BY DEMARCO'S STANDARDS (Part 5)

City Of Asshole's

The word's Demarco threw at me cut me like a knife. It wasn't because he spouted off the truth. The truth I can handle. It was because they came from him. I don't know why it bothered me so much to hear him say those thing's. One thing was true though, there would never be nothing between us. He is still emotionally attached to his deceased wife.

I do understand his grief and I wasn't trying to be disrespectful when I stated that Sam was gone and she would want him to continue on. I was just trying to be helpful and encouraging. Never did I know I would unleash this monster that slayed me with word's. I guess the saying is true, the tounge can be a deadly weapon. Once it's said it can never be undone.

If I was starting to feel anything toward him, not saying that I was, he tottaly just squashed it. Still his word's shouldn't have hurt me so deeply, yet they did. Maybe somewhere in the corner of my mind I had actually hoped for something to grow between us. So yes, this is a good thing. It's good that he showed me how he really felt toward me. It's good to know that he can never love anyone again. I congratulated myself on dodging that bullet. I can handle competing with a real woman but how the fuck do I compete with a ghost. That's way out of my league. Demarco was a heartbreak waiting to happen and I've had enough misery in my life to add more.

Not just the entire dead wife issue baffled me though. He managed to bring up another star point, I'm a lawyer, he's the fucking mafia. We are definitely not a match. To be with him would to go against my sworn oath. It would jeopardize the career I worked so hard for. I'm not about to throw that hard work away on a man who refuse's to love back. Who every time he touched me he scuttled away from me as if I had grown two head's all because he felt he was being unfaithful to a ghost. Yes, I will never be put in any predicament with Demarco again. Honestly I hope to never cross his path again... in or out of the court room. I wish him the best though and hope one day he can come to terms with his grief just as I need to do with my issue.

That did hit home with me, him saying I specifically went out for men because of one bastard that took my childhood from me. I would no longer live like a victim or carry that burden on my shoulders. I would reenter this world a new soul. I would no longer look at all men as my enemy. I would no longer seek out the weaker men amongst the stronger more dominant male's. I would finally live my life. In that I thank Demarco for making me see the truth. I can't continue to remain sheltered away from the opposite sex and tonight I would prove just that.

It's been two week's since Demarco verbally beat me down so I've had plenty of time to think and plan for what I like to my coming out. My company is hosting a glitzy party for their top notch clientele and I usually sit them out but tonight I'm going. I decided to take a cab just in case I have alittle too much to drink. I stepped from the cab wearing a beautiful green dress that insinuated my curves, eye's and hair. Complete with strappy golden heels I looked even taller. True, for a girl I wasn't average height. I stood eye level with most men if I didn't tower over them all together. Except for Demarco, I had to tilt my head back and look up at him. Most of my life I had been self conscious about my height and teased to no end. I was like this tall, gangly giraffe that was all knees and elbows. However as I matured guy's would make comments about my long legs, telling me I had killer legs,While most of my girlfriend's admired them wishing they had legs like mine. So with that thought in mind, I held my head up with pride and entered the party.

Many of my coworkers eyed me as I waltzed in. Either shocked that I attended or checking me out. Usually when I caught men ogling me it creeped me out not knowing what dirty thoughts were brewing in their mind, but tonight I flashed them a dazzling smile and joined in on the flirting. At first it felt awkward but as the night wore on I actually caught myself encouraging the flirting first and enjoying myself. I danced with many and even exchanged my number a handful of time's. Obviously this dress was doing it's job and my personality dazzled. I even made friend's with a few women who normally didn't speak to me due to my cold shoulder assertiveness. Later that night my boss pulled me aside. "I would love to congratulate you Ivy. Many new client's have joined us due to your influence tonight. Job well done. If you keep this up you may make partner sooner than you may think."

This news thrilled me to my core. "Thanks so much. I've really enjoyed myself tonight and I'm glad to be of help".

With a wink, he pointed his wine glass to me. "I'll be keeping an eye on you. I see great thing's coming".

I smiled pleasantly as he went on to mingle. Elated by this news, I turned to get another drink for my own private celebration. Who thought this new carefree attitude would push me further up the corporate ladder. Question was though, was it my flirtatious behavior that lured the new client's in or my actual intellect? Either way, I'd take it.

As I was sitting at the bar relishing in my accomplishments I heard a male's voice beside me. "Would it be out of context if I told you that you was the most beautiful thing in this room".

Giving a blush filled smile I said. "No, but it wouldn't be the truth. This room is filled with gorgeous women".

"Ah, ah, ah, Miss. You by far outshine them all. Might I add that your legs alone capture me".

Giving a short giggle, I looked up to finally see who was trying to charm me. My smile fell hesitant as I tried to recall where I had seen that face. That face was so hauntingly familiar but I couldn't place it. He shot me a dimple ridden smile that only enhanced his looks more. "I'm sorry, have we met?" I asked.

"No we haven't but I wish we had. To think I've been missing all this beauty is tragic".

Throwing my head back I rattled off a very feminine laugh. "Aren't you a smooth talker?"

"No. I'm just honest Ivy".

I looked up at him. "How do you know my name?"

Grinning he said smoothly. "Your the talk of the party Ivy. Every man here is hoping to speak with you privately".

I couldn't deny that. "And do you have a name?"

His grin faltered just a tad and seriousness entered his eye's. "Jax. Jax Owen's".

Jax, I repeated to myself mentally trying to call where I had heard it. Then it hit me, the Harper file's. Looking up at him I murmured. "Your presumed dead".

Grinning again he offered up. "I'm a detective Ivy. I had to go undercover to remain alive. I know this is sudden but it's very important that I speak with you. I know you've been in contact with Demarco Harper and your life is in danger love".

I didn't know how to process this news. I knew he had been investigating the Harper's and posed as one but I didn't know how deep he was in the mafia world. Still, a tiny part of me was intrigued but knew better. "I think I should be going now".

"Wait Ivy, this involves Harper and Jone's. Trust me you will want to hear this".

Harper and Jone's I thought. Then I recalled Demarco would never give me a reason as to why he was there that night. Could he be the one that Jone's works for? Could he be the one getting him out of pulling time? It all makes sense now. Demarco even pointed out that it was likely someone important was saving Jone's. He pointed it out because he knew... it was him. Turning back to Jax I said. "I can't discuss this here or tonight. However I will meet you tommorw. I'm free all day it being Saturday".

Jax grinned. "Your making the right decision love. Meet me at the coffee house on ninth around noon. "

I simply nodded my agreement and to my surprise he patted my hand and leaned over and pressed a kiss to my cheek and was gone. After taking a moment to regroup, I rejoined the party.