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

It’s my job to take care of her, when she’d burn

if

moments with my

interrupt her in the middle of her task. I’m content to

father surprises me with

Dominic,” he says,

I look down at him.

just shakes his head slowly, looking up at

cost us everything. I played right into the enemy’s

-” He covers his face with his

at me. “I failed you,

that,” I snap, tightening

send you away and leave Cora and

that of course they would follow us back to

sewer that of course they were

has nothing

angry with him. “This was not

my plan

our plan!” My voice comes out louder, harsher

just looks up at me, more helpless than

to this, dad,” I continue, working hard to bring

Ella, Cora

for it, we were all…” I sigh, shutting my eyes and

flooded me the moment I realized

going after the girls and the baby.

cost ourselves everything. You are not

to protest, to continue, but

his head,

hear Ella ask, and I look up

us, her eyes wide with worry as she absently drifts a

soft black fuzz of

a beat as I try to figure out what to say, but

not wanting to add to her plate.

under her eyes that

incomplete explanation, and focuses her eyes

through this already?”

I nod, agreeing with her, looking down at my

he just waves his hands at us. “Let an old man

us a tired smile. ” It gives us something to dwell on

days. But you two -” he shifts his eyes to

to worry

bed.”

guilty, starting to unstrap

I wouldn’t have kept him out here so long – I just

he got up in the middle

looks up at me

on.” I step forward and hold out a

no,” she says, shaking her head and backing up a step. “I have too

there’s – there

who I need

I repeat, closing the distance between us and putting a hand

done enough.” I lower my voice

than a rumble in my chest.