Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

Andre scooped up the little munchkin, his voice playfully stern, "Daddy's off to work. Make sure you get some sleep at home, and no staying up all night like a little night owl, got it?" The little guy was already defying him, snuggling into Andre's chest, his yawns becoming more frequent as sleepiness took over.

Andre stroked his son's cheek, indulging him with a soft smile, "You can sleep in a bit in the morning."

The morning buzzed by, and Cooper's face popped up on a video call, "Where's my favorite little man?"

"Out like a light," Mia replied with a smirk.

Cooper signed off with a quick, "Later."

It wasn't long before Anya chimed in with a video invite, and an exhausted Jade called her BFF. Mia's status update followed soon after: 'The little one's asleep.'

With that, the calls mercifully ceased.

Come midday, Chad was notably absent from the team lunch.

Donnie knocked on the door, "Boss, I'm ordering takeout. What's your poison?"

"I'm heading back to the hotel. Molly's waiting for me there."

Donnie's response was a silent nod.

With only minutes to spare, Chad rushed back to the hotel to grab a quick bite with the girl.

He'd gone to bed late the night before, so he took the chance for a power nap at the hotel.

When he woke up, he found Jade curled up beside him, fast asleep.

As Chad left the room, he gently tucked her back into the covers, adjusting her position with the utmost care before slipping out quietly.

He made a beeline for Easton's office at the precinct. "Got any leads?"

his hair in frustration, "You're the sixth person to

squinted, "Who else

City's

Chad's face was unreadable.

his colleague's dilemma, Chad decided to lend

knows Molly's your sister. With her as a suspect,

hinted at a technicality, "Legally, I'm not

were new kitchen gadgets for Coleen - all being examined. We're still waiting on the forensics for

awake, but door-to-door inquiries had turned up zilch.

requested a peek at

more than just apply pressure.

afternoon, Chad spent two hours in Easton's office,

...

still swamped with work at the precinct, making it late before he could return

frantic. "Bro, you coming back tonight? I'm scared

consoled her, "I'll be there. Lights on, doors

"Please hurry."

to get some

I'll wait for

smile was just a whisper,

at the sound of a familiar voice on the phone - the affection in his

swung by Easton's office one last time

joe for Easton. "Don't be too hard on

it. We've all watched over Molly like she was our little sister. But worry

Easton realized she never visited without reason, but she just wanted an update on Molly's

...

was back at the

his room,

she lay in the hotel robe,