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

of her, when she’d burn

if I let

for a few long moments with my father, watching her work, knowing

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

but my father surprises me

he says, his voice thick

I look down at him.

slowly, looking up at

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

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

me. “I failed

that,” I snap, tightening my hand on his

send you away and leave Cora and

of course they would follow us back

the first attack in the sewer that of course they were

– Xander has nothing

angry with him. “This

my plan

was our plan!” My voice comes out louder, harsher than I

up at me, more helpless than

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

calmer register. ” Me, Roger, Ella, Cora

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

flooded me the moment I realized that Xander was

that house, that he was going after

ourselves everything. You are not

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

head,

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

her eyes wide with worry as

soft black fuzz

figure out what

“It’s nothing, Ella,” I respond, not wanting to

eyes that she’s exhausted too. “Just

accepting my incomplete explanation,

we been through this already?” she asks quietly.

her, looking down at my father for a

“Let an old man have his guilt,”

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

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

things to worry about. You should

bed.”

little guilty, starting to unstrap the baby carrier.

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

if he got up in the

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

I step forward and

she says, shaking her head and backing up a

there are more

men who I need

the distance between

lower my voice so that just she can hear me,

than a rumble in my chest.