The Princess And The Criminal

25

NOAH

Viper collapsed into the chair beside me with a heavy sigh.

"I'm sorry for worrying you."

Viper smiled at my words. "Don't apologize. You didn't ask for this..."

She frowned. "Why though?"

I frowned as well. "Why what?"

"Why would someone kidnap you and message Sawyer?"

I blinked a bit.

Viper sighed. "I'm sorry I shouldn't be bothering you with this. You must've been so scared."

I shook my head. "No, you're right. The person who kidnapped me said they were paid... I just– I'm going to leave it to the police I guess."

"You're not worried they'll come for you again?" Viper asked worried.

I shrugged with a sigh and Viper's frown deepened.

Marley was suddenly shoved into the room and an angry Sawyer followed behind him.

"Apologize."

Marley winced with a pained smile. "I promised to keep you all safe and I failed. I'm sorry."

I lifted an eyebrow at Sawyer. "Baby, it's okay."

"No it's not." Sawyer hissed, still glaring at Marley.

"I'll make it up to you... I swear." He smiled, he looked so happy after being pushed by Sawyer.

I smiled at him and looked back at Sawyer. She had closed her eyes and was taking in deep measured breaths, I lowered my eyes and frowned at the shirt she was wearing. It used to be tighter.

"I'll be back." She strained out and exited the room.

Marley shrugged and followed her out. Seeing him act so childishly casual was jarring.

"The office is a mess." Viper groaned, flipping through her phone. "I need to go, will you be alright?"

I nodded and smiled at her. "Of course. Sawyer will be back."

She smiled back, kissed my head goodbye and rushed out.

I sighed and stared at the white hospital ceiling for a while before blinking at my ringing phone.

Nervousness creeped through me at the unknown number but I picked the call.

My mother sighed loudly in relief when I answered the call. "Oh good you're alright."

"Mom?"

"Are you at home Noah?"

I pursed my lips. "No, I'm in the hospital."

"Mom?"

"H–hospital?"

I frowned as Sawyer walked back into the room. "Mom? What's wrong."

Sawyer tilted her head, she still looked mad, though it seemed like a type of sizzling anger.

"Why are you in the hospital Noah."

My frown deepened as I locked eyes with Sawyer. "It's not important Mom, what's wrong. Why are you calling me?"

A surprised sound came out. "I'm your mother! Of course I'd call you."

"I thought I made myself clear when I blocked you both and Marley relayed my message."

"Marley? I haven't seen Marley... are you hanging around that man?" Her voice was straightened with the tension it always had when she spoke about Marley. I had just realized that was the same tension she spoke with when I first answered the call.

"Are you in trouble Mom?"

She didn't answer. "Mom?"

"Can I come visit?" She whispered.

I frowned. "I don't think--"

"Please Noah... I– I'll behave I promise. No crude comments about your girlfriend."

I blinked in surprise. She had once said she'd roll into a grave and be buried alive than acknowledge Sawyer and I's relationship.

"Okay." I sighed. Mentally kicking myself for caving so fast.

"Are you okay?" Sawyer whispered, her voice strained while her hands trembled.

I gently picked them.

"Yeah... my mom's coming here."

She hummed and swallowed thickly.

"You haven't been working out?"

Sawyer swallowed again and nodded.

"You haven't been eating."

I smiled. "We make a special pair don't we?"

Sawyer chuckled a bit and gripped my hands. "The person who did this will pay. I will kill everyone involved in this."

I caressed her cheek. "No stupid things remember? I'm not losing you again."

Sawyer nodded and climbed into the bed slowly, careful to avoid my hurt leg. I cuddled up to her as she massaged my scalp.

My mom knocked nervously on the door frame and let herself in.

Her movements were jerky and she looked much leaner than the last time I had seen her.

She kept her eyes on Sawyer at first but then they moved to me and her handbag dropped, her hands covering her mouth, tears filling her eyes.

"Oh Noah." She sobbed.

I frowned and opened my mouth but Sawyer fisted my hair a bit. Telling me to be quiet.

"I– I should've stopped him." She whispered.

"Mom?" I whispered.

"Your father has gone mad, Noah. I'm so sorry."

Sawyer's arms tensed and I could literally feel her vibrating beneath me.

Her phone began to ring. "Yeah... Yes I'm sure... I want it confirmed... Jonathan Reed... Thanks Nicky."

Mom swallowed as Sawyer slowly disentangled herself from me, climbing off the bed.

"Sawyer...?" I swallowed tears. My own fucking father.

"I love you Noah." Her voice trembled. "But If I stay in her presence I'll break the promise I just made."

I blinked, she was bleary as she walked out of the room, the tears falling slowly down my face.

"What the hell is he planning mom?"

She sniffled. "Noa–"

"This is the last time I will ever talk to you, if you do not tell me right now what the hell he's planning."

She sniffled again. "I'm not sure, but a lot of armed men were arriving this morning."

I nodded and shut my eyes, an intense headache arising from the absurdity of it all.

"Please leave."

"Noah... I'm so sorry."

"It's up to me to decide if I can even forgive you for this mom, but right now I need you to leave."

I waited till she shuffled out and broke down into my pillow.