The Shepherd's Crook

Author's Notes:

'A Shepherd's Crook' is the fourth book in the Chronicles of Ben Shepherd. The chronological order of the stories is:

The Shepherd of Ashburn Court - Parts 1 - 5A Shepherd in France - Parts 1 & 2A Shepherd Afield - Parts 1 - 5The Shepherd's Crook - Parts 1 - 5

Updated versions of The Shepherds Crook Parts 1 - 4 were submitted to Literotica, but after a month of waiting, they were NOT published. Why? I've no idea. A glitch in the Matrix, perhaps?

Some character names have changed in Part 5, so the updates would have helped.

Here is a legend of the changed names to watch for:

Phil DeMonte --> Paul Giamatti

Lawrence Manning --> Hugh Jackman

Ron Leopold --> Ryan Renolds

Sir Ryan McKann --> Sir Ian McKellen

The collected Parts 1 - 5 have been published as a single book on Amazon should you wish to see the proper version.

Minimal effort is made in this tale to explain the backstory, so please read the other stories first.

All characters engaging in sexual relationships or activities are 18 years old or older.

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A Shepherd's Crook - Part 5

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Chapter 51

Marion Spencer scowled at the document he'd received from the State Prosecutor. He would be taken into custody in the morning to be tried for the murder of the bitches they found in the hidden cells of his old home. They knew he wasn't a flight risk as he was essentially chained to his dialysis machine these days.

He recalled the French slut who'd confronted him about his guilt. He knew she'd follow through, but he was disappointed to find he was the sole name on the warrant.

None of the other club participants had been named in the case.

It had to be that rat bastard Reissman who ensured he and the others were protected. They'd always treated him as their servant, as he'd done most of the work of arranging to buy the home, building the hidden rooms, acquiring the sacrifices, and hosting their ceremonies.

The bloody work of killing the bitches after the group had their fun went to the winner of the draw, with previous winners abstaining until they'd all had their chance. He recalled his turn with a slow smile. Her terror had been delicious, and seeing hope die in her eyes made him so fucking hard.

He sighed as his years of getting a stiffy were long over.

A sudden chill ran down his spine as a blast of wintery wind gusted through his room.

Confused, he twisted in his chair to look toward the window. The floor lamp next to his chair wasn't lighting up that side of the room, so all he saw was a tall, broad-shouldered man standing next to the closed window.

"Who the fuck are you?" he snapped as the icy chill remained in his spine.

Now, it was fear.

The brute moved forward quickly, and a huge fist slammed into Marion's nose, rocking him backward to fall completely out of his chair. Stars filled his vision, and the terrible pain centered on his crushed nose. He couldn't breathe through it and had to resort to gasping for air through his mouth.

Fists grabbed the front of his dressing robe and effortlessly lifted him from the ground to slam him onto his bed. Strong hands gripped his arms and zip-tied his wrists to the headboard above his head. Next, his ankles were spread open and tied to the footboard.

Marion sucked in a breath to scream for help, and a gag was forced into his mouth. His eyes flew wide as this made it harder to breathe!

He was doing something to his headboard, and when he pulled back, Marion saw a knife in his big hand.

He tried to get a look at his assailant's face. He was wearing a ski mask, so only the man's eyes were visible. They were cold and emotionless. For all the violence he'd inflicted, there was no sign of the expected rage-filled expression. Marion felt his bladder release a little as he was looking at death itself.

Reissman! It had to be the judge who sent this assassin to ensure he didn't talk at the trial.

When the brute pulled a syringe from inside his jacket and jabbed it into one of the many needle marks on his arm, Marion sucked in a quick breath before his eyes rolled back.

Liquid fire and ground glass crawled through his veins and up his arm. By the time it reached his shoulder, his body was jolting and thrashing as it tried to escape the excruciating agony.

He wanted to scream, but he couldn't as his muscles locked up. He soiled himself, and still the agony spread through his body.

He had a brief respite as another chilling blast of air rushed across his burning limbs, then he was consumed by the internal inferno as it reached his brain.

Marion Spencer tasted the flames of hell before he left this mortal plane.

Chapter 52

Nguyêt woke as she heard a gentle sigh.

She blinked her eyes open to take in the unfamiliar room and the enormous bed she was lying in the center of. She glanced left and right, seeing the sleeping faces of Tina and Lucy.

Memories of the night before rushed through her mind.

She thought it was amusing that these memories began with being in Ben's arms as he hugged her and told her to enjoy herself.

A smile tugged at her lips as it had been a cheeky thing to say, but she knew he'd meant it in the most way. She didn't doubt for a second that he loved the two women she was currently between. She also knew they were completely in love with him--and with each other. There was an overwhelming sense of love and compassion in this home. It made her heart ache, as she wished she were part of it.

Her childhood home life rarely exposed her to such feelings. Youngest of eight children, she was an afterthought, a mistake her parents had no time for. If it weren't for two of her older sisters who chose to take over the role of parent, she wouldn't have known what love was at all.

As she was often overlooked, she honed that ability and learned other complementary skills. She would have become a master criminal except for the moral guidance from her sisters once more. But when they left the household and moved overseas to start their own families, Moon found she'd become invisible once more.

Her decision to take a job with the CIA severed the remaining ties she had with her family. Her relationship with Russo had been exciting and completely new territory for her, but she knew Russo never completely exposed her heart and hid behind countless lies. That was no way to build or maintain a relationship.

Tina and Lucy were a breath of fresh air. Their hearts were laid bare, completely open to her. It had been a little overwhelming at first.

She recalled their expressions when they heard Ben was being summoned to Washington. Moon knew they were disappointed, but they refused to let Ben see this on their faces. As he'd endured so much recently, they wouldn't add to his stress. They demonstrated their love for him as they eased his way toward his next challenge. Witnessing that instance of unified and selfless action took Moon's breath away.

Once Ben and the guests had left, Tina and Lucy turned to tidying up after dinner with Moon's willing assistance. Then the two ladies got their children all settled into bed while she relaxed in the living room.

The home was quiet as the ladies returned. Tina sat next to their guest on the couch and took Nguyêt's hand between hers.

She smiled at Moon, who was peeking at her through her hair with a nervous smile on her lips.

"Thank you again for your efforts in helping Ben on the yacht," Tina said sincerely. "Ben mentioned you enlisted the aid of others to help as well."

Moon dipped her face. "It wasn't completely selfless. I was praying he would save us from Kaan and his men. I didn't know how he would do it, but our circumstances were so desperate, I took a chance. I didn't know he was such a highly trained fighter."

Lucy grinned. "Ben has been training with Liliya, Evelyn, and Trish, but that just began recently. While they're all expert level, Ben says he's an intermediate on his best day. He's just stronger and faster than most."

Nguyêt's eyes moved between the faces of the two beauties to gauge if they were teasing. She only saw open expressions of pride.

"Do you have someone in your life?" Tina asked.

The question caught her by surprise, and she shook her head before the image of Stephanie Russo's face appeared in her mind. She paused, then shook it again.

"Who was that for?" Tina asked.

Nguyêt looked into Tina's perceptive eyes and saw she wasn't judging. "I was in a relationship with Stephanie Russo, but it ended after the mission prior to our going after Sadik. Stephanie couldn't fully trust anyone, and I realized that while I was working as a spy, having a serious relationship would be impossible. She wasn't happy about my decision to call it off."

Lucy stared at her. "She kidnapped Ben to save you. She obviously still has feelings for you." She shook her head. "Don't get me wrong. I hate what she did, but I can understand her motivation."

Moon gave Lucy a sweet smile but tipped her head down. "I'm grateful Ben rescued me and gave me a new and better future, but I would have stopped Stephanie if I could have. She put his life at risk for a group of strangers. I can't forgive her for that."

Tina nodded, and Lucy watched this before settling herself.

Moon watched the interplay between the two women and recalled how they were with Ben. He was the dominant member of their relationship, but she got the impression that Tina fulfilled this role for Lucy when Ben wasn't present.

Tina was watching her face and smiled at her expression of concentration.

"You are submissive like us?" she asked Moon.

After a moment of surprise, she smiled shyly. "I think I may be. I've only been in one serious relationship before. Russo was very dominant... and it felt... right. I haven't had good experiences with men, but I enjoyed Ben's hug. He is so strong yet gentle--"

"Until you don't want him to be!" Lucy chuckled as her face lit up with a thrilled grin.

Tina smiled gently, but her eyes twinkled as well. "Ben is a most excellent Dom, but I was his first, and he wasn't sure if he could be what I needed. I had faith, and he discovered that strength within himself. Lucy joined us in Paris, and she showed me I could be what she needed."

She shared a look with Lucy, and Moon saw something silent but meaningful pass between them.

Tina turned her face back to Moon. "We would like you to stay with us tonight. We cannot make promises for Ben as he is already in many relationships, but Lucy and I would very much like to get to know you better."

Nguyêt gazed into their eyes and saw their honest interest and excitement. She thought they were both beautiful, but what she found even more exciting was how in tune they were with each other. They were so much in love! She yearned for such a relationship. Nguyêt nodded. "I-I would like that very much." She felt the heat on her face as she saw their smiles grow.

Tina stood, as did Lucy, and they turned to help her to her feet.

Smiling, she took their hands in hers and let them lead her to the bedroom.

Once they entered, Tina led Moon next to the bed as Lucy closed the door.

Tina gently took Moon's face between her hands and kissed her lips tenderly.

A second pair of lips touched the side of her neck, and sparks jumped between the kisses. Lucy's hands landed on her waist, then slid under her top, her fingertips trailing across the sensitive skin of her stomach.

As Tina was still kissing her sweetly, Moon's mind was overwhelmed by the tender kisses and the sensual bliss of Lucy's touch.

Lucy worked her kisses around the back of Moon's neck as her hands kept busy, touching, tugging, and stroking, drawing coos and sighs from the petite woman.

Tina gently tugged the bottom hem of her blouse upwards as Lucy slid her hands down the outside of Moon's thighs until she was suddenly naked before them. Their eyes drank in her beauty, and Moon was pulled into a kiss with both of them.

When she pulled back, she was surprised to see they were now naked as well. It felt like magic!

Tina guided Moon onto the bed and laid her back in the middle before stretching out along her left side. She captured Moon's mouth for a deeper kiss, her tongue skillfully caressing Moon's.

When Lucy's lips began caressing her right hip bone, it shocked a gasp from Moon, and she sucked on Tina's tongue almost feverishly. Lucy slowed the kiss once more and maintained her sensual pace.

A delicate hand cupped Moon's breast and gently tugged on her nipple as Lucy's clever tongue and lips found their way from the hipbone to the cleanly shaved mound between Moon's trembling legs.

Moon was whimpering with need as Lucy's fingers gently parted her lower lips, and her tongue became much more demanding.

"MMmmm! Ahhh!" Moon cried out as she pulled back from Tina's mouth, which moved to Moon's free nipple.

"Oh my God!" Moon gasped as Lucy's talented mouth brought her to a state of bliss faster than she expected. Tina's caresses, squeezes, and tugs on Moon's stiff nipples were the final element that pushed her over the top.

"AAAAhhhhhhhhhh!" Moons cried out as waves of bliss crashed through her nerves.

When she finally came down from Heaven, she opened her eyes and saw Tina kneeling on the bed next to her with a sexy smile on her face. Lucy was right behind her with a hungry expression on hers.

Moon licked her lips in anticipation as Tina swung her leg over her and positioned herself over Moon's face.

Then she felt Lucy's legs sliding across hers as she pressed her hot pussy against Moon's wet lower lips.

The bliss she felt next was like nothing she'd ever experienced, and Russo was no beginner.

The difference was, these ladies wanted all of her, including her heart.

A tingle ran down Nguyêt's spine, returning her to the present. She turned her head again and saw Tina watching her with a little smile on her lips.

She looked at Lucy and saw that she was awake as well, grinning at her.

"Good morning!" Moon said.

"Good morning!" they returned in unison.

"Would you care to join us in the shower?" Tina asked, and Moon's eyes widened with delight. She nodded her head, not trusting herself to speak.

Could this get any better?

-=-

Zama woke and stretched, yawning. She was feeling quite lazy this morning, so she knew she had to get up and work out that laziness. After she slipped from under the cozy blankets, she made her bed. This was one of the first skills she learned. Keeping her room tidy was expected, as there were no maids in this home. Everyone did their part!

She glanced around and saw that the room was neat and clean, so she moved on to her next task.

Zama did her exercise routine vigorously until she felt her blood pumping and was gasping for air. A quick shower, and she slipped on the outfit she'd refreshed with Trish's washer and dryer when she got home last night.

She was thrilled to go shopping for new clothes with the twins and Moon today. She could afford to buy her own clothes, but Ben had insisted on paying for them.

She smiled to herself as she recalled Ben's warm hug and his kiss last night. Tingles rushed through her body as she recalled the sensations. His large body matched hers so well!

Leaving her bedroom, she saw that the door to Trish's gym was open, and she heard the sounds of someone working out. She peeked inside and saw that Trish was practicing with two fighting sticks. It was thrilling to see her spin and thrust the weapons with such precision.

Trish came out of the zone and smiled at Zama as she caught her breath. "Did they train you how to fight at the palace?"

Zama shook her head with a grin. "Princesses are forbidden to do anything like that! My father would have me beaten if he heard I was acting like a soldier!"

Trish made a rude sound.

A sly smile appeared on Zama's lips. "That said, I used to watch the soldiers on the parade ground from my bedroom window as they drilled with their weapons. I particularly enjoyed watching them spin, strike, and jab with their tall fighting staffs. I didn't have one of these, but I was able to get my hands on a broom handle. I'd use this and match their movements until I was synchronized with them. I was obviously not as dangerous as they were--"

"Don't knock broomsticks as a deadly weapon. I know from firsthand experience how good a weapon it can be," Trish said with a nod.

Zama's eyes widened. "You have used these skills in actual combat?"

Trish nodded. "Yeah, I've gotten into a few scraps. It's far more intense than practicing or sparring. When you know your opponent wants you dead, there's no room for doubt or mistakes."

The redhead eyed Zama, then gestured for her to enter the gym. She turned and walked to the side of the room, returning with a fighting staff. She tossed it to Zama.

Catching the weapon in one hand, she immediately noticed the difference from a broom handle.

"It's heavier than my old broom handle. Stiffer, too!" Zama noted.

"Try the movements you learned, but do them slowly. Get a feel for how the extra weight makes a difference in the balance and effort," Trish said.

Zama nodded as she concentrated on the feel of the staff in her hand. She began with very slow sweeps forward and back, recalling how it felt with the broom handle. She preferred the fighting stick because it felt far more solid. It was also more difficult to control, but she just concentrated harder.

Gradually, she accelerated her movements as she went through the program the soldiers had drilled.

She was getting tired and making a mistake with a staff this heavy would be bad, so she slowed to a stop and smiled shyly at Trish.

The woman was grinning at her. "Damn! That was pretty good! I noticed a few areas where you could improve your control over the weapon, but you have a solid foundation to build upon. If you'd like, I could train you."

Zama was breathing hard from the effort. "I would like that very much!"

"You need gym clothes--"

Zama nodded. "Lisa and Lori are taking Moon and me to get clothes tonight."

"Excellent! Make sure they know you need workout clothes, too," Trish said.

"I will!"

Trish nodded. "I've got to start my day, so I'll talk to you later."

Zama grinned at the happy redhead, who nodded and rushed upstairs.

Putting the fighting staff away, she smiled and went upstairs as well. Her tummy was rumbling for food, and breakfast wasn't going to be made by the palace chef or served by palace servants.

She was getting better at cooking, and this meal was one she felt comfortable making.

One day, she hoped to make it for Ben!

Chapter 53

Ben leaned back in his chair, his expression stern, and ran through his breathing exercises to calm himself. While the glacier-pacedadministrative proceedingmade it feel like he'd been in this room for ages, this was just day two, and nothing was being achieved outside of letting these blowhards grandstand and posture before the press' cameras in the committee meeting room.

Currently, the congressman from Kentucky was focusing his bleary glare at Liliya, who listened to the grey-haired curmudgeon with an attentive expression.

"Is it not true that you worked for the Russian government as an assassin, just as this... Tatiana Pushkin did?" he spat.

"Yes. We worked under the control of Colonel Vasiliev."

"This is the same colonel that Pushkin mentioned in her little movie on the Internet? The colonel you murdered?" he snapped.

She smiled at him, and Ben saw the man's expression freeze, dazzled by Liliya's charm. "I killed him, yes. He was a very bad man who ordered his team of assassins to kill many people. Killing him was a good thing, yes?" she asked with a sweet smile.