart was pounding wildly inside her chest.

…

"You will never have me," she had said to him just moments earlier and as always he had smiled tenderly at her.

"We will see about that love," he had replied and had leaned over to kiss her cheek.

Or so she had thought.

He hadn't kissed her cheek this time. He had kissed the edge of her lips. And had made her knees go all weak.

He had lowered his head then, his warm breath caressing her neck.

"Goodnight…Caroline," he had whispered her name like a spell of seduction in his farewell for the night leaving her breathless and mesmerized. He waited until she would get in her house. His eyes never leaving her.

…

She breathed in and out and without any second thoughts she closed her eyes and unwillingly smiled as she leaned over the closed door and touched with her fingertips the heated side of her neck. The same part where Klaus's lips had whispered her name after his goodnight.

He, as always, had been a perfect gentleman and even though she had refused at first -as always- he eventually escorted her back to her house. As always.

He had been doing that every night after she would finish her singing performance in Rebekah's piano bar. Every night ever since he had first seen her singing in his sister's bar.

Originally she had accused him of stalking her but he had playfully claimed that it wasn't stalking since he was obviously not hiding and not lurking around.

Besides as he always pointed out he wasn't hiding his intentions. He wanted her. He would not force her but he would wait until she would eventually become his.

She had refused him a thousand times. He always persisted. She had even asked Rebekah to keep Klaus away from her but her employer had laughed and told her that if her brother wanted something he would always get it. Clearly hinting that he would also get her in the end and implying that it would not be a smart idea to try to avoid him or run away from him. He would always find her.

That admittedly had troubled her.

More so when she found out who Klaus really was. And what had scared her more was that when he was around her she wasn't afraid of him. Somehow he made her feel at ease. His presence felt electrifying and yet also soothing. It was insane but it was happening. Even with her past it was still happening. A weird disconnect between her logic and her sentiment. One that only Klaus could provoke in her.

Eventually Klaus had tired her down and she had accepted him accompanying her back to her house without protesting that much.

Nowadays he would drive her back to her home and the silence between them would be either comfortable or vibrating with all the things they seemed to want to say but they would never actually say out loud.

And she always pretended that she was not noticing the two cars that always followed Klaus's car from a close distance. In the same way he always had scary looking men surrounding him in Rebekah's bar.

She had also realized that Klaus knew where she lived without her ever telling him. He had been sending her flowers in her home and he knew exactly what roads to take when he was driving her home at nights.

And that had originally startled her. Even though it shouldn't have been such a surprise that he had been able to find out her address. She should have expected that much.

What actually frightened her was that it seemed as if Klaus was creating a web all around her and expected from her to willingly trap herself inside it. And like a moth she was indeed drawn to the flame.

However she had never invited him into her house and he had never asked her to. He always waited for her to get into her house and lock the door behind her before he would leave.

At the first nights he was kissing the outside of her palm while telling her goodnight, which she had thought it was kind of cute but told him that it was ridiculous. After that he would kiss her cheek instead.

She had refrained commenting on his kisses on her cheek because she didn't want any bolder progress. Or maybe what actually scared her and left her speechless was how sometimes she wanted his lips to claim her mouth instead of touching her cheek.

After that his lips would linger longer and longer on her skin and yet she would still say nothing but she would not turn her head away either.

Their eyes always meeting then. His holding a promise, hers always guarded and…tempted.

He was always gentle with her. Witty and charming. Seemingly harmless. But she could tell that underneath it all the fire he carried inside him was explosive and scorching hot; it would burn her and would leave nothing but cinders and ashes.

She shook her head. No. She couldn't fall for him. Not for him. Maybe it was too late for that but she would have to put a stop to this. Before it would be too late.

She had already paid the price of a destructive relationship. She couldn't go through that again.

Something told her that Klaus would never hurt her. Not physically. But he was dangerous. Everyone feared him and with good reason. She wasn't blind or stupid. She knew perfectly well who he was and he knew that she knew. And if she was smart she should fear him too.

She unstrapped her heels and threw them off her feet. Her bare skin touched the carpet and she sighed.

She would make clear to Rebekah, again, that she was off limits. This time she would not leave any doubts about it. Her brother should stay away and if he didn't she would leave. She should make this clear to Klaus too.

Besides it wouldn't be the first time. She was tired of running but if she had to she would run away again, and this time faster than ever before.

A small voice inside her mind told her that maybe it was too late. Maybe this time she wouldn't be able to disappear. Not from a man like Klaus.

She huffed and went to the kitchen and opened the fridge. She took out her rocky road chocolate ice cream and tried to find a spoon.

She sat on the kitchen bar and paid no attention at how her short tight dress rose up over her thighs.

She moaned when she had her first ice cream bite. Comfort food always tasted good and since she wouldn't experience any night of passion any time soon -or ever again for that matter- this was the next best thing.

However it wasn't enough. It wasn't distracting her mind from its thoughts. Thoughts of a seductive English accent and of a dimpled dangerous smile.

She shook her head again and her phone rang. She blinked surprised. It was really late, past midnight.

She answered the phone and when she heard the voice from the other side of the line she froze.

"Caroline," a familiar voice from her past asked.

She gulped and squeezed the handset in her hand.

"Yes?" she whispered terrified.

"It's me Caroline. Matt."

She blanched, unable to even move. Matt was the only one that had her number and she had told him to never call her.

Never call her unless…

"Is everything all right?" she asked him, her fear rising.

"He escaped."

Chicago.

Today.

He was sitting on the far edge of the club, amongst the shadows. She could sense his presence without even looking at him and she could recognize him among all others.

He always seemed to emanating a certain vibe that signaled danger. He was ruthless, a savage. Known for his cruelty, for being more of a beast than a man.

His blue eyes were now cutting through the darkness like daggers, aiming straight at her figure. His gaze never leaving her. He was nonchalantly drinking his scotch enjoying her performance as he did every night. He was not paying attention to the men that sat next to him. His eyes were fixated on her.

No one else dared to look at her in the same way or even in any other way. Everyone else would send her fearful glances of respect except him. His gaze was marking her as his possession.

Detroit.

September 2013.

They had said goodnight just one hour ago. And just an hour ago she had told him that he could never have her. And yet here she was now, in the office of his house, across his desk, surrounded by his bodyguards begging for his help.

In her panic he was the first one that she could think of. He was the only one that could help her. Protect her.

The police and the system had not been able to help her four years ago and obviously were also unable to keep her safe now. So she had to find a more effective way to protect herself. She was not safe. Not anymore.

She had thought of running away and hiding but she would not be able to run forever. Not from her ex.

She had then done the unthinkable. She had called Klaus, her voice a terrified request for help and he had immediately sent one of his men to pick her up and bring her at his house.

He had welcomed her for the first time to his house but she didn't seem to even notice the extravagant surroundings. Rebekah was there too but Klaus told her to leave them alone and she had immediately obliged.

Then he had offered her a glass of scotch which Caroline had immediately drained. That alone had turned his gaze darker as he was realizing more and more the state of panic she was in. The way she was trembling had also made his eyes express menace.

He had taken out his jacket and wrapped it around her and guided her to his office.

He was intently staring her now. He was sitting behind his desk, his expression pensive, his gaze calculating.

One of his men was standing beside him and one some steps behind her. She knew that two more were outside the door and many more inside and outside the palatial mansion. This place seemed like a fortress and this was exactly what she needed.

Klaus's domain was not even in Detroit. As far as she knew he was actually living in Chicago. She didn't know why he had decided to stay to Detroit for so long but he seemed to be living under extreme security precautions. If this place here was so guarded it meant that no one could ever get near Klaus without his knowledge or permission. Not here, not anywhere.

"Why are you here love?" he inquired with a gentle tone and she raised her eyes at him with fear.

"I need your help," she pled with a trembling voice.

"Do you now?" he probed with a smirk.

She lowered her gaze and bit her lip. She hated her weakness and her fear. She hated the fact that she had to turn to a man for help. Especially since that man was Klaus. And what she hated even more was the fact that she was giving to Klaus exactly what he wanted and that his satisfaction at this was multiplying by the minute. At first he had seemed concerned. Now he seemed pleased.

However she had no other options left. He was her safety net.

She almost burst out laughing. Klaus, the man everyone feared was where she felt safe.

"Yes. You are the only one that can help me. Please Klaus! I am-" she stopped abruptly and her trembling fingers fidgeted with the hem of his jacket.

"Yes" he pressed and she fisted her hands and looked at him with a sharp gaze again.

She took a deep breath.

"In danger," she said. Her voice not wavering.

Klaus pressed his lips and for a moment she thought she saw anger blazing inside his gaze. So hot that it scared her. But then it was gone and he seemed indifferent again.

"From you ex boyfriend I assume?" he murmured with an inquisitive tone.

Her eyes widened.

"How do you-"

"I know," he simply said and her heart started beating faster and faster.

She stopped even breathing when his gaze travelled slowly over her form. He scanned her posture, her eyes, her fear. He was taking every detail in and in that moment she felt more danger and fear than ever before. She didn't know what he would do and that scared her.

But if she was so scared of him then it meant that he was after all her best chance to survive this.

Klaus got up and prowled around his desk until he went and stood in front of her. He leaned to the edge of the desk in front of her and she lifted her head in order to meet his gaze.

"What I don't know is what it is that you want from me," he played with her, his voice turning slightly mocking.

She hated the way he was setting his trap especially since she was the one that voluntarily went into his den. He knew exactly why she was there and he was purposely making it harder.

However she could not look away from his dark blue eyes. The sick satisfaction he was deriving out of this was making her angry and stronger somehow.

"Protection," she said with no hesitation.

The edge of Klaus's lips curved into a smile. And she realized that this scared her more than anything else. His smile seemed more terrifying to her than his rage. And one night that a man had dared to offend her in Rebekah's bad she had seen his rage. And it was not something she wanted to ever see again.

Back then for the first time she had realized why everyone feared him so much. It was the first time she had felt fear in his presence too. But now his smile seemed even more threatening somehow.

"And what do you have to give in return for my protection love?" he asked and Caroline pursed her lips together in defeat.

"Nothing. I have nothing," she admitted and Klaus's smile grew bigger.

"So you want me to protect you from your psycho ex but you have nothing to give me in return. Is that what you are saying?" he taunted her and her heart clenched.

She looked away from him immediately. Her eyes shining with tears she refused to allow to spill.

"I have nothing," she repeated again in defeat with a trembling voice.

Klaus trapped her chin between his fingers and tilted her face up. Their gazes met.

"That's where you are wrong sweetheart. You have more than nothing. You have everything," he told her with a soft voice that left her breathless.

He swept the tear that fell from her eye with his thumb and she shuddered.

"You have yourself," he said, his eyes glowing with expectation and he waited until she nodded.

And just like that what she had told him earlier that night proved to be wrong. She had claimed that he would never have her.

And now she was his.

In order to escape the demon she had given herself to the devil.

Klaus had taken her to Chicago shortly after that night, introducing her to everyone as his official mistress.

A derogatory term that she didn't renounce. Klaus considered it to be an honor however. An honor he bestowed upon her and an honor she was forced, and had willingly accepted, to endure.

She was singing in his club at nights and she was living to his mansion. She had everything she could ever ask for and even more. She had her own personal assistants that cared for her every need. Even her own hair stylist to brush her hair every night.

As if she was a princess or the perfect doll that always had to look beautiful.

It seemed too much at times but Klaus knew no boundaries. He was constantly lavishing her with excessive gifts and was always attentive when it came to anything that concerned her.

But what was more important was that she had a whole security team that had only one assignment. To protect her even with their own lives. She had even her own bodyguards. Klaus's goons had become her shadow.

Stefan Salvatore was the head of the security team that was responsible for her safety. He was always friendly and kind with her and always present. Aside Klaus, Stefan was the only man that was allowed to be close to her and the only man she was constantly seeing every day. She had later learned that aside Klaus's brothers, Elijah and Kol, Stefan was the most trusted man Klaus had inside his inner circle.

She was always watched, always followed. Klaus had made sure that she would never be alone. His guards were always present. Always near her, always giving their report to Klaus. That should be suffocating her and at times it did but it also made her feel safe.

Klaus had demanded her loyalty and she gave it to him. Entirely. She had relinquished all control and he had honored his side of their deal. He had given her his protection as he took away her freedom. She belonged to him now.

Everyone in the club and in the city knew that she was not to be touched, not even looked upon. No one dared to even get anywhere near her. A man would have to be insane or suicidal in order to even think to approach without permission the beloved of the King.

So now she was up in the stage in order to sing for…him.

Her golden locks perfectly curled. The white dress he had chosen for her tonight hugging her body tightly; the top of her breasts seductively exposed and pronounced. The skirt underneath the silken bodice flowing around her legs with a cut high up her right thigh revealing the smooth skin underneath.

She was balancing herself on the top of her strappy high heels and her palm was resting upon the black shiny surface of the piano. The diamonds of her bracelet sparkled underneath the light rays from the spotlight that was directed straight at her. Their reflection was matching the shine of the diamond necklace that was nestled between her breasts and of the slim diamonds earrings that hang from her ears.

A long time ago she would have never thought that this would be her life. Once upon a time she was dreaming of another life. She was the cheerleader that would graduate with honors. She would get a degree in journalism and she would find the man of her dreams. Maybe a white fence and children would follow. And she would be happy. She would be a soccer mom, a working woman and a wife; she would be safe and her entire life would be planned and would be a dream coming true.

But it was the nightmares that caught up with her when the dreams run to the opposite direction. She had lost that life a long time ago. Truth was that she had never lived it.

Strange, he shadows me back home, footsteps echo on the stones,
Rainy nights, on Hausmann Boulevard, Parisian music, drifting from the bars.

She didn't get her fence. She didn't get the happy family or the noble prince that would keep her safe and would love her with all his heart. But here she was. Still breathing. Still standing.

Still alive.

Working as a singer in Loup Noir. In the prestigious club that belonged to one of the most feared men of the city; if not the most feared of them all.

Niklaus Mikaelson. One of the greatest mafia leaders this city had ever seen.

His family was one of the oldest mob families that ruled Chicago ever since the age of prohibition. And he, the bastard child of the family, had claimed the throne.

Him. The third illegitimate son of the Mikaelson family. The one that killed both of his parents and claimed the crown for himself. The one that exiled the eldest Mikaelson heir from Chicago and kept the second older son as his trusted right hand. Him, Klaus Mikaelson.

Known to everyone as the Wolf. As the King.

Her boss, her protector. Her keeper.

Here she was two years after she had left Mystic Falls. Living inside the golden cage Klaus Mikaelson had designed for her protection.

This was her. The woman known as the mistress of the King.

Caroline Forbes.

And this was her story.

Strange he's standing there alone, staring eyes chill me to the bone.

Song: Grace Jones - Libertango (I've Seen That Face Before)

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