Henriks chose that moment to jump on Josie’s lap, which caused her to startle and jump.
Maisy lifted the kitty off of Josie’s lap.“I got you, Henricks.”
“Thanks.See, I’m an uncoordinated mess, not a catch,” Josie plucked a piece of cantaloupe from the tray and held it out to Henricks.
“Cecilia doesn’t want him to have people food.”
“Yes, but Cecilia is learning how to squish a man’s balls or something and isn’t here, right Henriks?”
Josie glanced at her friend and they fell into another fit of giggles as the cat happily licked off the juice of the cantaloupe from her fingers.
4 ARES
“Ohgod!Please,please!Let me up!”The high-pitched sound of his almost sister’s-in-law’s voice broke through the closed door to his side of the house.It wasn’t the first time and wouldn’t be the last.Ares strolled out of his bedroom, into his sitting room, hoping the real estate agent he was talking to couldn’t hear the background noise.
“Yes, Marion, do whatever necessary to cut through the tape, but I’m going to go forward.It’s a gorgeous property, and I am not going to wait.I want my designer over there as soon as you have keys.”
He’d wanted to move out of their mansion for years and was tired of his brother not making up his mind.Xander would complain—that it was his brother’s nature—but Ares knew they needed more room.
There was no question that they wouldn’t live together, or at least in this case, beside each other, but like always, it was about doing what worked for Xander’s comfort level.In his mind, having a secluded property outside of the city, with twice as much space, was a no brainer.Xander wanted to be close to Axis Management by living here, even though it could be up to an hour's commute with the bridge traffic.
Ares’s new place was only a little further, give or take forty-five minutes.
“You’re lucky that the property has been vacated, and the owners were eager to sell and your offer was competitive enough.Taking possession on Friday isn’t a problem.”
“Great, when can I get my designer in?”
“As soon as we close, Mr.Montague,” He didn’t miss the mirth in Marion’s tone.
“I know, I’m being pushy.Thanks Marion.”
“I’m used to it with you guys by now,” Marion laughed, and Ares smiled, hanging up.
The noise from below seemed to have stopped, but he went through to his workout room, got on the treadmill and started to run while he read his emails before calling Erik for an update on Dax’s team.
“Dax and three guys shipped out this morning,” the growly voice of Erik Knight said in his ear.“The operation is going smoothly.”
“Exactly what I wanted to hear.You sound cheerful this morning.”
“I’m a man on little sleep.”
“How much longer?”
“Forever.this baby is never going to come.”
“Waiting is always hard.Can’t wait to meet the new communications guy.”
“He’s solid.”
Ares had no doubt.They built the best team of men they could, and this guy came heavily recommended by Dax.
“Thanks for the update.Clock out when your shift is over.”
“I know the deal,” Erik grumbled.
Ares laughed and hung up.
He started to cool down from his run, pleased that everything was going smoothly with both branches of the business.Drustan had taken their smoke and mirror bait and stopped asking about the project.He and his team had put together useful specs that Xander was satisfied with because it would make them more money and allow Xander to go to market with technological advances he’d been sitting on.
