Beneath Her Bastard Boss

Blair took one last steadying breath before opening the terrace doors and stepping back into the house. She plastered a smile on her face and made her way back into the room. She didn’t look in Luca’s direction.

She felt a little like Keira–she wanted to hurt him for what he had done to their sister.

“There you are.” Roman appeared at her side almost immediately, concern creasing his features. “I got your text. Is Sutton okay?”

“Just feeling a bit nauseous,” Blair said, the lie coming easier than she’d expected. “Pregnancy stuff. Keira took her home so she could rest.”

“Should we leave too? Go check on her? Everyone will understand that you’re worried about your sister. We can-”

“No, it’s fine,” Blair interrupted quickly. “She insisted we stay. Said she’d never forgive herself if she ruined our celebration.”

Roman studied her face for a moment, and Blair forced herself to maintain eye contact. No more secrets, they’d promised

each other.

But this wasn’t her secret to tell. This was Sutton’s business, and she had every right to decide when and if she told anyone that Roman’s friend Luca was the father of her baby.

Luca didn’t have any rights as far as she was concerned. Not after the way he had treated Sutton. Used her, then gone off to marry his little Italian bride his father had picked out for him.

She was justified in keeping this to herself. She had to be.

“If you’re sure,” Roman said, though he still looked worried.

“I’m sure. Besides, your dad will never forgive us if we leave before he’s finished embarrassing you.”

That earned her a smile. “True. He’s just getting started.”

They rejoined the main group, and Blair tried to focus on the conversations around her. Roman’s aunt was telling a story about his childhood obsession with dinosaurs, and everyone was laughing at the mental image of eight–year–old Roman correcting museum tour guides.

“He was insufferable,” Rose chimed in. “He’d stand there with his little clipboard, making notes about everything they got wrong.”

“I was thorough,” Roman protested. “There’s a difference.”

“You made a museum tour guide question his career choice,” James added helpfully.

Blair found herself genuinely smiling for the first time since they’d come back inside. Roman’s family was exactly what she’d always remembered a true family should be. Their family had been like this until Peter had killed her parents. It made what had just happened with Sutton feel even more unfair. She had been through so much. The only reason she had been modeling in Europe was to put Keira and her through university. Then Luca had used her and left her pregnant and alone. Without even a backwards glance.

“Roman! Blair!”

in the

them each a glass. “I’m really

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Luca,” Roman said, clapping his friend on the shoulder. “I’m glad you

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never thought I’d see the day Roman Kingston would willingly give up

sounded hollow to her own ears. Looking at Luca now–really looking at him–she could see why Sutton had been attracted to him. He was undeniably handsome, with an easy charm that probably made women feel

accused them of trying to trap him. Blair was sure there was more to the story that was just too painful for

woman,” Roman said, his

see that,” Luca said, raising his glass. “To Roman and

said stiffly, barely

His brow furrowed slightly, and he glanced between

it sounded off and not her normal friendly self. She just

be welcoming to Luca. Every time she looked at him, she thought about Sutton crying herself to sleep, facing pregnancy alone because this man couldn’t be bothered to take responsibility. And now here he was, acting like he was such a good friend, such a

sensing the tension. “I should let you

started to move away, Roman caught his arm. “Hey, before you go. Any luck with that thing we talked

between them. What

expression shifted, becoming more serious. “Still looking. It’s harder than I expected to find exactly what I’m looking for.

shouldn’t settle. You know

appreciate that. Really. Your support means the world. I will find it if it’s

couldn’t understand. Then Luca nodded to both of

about?” Blair

said. “Just something

she was keeping her own secrets. She couldn’t exactly demand honesty when she was

she found herself watching Luca. He seemed so relaxed, so charming with everyone. There was no sign that he was carrying guilt about a woman he’d abandoned. No hint that he ever thought about the consequences of his actions. He

ring, but some men didn’t. Maybe it allowed him

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