Chapter 28

It Could Be Worse

After Klaus spoke, everyone just sat there for a second, not sure of what to do. Unlike the first time when they discussed and decided on a team, no one was in a jovial mood.

Liz got up first. She was tired and irritated with the people around the table. The others aimed to do the same but froze when they heard Klaus speak.

"Now that is settled, we can move on to the contracts. Beatrice and Liz will receive contracts almost identical to what we spoke of at the party, so you may leave if you want." Klaus had been had, and he knew it. Despite this, he was not about to be outdone. He had put on his lawyer's face.

Beatrice objected on behalf of Amelia. "Amelia was also present, and I don't see why her terms will change."

Klaus looked at Beatrice and then Amelia. "We had an agreement, she broke it and turned my goodwill into a transaction. For the next four years, she is my employee. I was upfront with all of you from the start. My cards were open, you all knew what I had to offer. I expected the same courtesy."

Klaus had then turned to Fred and Leo. "They were not part of the original agreement and have nothing that I want. They, on the other hand, need us. My resources do not come cheaply, even though you all have treated it as such. You do not have to accept the contract, but that would mean you have to pay for your own entrance to the Secret Worlds and the equipment you will need on the other side."

Liz spoke to Klaus for the first time. "When did I take anything for granted?"

Klaus turned to her with narrowed eyes. "I was hoping to have this discussion in private, but you never gave me the chance. You and Billy left without a word and went to buy drugs, after which you proceded to fight in the street like common thugs before getting involved in a police chase. Your family has placed you in my care. If something were to happen to you, who do you think will be blamed and suffer for it? You took my trust for granted, which is the most rare commodity of all."

Leo objected this time. "So what? Are we supposed to tell you if we go anywhere, ask for permission like little children?"

Klaus shook his head. "I don't give a damn what you do, and you are free to do what you want. Any incident like today though and our partnership will come to an end, no matter how many people vote."

Klaus then ignored Leo.

"I regarded Liz as my friend. I have enemies, powerful ones. Do you think it was an accident that Amelia's people found out about what I have? If someone wanted to hurt me, my companions would be easy targets, especially if they go out without guards and me even knowing."

Klaus looked at Liz. "I know you were hurting, but it was idiotic. All of you went to schools that taught you the dangers of this world, but you still act like children. That is why your contracts will be amended with one clause. You are to let me know if you go out, and a guard detail will be provided. I will not deny you your freedom, but you will be safe while you remain under my roof."

Liz could only nod, what Klaus had said was true, but she was so caught up in the betrayal that she did not give it any thought. She still felt hurt that he made it sound like their friendship was past tense. If she was honest with herself, she did just vote in two people that had attacked him in his home. She found herself unable to blame him.

Fred stuck his hand in the air. "What will our contracts say and my sister will she-"

Klaus stopped him halfway. "Your sister will be healed regardless, and without cost. I am not cruel. The voting system works on the principle that we are equals. That means I will treat you as such. Any equipment or support I give will be treated as a loan, for which you will reimburse me through work and valuables we find in the Secret Worlds."

Leo piped up again. "That is bull, man. His family needs those resources."

Klaus shrugged. "I suggest he works extra hard then. I will extend the same offer to your sister when she is healed. Unlike you, she did not attack me, so she will get a signing bonus."

Fred felt like he could jump up and hug Klaus, but he sensed he was not very well-liked at that moment. Thinking back, he knew why and realized something. 'If not for Leo, I would have better benefits.'

Klaus finally turned to Billy. "You will be subject to drug tests every week. I will have professionals help you with your problem, free of charge, but listen to me very carefully. One slip up and you are done. One complaint and you are gone. You have treated your life as a game, slacked and wiled away your time. Neglecting your talents. I will not have you put the lives of the people here in jeopardy because of that."

Billy did not object. He knew that if someone were to measure the thickness of thin ice he was on, it would be a miracle because he was basically standing on water.

With that, Klaus got up, the reinforced chair groaning under him. It had already started to bend. He looked at it and sighed. "Pride will give you the contracts tomorrow morning. Those who do not sign are free to find their own way to the Secret Worlds. I will not wait for you."

Klaus aimed toward the door but felt a hand on his elbow, it was Liz.

"Can we talk?" she said.

Klaus wanted to say no for a moment. He was tired and wanted to get up early.

They walked out, leaving the others in the room. Each of them had their own thoughts about what happened.

Leo was the first to speak. "What a rich asshole."

Fred elbowed him, making the Spartan twitch in pain. Everything hurt. "Will you shut up. We got in by the skin of our teeth, and you are still willing to tempt fate? Unlike you, this is it for me, dickhead. There is no fallback plan."

Fred got up and started to shuffle away.

Leo shouted after him. "What about me?"

"Find your own way back, you only think of yourself anyway." Replied Fred.

Beatrice turned to Amelia and whispered. "Do you think we should tell him, I think we should tell him."

Amelia shook her head and replied just as softly. "It is not his problem to deal with and he was right."

Beatrice pouted. "But it wasn't your fault."

Amelia took a deep breath and let it out. "I am the family, and the family is me."

Beatrice put her hand on Amelia's. "You know, sometimes I am happy that the family had no expectations of me. You bought me to be your maid out of pity, but I am happy that you did."

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Amelia put her hand on Beatrice's. "It was not out of pity, I saw potential in you. Besides, we are in the same boat now. I was just sold for four years."

Beatrice put her forehead on the smooth table. "Why did you piss him off then?"

Amelia was confused. "What do you mean?"

"You stopped him from getting on the same elevator." Beatrice stopped talking when she saw Amelia's face start to turn red.

"I was not trying to be offensive. I think Klaus is like Billy and me. Whatever his bloodline is mixed with though, is something I have not experienced before." Her cheeks turned redder, and her breath quickened. "It is something powerful."

Beatrice broke into laughter and slapped Amelia on the shoulder. "You slut."

Not far down the hallway, Klaus was facing Liz. "I am sorry Klaus, I wasn't thinking."

"I know and that is the problem. I was harsh back there, but it is because I cared. I was worried when I heard you guys had just taken off. Then I find out what happened from Billy of all people. I would have expected to hear it from you. Instead, it seemed like you were avoiding me because I beat up your boyfriend, who attacked me in my home."

Liz stomped her foot. "He is not my boyfriend."

Klaus chuckled. "Uh-huh, I don't mind who you spend your time with. Just be careful okay, the guy seems entitled and as selfish as they come."

"Fred seems to think that he is an okay guy though, plus he did save Billy and me." Liz defended.

Klaus snorted. 'She does not even realize she has a crush.'

He put his hands on her shoulders and made her look into his eyes. "I could be wrong about him, but I doubt it. Fred suffered because he thinks Leo is an okay guy. Just be careful it does not happen to you."

She nodded and stepped away from him, so she would not have to look so far up. "Are we still friends?"

Klaus paused and then smiled. "If you want to be. Just treat me like one, okay? No running off without thinking."

She nodded guiltily and Klaus turned to walk away.

"Klaus," she nearly said in a whisper.

He turned back to her, the carpet twisting and tearing under the foot used as a pivot.

"Can we train together again, tomorrow I mean?"

Klaus shook his head, and she thought things were ruined by her between them for good. Until he smiled for the first time that day. His eyes filled with excitement and for a moment she saw a young man instead of, Klaus the head of Red Tree Industries. "I have plans to go to the beach tomorrow, it will be my first time, and I want to experience it before we leave."

She could only nod while she thought, 'Who at his age has not seen the sea?' Another thought occurred to her right after. 'We hardly know anything about him.'

"Can I go with you?"

He nodded, "sure you can. Just get up early though. We are flying in the evening, so we don't have a lot of time to spend there."

The next morning found not only Klaus and Liz but Amelia, Beatrice, and Lilith standing in the garage underground.

"What is that?" asked Beatrice.

Klaus looked at the monstrosity with pride. "That is our ride to the beach."

Beatrice rounded on him. "It's a bloody tank."

Klaus smiled at her. "I know, awesome right? I was assured that it is the latest APC available for domestic use. This is the luxury model. It has a built-in minibar and aircon."

"That is not the point I am trying to make. Who is going to see all this." Beatrice gestured at herself and sensually turned in one place. "If I am locked away in that?"

Beatrice had a risque pink bikini on, which had black trimmings around the side. Her legs were on full display in short denim shorts that barely managed to cover as much as the bikini bottom she wore it over.

Liz was also looking at what could only be described as a truck, with a bit of trepidation. She had a summer dress on over a full blue bikini that only showed her back in a diamond shape.

Lilith rolled her eyes at the disappointed girls. "You will still be able to show all of that off when we get there."

Beatrice scowled at the older woman. Lilith was holding Klaus's hand and leaning against him. She also opted for a full bikini that was white, black, with gold flower print. When Klaus saw her in it, he wanted to take it off of her again, but the knowledge that she was still a bit sore kept him from doing so.

It was hidden at that moment, under a plain purple summer dress that came up to her knees.

Klaus had black swimming trunks on, with a shocking green stripe on the side. His shirt was also a shocking green, matching the swimming trunks. The shirt was too tight for his taste. He had complained to the laughing Lilith when he saw the printing on it. She had still managed to guilt-trip him into wearing it.

The print read, "Here for the beacthes."

"It is not that bad and will no doubt keep us safe, " said Amelia. Out of everyone there, she was the only one that was not going to swim or show skin. Her dress showed some cleavage, but it came down to her ankles and a big round white hat was placed on her head.

Beatrice stuck her tongue out at Amelia. "You don't count, party poopers get no say."

Klaus chuckled. "Neither does chatty manhunters. I hope they have a sign that warns people against sharks."

Beatrice huffed at him and walked towards the monster of a vehicle. "How does this open anyway?"

Klaus walked over and put his palm against what looked like a normal panel. It scanned his hand and the door at the back of the behemoth slid open with a whoosh sound.

Lilith walked over and looked inside. She was impressed. It was not any less luxurious, compared to the limousine she had picked Klaus up in that day at the train station. 'The color scheme leaves much to be desired, though.'

The APC was painted in urban camo and could not be any more eye-catching.

There was easily enough space for eight people to sit comfortably on plush chairs..

As soon as everyone was seated, Beatrice started to chat up a storm with Liz.

Amelia was looking at how Klaus and Lilith interacted with a complicated gaze. The pheromones they were giving off was giving her some trouble. Lilith did not miss it and toned down her teasing.

It was not a very long drive, but Klaus would wince with every bump in the road. The steel bench groaned even more than he did.

When they arrived, Amelia was the first one out. The truck had screens that served as windows by projecting what was outside to the inside via cameras. It did not allow fresh air to come in.

Air was provided through filters, and it did little to clear out what was bothering her.

Two cars with four guards in each had followed them. There were others as well, but they had come earlier in ordinary civilian clothes to blend in.

As soon as the door opened, Klaus had received a rush of salty air and Lilith lost his attention immediately. He walked out, oblivious to the passers-by who were staring and curios at the presence of the APC. There were not a lot of them since it was autumn, but the day was a rare sunny one and it had brought some people out of their houses.

He started walking towards the beach, leaving the others behind. Lilith did not mind and followed at a respectable distance. She knew the significance of this moment.

Macy had one picture that she kept with her at all times. It was of a house on the beach. When she became sad, she would often look at the thing. Klaus had gotten into a few fights to protect it for her against bullies.

She was not born an orphan like he was. She was brought there after her parents died, and the picture was of their house. Klaus had made a promise that he would one day take her to the beach again.

Klaus stopped, where the sea met the earth and just stood there looking at his feet which sunk deep into the sand with every step. Seawater spilled around his legs, his feet quickly sinking deeper.

Amelia had walked with Lilith, curious at the sudden change she sensed between the two. "What is he doing?"

Lilith turned to Amelia with a bittersweet smile. "Fulfilling a promise and hopefully saying goodbye for the last time."

Klaus looked up and over the horizon, took a deep breath and let it out.

After a few seconds, he turned around eyes searching. His eyes spotted Lilith and he gave her a mischievous smile.

She did not need to read his mind to know what he was planning. She took a step back and sternly pointed at him. "Klaus Alexandros Roth, don't you dare!"

He stepped closer and she retreated some more. "Miss Dalmora, whatever do you mean. I am an upstanding gentleman and only wish for you to enjoy freezing cold water with me."

Lilith started to run, but Klaus easily caught up. The force of his legs kicking up sand in waves higher than he was tall.

As soon as he caught her, he threw her over his shoulder and made a beeline for the water, Lilith screaming what manners of revenge she would submit him to.

They were so lost in their world that they did not notice the bemused Amelia covered in sand.

At the hotel, Fred was staring at an invoice. He was being charged for his stay there for the night and it would be added to what he owed. Klaus had stayed true to his word, and they were being treated as equals.

Leo had received the same along with his share of the cost for the damages their fight caused to the building.

"This sucks." Leo lifted yet another paper. On it was a quote for how much it would cost to be transported to the beach, as well as the protection they would receive while there.

"Could be worse, we could be Billy," said Fred while remembering the rough-looking men that came to fetch the miserable guy. Apparently, Billy was going to some kind of Bootcamp, somewhere that specialized in helping people with the same issues. If he refused or did not work with them. Klaus would hear of it, and that was grounds for breaking contract.

Leo put the paper down and looked at the roof, for which he had just gone into debt to have the right to sleep under it. "Yeah, could be worse."