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

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

world if I let

a few long moments with

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

surprises me with his next

says, his

look down at

slowly, looking

– cost us everything. I played right

your mate, your child -” He covers his face with

me. “I

tightening my hand on

away and leave Cora and Ella unprotected –

seen it coming, that of course they

the first attack in the sewer that of course they were just biding

– Xander has nothing but

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

my

My voice comes out louder,

me, more helpless than I’ve seen

agreed to this, dad,” I continue, working

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

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

the moment I realized

was going after

everything. You are

opens his mouth to protest, to continue,

head, breaking my

and I look

with worry as she

soft black fuzz of

figure

wanting to add

that she’s exhausted

explanation,

“Haven’t we been through this already?” she asks

you.” I nod, agreeing with her, looking down at my father for

just waves his hands at us. “Let

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

you two -” he shifts his

chest. “You have better things to worry about.

bed.”

to

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

he got up in

up at me with surprise. “You’re

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

no,” she says, shaking her head and backing up

there

who I need

closing the distance between us and putting a hand

done enough.” I lower my voice so that just she can hear me,

in my chest. “You need to rest, trouble.