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

Jiang City's finest, Andre, Hansen, and now

Chad's face was unreadable.

colleague's dilemma, Chad decided

should stay out of this. Everyone knows Molly's your sister. With her

a technicality, "Legally, I'm not

the evidence. "The guesthouse is old; the wiring's a mess. Could've been an electrical fire. Plus, there were new kitchen gadgets for Coleen - all being examined. We're still waiting on the

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

a peek at

After all, Andre could do more than just apply pressure. He could "close a case" in ways Easton

in Easton's office,

...

nightfall, Chad was still swamped with work at the precinct,

darkness deepened, Molly's calls grew more frantic. "Bro, you coming back

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

"Please hurry."

to get some

wait for you," Molly

was just a

help but notice the change in Officer Chad at the sound of a familiar voice

up, Chad swung by Easton's office

a strong cup of joe for Easton. "Don't be too

We've all watched over Molly like she was our little

without reason, but she just

...

Chad was

his room, now commandeered

shower, she lay in the