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!”

had two champagne flutes in one hand and a third in the other. He was wearing a broad smile. Her stomach immediately clenched. She wanted to

handing them each a

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clapping his friend on the shoulder. “I’m glad you could

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it. Though I have to say, I never thought I’d see the day Roman Kingston

it 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 like they were

Blair was sure there was more to the

said, his arm tightening around her

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

barely

furrowed slightly, and

said. But it sounded off and not

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

the tension. “I should let you get back to your other guests. Again,

caught his arm. “Hey,

between them.

serious. “Still looking. It’s harder than I expected

You shouldn’t settle. You know I’m here if you need

world. I will find it if

couldn’t understand. Then Luca nodded to both of them and walked back into

about?” Blair asked once he

Roman said. “Just something he’s

couldn’t exactly demand honesty when she was

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 was just having a good time at a party while somewhere across town, the mother

wife was. Blair had noticed he didn’t wear a ring, but some men didn’t. Maybe it allowed him to cheat on his good little wife. She

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