Beneath Her Bastard Boss

Chapter 111

Sutton sat in Blair’s car on the way to some bridal dress shop with her sisters.

“We’re almost there,” Blair said, glancing over at her. “You okay?”

“Fine,” Sutton assured her, though she was exhausted.

Between helping Blair investigate the embezzlement at Kingston Industries, her new programming role at Cyber10, and the project Luca had just thrown at her, she’d barely had time to rest.

But it was still so much better than her last role at Cyber 10. She’d been this close to stabbing herself in the eye–well, not herself, because that might’ve harmed the baby. Now Nicole? That was a different story. God, one’s imagination was a beautiful thing.

In the backseat, Keira leaned forward. “I still think it’s a girl. She’s going to be brilliant and beautiful like her mother.”

Sutton grinned. “What do you want?”

The question made Keira laugh. “Nothing yet.”

When Blair parked in front of Bella’s Bridal Boutique, Sutton took a deep breath, preparing for the effort of extracting herself from the car.

“I still can’t believe we’re doing this,” Blair said, stepping out of the car first. “The wedding is this weekend. Shouldn’t we have done this months ago?”

Sutton carefully maneuvered herself out of the car. She was finding it more difficult every day to do things like… just standing up.

“Most people, yes. But most people don’t get engaged, catch an embezzler, confront a jealous ex–wife, expose a murderous uncle, and get ready to take over a family business all within the span of a few weeks.” Sutton grinned at Blair.

Her sister’s whirlwind romance with Roman Kingston had shocked them, but Sutton had never seen Blair happier. After everything they’d been through, learning the truth about their parents‘ deaths and their uncle’s betrayal… Blair deserved this happiness.

Sutton had taken the day off as leave so she could be with Blair today. Luca had sent her a message this morning to see if she was ok. He must’ve gotten her phone number from her file because she hadn’t given it to him.

They followed Blair inside. The boutique was elegant, all cream and blush tones with pretty skinny waist dresses, that made Sutton feel suddenly self- conscious in her practical maternity dress. Sophia, the boutique owner, greeted them warmly, unsurprised by their last–minute request.

“We specialize in miracles,” Sophia assured them with a professional smile.

That’s when the boutique door chimed. She turned automatically, then froze.

Luca. Standing in the doorway, tall and impossibly handsome in a tailored suit, his dark eyes finding hers immediately.

“I’m sorry,” he said quickly. “I just wanted… I was just dropping something off.”

Sutton’s face heated. What was he doing here? Had he followed her? Her hand instinctively moved to her belly.

clearly sensing her tension, The room had gone awkwardly

fine,” Sutton managed, keeping her voice neutral. “We’re just helping Blair

softened, his eyes dropping briefly to her stomach. “I wanted to see if you were okay… you didn’t return

presence. He’d been checking on her when she hadn’t responded to

box he’d given her. It was small but surprisingly

breaking the tension. “Sol Wedding dresses! Let’s see some

into the boutique, Sutton heard Luca saying he should leave, though he made no move toward the

Blair surprised her by saying, “why don’t you

meaningful look Keira shot Blair. Her younger sister was still firmly in the anti–Luca camp. But when Luca glanced at her, clearly seeking permission, Sutton found herself

Stay if

should want him gone. Instead, some treacherous part of her was glad for his presence.

He just wanted to make sure she was ok. When she hadn’t replied to his text. He had asked Roman what store Blair was getting her dress from. Sutton didn’t trust him and he

there. The small package in his hand… a small plant pot with an arrangement of succulents

in the elegant boutique with three pairs of female eyes regarding him with varying degrees of suspicion, he realized how

action must seem.

leaving was the last thing

he couldn’t mask his surprise or his hope. Blair had every reason to hate him after what he’d done to her sister. The fact that she

it was Sutton’s quiet “It’s fine” that made his heart race. He’d take any opportunity to be near her, even if it meant enduring Keira’s glares. They hadn’t been introduced but he know

couldn’t help but breathe her in. He missed her, and he hadn’t realized how much until she was gone. But if

believe him.

better and then he had thought she had cheated he had seen red. So now she would believe he was saying it for the baby. Somehow, he had to show her he cared for

gentle waves past her shoulders, and her blue eyes, though

gave you?” he

“I’m… actually enjoying everything about

the programming department had been an easy decision once he’d learned about her computer science background. The hard part had been doing it in a way that wouldn’t make her

told her truthfully. “Jake

itch to touch her. It reminded him of her flushed

just being

y. Luca

the admiration from his voice. “You have a real talent, Sutton. I’m glad you’re finally getting to use it. This new program of yours will change

who knew

breathed.

misty.

felt like an intruder witnessing something intimate and precious. These sisters had been through so much together. Their bond was unbreakable, forged through tragedy and triumph. He had only found out how much from Roman… Sutton hadn’t told him a thing. Because she

was

at least he know his child would have been taken care of. The

think?” Sophia