Page 131 of Beloved Sacrifice

It was probably better to let Marek continue to talk Rose through her conversation with Elroy. Marek was good at helping Rose fight the submissive instincts beaten into her since she was just sixteen.

God. So many years of abuse. Weston would spend every minute of the rest of his life making sure she never felt scared or worthless or owned ever again.

And that thought would have given him comfort if he hadn’t just sent the love of his life into the lion’s den.

“We shouldn’t be doing this,” he whispered, softly enough that Rose couldn’t hear.

Marek placed his hand on Weston’s shoulder. “Steady,” he mouthed.

Rose followed Elroy to the prow of the ship, where an elegant dining area was set up. There was a chill on the water, so a small boat-safe heating unit was turned on, creating a little warm spot around the diners. Victoria wore an expensive straw hat with a white ribbon, a white top with the collar turned up, and navy and white striped pants. Barton wore a polo and khakis along with topsiders. Barton had gained some weight, but he still had a full head of slightly wavy brown hair.

Well, at least now she knew Weston would keep his hair.

That thought made her smile, and her confidence returned. She sauntered over to the table and waited by the fourth chair. She raised a brow at Barton. He blinked, then shoved to his feet and held it out for her.

“Thank you,” she murmured.

“Nice move, Brown Eyes.” She could hear the smile in Weston’s voice when he spoke.

“Rose, darling. It’s good to see you.” She and Victoria leaned toward each other and gave one another air kisses.

“Victoria. You’re looking well.”

“Pleasure,” Barton grunted.

Now that the moment was here, Rose found herself hesitating. They were all monsters. There was no question about that. But she was about to confirm that their son was dead.

Elroy poured her a mimosa from a carafe, then topped up Victoria’s glass. “Where is his body?”

“What?” she said.

“Caden’s body. He’s dead, isn’t he?” Elroy’s shark eyes never left her face.

Weston had to swallow down the bile when Elroy asked about Caden’s body with the same casualness someone might discuss the previous night’s sports scores. They knew their son was dead. Knew it. And clearly didn’t give a shit.

Weston wasn’t sure why that came as a surprise to him. After all, his parents fucking killed him. His fingers drifted to the scarred skin on his neck.

Had they discussed his death with the same detached emotion?

Caden was their son, and it occurred to Weston that his death was nothing more to them than an inconvenience. They’d lost a messenger boy, a servant, someone to do their dirty work so they didn’t have to get any blood on their hands.

Weston knew all of this. And yet, there was still some small, lonely, scared boy inside that couldn’t completely grasp the fact that his parents didn’t love him.

He looked toward Marek, the gun lowering for a moment. Marek was there, waiting. He wrapped his arm around his shoulders, placed a gentle kiss on his wounded face.

Weston took a deep breath, Rose’s voice drawing his attention to the conversation on the yacht once more. He lifted the gun and took aim once more.

“Tabby’s not at her hospital,” Rose said, trying to stay one step ahead.

“No, she’s not,” Barton agreed.

“Where is she?”

“That’s not your concern, girl.”

“Don’t call me girl,” she snapped. “I’m not your girl. For God’s sake. They’re your children.”

“We knew the risks we took when we gave Caden the task. There were always risks, but we have to protect the Trinity Masters at all costs.”

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