Beneath Her Bastard Boss

Blair stared at the bank of monitors in Roman’s home office, each displaying different financial records from Kingston Industries. They had worked from home today so she could review transaction logs and cross–referencing dates as Sutton sent her the information as they searched for any patterns that might reveal who was stealing from the company.

“Find anything?” Roman asked, setting a fresh cup of coffee beside her.

“Maybe. Sutton sent this over.” Blair pointed to one of the screens. “There’s a pattern here. Small transfers, all under ten thousand to avoid triggering automatic alerts, all moving through the same series of accounts before ending up offshore.”

Roman leaned closer, studying the data. “Clever. But not clever enough.” He squeezed her shoulder. “Sutton’s coming over this afternoon to help us dig deeper.”

Blair nodded, grateful for her sister’s programming expertise. Ever since their dinner two days ago, Sutton had been eager to help with the investigation. Blair suspected it gave her something to focus on besides her complicated situation with Luca.

“What time is the board meeting tomorrow?” Blair asked, stretching her stiff muscles.

“Ten.” Roman’s expression hardened. “Once we have concrete evidence, we’ll present it to the board and legal team simultaneously.”

Blair was about to respond when her phone rang. She glanced at the screen and frowned. “Unknown number.”

“Put it on speaker,” Roman suggested.

Blair answered, keeping her voice professional. “Blair Warner speaking.”

“Blair.” The voice on the other end was instantly recognizable, dripping with fake sweetness. “It’s Jessica. Jessica Kingston.”

Blair’s eyes snapped to Roman’s, watching his jaw tighten. “What can I do for you, Jessica?”

“I was hoping we could meet for lunch today. Just us girls. To clear the air.”

what air, exactly?” Blair

we got off on the wrong foot, and since you’re sleeping with my ex–husband,

already shaking his head, mouthing,

an interesting offer,” Blair replied slowly. “But

really think we should talk,

Blair knew Jessica was up to something, but she also knew sometimes the best way to handle a threat was

about Carl’s at one?” It was a popular restaurant in the financial district, always crowded with business people. Public enough that Jessica

was giving her an incredulous look, but Blair held up a

purred. “See you then,

spoke. “What the hell was that?

her spine. “Jessica

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she’s trying to provoke

her being a problem, Roman. She’s going to keep trying until she gets what she wants. So let’s give it to her… on our terms. If we don’t deal with her now, she will always be

a hand through his hair, frustrated.

she can’t make too much of a scene. I’ll hear whatever she has to say, and

if she doesn’t listen? If she causes a

smiled, a plan already

moment before his expression shifted to one of reluctant admiration.

and for all.” Blair reached for her phone. “And

into Carl’s, scanning the crowded restaurant until she spotted Jessica sitting at a prime table near the center of the room. Of course, she’d choose the most visible spot–this was meant to