Page 95 of The Alpha's Crimson Vow

I don’t wait for the elevator. I can’t wait. I take the stairs, descending so quickly my breath comes in sharp bursts, my pulse hammering. The moment I hit the ground floor, I push through the glass doors of the lobby and step outside.

The heat of the midday sun slams into me, thick and humid, but I barely register it. My focus is locked, sharp and deadly, on the black SUV and the two men standing beside it.

They see me coming but they don’t even get a chance to react before I’m right in front of them, arms folded, my irritation rolling off me in waves.

“What are you two doing here?” I demand, my voice sharp and clipped. I’m in no mood for games.

The guards glance at each other, and for a split second, I catch something in their expressions—something like disappointment. Like they were really tying to prevent me from noticing them. Well, they failed.

Their hands remain clasped in front of them, shoulders squared, back straight—the perfect, disciplined little statues they’re trained to be. But they don’t answer. And that just pisses me off even more.

I narrow my eyes. “Where is your boss?”

Another silent exchange between them. Then, finally, one of them steps forward.

“His Majesty, the King, has returned to the kingdom for urgent matters.” His voice is even, clipped, completely devoid of emotion. Robotic.“His Majesty, the King.”Like I give a damn about his official title.

“So what the hell are you two still doing here?” I snap, my patience wearing thinner by the second.

Another glance between them. The hesitation is infuriating. Then, the other one finally speaks.

“His Majesty has instructed us to protect you while giving you no bother, madam. We are to watch after you, but will not be a disturbance.”

I let out a short exasperated sigh. “Oh? Well, congratulations, because your very presence is a disturbance to me.”

The guard doesn’t so much as flinch. “Madam, if I may,” he says, voice still perfectly polite like I haven’t just basically called him a pest. “Our instructions are to watch over you without being any trouble to you. We assure you, we will remain out of sight. But please, let us perform our duty to the King.”

I arch a brow. “Huh. I wonder how your King will feel when I tell him that you two have been pestering me, following me everywhere, and getting in my way at work.” I tilt my head, letting the threat settle. “Because that’s exactly what I’m going to tell him if you don’t leave. Right now.”

For the first time, I see a hint of something beneath their stone-cold professionalism. Uncertainty. They don’t want to go. But they really don’t want to risk pissing off their boss, either. Tough choice.

I watch as they exchange yet another glance, and despite the sunglasses masking their eyes, I can feel the discomfort rolling off them. They’re just following orders, doing their jobs. But I don’t care.

Finally, they turn to me, backs stiff as ever. “As you wish, madam.”

Without another word, they step into the SUV, the engine purring to life. A second later, the tires roll against the pavement, and I watch, unmoving, as they disappear down the street, their sleek black vehicle melting into the traffic.

Only when they’re completely gone do I exhale, the tension in my shoulders loosening just the tiniest bit.

Good. That’s handled.

With a final glance at the now empty curb, I turn on my heel and head back inside. I have actual work to do.

The hours slip by in a blur, my fingers flying across the keyboard as I bury myself in work. There’s too much to do, too many loose ends to tie up, especially with how things are with Alex now. A small part of me considered postponing my plans to get all our assets back from his properties in Europe, but now I’m moving ahead with those plans with renewed urgency.

Just as I’m about to pull up another document, my gaze lands on something small and familiar sitting on the chair across from me. A purse.

Alice’s purse.

I exhale through my nose, shaking my head with a small smirk. She forgot it. She might be a literal queen, but sometimes she’s just as forgetful as anyone else.

I grab my phone and dial her. She picks up on the second ring.

“Hey,” I say, leaning back in my chair. “Looks like you left your purse here.”

“I was wondering where that was,” she sighs, followed by the faintest sound of her smacking her lips. “I’ll come over for it.”

I glance at my watch. 7 PM. “What time’s your flight again?”

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