The Princess And The Criminal

23

SAWYER

I hated myself at that moment. Noah was missing for a day and a half–and I hadn't even noticed she was gone during the half.

When I stormed into the hospital I went back to see my dad. I wasn't mad at Forrest, not really. I had just realized that him mentioning drugs probably had something to do with what my dad had told me about Caesar.

I was scared and confused, wondering just how messed up my family really was. But then Marley bumped into me in the hallway. Two huge people dressed in all black followed him.

I couldn't help but eye the female bodyguard, her muscles almost as big as my head. The sheer size only eclipsed by her male co worker on the other side of Marley.

"It wasn't poisoning.. But that means you and your family have to be very vigilant about your safety."

I sighed and nodded at him. I picked up my phone to order an uber. I just wanted some time alone, maybe just to hit something. But my phone had died.

We had been in such a rush to get to the hospital I hadn't noticed the battery was low.

"Need anything?" Marley asked, glancing at my phone with a raised eyebrow.

"Nah, thanks anyway, I'll see you around I guess."

He smiled and nodded.

I decided I was just going to walk, perhaps home. No one would be in Noah's apartment and even if they were I didn't think it was best for me to be around any people at the time.

I had bumped into a nurse who had stared at me strangely for a while but just apologized, smiled and moved on.

I ended up walking around for a long time, my thighs stung after an hour of just roaming around with no aim.

I ran around too, getting strange looks from people who had seen me looping around random buildings. They probably thought I was a thief.

I stopped in the park. Getting in as many pushups I could, alternating through planks and transitioning to twist.

When I could barely move from muscle cramps the sun had set and the stars twinkled in the sky. Winking and mocking me.

I probably would have slept in the park if Hunter hadn't pulled up in Betsy.

He said nothing, just helped my sweaty and tired body into the truck and drove me home.

I took a shower, not fully aware of my surroundings and passed out before I even hit the bed.

When I woke up the next morning my phone was still switched off but had charged.

I turned it on and began to freshen up. As soon as it was alive and picked a signal a call came through. I frowned at the unfamiliar number and ignored it. If I could go back and pick the phone the first time I would.

I took a shower, ate some breakfast and even did a thirty minute morning run before returning to my phone.

There was another missed call from the same random number... I called back but when the call didn't go through I didn't bother trying again.

After taking another shower–something I probably shouldn't have done the first time–I tried calling Noah.

I had just realized I hadn't called her or texted and she hadn't sent her usual good morning text either. It was usually some goofy emoji or a sticker she found.

When she didn't answer after the third call I began to get worried. Even when she was at work Noah answered my calls.

I called Viper to ask if Noah was at work but unlike Noah Viper never took calls on her private cell when she was working and I didn't have her business number.

I stood up and began to pace. I didn't have Morgan's number, If Noah was at home Morgan would know what was wrong with her.

Walker and Caesar were out. Shepherd and Jo were playing COD and didn't have her number and Hunter didn't even have my new number–apparently.

I took the car Caesar had driven us both in last time and drove to Viper's office.

I should've called Forrest but I was still feeling petty about our argument the day before.

When I got to the office everyone was super busy. I had no idea that wasn't normal since I had only been to the building once prior.

When I led myself to Noah's office Viper was there. Looking scared and frantic.

"Viper?"

Her eyes, wrapped in dark circles, snapped to me and brightened. "Sawyer! Where's Noah."

I swallowed and frowned. "I came here looking for her."

Viper's expression turned pained and she picked up a crumpled piece of paper and handed it to me.

I took it wearily and read the short message.

She is mine, so I can do whatever I want to her. She was mine first and will always be mine, till the day she dies Sawyer.

Do you understand? Till the day she dies.

"What the fuck is this?" I growled at Viper.

She huffed. "Fuck Sawyer! I don't know! Morgan hasn't seen her, she thought she was with you but her calls won't go through. She wasn't responding to any text and neither were you so we thought the two of you were off somewhere but Hunter told Forrest he had found you in a park and that he hadn't seen Noah anywhere! So I came to search her off–" Viper choked up and collapsed to the ground.

She looked... old. God my parents had never looked so old.

I tightened my grip on the note and processed what Viper had just told me.

"Her car?"

"It's still at the hosp–" Viper was cut off by my phone ringing.

The same unknown number. I didn't waste a second answering that time.

A deep, clearly altered voice came through. "Oh what a pleasant surprise!"

I clenched the phone so hard my forearm hurt. "Where is she?"

"Oh Sawyer, always so smart. I returned her from where I got her. Her next of kin should be receiving a call right about now."

My heart dropped. "If you have–"

"Save the threats. Just wanted you to know there's some souvenirs from our time together in her car. Sharing is caring after all."

The call ended.