Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

"Because you're here with me~"

Once the toast of the internet world, the so-called digital empire crashed overnight every branch, gone in a blink.

Tony's phone buzzed. He answered, "Yeah?"

Whatever was said on the other end, no one else heard. Tony just listened, then slowly hung up, his face tight.

He looked up to find Leo watching him, concern written all over his face. Their eyes met—both weighed down by worry, both thinking of the same person.

Suddenly, Leo's phone rang. He grabbed it, desperate. "Hello?"

"Hey Leo, missing your aunt's knockout punch already?"

That voice-familiar, slightly teasing-made Leo laugh, the kind of laugh that lets you breathe again. He slumped back, finally exhaling, tension slipping away for the first time in days.

Leo was a mess: unshaven, hair greasy, red-eyed from too many sleepless nights. He swallowed hard, then closed his eyes. "Where's my sweetie?"

"I'm about to hunt down that little troublemaker myself. Honestly, your Cedillo family really has a knack for raising the most rebellious 'good kids' I've ever seen!"

The Cedillo clan-always so proper, so devoted to their elders. But when it came to being a handful, every last one was a champion at it.

Even Henry, not yet three, had inherited that streak.

Nearby, Mia was on a call, barely hanging up before dialing the next number.

Andre stepped outside, spotting a car parked in the shadows. Definitely not one of theirs. Soldiers were hanging around, keeping an eye out.

He strode over and knocked on the window.

Cooper was so focused on watching out for his sister that he didn't realize he'd been spotted.

Not until Andre rapped on the glass a second time. "Out. Now!"

The driver glanced back. "Cooper, should I unlock it?"

Cooper hesitated. Maybe we should just bail...

Andre drew in a steadying breath. "Cooper, do I really have to call you out by name?"

Cooper went quiet.

A few seconds later, the window slid down, revealing Cooper's face. "Hey, Andre."

Andre's broad shoulders blocked

Cooper from view, but his glare didn't miss its mark. "You Cedillo

kids are all so impress

aren't

you?"

Meanwhile, the Martin sisters and Dean were heading to the hospital. Conner, planning to go with his wife, stopped to check in with his brother before leaving. noveldrama

He noticed Andre talking to someone in a car-a mystery man who'd swooped in and whisked away his godson, then parked guard outside like he owned the place. Conner had been itching to figure out what this guy's deal was.

He walked over, hoping to get the lay of the land.

Just then, as dawn crept in, Mr. Nettleton's voice rang out: "Wait, that's the rebel?"

Mia overheard and called out, "Molly, I'm going to see what Andre's up to. I'll tell you the whole wild story when I get back."

She started toward Andre. Cooper saw her and hissed, "Andre, my sister's coming-cover for me, will you? I'm making myself scarce."

The window rolled up and the car peeled off.

By the time Mia reached Andre, all that was left was the fading taillights.

"Who was that, babe?" Mia asked, head cocked, watching the car disappear.

Andre hesitated. "Just someone we know."

Conner rubbed his nose. "I'm off to see Annie. Andre, you've got things here?"

Andre glanced at the Silent Ring crew, then turned to Mia. "Go to the hospital and stay with Annie, okay? I'll come get you later."

Mia wrapped both arms around his. "I don't want to leave you."