Free Nick (The Kringle Boys Book 1) by Lily Rede

Arthur, which wasn’t unusual. Nick found it difficult to like anyone. Although the factory elves weren’t too bad, he had to admit, and his North Pole brethren seemed likable enough. And he had a…fondness…of sorts for his brothers, but that was just the bonds of blood. And then there was Phoebe…
    Don’t think about Phoebe.
    There was something else going on here.
    “How’s business, Arthur?”
    “Excellent. Quite excellent. We’re so busy that I actually need to get back to the store tonight, but I couldn’t resist popping in.”
    “I didn’t realize foie gras and tapenade qualified as confections these days.”
    Arthur’s stores specialized in foodie delights, more savory than sweet, but he only smiled at the barb.
    “I thought it was time to broaden my horizons. Specialty gourmet is all well and good, but what’s a food brand without an exemplary bakery and confectionary? By this time next year, Canning’s will be the number one source for all things sweet in the city.”
    And then the country, and eventually, the world.
    He didn’t say it, but Nick had no trouble picking up the smug forecast in the man’s tone.
    “I wouldn’t count your chickens too soon, Arthur, especially with the North Pole Candyworks right across the street from your flagship store.”
    Arthur sipped his champagne.
    “Oh, I don’t think that’ll be a problem.”
    Nick bristled.
    “Santa may be a hell of a guy, but he’s no pushover. He’s not going to step aside and let you run the city. We provide a much-beloved brand for the world, in case you’d forgotten.”
    “There was a time for the Candyworks, but this is a free market, Mr. Kringle. And even if that weren’t the case, I don’t see the Candyworks lasting after the New Year, so you may want to start polishing your resume.”
    “You seem pretty sure of yourself.”
    Arthur smiled.
    “Oh, I can guarantee success.”
    “Really? How’s that?”
    “A real man doesn’t sit around waiting for success to come to him. A real man steps up and takes what he wants. What he deserves.”
    Nick could think of one or two things that Arthur Canning definitely deserved.
    Arthur snagged a chocolate truffle from a passing tray.
    “Besides, you don’t think I would leave the future of my business to chance, do you?”
    Unease prickled along Nick’s spine as Arthur savored the treat, malice in his eyes.
    “You’ve had quite a few accidents lately, Mr. Kringle. It’s a shame when a man can’t keep control of his interests.”
    Red haze filled Nick’s brain as the pieces snapped into place.
    “You bastard – ” he growled, “You’ve been sabotaging us.”
    Arthur wiped his fingers on a napkin, fastidious.
    “Of course I have,” he said calmly, “But you’ll never prove it. Your word over mine? Pfft. Such a goodhearted gesture from Santa Claus, giving his poor misfit nephew a job. Too bad he wasn’t up to the task. I’m sure a man like Santa has many things to worry about other than a little candy factory. And once you’ve shown your incompetence, it will just be a matter of time before he accepts my offer to buy him out. You can pretend to be civilized and human all you like, Mr. Kringle, but we both know the truth. I know what you are.”
    Nick clenched his fists, cold fury coursing through his blood, and for a moment, he was back in his father’s castle, ice splintering him from the inside out. He’d taken a step forward before he remembered that he was in a room full of people. Colleagues. Nothing would be gained by pulverizing Arthur into a slimy little wet lump on the floor, not until he figured out how he’d managed to do so much damage to the Candyworks. But he wanted nothing more than to reach out, grab the man’s throat, and squeeze.
    “Arthur, how nice to see you!” Phoebe held out a hand with a smile.
    “I was just looking for you, Phoebe. I believe you owe me a dance.”
    He lifted Phoebe’s hand to kiss, and Nick’s control