I'm All Yours, Klaus (Book 2)

CH. 18

EIGHTEEN:

Saturday, February 18th
6:35 PM

I stared blankly at Hayley, lost for words. She and I went next door from the jazz bar to speak alone without vamps or wolves listening in. And I was glad because she just told me she and Jackson almost did something that I knew they'd come to regret one way or another.

Jackson wants to runaway. He wants him and Hayley to take Hope, stay on the run in the bayou because it was unsafe with the threat of Dahlia. And my mind was racing with all the million ways Klaus would have made them pay. The thousands of ways something could've gone wrong. The dozens of ways it could be for the best. Temporarily.

"I'm glad you didn't go," I finally said.

"Me too," she admitted. "I didn't feel right trying to take Hope away from her family. But Jackson said at least until we buy some time on how to defeat Dahlia."

"They're facing her now," I informed her. "This might be all over and we won't have to worry about anything."

"And what if it's not over?" She retorted. "Dani, my daughters life is at stake and I'm terrified for her. You have to see how Dahlia has shaken Elijah and Klaus, they're scared too."

"We all are. Because this threat is unknown. And at the end of the day it's for a child who cannot defend herself. Not because Elijah and Klaus haven't been through worse or anything close to this bad. A thousand years is a long time. Have a little faith that they'll come out on top, Hayley," I quipped, slightly defensive. "Because running off with Klaus' child without talking to him about it, will have him off of the rails."

"What if you talked to him about it?"

"Convince him?" I scoffed. "Never going to happen. If Klaus thought getting Hope out of town was best he would have suggested it already. I mean she was gone with Rebekah for five months before."

"It's not safe for Hope with Dahlia around. And then what? If it's not her, it will be someone else—"

I narrowed my eyes, "Someone after Klaus and someone after Hope are very different. And if there is another threat, don't you think having Klaus to protect you and your daughter is best? Jackson can't stand up against Marcel, you really think he can take on a vampire or witch that would be superior?

"It's not just Jackson, it's a whole army," she stated, lips pursed.

"You said you were on the fence about leaving temporarily. Now you're arguing about terms indefinitely because Klaus will always have enemies that can show up at any time. And you once threatened to take Hope away from him, recently I might add," I said, standing up now.

"Dani, look—"

"No, you look. Your entire army of wolves can be taken down by Elijah alone. Your wolves are just the front lines of protection for Hope. So saying running off with them is the best thing for that little girl is a bold face lie. It's an act of selfishness, made by what's best for you and Jackson. And it's not a decision I can support. If you want to leave town, I'll talk to Klaus about you guys going away with Rebekah or something until this is dealt with. But I'll never help you keep Klaus from his daughter. And make no mistake, if you try, Klaus will take his revenge. At the very least, I know I can talk him down from killing you, but I make no promises for Jackson or anyone else. And Klaus has a demented mind, do not underestimate him, he knows how to torture someone and give them a dare worse than death. I don't want anything to happen to you, I love you, Hails. But... I can't control him."

"Wait," she said as I moved to leave.

"What?" I sighed. This was a lot to take in. And it was going to take a lot more to keep this from Klaus. But I didn't want to upset him with another threat of her running off with Hope. With his paranoia he might snap.