Chapter 11

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The drive seemed to fly by—though that might have been because I slept through most of it. I jolted awake just as Klaus's sleek car pulled into the driveway. Through half-closed eyes, I saw the familiar red convertible parked out front, and a surge of urgency jolted me upright. I barely waited for the car to come to a complete stop before throwing open the door and sprinting toward the house.

I burst through the front door, the familiar warmth of the house enveloping me. "Rebekah!" I shouted, my voice echoing with a mix of relief and excitement.

"Cleo!" Rebekah's voice rang out, filled with surprise as she looked up from where she was standing. Before she could say another word, I hurled myself at her, wrapping her in a tight hug.

"I missed you. Your brothers are a pain in the ass," I said, my voice muffled as I buried my face in her shoulder.

I felt Rebekah's laughter vibrating through her body, her arms returning the embrace warmly. "Oh, I can imagine," she chuckled, her voice slightly muffled by the closeness.

The sound of the door slamming shut made me glance over my shoulder. Klaus walked in, his expression a mix of irritation and resignation. "Oh, how lovely. I thought you were leaving us," he remarked, his tone dripping with mockery.

Rebekah stepped back, a playful smirk dancing on her lips. "We both know this family can barely function without me. Where are Elijah and Hayley?"

My shoulders slumped as I made my way to the couch, feeling the weariness of the night's events. "Oh, lord," I muttered under my breath as I flopped down, propping my feet up on the coffee table.

"Elijah and I had a bit of a row," Klaus said with a trace of bitterness in his voice. "Hayley's scheming has turned him against me. You know our brother was never one to resist a pretty face! So, one thing led to another, and I bit him. Left them both stranded in the swamp."

Rebekah's eyes narrowed in disapproval as she settled next to me on the couch. "Daggering, biting, deserting. Does your wickedness ever end?" Her tone was incredulous, mingled with a hint of frustration.

I turned to her with a resigned sigh. "He said he's going to try to work on it," I said matter-of-factly, trying to offer a sliver of hope.

Klaus's smirk widened, though his eyes remained sharp. "My 'wickedness' is merely self-preservation! I wouldn't have to resort to such measures if I weren't constantly surrounded by ignorance and treachery. Now that Elijah's abandoned me, I'm going to need your help with my plot against Marcel." He poured himself a generous glass of bourbon, the amber liquid glinting in the dim light.

"Don't expect to be leaving town anytime soon," he added, his tone final and unyielding.

Rebekah shot Klaus a glare. "Why should I help you, after what you did to Elijah?"

Klaus leaned forward, his gaze intense as he fixed his eyes on Rebekah. "You're my family. Besides, who better to spy on Marcel than the girl he so clearly adores?" He perched himself on the coffee table in front of Rebekah, his posture casual yet commanding. "You'll be able to uncover all his secrets. For instance, how did he manage to find us here? Any idea about that, little sister?" He raised an eyebrow, his curiosity evident.

Rebekah shifted uncomfortably but met his gaze with defiance. "You think you can just manipulate everyone to your will?"

Klaus's expression softened, just slightly, as he leaned back. "It's not manipulation if it's for the greater good. We're all pieces on a chessboard, Rebekah. And right now, Marcel is the king we need to checkmate."

Klaus's eyes were cold as he fixed his gaze on Rebekah, his frustration evident. "How should I know why Marcel does what he does?" Rebekah said, her voice laced with a mixture of irritation and resignation.

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