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

her bag

Blair blinked. Maggie, one of the receptionists, had stepped out from behind the lobby front desk, her gaze

the suitcase from her. In the same hand, she was still holding

looking like she was about to commit a felony. She was relieved, though. It was something she wouldn’t need to

everything here while I freshen

Miss Warner.” Maggie’s eyes darted to

please. How many times do I have to tell you?” Roman preferred first names, but some staff–especially the newer

with Roman than

the suitcase, briefcase, and

the foyer to the

The cab driver hadn’t just been kind. She really didn’t look that bad She pulled a makeup wipe from her bag and cleaned off the last remnants of

her cheeks. People always said that added color, but

there wasn’t much she could do about that. She pulled out a brush, freed her long, wavy blonde hair from its bun, and redid it

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

hit her. He shouldn’t have been home today. So

fried. But walking in on your fiancé shagging

thought made

doing this? Dan had been at home during a workday. She traveled occasionally for work, but not that often. If their affair had been going

elevator arrived. A woman she didn’t recognize

When the woman got off at

sour grapes–tattling just because he cheated. But he was also ripping off the company. No

inhaled deeply before stepping onto

receptionist on the executive floor, looked up. “Hey, Blair. I didn’t think

figured I’d get a jump on the meeting

her head. “No, he left a little while ago. Called to have

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relief. She wouldn’t have to face

Thanks, Kara.”

to her office, shut the door, and sank into

like a wrecking ball had just

could he? But even worse than that, how could

had grown out of that. Laura had always been a spoiled brat. Taking what wasn’t

or by now Blair would 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

down at the ring on her finger. The engagement ring Dan

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

to throw it across the room. No, just in case it went missing. Opening the top drawer of her desk, Blair 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 scotch. She

of the man himself. Everything was big, strong, and masculine. “Don’t forget intimidating.” Blair said to

the window. She opened the bottle and took a drink. Almost coughing it back

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. Laying her

dial on her watch, Blair 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 on her older sister, Sutton. She was six months pregnant, and it hadn’t been

boss for being so arrogant and intimidating and sometimes rude. Then Dan, who had been cheating on her with her cousin Laura for months. How low was that? Then there was Luca, the father of Sutton’s baby. Who had left her high and dry

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

even talk about the man that had gotten her pregnant. It was a topic she refused to

bottle again to her mouth. Only she and

Blair shifted to the edge of the lounge,

way over to

she greeted into the handset. Not very professional, she

voice. It was Claire Robertson. Roman’s little piece of fluff. It was the best way

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