Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

Watching his little nephew scrambling up the jungle gym, Cooper stood below, phone pressed to his ear, chatting away in a language Henry couldn't make heads or tails of.

On the other end, a man asked, half teasing, "Cooper, I speak your language too, you know. Why the secret code?"

Cooper shot his nephew a glance. "Little Henry's right here, and let's just say he's not shy about snitching on me. If I say too much, I'll find myself in hot water by dinnertime."

The man laughed. "Wait-don't tell me, is this the same kid who called my dog ugly?"

"Who else could it be?"

They kept talking in their chosen language, but Cooper's gaze never left Henry. "Cooper, I want some water!" Henry called.

Cooper grabbed his nephew's tiger-print sippy cup and made his way over.

Henry took a long drink, sweaty and tired, then flopped down next to his uncle, tilting his head to stare at Cooper's mouth. "Cooper can't talk."

Cooper snorted. "You little rascal."

Just before hanging up, Cooper asked, "Any word on Maja?"

The man replied, "Cooper, you didn't go and make enemies with the Dark Web, did you?"

at his lips. "Oh, definitely. We're arch-enemies." Mess with his nephew or kidnap his sister, and Cooper would have no problem

strings, see

just asking around. Maja's my brother-in-law's business, not mine." Cooper was careful-if his brother-in-law ever got suspicious

if I hear anything. Hope your little guy

"Him? Not a chance."

his uncle

tone. "Nope. One hour.

scooped him

you're tired, you can rest, but no slacking off. Remember what we said? We

moment, then Cooper set him back on

to go, Henry didn't want to walk—he wanted to be carried. Cooper obliged, hefting him up. "Hey buddy, how about

...

At the airport.

as passengers filed

even remember

Just look for

came an elderly

and broke into a broad

eyes lit up. She