Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

Andre: "..."

The men: "...

Henry's little mouth formed a perfect "o" as he stared wide-eyed around him. What was that huge thing over there? And what was that long, bumpy tube on the uncle's shoulder? Why didn't this truck have wheels, and why did it look so much like his toy excavator back home?

Catching Henry's curious look, Asher couldn't help but beam with pride. "Look at him, all curious! My boy's definitely going to take over for me someday."

Andre rolled his eyes. "Yeah, keep dreaming. Even Leo's married now, and you're still single."

Asher hugged the chubby toddler tighter. "What's there to worry about? I've already got an heir."

Said "heir," Henry, was tipping his head back, completely lost in awe over the cannons. These "toys" were massive and way cooler than anything back at home!

When they arrived at the main base, Andre got right down to business. "Did you find Maja with the info Conner gave us that night?"

That night, after Annie got a call from Maja, Conner had someone trace the number immediately. Turned out, Maja had borrowed someone else's phone to make the call.

"No sign of her yet," Asher answered, shifting Henry in his arms. "But we checked the security footage. It's confirmed-Maja was being chased by a Dark Web hitman. She managed to slip away, though. The good news is, we've narrowed down where she is, so at least we're not searching blind." As he spoke, Asher emptied all the bullets from his handgun, handed the gun to Henry, and let him play with it, the magazine clicking harmlessly.

Asher glanced over at Andre. "Hey, Andre, did you hire some kind of new talent lately? We didn't hear a word from the Dark Web, but you got the news first."

Andre's face went a little grim. "No new talent-just more troublemakers at home, I think."noveldrama

Asher raised an eyebrow.

Henry, meanwhile, lifted the empty gun, pointed it at his dad, and made little "pew pew" noises. Asher played along, pretending to be shot, then "punished" Henry with a gentle tap, making the boy giggle and pout.

By the afternoon, Henry was running wild around the fort—climbing on cannons, hugging rifles, and even sitting right on top of a (thankfully disarmed) bomb.

He dashed toward the dungeon entrance, about to go inside, when his dad scooped him up, gave him a couple of playful swats on the backside right in front of everyone, and groaned, "Henry, can you please sit still for just five minutes?"

Henry's dramatic wails echoed down the hall and into the holding cells, making a woman inside turn her head curiously.

A moment later, Asher stormed over, peered into the dungeon, and barked at the guards, "Why didn't anyone stop Henry?"

One of the guards stammered, "Uh, Asher, you said he's Henry. He's got a free pass everywhere. None of us dared to stop him." Never mind that Henry was only two years old...

Asher shot a warning glance toward the back of the cells. "Keep a closer eye in there."

Then, cradling his still-sniffling son, Asher kissed his chubby cheeks. "Godfather doesn't spank. Come on, let's go somewhere more fun."

So off they went to the training grounds. Henry grabbed a rope to climb, but when he saw others practicing their shooting, he strutted right over and tried to snatch up a sniper rifle for himself. When they wouldn't let him, he plopped down and threw a full-blown tantrum.

Not a single adult there could outmatch this stubborn, babbling little toddler.

Asher scooped up his godson and played with him for a bit. "You'll have to wait for your Uncle Mars to teach you this stuff. Back in the day, he was a legend here- training the country's top talent."

Nearby, Andre picked up a training rifle, slung it over his shoulder, cocked his head, took aim, and fired. The man who dominated the boardroom could just as easily rule the battlefield. One shot-dead center.

"Find Maja, no matter what," Andre said. "The Martin family is Conner's in-laws now. Besides Conner's own men, send a few more to protect them."