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

her, when she’d burn herself out

world if I let

few long moments with

in the middle of her task. I’m content

my father surprises

so sorry, Dominic,” he says, his

I look down at

his head slowly, looking up at

cost us everything. I played right into

He covers his

“I failed you, Dominic

I snap, tightening my

so stupid, to send you away and leave Cora and Ella unprotected

coming, that of course they would follow us back to

the sewer that of course they

– Xander has

starting to get angry with him. “This was not your fault,

was my plan

was our plan!” My voice comes out louder, harsher than I meant it to.

more helpless than I’ve seen

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

a calmer register. ” Me, Roger, Ella, Cora –

all fell for it, we were all…”

me the moment I realized that Xander was working

that house, that he was going after the girls and

ourselves everything. You

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

his head, breaking

I hear Ella ask, and I look up from my father to see

her eyes wide with worry as

black fuzz of Rafe’s

for a beat as I try to figure out what to

nothing, Ella,” I respond, not wanting to add

darkness under her eyes that

accepting my incomplete explanation, and focuses her eyes on

through this already?” she asks

with her, looking down at

“Let an old man have his guilt,”

” It gives us

But you two -” he shifts his

better things to worry about. You

bed.”

a little guilty, starting to unstrap the baby carrier.

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

you if he got up in the

interrupt, stern, and she looks up at me with

Come on.” I step forward

she says, shaking her head and backing

there’s – there are

I

between us and putting a hand

enough.” I lower my voice so that just she can

barely more than a rumble in my