The Princess And The Criminal

13

SAWYER

The next few days were filled with trips in and out of the hospital.

Morgan was in a pretty rough shape after the surgery but was well enough to demand random things from Forrest and gush at her twins.

The babies were a bit quiet, which Noah and Forrest were worried about, they had both read some 'baby problems' book during Morgan's pregnancy, but a doctor had assured them that the kids were absolutely fine.

I was wagging a finger above Lillian's head when Morgan's parent's visited. They apparently had been out of the country.

"Sawyer! It's a surprise to see you." Mrs Theron smiled tensely.

"Same Mrs Theron." I had nothing against the Therons but they were definitely weird ass snobs. Including Morgan.

Noah walked into the hospital room with a cup of coffee and a smile that died when she saw Morgan's parents.

"Babe I got the—Mr and Mrs Theron."

"Noah." Mr Theron's gruff voice greeted. "It's been a while, thank you for taking care of Morgan during her pregnancy."

"Oh—uh of course.2 Noah stammered while her eyes flickered from me to them.

Then I realised why she was being so nervous. The Therons were good friends of the Reeds, Jonathan Reed.

Mrs Theron cleared her throat. "Well it's wonderful that you three have reconnected. Of course Jonathan and Paisley do not need to know that." She elbowed her husband at the end.

He nodded in agreement. "They don't need to know at all." He smiled. I couldn't see his lips, his bushy beard lifting at its ends.

Noah visibly relaxed.

I handed the baby to Mr Theron, nodded at them and led Noah out of the room.

"Are you okay?" I asked and caressed her cheek.

Noah sighed and nodded. "My parents have someone following me right now, I've been a bit stressed out. I was just a bit spooked by seeing Morgan's parents but I'm fine."

"Noah!"

I looked up and my eyes met with the Prince's. He had a hoodie wrapped around a small animal as he ran to us.

"Good afternoon Sawyer."

I swallowed down my at this point—irrational jealously and managed a smile. My jealously mostly came from the fact that Noah's parents wanted him for her and not me.

I had a lot of pent up rage about the shit Noah's father had pulled and some close minded comments her mother had made in the past, but I was still jealous of all the men they thought were better than me.... even the gay ones.

"Oh Cedrick, you guys have not been officially introduced. Cedrick, Sawyer, Sawyer, Cedrick."

He beamed at me and I had to blink for a second. Cedrick had charming written in bold letters across his forehead.

"It's a pleasure to officially meet you Sawyer."

I smiled. "The pleasure is all mine."

"I'm going to check on Morgan, I love you." She kissed me softly.

"Love you too." I mumbled against her lips.

Cedrick and I sat in the hallway in very awkward silence. Well awkward for me, the prince was cooing at the kitten in his arms.

"Do you like cats?"

I looked at the bundle of fur that was legit frowning at me.

"Not a big fan."

He shrugged and turned back to the animal. "I get that, I hate birds."

"I'm pretty sure a lot of people don't like birds."

"A lot of people don't like cats."

I hummed. "There are literally cat armies online. I do not recall stumbling upon a bird army, or bird fan account."

Cedrick laughed a bit. "Well that's true."

We were quiet again for a bit till Cedrick sighed.

"Could you join me outside for a bit?"

I eyed him suspiciously. "Uh.. sure."

The difference between the stale bleach scent of the hospital and outside was intense and I breathed in heavily, appreciating it.

"I wanted to talk to you about Noah."

I tensed and frowned at him, getting defensive immediately. "Talk about what."

He noticed my standoffish behaviour and smiled.

"It's about her parents."

I swallowed and clenched my jaw. "What about?"

"Sawyer, Noah pays her own rent, she pays her own bills, has a job she loves and a girlfriend I know she absolutely adores..."

I relaxed a bit at his words. "But?"

Cedrick sighed. "But she lets her parents still push her around. I understood when she was eighteen. She was still in college and I'm not sure but I think her parents were paying for her apartment then but Sawyer, it's getting so fucking bad."

I frowned and swallowed before narrowing my eyes at a black car parked beside Noah's. The driver had his glass rolled down, shades on his face and his head turned towards the door. He was definitely looking at us though.

"What happened?" Cedrick asked looking in the general direction I was focused on.

"Noah said someone was following her. That looks like someone following her."

Cedrick, who could not locate the clearly suspicious man sighed and turned to me.

"They've figured out that I'm not interested in her and have contacted my cousin Marley. Sawyer, Marley is dangerous, and he likes Noah... She doesn't know about it but they've already arranged the date. Marley's last girlfriend is still missing."

"What the fuck do you mean she's still missing." I hissed at Cedrick.

"I mean, she broke up with Marley and disappeared. The guy she was dating after him is in a coma... Sawyer, Noah knows about the date but she doesn't know Marley. Her father does though."

I swallowed and breathed deeply. "You mean to tell me Jonathan fucking Reed has planned some fucked up shit to get Marley and Noah together?"

Cedrick shook his head. "All Jonathan has to do is get them on a date. Marley will eat her alive Sawyer. She's hot.. he doesn't care if the date doesn't go well. Once there has been a date that's his go ahead."

I rubbed my face. "I'll talk to her."

"Sawyer?"

I turned to the hospital front doors and squinted at the woman who called me.

She had bright purple hair that contrasted her dark skin and tribal tattoos covering both hands.

"Emilia?"