BY DEMARCO'S STANDARDS (Part 5)

Something In The Water

Hanging up the phone with my mother I fist punched the air. Thank you Jesus I didn't have to cook tonight. I wasn't the same Miri I use to be. All that effort I put into being perfect ..well let's just say since Cole came back I don't stress so much over the small mess. I've since hired a maid  and cook that comes every other day. On the cooks day off I fumble around in the kitchen but not tonight.

It's been near a month since Dem brought this so called Russian mafia queen home and I've yet to meet her. Not that I wasn't curious, it was because of Dem. He sheltered her away in his apartment and wouldn't allow anyone to have access to her. Yet my mother has made contact with her on a few occasions but Dem doesn't know. Mom will purposefully have one of the men call Dem to lure him off on urgent business so she can harass Ivy. Mom has also threatened Ivy not to speak to Demarco about it. Which leads to why I don't need to cook tonight. Mom miraculously talked Demarco into joining us for a nice family dinner out tonight so we can all get to know this woman.

At first when I learned of Ivy I was excited for Dem. I thought this is just what he needs to get out of his slump since Sam's death. Then her true identity was revealed and now I'm not so sure I want her near my brother or any of us for that matter. Family and business comes first is our number one rule.

My thoughts evaporated as the door opened and a few of our top men escorted my son in from his day at preschool. Little Cole was now four and a firecracker thanks to the men in his life. He was definitely the making of a future king. Scooping him up I headed to the kitchen to whip him up a snack and hear about his day. Later I found myself getting ready for our family dinner and waited for Cole to get home.

I was on the verge of calling him when in he walked and scooped up our son. Looking over at me his brows drew together. "Why are you so dressed up?"

I quickly explained about the dinner and I couldn't help but notice Cole becoming fidgety. "Everything okay Olive?"

"I'm good baby girl. Just dreading this shit". He groaned.

Like me, Cole wasn't too thrilled with Demarco's new girl. There was too much at stake but I knew Cole would stand by Dem's side no matter what. They definitely had a strong bromance.

Once the nanny showed up Cole escorted me to his Mercedes and helped me in. Once he was in he pulled his gun from his waistband and rested it on his lap. "What do you see Olive?" I asked thinking he saw danger.

"Nothing baby girl. I'm just being careful. After all I do have precious cargo with me tonight". He said placing a kiss to my temple.

We arrived to our family owned restaurant and was ushered to a private room. Everyone was here except Dem and Ivy. I hugged both my parent's and we took our seat as wine was poured by Jerico.

Jerico grew up with us but was in the lower ranks and worked in our restaurants. However he was a friend and didn't mean any harm. When he saw me he greeted me with a polite smile and a hello. Underneath the table I felt Cole squeeze my leg harshly. I glanced over at him and he had a warning hidden in his eye's. Thankfully that's when Demarco waltzed in with Ivy. She was pretty but rather tall. Demarco seemed to be on guard watching over her. My mom was the first to break the silence by introducing everyone. I gave Ivy a tight smile along with a nod.

The tension was thick as the obvious questions and concerns were being discussed. Ivy sat quiet as Dem defended her and had an answer for everything. Finally Ivy interrupted and spoke. "I understand how everyone feels and what this must look like. I don't blame any of you for being concerned. I'll assure you all one final time because I sick of this entire topic. I'm not here to harm anyone. I was living a normal life until I met Dem and I want to continue living a normal life".