Page 54 of Deal with Mr. Cruel

“Really. You’re like a whole new man.” Chad shook his head in disbelief.

Jonas shrugged. “I guess.”

“Mae really got to you. I’m happy for you.” Chad slapped Jonas on the back.

“Thanks. I’m happy, too.”

“Well, maybe I’ll find my person during the auction.” Chad winked.

Jonas laughed and checked his watch. “It starts soon. We should head over.”

He was eager to see his idea come to life. He was also eager to see Mae, who would be working the booth nearby. He saw her from a distance, busy checking her clipboard and happily chatting with patrons. He had a few minutes to go see her.

“I’ll see you up there. Good luck,” said Jonas, patting Chad’s back.

He took a few steps toward Mae’s booth, when Nico stepped in front of him. He did not look happy. Annoyed, Jonas rolled his eyes. “What is it, Nico?”

“We haven’t finished our conversation about my sister.”

Jonas glanced around. Not wanting to make a scene, he gestured toward the back of the stage where the player auction would be held. “Not here.”

Nico glared at him before conceding and following him behind the stage. The players mingled about, but when they saw Nico and Jonas, they nervously walked away, giving them some space. Everyone, except Kenny who stayed behind, eyeing them both cautiously.

Jonas leaned against the back steps and looked at Nico coolly. “Can’t fight your own, battles?” he asked, nodding at Kenny.

Nico ignored him. “I appreciate you standing up for my sister to that asshole trainer the other day, but I still don’t trust you.”

“Mae does.”

“She’s not thinking straight.”

“She seemed to be thinking straight just fine yesterday. In my office.” Jonas couldn’t resist.

Nico took a step toward him, fire burning in his eyes. He raised his hands and shoved Jonas, causing him to stumble backward over the steps. Jonas righted himself and angrily came face to face with Nico. He wanted to hurt him, but not physically.

“It’s all fake,” said Jonas with a smirk.

“What?” asked Nico, taken aback.

“You heard me. The whole marriage is fake. It was all part of a plan to help me get what I want.”

Nico shook his head in shock. “But Mae…why would she agree to that?”

“She’d do anything to protect her baby brother.”

Nico looked at him questioningly.

“When I threatened to take your career away, she had no choice but to play along.” Jonas shrugged nonchalantly.

“She didn’t.”

“Of course, she did. I knew exactly how to get to her. So now, I get everything I want. And I get your sister in bed.”

Jonas heard a gasp. He whirled around to see Mae standing there with an expression that ripped him clear in two. Tears welled up in her eyes as she tried to hold her focus on Jonas. There was a woman next to her who was holding her children’s hands. She looked between him and Mae in utter disbelief.

He took a quick step toward Mae. “Mae—”

“So, none of it is real,” whispered Mae, blinking back tears.

---