Beneath Her Bastard Boss

Chapter 83

“Wait, how do you know about Audrey?” Blair asked, the question hitting her suddenly.

“Luca told me when we went to dinner that night.”

Blair frowned. Why would Luca tell Roman when he was married to some good little virgin bride? But she asked instead, “Why would he do that?”

“Because Audrey… Sutton disappeared, and she was pregnant with his baby. He was looking for her.”

“But he said she was a liar and called her so many names. Why does he care now?” Blair felt her anger rising, upset that Roman seemed to be defending his friend.

Roman ran a hand through his hair, looking conflicted. “Look, I’m not defending what he said or what he did. That was fucked up. But Blair, he’s been eating himself alive over this for months. He thinks he made the biggest mistake of his life, letting her walk away.”

“He didn’t let her walk away. He came back from a trip home engaged to another woman when he was involved with her and then he drove her away.”

“I know that and so does he, now.” Roman’s voice was quiet. “We don’t know the ins and outs of their relationship, but he is here now, trying to make it right.”

Blair stared at him. “Make it right? Roman, he is married. What exactly is he planning to make right?”

Roman frowned, looking at her. “He isn’t married.”

Blair laughed. “Then he lied to you because he ended things with Sutton while she was pregnant to marry some eighteen- year–old girl his father had picked out for him.”

“Blair, I promise you he didn’t marry her.”

“What… why?”

“I’m sure it’s a lot more complicated than we know.”

“Everything’s always complicated with you guys, isn’t it?” Blair snapped. “Simple answer, Roman. Is your best friend married, getting married or not?”

Roman met her eyes. “It was an arrangement. Business. It was never… real. But Luca tells me it didn’t happen and will not be happening.”

Blair felt like she might throw up. “Are you telling me Sutton has been torturing herself, thinking he’s with someone else when he’s not?”

“I don’t know what Sutton’s been thinking because you didn’t tell me any of this was happening,” Roman said, and there was an edge to his voice now. “Which, by the way, I understand why you couldn’t tell me last night. But Blair, you should have trusted me. We could have figured this out together.”

“We only found out last night that your Luca was her Luca.” Blair looked down at her hands. He was right, and she knew it. “It was her secret, Roman… him being there and your friend was a shock.” Blair shrugged.

“I know. I get it. Family comes first. I understand that better than most people.” His voice softened. “But we’re supposed to be building something here. Us. And that means trusting each other with the hard stuff. She is going to be my sister–in–law. I will protect her. We are all going to be a family.”

Blair nodded, feeling tears prick at her eyes. “I’m sorry. I hated not telling you.”

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Chapter 83

over and took her hand.

breath. “We stay out of it. This is Sutton and Luca’s mess to figure out.” She hated that. “We just… we be there if Sutton needs us. She asked

“But Blair, if she needs a job… I mean, if she can’t stay at Cyber10 now. I can find her

This was why she loved him. Even when he was pissed at her, even when everything was messy, he still wanted to take care of her

“Thank you,” she whispered.

the car. “We should probably get to work. As my soon–to–be wife told me, I

laughed. “Good idea.” But she was still

thoughts. Blair kept checking her phone,

Kingston’s, Blair fell into step beside Roman as they walked through the lobby. Her brain

still on,” Blair said as they stepped into the elevator. “And don’t forget you

again. If she doesn’t answer, we’ll figure out if we need to go to

said ‘we. Even after everything, even when he was clearly still processing

office, Blair tried

She tried again five minutes later. Same thing. Blair tried to work while

was starting

got a message.

like to say she was relieved, but she wasn’t. Blair needed to know if Keira had talked to Sutton. Her youngest sister answered on the

trapped on a plane with Prince Entitled and his

but smile despite her

climbing, living my best life as a glorified babysitter to European royalty. If we hadn’t left already, I wouldn’t be on this

“Are you

worried Blair that her boss would

what His Royal Smugness calls the ‘staff section‘–which is basically economy with better snacks -while he holds court at the other end of the cabin with his security detail. They’re

took a deep breath.

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Chapter 83

yes… She messaged me and I have been trying to call

a complete panic, and now she’s not answering her phone. I’ve tried calling six times, Keira. But she just sent me a text. Saying she will talk to me

Second, this

I feel the same. I found

“What?

isn’t married. I tried to get hold of

that piece in the

behind his desk, clearly agitated.

here–she needs five minutes to process having her baby daddy show up at work before she has to manage our anxiety on top of her

hate this. I hate not

having siblings, Blair. It’s like signing up for a lifetime subscription to worry and emotional chaos. I wish I could be there to help you stress–eat ice cream and come up with ridiculous plans, but I’m stuck babysitting the Crown Prince of Pretentious for the next

you?”