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?"

frustration, "You're the

"Who else

dad, your mom, Jiang City's finest, Andre, Hansen, and

Chad's face was unreadable.

Chad decided to

you should stay out of this. Everyone knows Molly's your sister. With her as a suspect, you

hinted at a technicality, "Legally,

an electrical fire. Plus, there were new kitchen gadgets for Coleen - all being examined. We're still waiting on the forensics

had turned up zilch. They were

peek at the surveillance

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

two hours in Easton's office, then called Andre from his

...

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

Molly's calls grew more frantic.

be there. Lights on, doors locked. I've got my

"Please hurry."

will. Try to get some

wait for you," Molly

just a

sound of a familiar voice on the phone - the affection

up, Chad swung by Easton's office one last

coroner dropped by with a strong cup of joe for Easton. "Don't

it. We've all watched over Molly like she was our little sister. But worry doesn't speed things up;

coroner left, Easton realized she never visited without reason, but she just wanted an update on

...

Chad was back at

his room,

the shower, she lay in the hotel