Accidental Surrogate

Ella

The waiting is horrible.

I did exactly as Sinclair asked and followed the guards to the safe house, taking only a

few essentials. We left our phones and technology behind, and then I was piled into

the back of a car and hidden under a blanket just in case someone found a way to

glimpse through the black out windows. We drove for more than half an hour, making

all kinds of twists and turns. I’m sure some of it was just evasive driving to make sure

we weren’t being followed, which worries me more than I’d like to admit.

As I lay there I realized that Sinclair must have been afraid that this attack might be

used as adistraction for the Prince to make a move against me, and that possibility

seems more and more likely the more I think about it. Hadn’t the Prince been planning

a distraction just like this before the Queen died? It’s no wonder Sinclair hadn’t

wanted me to stay at the house even though it’s the most secure building in the city

next to the Royal Palace.

When we arrived at the safe house I was relieved to discover it was a veritable

fortress. It dídn’t even look like a house, In fact, when the car pulled to a stop in front

of a huge rock wall on the side of a mountain, I assumed one of the guards needed to

use the restroom or somethíng. I couldn’t have been more surprised when they all

exited the car and began pressing on the rocks, moving their hands around on the

granite until they found the right spot and pushed in. It took all four of them, each

pressing on a specific spot in perfect unison, before the mountain itself opened up.

The rock wall slid inward, even though it had looked completely solid from the outside.

One of the guards lifted ne out of the car and carried me inside, and all but the driver

entered with me. Just before the wall closed behind us, I saw the car speeding away

again. It had all happened in about 30 seconds, and when I look around I’m amazed

to discover that the interior of the mountain is as luxurious and comfortable as the

mansion. Despite being an actual cave, electricity lights the sprawling rooms, which

are fully furnished and decked out with amenities.

When I look back at the entrance I discover a keypad mounted in the rock, but no sign

of the door. A flash of claustrophobia overtakes me and I worry about how I’ll get out

again, but I take a deep breath and try to comfort myself with the knowledge that no

could possibly find me

and games filling the bookcases, as well as a space to exercise,

other entertainment. I investigate the kitchen and find only a pantry full

well as a freezer full of frozen

be able to welcome Sinclair home with some

when I move towards the pantry, my

over his chest. “You’re

brow at him, experiencing a

can be on

at the

he’s unsure whether or not he should allow

cradling my belly. As if he could ever care

being than I do. I think grumpily. Besides,

I’m

you can bring me all of the ingredients

let him take

have a task. “What do you

begin opening

this ever happened

that he’s trapped here with me instead of

Sinclair and

memory.”

ago this sort of thing wasn’t that uncommon. Bands of rogues

form coalitions at times. Under a powerful rebel

that this

is unheard of.”

is it going to look for Dominic?”

of butter from the

to prevent the attack entirely

but it doesn’t

to take him

might thing he’s not providing enough

looks weak to outsiders?”

“I can guarantee that’s how the Prince will spin

I argue glumly, beginning to cream the thawed

causing all this trouble but Dominic is

Alpha is a thankless job

doing his job. But if

gets dragged through the

myself growling, “Dominic does everything for his

recognize that.”

agree.” Gabriel replies, smothering a

this all take?” I inquire

It could be hours, or

explains with

there with them?” I ask,

looking surprised. “Of course

that I should

a lot more boring that being in the thick of it.” As

realize how insensitive

mean I know battle is a terrible thing, but it can’t

is

closing the bags

“Do you have no idea what

guard you? The men in this room

– the