Page 5 of The Alpha's Crimson Vow (Eternal Oath Saga #2)

Katherine

The air in the office feels heavier today—charged with something unspoken but palpable. It’s not a bad kind of tension, just… different. Even the setup feels foreign. Normally, when Alex is in here, I’d be perched on the couch, relaxed, while he’d take the chair across from me. But today? Today, he’s sitting across from me at my desk, my usual workspace, and I can’t shake the feeling that the room is holding its breath.

I glance up briefly, catching the way his eyes linger on me. He’s quiet, patient, but his presence feels magnified. It’s distracting, almost as if the energy between us has changed slightly, settled into something new. I force myself to focus, scanning the contract in front of me one last time. My fingers trace the edges of the document, my eyes darting over the key points:

- No intimacy required.

- A commitment to play the part of my boyfriend at any public event where a partner might be expected.

- A strict non-disclosure agreement.

- And, of course, a very generous monthly payment to make it worth his time.

It’s all there. Clean, professional, airtight. It’s perfect.

Satisfied, I slide the contract across the desk, watching as it stops neatly in front of him. “Take a look,” I say, my voice steady but soft. “Let me know if there’s anything that doesn’t sit well with you.”

For a moment, he just looks at me, and there’s something almost playful in his expression. Not mocking, not even close, just this quiet amusement that lets me know he’s comfortable. Relaxed. It’s the kind of look that could make someone feel warm without knowing why.

He picks up the contract, his long fingers holding it delicately as his eyes skim the pages. It doesn’t take long for his eyebrows to arch, the faintest look of surprise crossing his face. “That’s… quite a lot of money, Ms. Lockhart.”

I clear my throat, turning slightly in my chair. “It’s fair,” I reply, trying to keep my tone neutral. “I was worried it might not be enough.”

“It’s more than fair. Honestly, I’d have done this just to help you.” His eyes remain on the contract as he speaks. “It actually looks like the deal’s more in my favor than yours.”

I can’t help but smile at his words. It’s small, but genuine, and I tilt my head slightly as I reply. “Oh, and Alex,” I say, feeling a touch of lightness creep into my voice, “you can call me Katherine. Especially when…”

“…we’re in character,” he finishes for me, a spark of enthusiasm lighting up his eyes. “I’ll make sure not to do that while I’m just me, though. At work, I mean.”

I nod, grateful for his natural understanding of the boundaries, but a thought comes to me immediately. “About that,” I add, my tone turning thoughtful. “You won’t have to keep working as a janitor anymore. I can find another role for you within the company.”

The change in his expression is immediate. His smile fades, replaced by a faint frown as he sits up straighter. “But I like my job,” he says simply, his voice firm.

I blink, momentarily thrown off. “Oh…” The word slips out before I can stop it, and for a second, I’m not sure what to say.

He seems to notice my hesitation and presses on. “I enjoy it, especially working at night. It’s peaceful. I’d really prefer to keep doing it. But don’t worry—I won’t do anything to make people suspicious. Outside of work, I’ll switch into character, no problem. Is that okay?” His tone is earnest, his eyes locked on mine, as if he genuinely cares about making this arrangement work.

I feel a slow smile tug at my lips. “I think we have a deal,” I say.

He nods slowly and glances at me with a small look of approval. Without hesitation, he clicks the pen in his hand and leans over the desk, signing his name with a confident flourish. Once he’s done, he slides the contract back to me, and I rise instinctively from my chair.

He mirrors the motion, standing to his full height. The moment he does, his presence feels larger than life, his broad shoulders and tall frame making me feel unusually small. I tilt my head up, meeting his gaze, and he tilts his downward to meet mine.

I extend my hand, my voice steady and sincere. “Thank you for doing this, Alex.”

His large hand clasps mine in a firm handshake. “Of course, Katherine.”

The way he says my name—soft, almost possessively—sends an unexpected ripple through me. It feels… different. Like he’s been calling me that all along, like he has always supposed to call me that.

The handshake lingers, far longer than it should, but neither of us seems eager to let go. There’s something grounding about the contact, something I don’t have the words for passing between us.

“You know,” he says, a playful smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth, “if we’re going to make this convincing, I think we’re going to need a little more than just handshakes. Especially at public events.”

His words catch me off guard, and I feel heat creeping up my neck and settling in my cheeks. “I… I have to get to work now,” I manage, my voice quieter than I’d intended as I force myself to break eye contact.

“Of course,” he replies easily, his tone light as he steps toward the door. He pauses just before leaving, glancing back over his shoulder. “Dinner here again tonight?” His voice is warm, the question laced with genuineness, as if he wants to make sure that this new dynamic will not stop us from having our friendly late night conversations over pizza or pasta or ramen, or whatever we come up with.

I look at him, the faintest hint of a smile on my lips. “Yes. Definitely.”

He nods again, flashing me that same knowing, approving look. It’s a strange expression, one that radiates a quiet authority, as if he’s always in control. “Perfect,” he says, his voice steady and sure.

And just like that, he’s gone, the door clicking shut behind him.

The day flows by like a breeze. My fingers dance over the keyboard, efficient as ever, but there’s something lighter about the air today. I feel it in the bounce of my step when I move around the office, in the way my lips tug into a small smile for no particular reason. Heck, I even catch myself humming at one point—some random tune I don’t recognize—and I don’t stop.

I can’t remember the last time I had a workday like this. It’s productive, sure—every report filed, every task checked off—but there’s an energy underneath it all, like a hidden spring bubbling just beneath the surface.

By the time evening starts to creep in, with the warm orange of dusk spilling through my office window, I’m still riding the wave. I glance outside, watching as the golden light casts soft shadows across the room. The day is winding down, but I know I’ll be here later than anyone else. I always am. Still, tonight will end on a high note—dinner with Alex. Just thinking about it sends a flicker of warmth through me, and I can already imagine the casual banter over whatever food we scrounge up.

I’m pulled from my thoughts by a sharp knock on the door. My eyebrows lift slightly, curiosity piqued. “Yes?” I call out, my voice steady but inquisitive.

The door creaks open, and my curiosity quickly morphs into surprise as he steps in. Uncle Lawrence. I school my expression quickly, pulling my features into something neutral, though my mind races.

What’s he doing here? He rarely comes into my office, especially unannounced.

He lingers by the door at first, his hand still on the knob. “Katherine, may I come in?”

There’s an oddness to the way he asks the question, like it’s not really a question at all. It’s more a statement, as if he already assumes I’ll say yes. I don’t bother hiding my skepticism. “Uncle Lawrence,” I say slowly, leaning back in my chair. “I wasn’t expecting to see you here today.”

He steps further inside, moving deliberately, his polished shoes making faint sounds against the floor. “Yes, well…” His tone is measured, almost overly so. “It’s important that we talk.”

By the time he reaches the chair in front of my desk, he settles into it like a man on a mission. I stay quiet, studying him, the memory of our last interaction playing vividly in my mind. The gala. The way he’d been so eager to shove me aside, to make Frank the center of attention even though I was the rightful speaker. But more than that, I remember his face when I stepped onto that stage anyway, with Alex by my side. The look of disappointment etched so clearly on his features. That memory alone is enough to make my mood brighter, even now.

“I hope you enjoyed the gala, Uncle Lawrence,” I say, my lips curving into a faint smirk I don’t bother hiding. There’s a sharp edge of satisfaction in my tone, and I’m not even trying to conceal it.

He turns in his seat, his eyes flicking away briefly before returning to mine. “Yes,” he says carefully, his tone clipped. “That’s precisely why I’m here, Katherine.” His gaze sharpens. “The man you were with at the gala. Who is he?”

I raise an eyebrow at the directness of the question, but I don’t flinch. “You mean my boyfriend?”

His expression tightens, surprise clear across his face. “Your boyfriend?” he repeats the word. “To the best of my knowledge—and that of the elders—you haven’t been courting anyone.”

I lean back slightly, drawing out my words as I reply. “Well, perhaps the wise elders don’t know as much as they like to think they do.” My tone is light, almost dismissive, as I cast my eyes back at my computer screen, as though this conversation is barely worth my time.

The silence stretches. I can feel his eyes on me, heavy and calculating, the gears in his mind turning at full speed.

“Where is that man from?” he asks, his voice stiff and probing.

I don’t respond, my focus pointedly fixed on the glowing monitor in front of me.

“What family is he from?” he presses again, his tone taking on a sharper edge.

Still, I don’t give him the satisfaction of a reply. My silence speaks volumes, and I can practically hear the frustration building in his breath.

Finally, he sighs, exasperation seeping into his words. “Katherine, we need to know who this man is. Where he’s from. The man you’re apparently courting—”

I cut him off with the sharp clack of my finger hitting the space bar. Spinning my chair to face him, I meet his gaze head-on, my voice low but firm. “What you need to do, dear Uncle, is mind your own business.”

His eyes narrow, his frustration flaring. “This is our business,” he retorts, his voice rising. “It’s our business to know who you’re with. It’s our business to ensure Pinnacle Group will be in good hands. We need to know—We need to ensure that you are with someone who can manage the company.”

I scoff, the sound sharp and bitter as it escapes my lips. “The person managing this company is me, Uncle Lawrence,” I say firmly, my tone leaving no room for argument. “The person who will continue to manage it is me. Not the man I marry. Not anyone else. Me.” I let the words hang in the air, heavy and unyielding, before continuing. “So I suggest you—and the rest of the elders—stop poking around in my private life. You didn’t like me being single? Fine. I’m not single. That’s all you need to know.”

I turn back to my computer, dismissing him as effectively as if I’d waved him out of the room.

The silence that follows is thick, but I don’t look up. I don’t have to. I know exactly what his expression looks like—the tight jaw, the narrowed eyes, the controlled frustration.

After a moment, I hear the soft scrape of his chair as he stands. His steps are slow as he moves toward the door. He pauses briefly, as if considering saying something else, but then he thinks better of it.

The door clicks shut behind him, and the room sinks back into silence.

I exhale slowly, but my relief is laced with a sharp undercurrent of defiance. The elders don’t have anything on me now. Not a single card to play. I’ve worked too hard to prove myself—too competent, too driven to let their criticisms stick. And now, with Alex as my contract boyfriend, they can’t wield the “single” argument against me anymore.

We just have to keep up the act.

*****

The days and weeks have been unusually quiet, but I can’t complain. It’s as though Alex showing up at the gala and my heated exchange with Uncle Lawrence slammed the brakes on all the usual family meddling. The elders have finally backed off, their noses no longer poking into my private life. No emergency board meetings, no whispered interrogations disguised as polite conversation, and even the necessary board meetings have been uneventful. Frank, of all people, has been remarkably quiet too, keeping his usual snide remarks to himself.

I feel… lighter. Like a weight I didn’t realize I’d been carrying has been lifted. I’m walking down the grocery store aisle now, pushing a half-full cart in front of me, and there’s an ease in my stride that hasn’t been there in a long time.

My cart rattles slightly as I maneuver it toward the checkout counter, the wheels squeaking faintly against the linoleum. The rhythmic beep of the scanner pulls me from my thoughts as the clerk starts ringing up my items.

As I hand over my card, ready to pay, a sudden, loud crash from behind me makes me whip around. The sharp noise reverberates through the store, drawing curious glances from the other shoppers. Behind me, a young woman is crouched down, scrambling to pick up a pack of soda cans that have tumbled to the floor. They’re rolling in every direction.

Without hesitation, I step toward her, crouching down to help corral the escaping cans. “Let me give you a hand,” I say, gathering a few of them in my arms.

“Thanks,” the woman replies softly, her voice almost lost in the noise around us. But there’s something about that voice—a spark of familiarity that makes me pause.

I glance up, trying to get a better look at her face. She’s wearing a baseball cap pulled low over her forehead, and the hood of her sweatshirt is draped loosely around her face. But even with most of her features hidden, I know.

“Annie?”

She looks up, her wide eyes meeting mine. “Hi, Ms. Lockhart,” she says, her tone polite but hesitant, like she’s unsure how I’ll react to seeing her here.

I smile faintly, standing up and placing the cans on the counter. “I didn’t know you shop here.” My voice is calm, casual, even though my mind is already wondering what one of Pinnacle’s bright-eyed interns is doing at the same grocery store as me.

Annie straightens up too, clutching the remaining cans to her chest. She’s a hardworking kid—quiet, but determined. I’ve noticed her at the office, always focused, always trying to prove herself. I haven’t had much time to mentor her directly, but it’s nice to see her outside the corporate bubble.

“Come on,” I say, gesturing toward the counter. “Let’s get these scanned. Put them on my tab.”

She hesitates, her lips parting as if to protest, but the clerk is already scanning the cans, and I don’t give her a chance to argue.

“Where are you headed?” I ask as the clerk finishes packing up her items.

“Just heading home,” she says quietly, her tone shy and reserved. It’s such a stark contrast to the sharp-tongued executives I deal with daily, and it makes me soften a little.

I nod, my decision made before she has a chance to argue. “Great. I’ll give you a ride.”

Her eyebrows lift slightly, and I can see the wheels turning in her head as she debates whether to accept. I narrow my eyes just enough to make it clear she doesn’t have much of a choice. Finally, she gives a small smile and mutters, “Thanks.”

The drive is quiet for the most part. The hum of the engine fills the silence, and the faint scent of her soda lingers in the air between us. I glance at her occasionally, offering a few words of encouragement about her work ethic and how much I’ve noticed her efforts. She mumbles her thanks, her voice still small, and I let the conversation drift into silence.

When we finally pull up in front of her apartment building, she reaches for the door handle, but then she hesitates. Her hand hovers there for a moment before she pulls it back, turning to face me instead.

I notice the way her throat tightens as she swallows, her eyes darting between me and the dashboard. “Ms. Lockhart, there’s… there’s something I should tell you,” she says, her voice barely above a whisper.

I sit up straighter, my curiosity piqued. “What’s up, Annie?”

She hesitates again, her gaze dropping to her lap. “I… I wasn’t really just shopping at the supermarket back there,” she admits, her voice tinged with something like guilt.

“Oh?” The word slips out, and I feel a strange knot form in my stomach.

“I was actually… well…” She takes a deep breath, as if willing herself to say it. “I was watching you.”

My eyebrows shoot up, and I feel the knot tighten. “You were watching me?”

“Yeah,” she murmurs, barely able to meet my eyes. She moves uncomfortably in her seat before continuing. “Mr. Frank asked me to. He said he needed me to stay out of sight and watch you for a while. To see if you were with anyone… any man.”

The knot in my stomach unravels into something hotter, sharper. My jaw tightens.

Frank.

Annie’s voice wavers as she continues. “He said if I did it—and reported back to him—he could help me get a good spot in the company. But…” She shakes her head, her voice firming up slightly. “This doesn’t feel right.”

I nod slowly, anger bubbling beneath the surface. Frank. How dare he?

She looks at me again, her eyes steady this time. “Ms. Lockhart, I don’t know what’s going on, but… I think you’re a good person. Just… be careful.”

Her words hang in the air for a moment, and I force myself to smile faintly. “Thanks, Annie,” I say, my voice calmer than I feel.

She nods, clutching her bag tightly as she steps out of the car. I watch her disappear into the building.

I exhale, the kind of long, deep exhale that feels like it’s coming from somewhere buried deep inside.

Who was I kidding? Really? I lean back in the driver’s seat, letting my head rest against the headrest as my fingers tighten around the steering wheel. It was never going to be that easy. Frank. The elders. All of them. Of course they weren’t going to let this go.

I need to do something.