Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

"What's going on?" Leo asked.

Henry, the only kid who could really talk, piped up, "Big bro, give us food. Little bro's hungry."

So that was it—Leo had brought home takeout, and the three little ones caught the smell. They'd gone to check it out, but couldn't reach the table, so they tried climbing onto the chairs like they did at home. Only, these chairs weren't the heavy wooden ones they were used to-they were lighter, and as soon as the kids started climbing, the chairs wobbled and crashed to the floor.

Leo bent down, picked up the fallen chair, and squatted to face the three. "Alright, you three, hands out. Let's have a look-no hiding."

Henry stuck out his tiny, chubby hands-soft and adorable.

Leo checked him over, then looked at his feet. No scratches or bruises. "Next."

Ash got caught by his brother-in-law and shot his big sister a teary, betrayed look. "What are you crying for? I'm your brother too, you know."

Leo checked over his little brother-in-law-aside from some grubby hands, he was fine.

Then he called over the youngest, Wayne. "Wayne, your turn. Come here, buddy."

He scooped up Wayne and checked his fingernails. "These need a trim."

After inspecting all three, Leo glanced between the dining table and the living room, sighing in defeat. He slumped onto the couch, pulling Ash to his left and the little dragon-Wayne-to his right.

Meanwhile, sweet little Anya was the only one he couldn't pin down, running after the littlest one, trying to keep him in check.

It took a real team effort just to get the three of them fed.

After dinner, Leo herded the trio into the guest bedroom where he used to crash. He set up cartoons on the tablet and turned the heat up a bit. Then he lay at the foot of the bed, holding up the tablet like a human stand.

The kids sat at the head of the bed, with Anya acting like a safety railing to keep them from tumbling off.

With their big brother and sister, the routine was always the

same-takeout for dinner, sodas to drink, cartoons before bed, snacks scattered across the sheets, bottles in hand. Stuffed, cozy, and warm, they lounged lazily, drifting off as they watched their show Leo gently patted them, quietly coaxing them to sleep.

Once the little ones were out, Leo and Anya were wiped, too.

Anya stayed curled in her spot under the blanket, already asleep. Leo lay at the foot of the bed, making himself a guardrail, with the wall on the other side, forming a snug little nest for the three kids. noveldrama

All five drifted into a light, peaceful sleep in the small room.

Henry, the ringleader, was sweet and angelic while asleep-but as soon as he woke, he turned into a whirlwind of mischief. Cute as a button when dreaming, a total rascal once awake.

Leo slipped his hand under the covers and held one of his little brother's feet, finally letting himself fall asleep.

Meanwhile, Chad got a call at work. "So, you took off, huh? Two hours gone already?"

“Alright, got it,” Chad replied, hanging up.

He immediately called Andre, giving him a heads-up to keep an eye on his own crew-his had been missing for two hours now.

On the fourth floor of The Silent Ring, Andre's phone buzzed. He glanced at it,

declined the call, and texted back: I know.

Chad saw the message and got the point.

Clearly, Andre's family was on the move too, and he was onto them.

Chad could only sigh, frustrated but not really angry, giving the table a light thump before leaning back in his chair.

Donnie walked in. "Boss, what's up? Molly acting up again?"

Chad shook his head, weighed down by family drama. "Donnie, sit down. Let's talk about home life."

Donnie took a seat, a little nervous. "What's going on, boss?"