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,

world if I let

for a few long moments with

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

my father surprises me with his next

so sorry, Dominic,” he says, his

down at him.

shakes his head slowly, looking up at me with

cost us everything. I played

your child -” He covers his face with

me. “I failed

that,” I snap, tightening my

you away and leave Cora and Ella

course they would follow

attack in the sewer that of

has

angry with him. “This was not your fault, dad

was my

out louder, harsher than I meant it to.

just looks up at me, more

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

register. ” Me, Roger, Ella, Cora – all of our men, the

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

the moment I realized that Xander was working

he was going after the girls and the baby. “We

cost ourselves everything.

to continue,

his head,

and I

eyes wide with worry as she absently drifts a

soft black fuzz of Rafe’s

try to figure out what to say, but then I just

wanting to add to her plate. I

that she’s exhausted too. “Just

my incomplete explanation, and focuses her

through this already?” she asks quietly.

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

at us. “Let an

tired smile. ” It gives us

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

worry about. You should get

bed.”

starting to unstrap

kept him out here so

if he got up in the middle of

and she looks up at me

baby. Come on.” I step forward and hold out

head and backing up a

there

who I

between us and putting

enough.” I lower my voice so that just she

more than a rumble in my