Beneath Her Bastard Boss

Chapter 70

Two hours later, Sutton and Keira were sitting in Roman’s living room, staring at Blair like she’d lost her mind.

“Let me get this straight,” Sutton said slowly. “You want us to pretend you’re dead? At your fake funeral. So we can catch Uncle Peter confessing to murder.”

“That’s the plan,” Blair confirmed, curled up on the couch next to Roman. Her head was still pounding, but the painkillers were finally kicking in.

“That’s the dumbest plan I’ve ever heard,” Keira said flatly. “And I once watched you try to dye your hair with Kool–Aid.”

“It worked, didn’t it?”

“You looked like a traffic cone for three months! And that was just regular stupidity, not fake–death stupidity.”

Roman cleared his throat. “The plan has merit. Peter thinks he’s untouchable right now. If he believes Blair is dead, he’ll let his guard down. It’s the safest plan because it will be a neutral location out of his control. She will not be facing Peter in their home.”

“And if he doesn’t confess what, then?” Sutton asked.

“Then we still have the financial evidence Peters is gathering,” Blair said. “plus the hitman is talking to the FBI. They will be there as well. We need a full confession about our parents‘ deaths and his involvement. Was Aunt Viv involved? We can get him on the attempt on my life, but what about our parents?”

Keira was pacing now, which was never a good sign. “So we have to act like we’re grieving. Like our sister is actually dead.”

“I know it’s asking a lot—”

“Blair.” Sutton’s voice was sharp. “We buried our parents. We know what real grief looks like. You want us to fake that?”

The room went quiet. Blair felt like she’d been slapped. She hadn’t thought about how this would affect her sisters, having to relive that kind of loss.

“Shit,” she said quietly. “I’m sorry. I didn’t think-”

“Of course you didn’t,” Keira said, but her tone was softer now. “You’re too busy trying not to actually die to think about the emotional trauma you’re putting us through. Plus, let’s be honest, thinking isn’t exactly your strong suit lately.”

“Hey-”

“Am I wrong? In the past two weeks, you’ve gotten engaged to your boss, moved in with said boss, been attacked multiple times, and now you’re faking your own death. I’m starting to think you have some kind of death wish, or you’re secretly an adrenaline junkie.”

Roman’s arm tightened around Blair. “We can find another way—”

“No,” Sutton interrupted. “Blair’s right. This bastard has been stealing from us and trying to kill our sister. If faking some tears at a funeral is what it takes to stop him…” She shrugged. “I’ll do it.”

“Sutton, you don’t have to-”

“Yes, I do. Because you’re my sister, and I’ve already lost too many people I love.” Sutton’s eyes were fierce. “I’m not losing you too. Not to him.”

Keira stopped pacing and flopped into a chair. “Fine. But I have conditions. And they’re non–negotiable, unlike your engagement timeline, apparently.”

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Chapter 70

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as?” Roman asked,

Blair has to be safe during the funeral. Like Fort Knox safe. Because knowing her

full security detail, plus the FBI

the moment this goes sideways–and I mean the very moment–we pull the plug. I don’t care if we

“Agreed,” Blair said quickly.

the face when this is all

hold him down for

And fourth–I want hazard pay for having to pretend to be devastated while

“Keira,” Sutton said, exasperated.

cry over my sister’s fake corpse, I should at least look good doing it. It’s going to be on the news and

Blair said, but she

when exactly do you die? Please tell me it’s

now that I took a turn for the worse around

muttered. “This is so

it as performance art,” Keira said helpfully. “Very expensive,

glanced at it and felt her stomach

does it say?”

the message out loud. “Sweetie, Peter told me about your accident. We’re coming to the

working on mine.” She demonstrated

“Keira,” Sutton warned.

has that covered,” Roman said, trying not to smile. “Hospital staff will tell them that Blair’s body has already been taken to the morgue, and

getting complicated,” Sutton

it’s getting,” Keira corrected. “We’re like a really twisted version of Romeo and Juliet, except hopefully with less

you guys sure you want to do

exchanged a look–one of those sister conversations

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I have one more condition that I absolutely

now?” Blair asked

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back from the dead at your own funeral, you better have something dramatic to say. None of this ‘surprise, I’m alive‘ bullshit. I want a full dramatic speech about justice and betrayal and family. I’m

everything, Blair laughed. “I’ll

Keira grinned. “And Blair? When this is over, we’re having a long talk about your tendency to turn our family

actual action movies.”

But remember, it’s our family drama,

quickly. “Peters…

information about Blair’s condition, then made at scene

bought it?” Blair

look particularly devastated.” Roman’s expression was grim. “Which tells us everything we need to

about

to the bank. Literally.”

couch, suddenly feeling exhausted. “So it’s really

only