Accidental Surrogate

Accidental Surrogate Chapter 381-– Persistence

Sinclair

I wake up frowning, knowing immediately that something is…well, not wrong,

but certainly off. I reach out an arm, seeking Ella, but my hand passes over cold

sheets. My frown deepens as I sit up and realize that she’s not here. A glance at

Rafes bassinet makes it clear that he’s not here either.

Where the hell is my family?

I sigh, swinging my legs out of the bed, wondering how much time has passed.

As I scrub a hand down my face I consider that it can’t have been much –

there’s still no daylight peeking around the blinds. So, a few hours a most. But

why the hell hasn’t she come to bed?

I stand and head for the door, wondering what the hell trouble is getting up to

now. I smirk a little to consider it. Ella…well, it’s part of her appeal, isn’t it? She’s

always up to something. I’ll certainly never be bored by her side.

The hallway outside my room is empty but I head down it towards where I hear

a few murmuring voices. But when I turn into the room, I’m surprised because

the first person I see is my father, sitting quietly in his chair by the door, staring

into the room.

We don’t say anything to each other as I lean against the doorway by his side,

because we’re both aware that I didn’t come here seeking him. I give him a nod

and place a hand on his shoulder as my eyes turn to her – Ella, across the

room, my infant son sleeping pressed against her chest while she holds her

hands out over one of my wounded men, healing him.

“She’s going to wear herself out,” my father says quietly.

“How long has she been at it?”

“Hours,” he says, shaking his head. ” She’s been burning her candle at both

ends for days, Dominic. She’s…very dedicated, she wants to do good. But she

gives too much.”

I nod, understanding, agreeing silently. My kind mate with her big heart she

can’t stop giving, even if it means giving all of herself. But that’s where I come

job to take care of her, when she’d burn herself out

world if I let

few long moments with my father,

to interrupt her in the

but my father surprises me with his

says, his voice thick

look down

just shakes his head slowly, looking

us everything. I played right into the

risked your mate, your child -” He covers his

me. “I failed you, Dominic

tightening my hand on his

was so stupid, to send you away and leave Cora

of course they would follow us

sewer that of

– Xander has nothing

I growl, starting to get angry with him. “This was not

my plan –

voice comes out louder,

me, more helpless

I continue, working hard to bring my

register. ” Me, Roger, Ella, Cora – all of

we were all…”

moment I realized that Xander was working to

house, that he was going after the girls and the baby. “We all

cost ourselves everything. You

opens his mouth to protest, to continue, but his voice fails him. And

head, breaking my

hear Ella ask, and I look up from

wide with worry as

fuzz

try to figure out what

to add to her

under her eyes that she’s exhausted

my incomplete explanation, and focuses her eyes

this

nod, agreeing with her, looking

at us. “Let an old man have his guilt,” he

smile. ”

long days. But you two -” he shifts

worry about. You should get

bed.”

Ella agrees, a little guilty, starting to unstrap the

kept him out here so long – I just

waking you if he got up in

and she looks up at

the baby. Come on.” I step forward and hold out a

backing up a step. “I have too

there

who I

I repeat, closing the distance between us and putting

done enough.” I lower my voice so that

rumble in my chest. “You need to