Page 77 of The Alpha's Crimson Vow

I look away, my mind scrambling for an explanation that won’t make me sound like a complete wreck.

But then, Jimmy lets out a small laugh—light, easy. “Relax, Kat. I’m not mad. Honestly? I don’t even think I really started to feel anything for you.”

My head snaps up, eyes wide.

He grins. “I mean, don’t get me wrong—you’re gorgeous, you’re sharp as hell, and any guy would be lucky to have you.” He tilts his head, studying me. “But me? I was never really into it, not the way I should’ve been.”

A slow realization creeps over me.

“You…” I shake my head, blinking. “You were just… protecting me?”

He shrugs, like it’s the simplest thing in the world. “Alice asked me to.”

A small, stunned laugh escapes me. Of course. Alice sent him when she could tell how bothered I was about Alex being constantly around me.

I shake my head again. “You know, for a guy who spent the last couple of days flirting with me, that’s a pretty unromantic confession.”

Jimmy smirks. “What can I say? I like to keep things interesting.”

I let out a small smile. Jimmy watches me for a moment, then stands, straightening his jacket.

“Well, this has been fun,” he says, offering me his hand. “No hard feelings?”

I stand too, still smiling, reaching out to shake his hand. “No hard feelings. And for what it’s worth, I did have fun with you. You’re a charming man, Jimmy.”

His grin widens. “I know.”

We both laugh, and just like that, any awkwardness that could’ve lingered between us disappears. He turns toward the door, making to leave, but then he pauses, looking back at me.

His expression twists—still light, still teasing, but there’s a flicker of something more serious beneath it.

“I won’t tell you what to do,” he says. “You’ll make your own decision. You should make your own decision.”

I nod, pressing my lips together.

“But…” he continues, tilting his head slightly, “if you and Alex are fated mates, then both your hearts must be breaking from being apart so much.”

His words hit a part deep inside me, because goodness, I feel it. It’s been a constant, aching pull in my chest.

Jimmy holds my gaze for a second longer, like he’s waiting to see if I’ll say something. But I don’t. I just nod, because it’s the only thing I can do.

He gives me a knowing look, then smirks again. “Take care, Kat.”

And with that, he turns and walks out the door, leaving me alone in the silence of my office.

I settle back into my chair and try and focus on the days work. The numbers on my screen blur together as the hours tick by. I even glance over at the most recent email update I received from James. The one where he explains that he’s closer to finding evidence that some of the board members were involved in my parents murder, but he can’t find anything linking them to the attack on me besides the manner of the attack.

I inhale deeply, my fingers moving against my temple as I think of what Alex said, how the attack was orchestrated by his uncle.

There’s too much happening all at once. My thoughts feel tangled, like a mess of wires sparking in every direction, and no matter how hard I try to sort through them, nothing connects the way it should.

I glance at the time on my computer screen and realize the workday is over. I don’t even remember the last few hours passing. I sigh, rubbing my temples one more time before packing up my things.

As I reach for my bag, my gaze flickers to the calendar in the corner of my desk. June 12. My fingers freeze.

Tomorrow is my birthday.

I inhale sharply, something heavy pressing against my chest. It’s funny—I don’t think about my birthday much. I don’t celebrate it, haven’t since I was a kid. But somehow, I always find myself remembering it at the last second.

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