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

her, when

world if I let

few long moments with my father, watching

good to interrupt her in the middle of her

surprises me with his next

he says, his

I look down

looking up at

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

-” He covers his face with his

“I failed you, Dominic

tightening my hand on

away and leave Cora

seen it coming, that of course they would follow

sewer

– Xander has nothing but

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

was my plan

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

just looks up at me, more helpless

I continue, working hard to

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

we were all…” I

me the moment I realized that

going after the girls

almost cost ourselves everything. You are not

mouth to protest, to continue, but

head, breaking my

and I look up from

eyes wide with worry as she absently

black fuzz of Rafe’s

I try to figure out what to

respond, not wanting to

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

explanation, and

“Haven’t we been through this already?” she asks quietly. “No

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

“Let an old man have his

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

But you two -” he shifts his eyes

“You have better things to worry about. You should get

bed.”

starting to

Dominic? I wouldn’t have kept him out here

waking you if he got

looks up at me with surprise.

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

no,” she says, shaking her head and backing up a step. “I

there

who I need

distance between

done enough.” I lower my voice so

it’s barely more than a rumble in my chest. “You