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

took her hand. “What do we do

“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 me to let

I

Even when he was pissed at her, even

“Thank you,” she whispered.

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

idea.” But she was

the office was quiet, both of them lost in their own thoughts. Blair kept checking her phone, expecting another call from Sutton, but nothing came. The silence was almost worse than

Kingston’s, Blair fell into step beside Roman as they walked through

stepped into the elevator. “And don’t forget you have a

but she could see his mind was elsewhere. “Blair, try calling her again. If she doesn’t answer, we’ll figure out

after everything, even when he was clearly still processing the bombshell she’d dropped on him, he was thinking about

office, Blair tried calling her sister again from her

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

starting to panic. This

she got a message. “Blair, I’m ok. Talk

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

Sutton? I’m literally trapped on a plane with

help but smile despite

a glorified babysitter to European royalty. If we hadn’t left

“Are you

It always worried Blair that

he holds court at the

breath. “So you

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Chapter 83

I have been trying to call her since.

But she

hyperventilate and pass out. Second, this is her battle. Although I would love to

I feel the same. I found

“What?

isn’t married. I tried to get hold of Sutton because I don’t

that piece in

a wedding.” Blair glanced toward Roman’s office, where she could see him pacing behind his desk, clearly agitated. Roman had asked her if she had heard

But maybe… a wild thought here–she needs five minutes to process having her baby daddy show up at work before she has to manage our anxiety on

this. I hate not knowing

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

you?” Blair asked, suddenly