TSS 3: Knight's Son Ch. 13

"What's going on?" I asked, trying to keep my voice level and failing.

"Adam thinks you're an impost—" Shayna started to say, but Adam cut her off.

"You're not the real Bobby Brody! You're a fake pretending to be him. Admit it! You've been busted." Adam stood triumphant, confident he'd figured everything out.

I stared at him for long moments, trying to gauge his sanity. When it was clear he was serious, I burst out laughing. Charlotte echoed my sentiment, which only made me laugh larder. The anger and fury of a moment ago were still there, but it felt perfect to laugh.

Of course, this pissed Adam off, and he stomped his foot like a petulant child. "I mean it! You can't be Bobby!"

"Calm down," the older woman placed a hand on Adam's shoulder before facing me. "I think you need to address his concerns, young man. He has some grave accusations. Can you prove you're not a doppelganger pretending to be Mr. Bobby Brody?"

"I can't prove a negative," I told her, working on controlling my mirth.

Then Charlotte had to sober me up. She's an undercover cop, and she believes him. Tread carefully.

"What makes you think I'm not me?" I asked, noticing that no one else was laughing. Even Al had taken a couple steps away from me.

"I saw the real Bobby's corpse once they let me out of that back room at the whore house," Adam began. "Bobby and I were good friends, and you knew you couldn't trick me, which is why you've been such an asshole. Also, where were you after the explosion? Why did it take you a week to come back? And you don't really look like my buddy, but a close approximation."

I could tell that the cop took these accusations seriously, and I swallowed, realizing I could be in trouble.

"We tried telling them that we knew it was you, but they didn't want to listen," Elly said, and I noticed Shayna nodding in agreement.

I took a deep breath to order my thoughts before speaking. "First of all, Adam and I weren't good friends. I can barely stand you. You proved yourself to be a self-centered, egotistical, chauvinistic, entitled prick at the bar, upset that I went home with a lady instead of you. That was also the first time I'd really met you, so you know you left quite an impression."

"Then why did he invite me to that whore house, huh?" Adam sneered as though that proved his point. "He even offered to pay for everything. Why would he offer to do that if the real Bobby couldn't stand me?"

I didn't run a whore house! Charlotte snarled in my head. It was a brothel. There's a difference.

"Because I didn't have to pay for it," I said easily. Of course, it wasn't the entire reason, but I couldn't tell him I'd used him as bait and a shield against questioning. "And I invited you because I felt sorry for you. It was pity, not friendship. You were so pathetic about not getting laid; I figured I'd offer you an olive branch. Besides, it was a brothel, not a whore house. There's a difference."

I felt Charlotte's appreciation as I heard Al's slight chuckle. I also watched with inner glee as Adam's face grew darker as I spoke.

"That doesn't answer the rest of the questions!" Adam all but spat.

"So you admit you weren't really friends before the accident?" Shayna asked, sounding like a lawyer grilling a witness. "And didn't you originally tell us you didn't go into the brothel? Instead, you claimed you stayed outside and waited for our husband. I think you need to get your story in order."

"It doesn't matter!" Adam snarled at my wife. I took a step forward, ready to pop him in the mouth for his attitude, but a look from Shayna, coupled with Charlotte's warning, stopped me. Adam was trying to goad me. "He's a fucking liar and a fake, and I can prove it. If he can't answer the questions, then that proves he's a shapeshifter."

"That's not how that works," I said, finally calming my voice. Of course, it helped to know Adam was trying to get me to snap in front of this cop. I wasn't about to let this douche-nozzle win. "But I'll play your game. I was terribly hurt in that blast. The same people paying for the brothel trip also paid to get me the best healing available. It was in Utah, and it took them a week to reconstruct my face using the latest science and magic techniques. They weren't perfect, but at least I'm alive. Did I miss anything?"

"No!" Adam snarled as he stepped up to me. I held my ground, looking slightly down at him as he glared at me. "You're lying! I know it. I heard about how poor you are. There's no way you could afford that whore house or be healed like you claim!"

Adam's good left hand reached back as if ready to punch me, and I smirked at him. "Sure you want to do that? Didn't turn out that well the last time you tried to punch me."

"You told me he broke your hand with a bat," the undercover cop said, sounding quite displeased.

Elly stood and walked over to the older lady, her phone in hand. I suspected my wife was getting ready to show the cop footage of Adam attacking me.

"It doesn't matter!" Adam screeched, spit hitting my face in his rage. "He's a liar! He's evil! He needs to be stopped!"

I thought he was about to punch me, even after my warning, but when his hand came from behind his back, he held a gun.

"What the fuck?!" I stepped back to gain some distance, holding my hands up.

"I'll prove you're not Bobby!" Adam screamed, a manic look in his hazel eyes. "I'll shoot you, and everyone will see!"

His left hand shook as he aimed the pistol at my chest. Time slowed as I waited for the inevitable. I had enough time to curse myself for stepping away instead of disarming him immediately. I also noticed the undercover cop patting her empty hip and glaring at Adam.

Movement caught my eye. Despite myself, I looked and saw Shayna moving behind the deranged man. Adam must have noticed my eyes shift as he started to turn, but my wife struck. Shayna gripped his wrist, twisting painfully as she brought the man's hand down behind him.

Someone cried out as the gun went off. Both dropped to the ground, and the world became a blur.

I remember charging forward, gripping Adam's collar and pants, and throwing him away from my wife. There was blood all over her front.

After that, I don't remember what happened until I came to on the floor. I'm told I turned on Adam in a rage, and it took Al and all three women to pull me off him. Ultimately, the cop clubbed me in the back of the head, knocking me out. I was too far angered to realize that Shayna was one of those trying to get me under control. Even Charlotte couldn't break through my haze or over my body.

Only a few moments had passed when I woke up, though I had a splitting headache. Shayna and Elly leaned over me, and I noticed the cop on the phone with paramedics.

I wanted to reach out to my wives but found my hands cuffed behind my back.

"Shayna!" I gasped, tears blurring my vision with worry and concern. "Are you okay?"

"Are you back with us?" Elly asked instead of giving me an answer. "Are you sane?"

Before I could answer, another voice sounded out. "Holy shit, what happened here?" Jolene entered my home, her red hair done up in intricate curls.

"Excuse me, ma'am, but you can't come in here," the cop told her, still holding the phone to her ear.

"But my husband's in there!" Jolene argued until the older woman pulled out her badge. Then, Al went to his wife and pulled her back to the kitchen.

"Will someone please tell me if my wife is okay?" I demanded, losing my patience.

"I'm fine, Bobby," Shayna said, cupping my cheek in her hand. The tender look she gave me warmed my heart.

"But, the blood?" I asked, still seeing her front darkened with the substance.

"Adam ended up shooting himself in the ass," Elly said with a straight face, but her eyes sparkled with mirth. "Then you lost control."

"Sorry about that," I apologized. "I saw the blood and thought the worst." I shuddered, remembering the last time I'd lost control. After that, I needed a lot of therapy, but the other kid required even more. Adam was damned lucky I hadn't gotten a good hold on him.

"Don't apologize," Shayna smiled. "I can defend myself, but knowing that you care that much for me... Well, I think I owe you an apology. I've been very rude and distant, and—"

"No!" I cut her off, wishing I could pull her into my arms. But instead, I let my face and words express how I felt. "You had every right to be concerned. I understand. But why did you put yourself at risk? For me?"

Shayna didn't answer immediately but leaned down and pressed her lips to mine in a gentle kiss. When she pulled away, there were fresh tears in her bright eyes.

"Because despite myself and my concerns, I still care for you, ya dummy!" Shayna punched my chest as though to counter the tenderness of her kiss.

Before I could respond, the cop appeared over me. "If I undo the cuffs, can I trust you won't attack Adam?"

I looked around for the asshat and saw paramedics looking over him. He was face down, pants cut away, showing an ass whiter than snow, except for the blood. One paramedic held his cuffed hands above his head, while the other patted gauze around the seeping hole in his left cheek.

"Yeah, I'm good," I told her. "I'm sorry if I hurt you when I lost control." There was a reason I worked so hard at martial arts as a kid: to avoid episodes like the one I'd just had.

Before answering, the older woman chuckled, which did wonders for her stern face. "You're pretty strong, young man. Had you hurt me, I'd have you in the back of my car, not lying on the floor. It took all of us to hold you back, but you didn't fight us; you only pushed to get to my nephew."

"Nephew?" I asked, getting worried for a whole other set of reasons.

She shook her head and chuckled again. "My older brother's youngest son. I always knew he was a hothead and a bit spoiled, but I never thought he'd do something this stupid. I'm guessing you're going to want to press charges?"

"This isn't the first time he's attacked me," I said. A man can only forgive so much. "He needs help."

"One of your girlfriends showed me how he broke his hand. The dumbass told me a different story. So I'm guessing the lump on his head is from another attempt to hurt you?" When I nodded, she grimaced and shook her head. "My brother's going to be pissed, but Adam did this to himself. I know he's family, but I agree that he needs help. I'll see if I can't get it for him. The kid was always too pretty for his own good. Looks like it went to his head. Anyway, I'll expect to see you tomorrow at the precinct. I set my card on your counter."

Having said her piece, she undid my restraints and went to talk to the paramedics.

"This has been one hell of a day!" I groaned, rubbing my wrists.

"You can tell us all about it after they leave," Elly said, rubbing my shoulders.

"Hey, uh, Bobby?" Al said, poking his head out of the kitchen. "It looks like things are a bit strained here. I talked with Jolene, and I think I'll head home after all."

"You sure you're going to be okay?" I asked, noting his wife was hugging him from behind.

The first smile I'd seen on him since escaping the cave flitted across his lips for just a moment before he nodded. "Jolene has promised to keep my mind occupied. I know she can do it, too. I'll hit you up tomorrow."

"I'll expect to see you at the precinct also, Mr. Mckay," the cop said as they left.

"You take care of her," I told Al. "She seems like a good wife." So maybe not all redheads were evil. It just took a magically induced love spell to keep them in line.

"Oh, trust me, he does!" Jolene cackled with a wink as they walked out the door.

After the paramedics left and the officer pulled promises from us that we would call her tomorrow, I found myself staring at the blood stain in the carpet.

So much bloodshed today. When had my life become so violent? I worked hard to keep myself in check and live a life of peace and calm. I knew what could happen when I let myself go, but today has been a lot.

"We'll call the cleaners and get that taken care of tomorrow," Shayna informed me, slipping her arm around my waist. I really liked this new side to my shorter wife. "My father knows some discreet ones who have worked for his company before."

"Come back to our room and tell us what Consul Willmont needed you for today," Elly said. She must have seen something in my face, for the next moment, I found myself held within two sets of loving arms.

I opened my mouth to tell them I was okay but couldn't force any words past the sudden lump in my throat. I'd thought I was holding it together and staying strong, but the dam burst in the sudden warmth and comfort of my wives' embrace.

I'd been through hell today. First, Consul Willmont called me to his house suddenly. Well, that wasn't so bad, other than his bipolar attitude toward me. Then going into the gnoll's cave, Willmont abandoning us, being outnumbered and overpowered and fighting desperately for our lives, only to be saved by a creature that is both terrifying and beautiful. And that nagini was a princess?! The sex with the maid was unique for me, but even that was a close brush with death. I don't think I'll ever forget the sound of the alpha's laugh, nor the way Willmont looked as his body convulsed as he broke his own bones. Then, when I thought I was home and safe, I had to deal with Adam once again!

Hey, you got your pendant back and finally won Shayna over, Charlotte consoled me. So today wasn't all bad.

I pulled my wives tighter into the embrace and even sent a mental hug to the succubus.

"Thank you," I managed to say when I was confident my voice wouldn't break.

"I think you'd better sleep in our bed tonight," Shayna said, and if I had any doubts about her intentions, the feeling of her hand squeezing my ass dispelled them.

"Are you sure?" I had to ask, not wanting her to do something she'd regret later.

My dark-skinned wife pulled away to look up into my eyes, and I couldn't mistake the sincerity there. "I may not know if I'm being turned on by something else, but I do know that tonight you proved that you genuinely care about me. And I won't deny that I do care for you. I love you, Bobby Brody, and I want you in our bed tonight."

"I want him inside more than just our bed tonight," Elly said teasingly. "I think a bit of love-making is the perfect way to wash away the stains of today."

Once again, I felt my eyes water at how wonderful these two women were.

I promise I'm not doing anything to encourage this, Charlotte informed me. But, having said that, I hope you don't mind if I also enjoy it. I did expend a lot of energy trying to protect us today.

Slut! I teased her with an inward smile.

You really say the sweetest things to me! Charlotte laughed, and I felt that things were about to get better.

Of course, that's the moment things usually go to shit.

The doorbell rang, and all three women groaned. I turned to get it, but Shayna pressed her hands to my chest and shook her head. "I'll get rid of whoever it is. This bloody shirt will probably help scare them away. You go get in the shower. I don't know what you did today, but you kinda stink."

Elly laughed as she took my hand and dragged me to the master bedroom. "I wasn't going to say anything, but you really do, my love."

We made it as far as the bedroom doorway before Shayna yelled, "Bobby Brody, get your ass out here!"

Elly and I exchanged quick glances, and I shrugged, turning to see what fresh disaster now awaited me.

"Explain her!" Shayna demanded as I entered the front hallway. The maid stood outside the door, hands clasped before her and her head bowed.

"Master, I have cleared all of the recordings my previous master had and reprogrammed your house AI to no longer spy on you, as I promised." The maid's meek voice was easily heard by all.

I groaned at the same time Elly asked, "Master?"

"Who is she, Bobby, and why is she calling you 'master'?" Shayna's arms were folded, and she tapped her foot, waiting for my response. "Is this some sick sex joke you're playing?"

I glared at the dark elf. Her white hair covered her pointed ears, but her beauty and graceful mannerisms would give away her non-humanness to anyone who was aware.

"No!" I said, half terrified that the maid would make some comment about us having sex while I was sick. But, thankfully, she kept quiet. Then, heaving a sigh and rubbing my temples, I said, "Maid, come on in. Let's all go talk in the kitchen. I don't want to be in the living room right now."

"Maid?" Shayna appeared even more upset at my way of addressing the drow elf. "I can see how she's dressed like a sluty French maid, but I'm also sure she has a name. Why do you let him talk to you like that?"

The tall elf looked at my short wife, and somehow it didn't appear that she was looking down at Shayna despite the height difference. "I see my master hasn't had an opportunity to explain. He does not mean any disrespect, Mistress Brody. I do not have a name. I sense that is something my master wishes to rectify, but there wasn't time earlier after he saved my life and took me as his slave."

"SLAVE?!" The pain and rage I saw in Shayna's beautiful face stabbed me through the heart. Before I could respond, Elly interjected and ushered my African-descent wife to the kitchen."

"Come on," I waved the elf to follow us.

"I'm sorry, Master," she begged. "I was trying to diffuse the situation. However, I will accept whatever punishment you deem worthy. I only wish to make your life better."

"Punishment?" I asked, appalled that she would immediately go there again. "I'm not going to—"

Charlotte cut me off with a quick thought, and I couldn't find fault in her logic.

As we entered the kitchen, I told the maid, "Your punishment will be to help us find a way to break the spell holding you."

"I... don't want to be released," I heard her, but her voice was barely above a whisper. I doubted my wives heard.

"What?" I asked the elf in a level tone. "Please speak up so everyone can hear you."

The maid's shoulders slumped even more than they had at Willmont's massive home, but when she spoke, everyone could hear her. "I do not wish to be freed, but if that is Master's will, I will obey. I will accept that punishment."

"You realize how this looks, right?" Elly asked as she held an arm around her sister-wife. "A black woman showing up at our door, telling us she's your slave?"

"Shayna, I understand why you're upset, and you really have every reason to be," I told my wife. I'd never considered how she would take this side of things, but now that it was out, I planned to get ahead of it. "I really didn't have the chance to tell you everything. I couldn't precisely explain on my way home via phone call. And then when I got here and the whole thing with Adam... I really didn't have a chance."

"Well, now's your chance." The look Shayna gave me right then said I either explain it well or make peace with the afterlife.

The maid and I spent the next hour telling them what happened during the mission. The maid became hesitant when it came to the part about her draining my balls to save my life, but I remained blunt and honest. I didn't want to hide anything from my wives.

"Wait," Elly said, her eyes growing large with concern. "You mean his semen is poisonous now? He could have killed us both tonight!"

"No," the maid said, seeing the misunderstanding. "It was, but the poison was cleansed from his system. If he still had it, he'd be unable to control his erection or actions. So it is safe for you to be together."

We explained how I took over the slave brand, reaffirming that I intended to free her. Then, the maid went into detail about how Willmont had conspired against me, killing me the first time at Charly's, intending to claim my pendant and my wives.