Page 16 of Beloved Sacrifice

Elroy shook his head in disgust. “Really, Weston? I expect better of you.”

“You’ve forced Rose to be a submissive?” This couldn’t be real. This couldn’t be happening.

They made you train to be a Dom. Why wouldn’t they train Rose, too?

“For her own good, of course.” Elroy looked as if he was enjoying this. “She’s proven to be quite the challenge to train, but strong women make the best submissives.”

Weston shot a quick glance over his shoulder. “Rose, are you okay?”

“She won’t talk.” Elroy’s words were a command and a threat, and Rose remained totally silent. “She’s not allowed to make any noise during punishments, but as you saw, she’ll disobey when too much pain is applied. The only correction is to continually push her pain tolerance boundaries, and remind her that any disobedience carries harsh consequences.”

Rose whimpered, so quietly Weston almost didn’t hear. That small, terrible sound broke his heart.

Weston swallowed. “Fine. If she’s…a sub, then I was the one she offended. It’s my right to punish her.”

Elroy grinned with…pride. He handed Weston the cane and slapped him on the shoulder. “I want you to take a minute. Examine her. Look her over. Orient yourself. You’re used to seeing her as an equal, not a submissive, but the timing for this change in dynamics is good.”

Weston looked at the cane. There was a bit of her blood on it. He knew he shouldn’t have, but he tossed it away in disgust.

Elroy’s face hardened. “Pick it up, Weston. Caning is more difficult than anything else, because it can do real damage. You need to be versed in how to use it. I’ll teach you on her.”

Weston ignored his father, and undid the ropes at her wrists and neck and helped her stand. She swayed and looked up into his eyes. Her gaze flicked to the doorway. He could read her thoughts on her face—run, they should run.

Elroy snapped his fingers, and Rose gasped and dropped to the floor bowing her head in a submissive posture.

What has he done to you?

Weston looked at the part in Rose’s still wet hair. He felt like everything was moving at high speed and he couldn’t keep up.

“You didn’t know I was a Dom,” he said to Rose, but speaking more to Elroy. “No punishment.”

“No, Weston. You’re not listening. You have to use this moment to reorient how you see one another. You’re a Dom, she’s a sub. It’s a Dom’s job to correct and guide a submissive.”

Weston gritted his teeth. “You’ve already done enough.”

“Very well. I’ll finish her punishment later.”

Rose’s started to tremble.

“No,” Weston said immediately. “Don’t touch her.”

Elroy raised one brow.

Shit. Weston knew what he had to do. He had to finish the punishment.

Weston bent and took Rose by the elbow, helping her to her feet, and led her into the living room just off the kitchen. He sat in an armless parson’s chair.

“Over my lap,” he said, using the voice of command Elroy had taught him.

Rose’s gaze, which she’d kept downcast, darted to his face. Her eyes widened in horror.

He wanted to fall to his knees before her and swear he would never hurt her—he was just trying to get them out of this moment. He knew his father, knew that if they didn’t play this game right, it would all fall apart.

Weston didn’t dare wink at her, smile, anything. His father was watching.

When Rose didn’t move, he pulled her down over his lap, positioning her so she was draped over one of his thighs, her hands on the floor, her legs between his. He felt sick to his stomach, and nearly quit when he heard her first quiet sob. There were two welts across her bottom and a cut on her thighs.

And this was the first time he’d seen her naked since they’d been little kids.

---