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

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

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

father surprises me

Dominic,” he says, his voice thick with

I look down

his head slowly, looking up at me with

everything. I played right

mate, your child -” He covers his

me. “I failed you, Dominic

I snap, tightening my hand on his

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

seen it coming, that of course

first attack in the sewer that of course they

– Xander has

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

my

our plan!” My voice comes out louder,

more helpless than

dad,” I continue, working hard to bring

register. ” Me, Roger, Ella, Cora –

were all…” I sigh, shutting my eyes and

flooded me the moment I realized that Xander

in that house, that he was going after the girls

cost ourselves everything. You are not

opens his mouth to protest, to continue, but

head, breaking my

I hear Ella ask, and I look up from

her eyes wide with worry

soft black fuzz of

silent for a beat as I try to figure

Ella,” I respond, not wanting to add to her

darkness under her eyes that she’s exhausted too.

nods, accepting my incomplete explanation, and focuses her eyes on

this already?”

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

just waves his hands at us. “Let an old

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

two -” he shifts his eyes to Rafe now,

worry about. You should

bed.”

starting to unstrap the baby

wouldn’t have kept him out here so long

waking you if he got up in the middle of

looks up at me with

the baby. Come on.” I step

shaking her head and backing up a step. “I have too much

there’s – there

I

repeat, closing the distance between us and

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

rumble in my chest. “You need to