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?"

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

squinted, "Who else

City's

Chad's face was unreadable.

Chad decided to lend

of this. Everyone knows Molly's your

technicality, "Legally, I'm not

over 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 forensics for some

but door-to-door inquiries had turned up

peek at the surveillance

do more than

in Easton's office, then

...

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

more frantic. "Bro, you coming

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

"Please hurry."

to

I'll wait for you,"

was just a

sound of a familiar voice on the phone

Easton's office one last time

Easton. "Don't be

over Molly like she was our little sister. But worry doesn't speed

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

...

ten, Chad was back

entered his room,

lay in the hotel