Beneath Her Bastard Boss

Chapter 84

Blair sat at her desk, her attention divided between her work and her phone. Despite Roman’s meeting schedule being packed for the day, she kept finding him watching her through the glass wall that separated their offices. She appreciated his concern, but she wished she could just turn off her brain for a few hours.

“Blair, come in to my office.”

Blair got up, smoothed her skirt down, and entered his office. As soon and she closed the door, his hands were around her waist pulling her close.

“Any word from Sutton?” he asked.

“Nothing beyond that text.” Blair sank into his chest, breathing him in. “I’m trying to respect her space, but it’s killing me.”

Roman’s expression was sympathetic. “I know. But sometimes people need to work things out on their own.”

“You sound like Keira,” Blair muttered. “She basically told me to stay out of it.”

“Smart woman, your sister. Scary but smart.”

Blair started to respond when her phone buzzed with a text. She nearly fumbled it in her haste to check.

Sutton: I’m okay. Had a long talk with Luca. So much to process. Coming over tonight to fill you in. Don’t worry. I’m fine.

Relief washed over her so intensely it left her lightheaded. “She’s okay,” Blair said, showing Roman the message. “She wants to come over tonight to talk.”

“See? She handled it.” Roman reached up to run his fingers down her face and over her lip. “Now maybe you can focus on something other than your sister’s troubles.”

“Like what?” Blair asked, relaxing for the first time that day.

“Like your parents‘ company.” Roman’s tone shifted to something more serious. “I had my legal team looking into it. The official transfer should go through next week. You’ll need to make a decision about your involvement soon.”

Blair felt a familiar weight settle on her shoulders. The weight of responsibility was she really the right person to take over? “I’ve been thinking about it. A lot, actually.”

“And?”

“And I’m scared,” she admitted. “What if I ruin everything they built?”

Roman leaned back in his chair, studying her. “Blair, you’ve been helping me run Kingston’s. You’re more capable than you give yourself credit for.”

“That’s different. That’s being your assistant. This would be… running a whole company. Making decisions that affect people’s livelihoods.”

“People you care about,” Roman said, understanding in his eyes. “That’s exactly why you’d be good at it.”

Blair took a deep breath. “I keep thinking about my dad. How passionate he was about the business. How much my mom loved designing.” She looked down at her hands. “Taking it over feels like… I don’t know, like closing a circle somehow.”

“It doesn’t have to be all or nothing,” Roman pointed out. “You could bring in management help. Consultants. Hell, I’d help you figure it out. I don’t know fashion, but I know business.”

“Would you?” Blair asked, meeting his gaze.

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Chapter 84

“Of course,” Roman looked almost offended. She had to ask. “We’re partners, remember? Your battles are my battles now”

Blair felt so much love for this man. With Roman by her side, maybe she could do this. Maybe she could reclaim her family’s legacy and build something her parents would be proud of. Her sisters would be proud of.

think,” she said slowly, “I need to

in his expression. “That’s my

to Sutton and Keira first, make sure they

“Of course.”

with another

we meet at your place around 7? Bringing dinner.

texted back: Of course. See

Roman. “Looks like we’re

Roman said. “I think we need to talk to her about the embezzlement problem at

eyebrows shot

Blair. And if someone’s been stealing from us, they’ve been doing it through our systems. Sutton might be

she doesn’t

the one that told me she was wasted in reception and she could have gone to MIT. Let’s

let’s not ambush her

whatever she wants to about Luca, then we

the

tracking down whoever was stealing

his watch. “I’ve got another meeting in five minutes.

calmer. “Thanks for talking

turned wicked. “Though I prefer to talk you

the day finally breaking. “Behave. You have

his eyes darkening in a way

to her desk. She’d spent so long just surviving, just getting by. Now she had the chance to truly

for the first time, it

evening, Blair was still

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Chapter 84

herself she wouldn’t pry more than her sister was willing

Roman asked as they settled in the

onto a barstool. “Today felt like it lasted

generous glass. “You know, whatever Sutton

her wine. “I know. I just want her to be

that includes

92%

“But I also know people make mistakes. And

him like this

rang. She set down her glass and went to answer it, finding

steady. There was a calmness about her that hadn’t been there that

a hug. “Come in. Roman’s pouring wine–well,

followed her inside, setting the food on the kitchen counter. “I got Thai.

glass of sparkling water.

“Honestly? Like I’ve been through an emotional blender.

hold back anymore. “So? What happened? Did you talk to

“Blair,” Roman warned.

it.” She took a sip of her water. “Yes, we talked. A

mplicated.”

always is,” Blair muttered.

faintly. “He didn’t

“So Roman said.”