Jose's Surrender by Remmy Duchene (epub e reader .txt) 📗

I was cutting up some onions for dinner. What's up? You still coming down to

visit?"

"Didn't you hear what mom said about onions? And of course I'm still coming. I just have to—hang on a sec—"

Mack McCall must have placed the phone down. There was a bump sound followed by a muffled conversation. "Okay.

I'm back. So I was thinking in two weeks. I have some time off coming up."

"You're always welcome here, Mack. You know that."

Mack chuckled. "I just don't wanna show up and barge in the front door and catch you and some hot young thang in a compromising position. I'd need therapy for life."

Ronin laughed. "It's sex, bro…"

"I know that. But you're my brother. Ick."

Ronin rolled his eyes. "You're dirty, you know that?"

"I've been told. But seriously—two weeks and then I'll be up there. I'm waiting until you finish all the unpacking."

"So you don't have to help, huh?"

"I admit nothing…"

"Question for you, Mack."

"Yeah sure."

"You think it's too soon for me to start dating?"

Mack chuckled. "You found someone there

already?"

"I haven't been out of the house yet to find anyone,"

Ronin lied. "I did however get a job to do some paintings for an interior decorator. It's going to be huge."

"Well congrats, baby bro! I'm glad the move is working out for you. I was a tad worried there for a minute.

Look, about your question. It's not like you just broke up with someone. I can't even remember the last time you dated anyone. So no, I don't think it's too soon."

The two brothers had always been close, even as adults. A part of Ronin was so thankful for that love and support he tended to go out of his way to show his brother just how loved he was. "Okay, call me when you have your plans set," Ronin told his elder brother. "I'm going to finish dinner and then maybe go out tonight to take some pictures."

"For that club website you have?"

Ronin nodded. "Yes. You be safe, huh?"

Mack promised he would and the two hung up.

Glancing out the window, Ronin took a breath and dumped the chopped onions into the pot. He followed with some chopped tomato, garlic, ginger, and some parsley. He stirred it all together, covered the pot, turned down the stove, and sat at the counter to fiddle with his camera.

Chapter Four

The visit to the offices didn't take too long. José even walked the floors via the stairs to assess them. After he ensured it was safe, he checked out a good portion of the offices and skimmed his finger over some walls before he let in his staff. When that was finished, he met back at their offices in Eros to talk over what was to be done for the Anatolis project. He loved his work but meetings left a lot to be desired. Sometimes he'd rather light his pants on fire than sit through one. But it had to be done. By the time the meeting was over, his finance team was crunching numbers to send to Laird and his head designer was returning to the offices in Century. José headed home. It was hard because all he wanted to do was stop at Ronin's but he wouldn't want someone coming to his house so late in the evening.

Bright and early the next morning, José was awake and making phone calls. Though he'd cleared the offices for his crew to take a look, he wanted the real safety inspector go in. While that happened he figured he could brief Ronin and see what happened. He put in a call to Laird then to a distribution company he'd used before to sell the furniture he'd designed. When those tasks were out of the way, he took a shower, dressed in the nicest pair of black jeans he owned and added a light pink shirt. He tied his hair back

with a rubber band before spraying some cologne into the air and walking through it.

Checking out his reflection in the mirror, he grabbed his leather bag and whistled as he exited the house and jogged down the front walk to the car. He settled into the black Mustang. It was a gift from a Hollywood starlet he'd designed an award-winning condo for. That had been his first major job. Not only had she paid him, but she gave him the car and a beautiful bracelet she'd purchased in Morocco. Every year she redecorated and each time she called José and his team. Because of her, José DeLuz was a well-known name—he just tended to hide away from the limelight.

With plans in hand, José made his way to Ronin's place. He took a breath and knocked on the large front door. It looked different from a few days before. The mailbox was also new. He chuckled. Ronin seemed to have been busy. Clearing his throat, José turned once more to look at the door just as it was pulled open. José bit his lower lip, fighting back a groan. "Morning." Ronin smiled.

"Come on in. I was making some breakfast. You hungry?"

"And he cooks!" José laughed, walking by Ronin.

"It all depends on what you're eating."

"I made a protein shake and there are bagels and scrambled eggs with some fruit."

José allowed Ronin to lead him into the kitchen and was surprised at how good the place looked. There were no boxes now and he could move around without fear of crashing into one. He took a seat at the table and placed his bag on the floor.

"You work fast," José said, seeking desperately for a topic of conversation. The air around them was tense and he didn't know why. Each time their gazes met, a shiver surged through him. Perhaps it was his years of just being José, of being so open to most things—but even with that thought Ronin still seemed out of his reach.

"Thanks. I didn't have any help because my brother bailed on me at the last