Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance novel Chapter 1537

Three minutes later, Annie was shoved out of the car at gunpoint.

Her belly heavy with pregnancy, she met the eyes of the man at the front of the crowd.

For once, a crack appeared in Conner’s icy expression—a flash of worry. “Annie.”

Annie stepped forward, her voice calm and unwavering. “Conner, let me go in.”

Henry, who’d been trying to stick his head out the window to call for his dad, found the window rolled up, blocking him. Standing on his mom’s lap, his little face turned red with frustration as he squabbled with the men behind him. “I want to see Daddy!”

Mia was now more convinced than ever that her boy was a little tiger cub, through and through.

Earlier, in the car, Annie had been negotiating with Miles.

“I’m the one you want. Let them go,” Annie said firmly. “You all know I’m pregnant—just me is enough to threaten Conner. And you’ve seen what Mrs. Cedillo can do. Bringing her in won’t help your cause.”

Miles shook his head at the phone, almost amused. “No, no, Ms. Annie, you’ve got it all wrong. Who complains about having too many bargaining chips? Besides—” He glanced at the computer where Mia and Andre’s faces were visible—“no matter how tough someone is, once you find their soft spot, even the strongest armor won’t protect them.”

His gaze landed on the “little soft spot”—the pouting boy, who was fuming and loudly tattling, “They won’t let me see Daddy!”

Mia took the chance for a teachable moment. “Son, do you know what kidnapping is? This is it.”

Annie got out of the car, pleading with Conner to let her inside. Conner didn’t move, and neither did the people behind him.

He stared at his wife’s face, his eyes drifting down to her belly. He’d clearly made a decision—he was ready to let Maja fend for herself if it meant keeping Annie safe.

The standoff dragged on, until Miles, losing patience, called again.

He wanted Annie to watch a live video—her sister being branded, the kind of scar that never fades.

On the screen, Annie saw Maja’s burned hand and lost her composure. “Sis—”

“Annie, if you dare come in here, you’re not my sister!” Maja screamed with everything she had left. “You set foot in here, I swear I’ll—” Before she could finish, Miles kicked her to the ground, knocking her out cold.

“Tie her up,” Miles barked.

Annie stood frozen, tears streaming down her face—caught between her own little family with Conner, and the sister who loved her more than anyone. Through her tears, she looked up at the man blocking her path. “Conner, please, let me in. I want to see my sister.” No one had ever seen Officer Chapman like this before—crying, her voice trembling, pleading with Conner for permission.