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

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

if

moments with

the middle

my father surprises me with his next

Dominic,” he says,

down at

head slowly, looking up at me with such regret

– cost us everything. I played right

your child -” He covers his face with his hand, unable

me. “I failed

I snap, tightening my

away and leave Cora and Ella

it coming, that of course they would follow

after the first attack in the sewer

has nothing but

to get angry with

my plan

our plan!” My voice comes out louder, harsher

up at me, more helpless

dad,” I continue,

register. ” Me, Roger, Ella, Cora – all of our men, the

We all fell for it, we were all…” I

moment I realized

house, that he was going after the girls

cost ourselves everything. You are not

protest, to continue, but his voice

head, breaking my

Ella ask, and I look up from my father to

eyes wide with worry as she absently drifts

soft black fuzz of

figure out what to say, but then I

Ella,” I respond, not wanting to

her eyes that she’s exhausted

incomplete explanation, and focuses her eyes on

we been through this already?”

agreeing with her, looking down at

his hands at us. “Let an old man have his

smile. ” It gives us something to dwell

But you two -” he shifts his eyes to Rafe now,

chest. “You have better things to worry about. You should get that

bed.”

a little guilty, starting to unstrap the baby carrier. ” Will

him out here

he got up in

up at me

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

backing up a step. “I have too much

there’s – there are more

I need to

between us and putting a hand on

enough.” I lower my voice so that

it’s barely more than a rumble in my chest. “You need