Beneath Her Bastard Boss

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Blair waved down a taxi. She shoved open the taxi door and climbed into the backseat as quickly as she could, intent on getting out of here as fast as possible. She felt like getting drunk. But if she went to a bar alone during the day, that would be inviting trouble. She could feel the tears as they slid unchecked down her face. She had held herself together while she had confronted Dan and Laura.

*Where to?” the driver asked, his voice cutting through the fog in her brain.

Where to? Good question.

Home wasn’t an option. Sutton and Keira were at work, and she didn’t want to sit in their empty apartment, replaying the image of Dan tangled in her cousin’s sheets. She needed a drink. But sitting alone in a bar in the middle of the afternoon? That felt like waving a white flag.

She hesitated, then rattled off the address of her office. At least there, she could pretend to be productive. Maybe even figure out what the hell to do next.

The taxi pulled away from the kerb and she exhaled, trying to steady herself.

The driver looked at her in the rearview mirror. “There are tissues in the center compartment if you need them, hon.”

The driver’s voice was gentle, like he’d seen enough women cry in his backseat to know when to speak and when to keep quiet.

Blair grabbed a handful. “Thanks.” She said before cleaning her face as best she could. It wasn’t like she wore a lot of makeup. So she might as well clean her face.

Her phone began to ring. Dan.

She still pulled it out of her to check. Her stomach clenched as she stared at the screen, his name glowing in bright white letters.

She could just imagine the first words he would say.

“It’s not what it looks like, Blair.”

“I can explain.”

“Please, just let me talk to you.”

Lies. Excuses. The same bullshit men always spewed when they got caught.

She set the phone to silent and shoved it back into her bag.

By the time the taxi pulled up in front of the towering glass and steel structure of Kingston Industries, her makeup was beyond saving. She reached into her purse, dug out a crumpled twenty, and handed it to the driver.

“Be honest,” she said, forcing a smile. “Do I look like a woman who just found out her fiancé is screwing her cousin?”

F

The driver hesitated, giving her a careful once–over. “Your eyes are a little red, honey, but it’s hardly noticeable.” He paused. “Are you going to be okay?”

The unexpected kindness nearly undid her.

She swallowed the lump in her throat and nodded. “Yeah. Better to find out now, right? Just a little dump on the road of life.” She wasn’t sure who she was trying to convince the taxi driver or herself.

After paying the driver in cash, she climbed out of the taxi, hoisted her suitcase onto the curb and took a deep breath. Blair checked her phone screen to see Dan had called her six times and left six messages on her voicemail. Uninterested in what he had to say for himself, she slid the phone away in her handbag.

Blair turned toward the towering glass and steel structure of Kingston Industries. Roman had bought the building five years ago. The top eight floors belonged to Kingston, the lower three rented out to smaller businesses. With the way the company was expanding, she wouldn’t be surprised if they

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the whole thing

adjusting her

receptionists, had stepped out from behind the lobby

the same hand, she was still holding the bat.

a felony. She was relieved, though. It was something she

“Thanks, Maggie. Can I leave everything here while I freshen up?” She

course, Miss Warner.” Maggie’s eyes darted to

to tell you?” Roman preferred first names,

Roman than

taking the suitcase,

the foyer to the

cab driver hadn’t just been kind. She really didn’t look that bad She pulled a makeup wipe from her

People always said that added color, but she didn’t see a

much she could do about that. She pulled out a

the restroom, retrieved her belongings from Maggie, and headed to the elevators. As she waited,

been home today.

fried. But walking in on your fiancé shagging your cousin would do

thought made

but not that often. If their affair had been going on for months, they had

woman she didn’t recognize stepped in

When the woman got off at the second floor, Blair leaned back against the wall, staring

she tell Roman about Dan? It would feel like sour grapes–tattling just because he cheated. But he was also ripping off the company. No way could he get home, have sex with

Blair inhaled deeply before stepping onto the executive

executive floor, looked up. “Hey, Blair. I didn’t

figured I’d get a jump on the meeting notes for

“No, he left a little while ago. Called

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sagged in relief. She wouldn’t have

Thanks, Kara.”

shut the

Shit. She felt like a wrecking ball had just split

But even worse

kids, Blair had thought, they had grown out of that. Laura had always been a

have moved in with her sisters. She hadn’t when Sutton had come back from Europe because her sister Keira had just finished university. Keira had moved in with Sutton. She would have felt guilty leaving Laura on her own to move in with her sisters. What was the point, anyway? She and Dan had planned on getting a place of

head, Blair looked down at the ring on her finger. The engagement

got it back. He could sell it. Because she was sure Laura would want a big flashy ring.

dropped it in, slamming it shut. She needed a drink. Standing, Blair went into Roman’s office, where she knew he kept a bottle of

was big, strong, and masculine. “Don’t

down on his Chestfield lounge near the window. She opened the bottle and took a drink. Almost coughing it back

he like this shit straight? This time, when she put the bottle to her mouth, Blair made sure to sip it this time. Nope, that didn’t help. But it wasn’t as bad as the first drink. So she had another.

saw it was 3:15pm. She couldn’t call Sutton or Keira. Not yet. Let them get home from work. Blair planned to ask Sutton and Keira to assist her in organizing getting her stuff from the apartment. Although she didn’t want to put too much pressure

with her cousin Laura for months. How low was that? Then there was Luca, the father of Sutton’s baby. Who had

would see about crashing at their place until she could find somewhere. Their place wasn’t big enough for three adults and a baby. When it arrived. But it would be great to spend some time with her sisters. Eat ice cream and talk

It was a topic she refused to discuss. Even when their aunt Viv and

had demanded answers. Blair lifted the bottle again to her mouth. Only she and Keira knew

it, but as soon as it stop ringing it started again. Blair shifted to the edge of the lounge, rising to her feet. The room seemed to tilt ever so slightly, prompting a quick

regaining her balance, she made her way over

into the handset.

of fluff. It was the best

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