Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

Henry lay quietly, snuggled on his uncle's shoulder, fast asleep.

He'd barely settled into the car when a woman in comfy, no-fuss clothes slipped out of the house and joined them. She slid into the backseat with Cooper, her eyes softening as she watched their little sweetie doze.

Dawn slowly brightened the world, sunlight spilling over the horizon and lighting up everything in gold. Henry, still cradled in his uncle's arms, slept on without a

care.

At the hospital, Annie's checkup turned up nothing serious. Still, Conner hovered, looking like he wouldn't sleep a wink unless someone found something wrong to explain his nerves. Mr. Nettleton, carrying that hint of old-school tough guy, started grilling the doctors. "My wife was kidnapped! How can you just say she's fine? Check for internal injuries—maybe something's hidden!"

The doctor eyed him, cautious. "She's pregnant. Some scans aren't safe-they could harm the baby."

Mr. Nettleton put his hands on his hips, stubborn as ever. "Can't you just put some kind of shield over her belly?"

The doctor shook his head, bracing for trouble, but Annie jumped in and socked Conner on the arm. "I'm not doing it!"

"Whoa, where'd you get all that strength?" Mr. Nettleton grinned at his spitfire wife.

"Conner, just this once-listen to me."

"Yes, ma'am."

Mia clicked her tongue. "Like gravy on mashed potatoes-every tough guy meets his match."

Conner shot her a look. "You're one to talk. Andre's not exactly a walk in the park, either."noveldrama

Only Maja turned to the doctor. "Annie's fine, but what about the baby?"

The doctor gave her a calming nod. "Baby's perfectly healthy."

Maja nodded back, knowing her own hand would carry its scars for life.

Dean wasn't so lucky. His injuries were bad, and he went straight to the ER-his severed finger couldn't be reattached. Maja stared at the red emergency sign above the doors. "I never wanted to owe him. But now I do."

She looked down at her bare finger, sadness clouding her eyes. "The ring's gone

too." The last bit of hope tied to Wade... gone.

Annie's heart hurt for her sister, but her gaze drifted to Conner.

Conner gave a reluctant nod. "Alright."

With the chaos winding down, Andre decided to

to pick swing by the royal palace

to pick up his precious little one

Just as he was about to go, bis phone buzzed. "Hey, Conner?"

"Bro, I need a favor."

9 a.m.

Mia paced the hospital hallway, nerves frayed. "My little cub could be anywhere! Not a word, not a clue! How's a mom supposed to sit still?"

At the Palace.

Andre breezed through every checkpoint, heading straight for the royal chambers. There, beneath the shimmer of a golden crown, sat the king.

A handful of princes stood by, all sizing up the man who practically ran the world's economy. Seeing him in the flesh left them wide-eyed.

Andre faced the king. "Your Majesty, are you sure you want to handle this discussion like this?" Despite their age gap, Andre spoke with the calm of an equal.

The king smiled, waved off his sons

and attendants, and waited until only the two of them were left. "The

stories call you the emperor of business. Now that I've met you, I

"1

see they weren't exaggerating."

Andre caught the Dark Web reference. “I'm just a businessman, Your Majesty. But when someone messes with what I care about most, I have to set things straight."

They talked for a long time, while outside, curious whispers swirled.

Andre had saved the king's treasured son—maybe not directly, but close enough.

That meant Andre owed the crown a favor, and everyone knew it.

"How close are Andre and Cooper, really?" the king asked, getting right to the point.