Accidental Surrogate

Ella

“What!” Sinclair roars through the phone receiver, his deep voice full of such rage and aggression that it makes me flinch. I’ve just told him about every horrible moment of my conversation with my former employer – though now it’s probably more accurate to think of her as my blackmailer.

I’ll have to change her contact information in my phone to reflect her new title – I can even assign her an ominous ringtone. I fight down the urge to laugh at this insane thought, wondering why my brain always twists the darkest moments of my life into humor. There is nothing funny about this situation.

“I don’t know what to do.” I whimper. “I don’t care what she says about me–” I’m interrupted by a low snarl, Sinclair’s wolf’s wordless insistence that he cares even if I don’t. “but if she sells this story then everyone will realize I’m human.”

“I’ll kill her.” He rumbles, overflowing with menace. “She won’t find it so easy to speak such filth when her head is no longer connected to her body.”

“You can’t!” I object, still feeling as though he’s missing the point. “That will only call more attention to her – there will be an investigation into her life and eventually they’ll want to interview me. My identity is bound to get out if that happens. Also, you know – murder is wrong, Dominic.”

“She threatened you.” He growls, as if I’ve forgotten. “And there won’t be an investigation if I make it look like an accident. You’d be amazed how many car accidents result in decapitations.”

“Blackmail hardly warrants an execution, and you can’t go around ripping the heads off everyone who is mean to me.” I insist, overwhelmed that this surreal conversation is actually occurring. “You’re supposed to be setting a good example for our son.”

“The example I’ll be setting is how to protect one’s mate from vile, conniving, despicable, foul–”

“Dominic!” I interrupt, raising my voice over his increasing volatile grumbling. “She has children who love her – she may not deserve their love, but if you kill her, they’ll suffer. Jake and Millie don’t deserve that.”

“They’d probably be better off without her.” Sinclair suggests sullenly, his voice shifting then, as if a new idea is occurring to him. “We could even take them in – adopt them. I know you miss them… just think, we could have three children instead of one.”

really, are you going to kill their father too?” I inquire waspishly,

depends.” Sinclair replies hopefully, “would you

______________________________

later. “The ridiculous wolf actually thought he could win me over to his plan by waving those precious babies under my nose. It was like trying to talk a hungry jackal

he wasn’t completely off base.” Cora jokes, “if it was possible to

wasn’t allowed to rip any heads off under

“I bet he took that really

out the part where he threatened to come home and ‘spank my sassy bottom’ until I agreed to his violent plan. That is not the sort

going to do?” My sister inquires curiously, sitting across from me in the same parlor where my blackmailer threatened me two hours ago. I called

told me not to worry and that he’d take care of it.” I sigh. “I doubt he’ll pay her, but if he can get Mike

okay with that?” Cora wonders aloud, “I wouldn’t think you’d be comfortable trusting

statement this is for me. She knows I’ve always had to rely on myself, and that I’ve never felt safe relying on anyone else because of far too many bad experiences. “Honestly I felt better just talking to him about it. I know he’ll fix this, and my only concern is

and I pull her palm to my belly. The baby is still now, so I murmur encouragement at my tummy. “Come on Rafe, say

name, the pup complies, and Cora and I both squeal. She hugs me tightly then, “You’re glowing you know that? I’ve never seen you so

I confess, grinning despite myself. “I am happy, even with all the danger and the drama. I didn’t know it was possible to feel

should see your

even though I know it’s only an expression. “You don’t think it’s completely deranged?” I ask shyly. “I mean rogues keep popping up and trying to kill me, and a horrible heartless woman is blackmailing me. It seems crazy to be happy in spite of

her knees. “Do you really think it’s crazy,