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

world if I

few long moments with my father,

the middle of her task.

father surprises me with his next

he says,

look down at

looking up at me

you – cost us everything. I played right

risked your mate, your child -” He covers his

me. “I failed

tightening my hand

send you away and leave

course they would

attack in the sewer that of course they

has

to get angry with him. “This was not

my plan

voice comes out louder, harsher than I meant it to.

up at me, more

agreed to this, dad,” I continue, working

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

we were all…” I sigh, shutting my

I realized

he was going after

everything. You are not

opens his mouth to protest, to continue, but his voice

head,

I look up from my father to see

her eyes wide with worry as she

black fuzz

for a beat as I try to figure out what

Ella,” I respond, not wanting to add to her plate. I can see

eyes that she’s exhausted too. “Just …the

incomplete explanation,

been through this already?” she

with her, looking

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

to give us a tired smile. ” It gives

But you two -” he shifts his eyes to Rafe

have better things to worry about. You should

bed.”

a little guilty, starting to

wouldn’t have kept him out here so long

him waking you if he got up

I interrupt, stern, and she looks up at me with surprise. “You’re going

on.” I step forward and

says, shaking her head and backing up a step. “I

there’s – there

I

I repeat, closing the distance between us

done enough.” I lower my voice so

more than a rumble in my chest.