Beneath Her Bastard Boss

Blair sighed, staring at her phone as if it had personally wronged her. This weekend was going to be hell, and she knew Sutton and Keira wouldn’t take the news well.

She blew out a breath before pulling up her sister Sutton’s contact and pressing call. It rang twice before Sutton picked up.

“Blair?” she answered, her voice immediately suspicious. “Are you okay?”

Blair rolled her eyes. “Nice to talk to you, too.”

“Uh–huh. Sorry, but it’s unlike you to call during a workday unless it’s important. What’s wrong?”

“Can you talk?” Blair pinched the bridge of her nose.

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“Yes, just give me a moment. I’ll head to the ladies‘ bathroom.” Blair heard Sutton explain to the person she was on reception with, that she needed to take a call and wouldn’t be long. Not long after, Sutton said, “Okay, what’s up?”

“Just hold on. I’m adding Keira,” Blair let Sutton know.

She switched to a conference call and dialed their youngest sister. It took longer for Keira to pick up, and when she did, she sounded distracted.

“Give me a sec,” Keira said. “I just need to get away from the Prince of Arrogant Asshole Land.” Keira was the social secretary to a second–son prince from some small, wealthy country in Europe.

Blair really hoped she hadn’t said that loud enough for him to hear, but she wouldn’t put it past her sister. Subtle, she wasn’t.

“Okay, shoot.”

“Sutton is on the line as well. I have something to tell you both. Well, several some things.” Blair didn’t even try to ease into it. “Dan and Laura’s engagement party is this weekend. We’re expected to go.”

Silence. Then…

“Oh, hell no,” Sutton said, her voice sharp. “You’re joking.”

“Please tell me you’re joking,” Keira added. “Because I will riot.”

Blair groaned. “I wish I were. But Aunt Viv just called and made it very clear that we don’t have a choice. In her words, it wouldn’t look good if I wasn’t there wishing them well.”

“That woman is delusional if she thinks we’re going to stand around smiling while your ex–fiancé play happy families with that snake,” Sutton said, her tone heated.

“Like people don’t remember, Dan was engaged to Blair only last week. Sometimes people have short memories, but not that bloody short,” Keira snorted. “I think it’s hilarious. We should go just to watch them squirm.”

Sutton let out an exasperated noise. “Keira.”

“What? If we have to be there, we might as well get some entertainment out of it.” Blair could almost see Keira rubbing her hands together in glee.

Blair sighed. “Well, it’s happening whether we like it or not. Not like I would want him back.” Not sure how they would take her next bit of news. “There’s something else I need to tell you.”

Keira perked up. “Oh, I love a dramatic reveal.”

16:13 Wed, 18 Jun

Blair hesitated for only a second before taking a deep breath. “I’m engaged.”

Dead silence.

“Excuse me?” Sutton said, voice tight.

Keira, on the other hand, burst out laughing. “Holy shit, I knew it! Roman does move fast!”

Blair frowned. “What do you mean, ‘I knew it‘?”

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+28)

“Oh, come on. That man almost committed murder for you,” Keira said, completely unbothered. “I’m just sorry I wasn’t there to witness it. Did you cry with happiness?”

Blair scoffed. “Absolutely not.” She wasn’t going to tell her sisters why she was marrying Roman. That was between her and Roman. It wasn’t like she was unhappy with her choice. He did respect her and treat her well.noveldrama

“Damn,” Keira muttered. “Missed opportunity.”

Sutton still hadn’t spoken, which worried Blair. “Sutton?”

“I’m processing.”

Blair winced. “Look, I know this is sudden…”

“Sutton, don’t be a buzzkill,” Keira interrupted. “Dan was the appetizer, Roman is the main course. Laura got stuck with the bread basket.”

Blair choked on a laugh, while Sutton groaned. “Keira, I swear to-”

“What? I’m happy for her! Unlike some people.”

“I never said I wasn’t happy,” Sutton snapped. “I just… Blair, this is a huge decision. Are you sure about this?”

Blair’s stomach twisted. “Yes,” she said firmly. “I am.”

Sutton sighed. “Then that’s all that matters. But you know Roman isn’t just some rebound, right? You shouldn’t do that to him.”

ristled. “Of course I know that. Trust me, Roman is no rebound guy. Keira was right.”

Sutton was still skeptical, but she wouldn’t push–at least not now. “Well, I suppose this means you’ll be bringing he engagement party?”

Blair hadn’t even thought about that. But now that Sutton mentioned it…

“Absolutely,” Keira said before Blair could respond. “I can’t wait to see Dan’s face when he realizes how much you upgraded.”

“Honestly, I can’t believe Aunt Viv is okay with Dan and Laura getting married after everything,” Sutton muttered. “Dan cheated on you. Shouldn’t that be some sort of social faux pas in her perfect world?”

“Oh, please,” Keira scoffed. “She put up with Uncle Peter walking around town with his pants down, being unfaithful to her for years. As long as no one talks about it at Sunday brunch, it never happened.”

Sutton let out a dry laugh. “Good point. The only reason this wedding is happening so fast is because Laura’s pregnant. And that wouldn’t do for Aunt Viv’s social standing.”

“No, it wouldn’t,” Blair agreed. “Which is why she’s insisting I show up and act like I’m thrilled.”

Keira made a disgusted noise. “We should make a toast. ‘To Dan and Laura–may your marriage last slightly longer than the

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time Dan spent cheating on Blair!”

“Keira,” Sutton warned.

“What? Too soon?”

Blair shook her head. “I’ll think about bringing Roman,”

“You do that,” Keira said smugly. “And let me know what color dress you’re wearing so I can coordinate, We’re making, a statement, ladies.”

Sutton sighed heavily. “I can already feel the headache coming.”

Blair smiled despite herself. “Alright, I need to get back to work. We’ll talk later”

They ended the call, and Blair set her phone down, exhaling. Before she could fully collect herself, there was a knock at the door.

“Come in,” she called, straightening in her chair.

The door opened, and Roman’s head of security stepped inside, He was a tall, imposing man with a no–nonsense demeanor