Divorcing Her Mafia Family
Chapter 13

Dimi considered she was going to be able to kill two birds with one stone tonight. She was going to upset Ares Winter either to the point he walked away from their deal, or he capitulated. The added bonus was, once she accidentally on purpose revealed her husband’s name, Wren Mathis was probably going to lose her mind. The tabloids had captured an argument where she had chased his car two blocks screaming how she loved him only six short months ago. In turn, she would make sure Miklos was aware she had dinner with his ex-lover knowing he would be pissed off. She would simply fling another fling in his face.

Dimi looked at the couple and forced the smile to her face. Ares was in his late thirties, his hair dark with a speckling of grey through it. His eyes were blue and piercing and they missed very little. He was tall, lean and while he appeared relaxed and easy going, Dimi knew it was a ruse. He was all business all of the time and he rested very little. The woman with her hand possessively on his forearm was a perfect compliment to him. Blonde, blue eyed and svelte, she was wearing a dress which perfectly matched the silk pocket square in Ares jacket. There was no doubt he dressed her. As he stood up, so did the blonde with a vacant stare in her eyes as she looked around the room in confusion.

“Ladies, welcome, I’m so happy you all made it. No dates?”

Magda without batting an eyelash smiled sweetly, “no Ares. When we’re conducting business meetings, we rarely feel the need to bring dates. I understand having your partner at your side can ease the tension of the negotiation process but it’s not a practice we normally engage in. Though we appreciate you might feel outnumbered with all of us and thus you felt the need to have your significant other in your corner this evening.” She extended her hand to the model. “I’m Magda Onassis. This is Dimitra Lykiaos-Laskaris and Darya Pappas.”

The woman looked to Dimitra as she shook her hand, “Laskaris?”

“Yes, it’s Greek. Very popular where my family is originally from.” She smiled and took a seat after shaking Ares’ hand trying not to smirk at the way he was glowering at Magda’s insult. Wren was staring at her curiously.

“I’ve been to Greece once. It’s so pretty,” the woman’s voice was high-pitched and whiny. “I’m a model if you didn’t know and I’ve been to a few exotic locations. Greece was fun. The boys are so good looking and most of them were so polite and protective of the women.”

Dimi gave a shake of her head, “yes, they certainly can be.”

“Have you ladies had a chance to discuss my latest offer?”

“We have,” Dimi took over. “We have another offer on the table we are entertaining and funnily enough, in the limo on the ride over, a brand-new offer from a company we hadn’t heard from yet came in. It seems a certain banker mentioned our app at a luncheon today and it was all the buzz.”

“Is this so?” Ares leaned back as the server filled their water glasses and set menus in front of them. “It cannot compare to our offer.”

The three women exchanged looks and smiled back at Ares. Magda spoke again. “We admit, we like the notion of your company using our program. The systems you already utilize wouldn’t need to be too far changed to integrate our program into it, however, there are other aspects we are looking at as well.”

“Such as?”

“Integrity,” Dimi shot out. “An app such as ours if it gets into the wrong company could be used for ill-conceived gains. Once we relinquish our right to the program, we no longer have a say in how it gets tweaked and turned. We want to make sure our baby is in good hands. I have concerns about the program I created all the work I put into it, gets turned around and used to cause harm instead of being used for the purpose it is intended. Whoever we sell this app to needs to be a company we trust.”

Darya cut in, “yes, being women in the tech industry means people try to take advantage of us. Spies are everywhere, following us home or to the gym.” She made a pointed glance at him before reaching for her water glass. “Having our privacy being violated can be most upsetting.”

“Very upsetting,” Magda added and looked to Wren, “can you imagine what it would be like to be working on a contract and the photographer showed up at your house uninvited.”

“I wouldn’t like that,” the girl nodded seriously. “Once I was on a photoshoot and the photographer asked for my personal cell number instead of my manager’s and my manager was very upset. I didn’t understand at first, but she explained it to me after.”

“I’m sure there was no ill-intent,” Ares stared at Magda’s bent head. “Sometimes it is important for a man to know as much about the people he is doing business with as possible. It’s not likely there was harm intended.”

Magda looked up and met his gaze, “what would be the intent to follow me to my home if not for something nefarious? Tell me Ares, how would you feel if your girlfriend Wren,” she made a pointed look in her direction, “had a man do something so creepy and stalkerish?”

Wren made big eyes, “he would be upset for sure. I mean, we just started dating not long ago but I can tell our relationship is the real deal.”

Dimi chuckled as she looked downward to her menu. “I bet. You must be so in love. I bet Ares is the kind of man who brings you coffee and pastries straight to you in bed in the mornings doesn’t he?”

Magda choked on her water and Ares glowered at her.

“I would never eat a pastry.” Wren blinked rapidly with her blue eyes wide, her lips turned in surprise, “and I only ever have green tea and kale smoothies for breakfast.”

Magda smiled, “such discipline. I would be lost without my coffee in the morning.”

“Do you have a lover to bring it to you?” Ares asked her bluntly. “Did a special person feed you pastries in bed this morning, Magda?”

Before she could answer, the server interrupted to ask if they had any questions with the menus.

Wren, like her name, ordered like a bird. A kale salad with a portion of white fish but demanded the fish be weighed to exactly two ounces when cooked. No dressing and water only. No alcohol for her.

Dimi fought her laughter when Magda ordered a steak, a side of linguine with it and asked for garlic toast with cheese. She then ordered a bottle of red wine and winked at Wren, telling her she would drink her share for her. Her best friend was eating her emotions and she was there for it.

Her phone buzzed in her purse, and she grimaced.

“Do you need to get that?” Ares asked.

“No,” she reached for her glass of wine. “It’s probably just the old ball and chain.”

“What does she mean?” Wren asked curiously.

“She means her husband,” Darya spoke up fighting the upturn of her own lips.

“I wasn’t aware you were married,” Ares turned to Dimi curiously. “Your husband must be proud of your accomplishments. You could have brought him along.”

“I find it surprising you didn’t know, yet you know personal details of my colleagues. Regardless, my accomplishments are mine, Ares. I don’t need my husband to pat my head and give me praise. I am certain when he does business dealings, he doesn’t come to me first for permission or applause.” Dimi drank deeply of her wine. “I’m sure Wren here doesn’t get to weigh in on your business decisions, or” Dimi met his gaze directly, “is it why she is here? Is she the secret weapon in your business?”

“I’m not a secret weapon, silly,” Wren giggled loudly.

“Maybe not a weapon but definitely a kept secret,” Magda spoke bluntly but the blonde only giggled more. Ares glowered at Magda while Dimi and Darya chuckled at the tension going over the model’s head.

“Do you have a boyfriend, Magda?” Wren asked suddenly.

Magda shook her head, “no. I recently met a guy, but it turns out he was simply trying to flirt his way into a business arrangement. Moving forward, I will be much more discerning in my keeping business and pleasure as far from each other as possible.”

“He was using you?” Wren gasped in horror. “How terrible.”

“Isn’t it though?” Dimi made a laugh. “Wren, how long have you and Ares been together?”

She flicked a glance to Ares as if to ask permission and he nodded once, “Almost six weeks.”

“Wow, great. Congratulations. Are you going to celebrate your anniversary when it comes?” Darya asked innocently.

“I’m sure have many other things we can discuss apart from my relationship with Wren.”

“I’m simply confused why she’s here,” Dimi asked directly, her eyes turning to the man furiously. He had toyed with her best friend’s emotions. “We agreed to a business dinner to discuss the program and the sale of it. We have a very strict NDA in place and yet you brought a woman with you who based on her social media following, could spill specific details to millions of people far too easily. Why is she here?”

“She is here, because I enjoy her company.” Ares stared back. “I had hoped we would be celebrating the sale to our company.”

“You insulted us, Ares.” Dimi didn’t back down. Magda’s leg was twitching under the table next to her and Dimi knew she was struggling not to erupt. “Today you proved to us you lack scruples and have access to information most people wouldn’t.”

“What are you suggesting, Dimitra?” The man rested his elbows on the table and looked at her as if noticing her for the first time.

“I’m thinking you have been watching us, looking for any kind of weakness which would make us uncomfortable enough we would just sign off on whatever you wanted. Did you think having my husband’s ex-mistress at dinner would make me embarrassed, Ares?”

“Excuse me?” Wren asked her eyes wide.

“A short while ago you said in business, men need to find out all they could. When did you find out my husband had an affair with your girlfriend? Were you intending to extort me to keep it quiet?”

“I’m not having an affair with anyone’s husband.”

The entire table ignored Wren’s argument.

“I have no idea what you are insinuating Dimitra, but I assure you, it was not my intention to do as you’re suggesting.”

“I’m suggesting you found out I was married and found out your girlfriend used to f**k around with my husband and considered perhaps we would drop the price for you in exchange for your silence.”

“Dimitra, I assure you, I do not know what you’re talking about.” He shuffled uncomfortably.

Dimi knew the man had no idea. Nobody knew. If he knew she was married to Miklos, then he had details nobody else ever would. It was a closely guarded secret only their inner circles were aware of. Yet, playing this game was serving her purpose and she knew the girls would back her up. Magda was pissed at Ares for flirting with her when he had a girlfriend. Darya was their overprotective one and she wanted his b***d after she took his money.

“Then why is she here?” Dimi didn’t back away. When he didn’t answer, she tossed her napkin on the table, “ladies, I think we made a mistake in coming here tonight. It’s clear Ares thought he could squeeze us a bit and take back the offer he made to Magda yesterday when he sent her croissants.”

Ares suddenly turned his attention to Magda, “where were you last night. You didn’t go home.”

Dimi looked to the floor as things clicked. He had gone looking for Magda last night and noted she hadn’t gone home. Today was about making her pay for going out all night.

“She was with us,” Dimi put her hand on Magda’s leg not letting her answer.

“All night?”

“Did you sit outside our house all night, Ares?” Darya questioned him bluntly. “It’s a bit creepy.”

“Your house?”

“You do know we live together, right? The three of us?” Darya flung at him.

Dimitra stared at him hard, aware he was facing a trio of women he had underestimated. “I am working on a project and the girls came to my family home with me last night.”

She saw the confusion on his face. He hadn’t known. Wren was there only to make Magda jealous. Stupid man thinking with his p***s.

“I didn’t sleep with your husband,” Wren spoke up angrily, her lips pouting.

“No? Not even when you were in Greece last Christmas?” Dimi was really enjoying herself far too much. She looked back to Ares, “are you telling me you really didn’t know you were screwing my husband’s cast offs?”

“No,” he was still staring at Magda. “What were you up to last night?”

“Bonfire,” Magda finally spoke. “We burnt Dimitra’s husband’s bed. Yesterday morning there was a woman in it. We torched it. The flames were so high the fire trucks even came.”

“True story,” Darya grinned broadly. “It was incredible.”

“I hope you waited until the woman was out of it.” Ares said dryly.

“I made her pancakes for breakfast,” Dimi saw the pull of a smile on Ares’ lips. “Regardless, this is all too uncomfortable for me now. I feel as if you flashed your woman here to upset us. To upset Magda, to upset me. You know Darya is protective of us like we’re her little sisters so now she is upset,” Dimi shook her head. “I think we should simply end our talks and walk away while we still have our dignity intact.”

“Two point eight,” he said suddenly.

“Three point two,” Dimitra countered.

“Two nine,” he c****d his head, “and the name of your husband to put Wren’s mind at ease.”

“Three and I’ll happily give her his new cell phone number since I know he changes it monthly. I’m miffed at him for his latest escapade.”

“Done,” he extended his hand.

She looked to the girls who were grinning at her. She reached out and shook his hand. She squeezed it warningly, “you hurt my friend again, and I will have a conversation with my husband and my father about a favor I need to call in. Understand?”

“Sure,” he grinned as he sat back. “Who is your father and husband?”

“Vasili Lykiaos is my Pop.” Dimi noted the flicker of knowledge in his eyes. He knew him.

Then Ares eyebrows went up, “oh no. You cannot be serious.”

“I could not be more serious.”

“Your husband is,” he gave a sideways tilt to his head as if he were imagining the worst-case scenario.

“The one and the same.”

“We do business together frequently. I know him well.”

“Not well enough to know he’s been married for eight years, apparently.”

Ares looked her up and down then looked at Wren and then back to Dimi as if perplexed, “is he stupid?”

“Hey!” Magda kicked him under the table for ogling her friend.

Ares laughed at Magda’s response and then turned to Wren, “my dear, I believe this is not your night. It seems Dimitra’s husband is indeed a man you once dated.”

“No. I don’t date married men.”

“Not your fault, Wren.” Dimi reached across the table and patted her hand condescendingly. “He doesn’t wear his wedding ring ever and up until this weekend, he’s pretended he wasn’t even married.” The poor girl was so confused, “Miklos Laskaris is my husband, Wren.”

“No!” she put her hands to her cheeks blushing hotly. “He’s your husband?”

“You don’t believe me?”

“No!” She slapped the table angrily. “I spent an entire week with him in Greece. I would have known. I loved him.” She whimpered quietly as if suddenly in pain.

Dimi felt a flash of guilt at making the girl feel sad, “Give me your phone.” Wren nervously passed her the phone and Dimi took her own device and looked up the number for Miklos and copied it into Wren’s. “Call him. Call him right now and ask him if he was married when you were screwing in his house in Greece.”

“What are you up to?” Ares c****d his head.

Darya leaned sideways, “desperately trying to get divorced.”

“He can’t have his cake and eat it too,” Dimi met Ares’ gaze with a smirk.

Miklos answered the call from Wren’s phone demanding how she got the number. Wren started crying and ran out of the restaurant talking on her phone, begging him to see her.

Dimi looked to Ares, “that must sting.”

“I haven’t even slept with her. I had her lie to you about how long we’ve been dating.”

“Why?” Magda glared at him.

“I thought you were out with your personal trainer. I heard him at the gym yesterday talking about hooking up with one of his clients. You didn’t go home. I put two and two together and came up with five.” He spread his hands as if his explanation made all the sense in the world.

“You’re insane.”

“I don’t deny it,” he grinned unabashedly at Magda. “There is fine line between brilliance and insanity.”

“I’m not dating you.” Magda glared at him.

“Why not?”

“Maybe once the ink is dry,” Dimi offered up. “Ask her once the contract is signed.”

“You must know Magda, whether we sleep together or not, I want the program.”

Dimi looked up as the plate of pasta was slid in front of her, “um, I’m just about to eat and I don’t want to think of the woman I consider a sister doing the nasty with you, if you don’t mind. Can we table the conversation of dating and s*x until Darya and I are not present?”

Darya begged, “yes, please, do not have the conversation when we’re here. I might need to go flog someone at a parlor to get the notion out of my head.”

Ares threw his head back and laughed. “Fine, ladies. Let us then enjoy our dinner and celebrate the sale of your program.”

As Dimi’s phone in her hand started vibrating with text messages demanding her location from her husband because he wanted to throttle her for giving Wren his personal cell number, she leaned back and stretched her hands overhead. “I feel a celebration is definitely in order. I’m one step closer to achieving my goals.”

The quartet lifted their wine glasses in a toast and Dimi felt smug satisfaction and prayed it wasn’t going to be short-lived.