Page 1 of Deal with Mr. Cruel

Chapter 1

Jonas

The lights of the city glimmered, casting reflections on the window. Jonas pressed his forehead against the cool glass and looked out over the cityscape. His breath left foggy prints, leaving just as quickly as they appeared.

He could faintly hear the party from downstairs. The drinks clinking. The laughter. The chatter. Usually, these sounds would entice him, but tonight he was tired. A hint of guilt crept in as he thought about his secretary, Wendy, who had been on the phone for weeks, hiring vendors and finalizing the guest list. “It’s a big deal, boss,” she had said, even though he was hesitant about a party.

His first year heading up his father’s company had flown by. Despite his many accomplishments, Jonas still had impostor’s syndrome. Even so, this was where he was meant to be. It was where hehadto be if he wanted to become the most successful man in Boston. He knew he had a lot left to prove.

Jonas stood with his thoughts for a moment before he let out a sigh and pushed away from the glass. He glanced at his watch. It was just after seven o’clock. The night was still young. And so was he. Hell, he wasn’t even forty yet. He should go down to the party, but Jonas didn’t want anyone suggesting he was getting old, and he probably would punch anyone who did. He shook his head to wake up. Time to be the boss.

After straightening the papers on his desk, he grabbed his phone and slid it into his pants pocket. With a glance at his reflection in the window, Jonas smoothed his dark hair back with his hands. He tightened his tie and slid a jacket over his shoulders. Happy with what he saw, he headed out of his office.

The hall was empty as he made his way toward the elevators. Everyone had clocked out already and was down at the party. Jonas pressed the button and leaned against the wall, waiting for one to open. Every now and then in the silence, he could still hear his father barking orders or making snide comments under his breath. The contrast was so different, but the underlying tone was the same. His father had been feared by his employees, which was probably why the company was so successful. Jonas had also feared his father until the feelings became blurry and turned to hate.

The ding of the elevator broke Jonas from his thoughts, and he stood from the wall as the elevator doors slid open. Unsurprisingly, it was empty. He hit the button for the second floor and rode down to the faint sound of a piano drifting from the speakers. Soon, the doors opened, and loud music came pouring in, invading the quiet. Jonas stepped out of the elevator and stood back, watching the party. It was massive. He wondered if this was a celebration for him or for one year of being without the big, bad boss. Plastering a smile on his face and stepping out of the elevator, Jonas let the thought go.

Looking around, he saw that Wendy really had invited everyone. All the bigwigs in the city. The entire Major League team. His family. She even got Nate Brockton to come, who was ordering drinks at the bar with a long-haired brunette hanging on him like silk. Jonas had been desperately trying to secure a deal with him ever since he took over the company.

Nate headed one of the largest sporting apparel companies on the east coast. Jonas had been wanting to expand the company to include apparel for years, but his father always stood firm in his opposing opinion. He never had listened to Jonas’s ideas. His father was headstrong—although some would say he had his head far up his ass.

After many meetings, Jonas had come to realize that Nate didn’t make a deal with just anybody. They had to work for it, which made securing the deal that much more appealing. Jonas straightened his jacket and started heading toward the bar to schmooze with his future potential business partner.

But then he saw her.

Mae leaned against the back wall, holding a glass of champagne. She was talking to her brother, Nico, and let out a laugh that lit up her entire face. Almost as though she sensed him, Mae glanced up at Jonas across the room and closed her mouth into a tight-lipped smile. She gave a small nod and lifted her glass before taking a sip of champagne. Then her attention went back to her brother. Such a small gesture made Jonas feel as if his feet were cemented in place, and his gaze remained on her. Mae wore a red dress that hugged her curves like it was clinging to her for dear life. Her blonde hair was pulled back loosely, and a few tendrils escaped and brushed against her face as she talked.

Mae seemed enthralled by what Nico was saying, which wasn’t surprising with how much she cared for her baby brother. Jonas couldn’t help but feel a tinge of jealousy. Mae had always been protective of Nico, and she had good reason to be, as he was one of the wilder guys on the team. Nico had just made it to the big leagues and it seemed to go to his head. He was always getting in some sort of trouble she had to navigate him out of. Jonas often had to crack down on him, which Nico resented him for. If only Mae didn’t baby him so much, then maybe he would grow up. But, she’d taken on the motherly role when they lost both of their parents unexpectedly.

“She looks good,” a voice said, breaking Jonas from his stare.

Jonas cleared his throat. “Hmm?” he asked innocently, glancing at Chad, who stood holding out a glass of whiskey and ice.

“Thank you,” Jonas said, accepting the glass and taking a sip. He reluctantly turned his back to Mae and looked around at the party. Silver streamers hung from the ceiling, and a disco ball slowly spun in the center of the room, casting light in a thousand different directions. A large ice sculpture of a baseball stood tall next to the bar.

“Wendy really went all out,” he said.

“Of course she did. You did it! You successfully took over the business from your father. The owner from hell.”

Jonas let out a chuckle and shook his head, looking down at his glass.

“In all seriousness, you’ve really taken the company to the next level. We’ve signed more athletes and advertised at more games than ever before. We needed someone fresh and young-ish,” Chad said with a wink.

“Watch yourself. I’m still your boss,” Jonas replied, raising an eyebrow.

“You’re hers now too,” Chad said, nodding toward Mae.

“We are strictly professional.”

“Sure, you are.”

Jonas remained silent, swirling his glass of whiskey as the ice clinked against the sides.

“What’s the deal with you two, anyway?” Chad asked.

“That’s ancient history.”

Chad nodded and took the last swig from his drink. “I’m all out,” he said before heading to the bar.

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