The Grandmaster's Legacy (HOT Historical Suspense, Box Set)

by Taylor Lee

  “Hell, Wyatt, if I had an ass like yours, I would have bought a pair of breeches. I concede. Maybe Alono will take pity on me and help me buy some clothes that will make me look like less of an asshole.”

  “I don’t care what you look like, Tom. It’s damn good to see you. Welcome to Blue Canyon. Judge, I appreciate you coming and you too, Senator.”

  Shaking hands with the two white-haired visitors, he said, “Arthur, Charlie, it’s been too long. Welcome to you all.

  “I know you’re all here to talk politics. We’ll do that over dinner. While we’re waiting for Lei, let’s go to my office. Perhaps I can entice you with a big glass of Scotch.

  Wyatt grew up a couple of miles from the ranch. He’d been coming to Joey Chen’s dojo since he was eight years old. He was only nineteen when the Triads sent an assassin to avenge their code against non-Chinese practicing kung fu. The match was infamous for its violent savagery. Wyatt, the upstart warrior, killed the Tong leader and became known as the grandmaster. Over the years, a black belt earned at his dojo was coveted by Chinese fighters. They came to respect the blue-eyed Indian who killed his way to the top of their warrior art.

  The Wyoming Ranch was his favorite property, his home base. Nestled in the Rocky Mountains, it was surrounded by canyons, distant snow capped mountain ranges and wide open grasslands. Twelve years ago, he bought the ranch and rebuilt it to reflect his passions. As they walked to the office, he pointed out the main buildings. In addition to the dojo, his horse stables housed exotic breeds from around the world. Breeders and horse lovers came from across the West to marvel at the collection. Four barns, a bunkhouse, and a central lodge, flanked Joey’s and Chief’s private residences. The centerpiece of the ranch was Wyatt’s sprawling cottage. Built primarily of stone and glass, it had large windows throughout that captured panoramic views from every direction. The family’s personal quarters comprised half of the building. The other half was given over to the operational nerve center of Wyatt’s business enterprise.

  While they waited for Lei in his office, Wyatt invited Arthur, Tom, and Charlie to join him for a before dinner drink. Rooting around in his well-stocked liquor cabinet, he pulled out a bottle of Walker’s Old Highland, his favorite blended Scotch whiskey. Pouring a healthy three fingers of the amber liquid in four glasses, he handed one to each of his guests. Smiling at the judge, he said with a disarming smile, “I remember when you first introduced me to this fine Scotch, Judge. What was I? Twenty-one? Twenty-two? Hell, all I knew was that I could barely crawl up to my hotel room when you finished almost drinking me under the table. But we did make an interesting purchase that night, didn’t we?”

  The deep wrinkles around the judge’s eyes crinkled at the memory. “Hell, Wyatt, even then no one except maybe me knew that the kid at the table was anything but completely in control. Especially when you convinced those scallywags to sell you that parcel of land they thought was worthless for what seemed at the time an astronomical price.”

  A soft smile crossed Wyatt’s face. He strode over to one of the maps that covered most of the walls in his spacious office. Pointing to a large tract of land along the Nevada border, Wyatt’s smile widened. “Yep, that was the critical piece to our acquiring that lode of silver, our second after the Leadville strike. Hell, the assholes never forgave me for that one, did they, Judge?”

  All of the men laughed in appreciation and looked with interest at the maps covering most of the walls. Wyatt’s various properties included land in four territories, two states, and the Leadville silver mine that he bought when he was nineteen years old. In typical Wyatt fashion, he bought the Leadville property because he liked the view. Two years later, they discovered silver. That purchase and a knack for seeing the future helped him build one of most significant fortunes in the West. His latest purchase of oil wells in California and Texas had prospectors scampering. As usual, Wyatt was there years before the followers caught on. He was on to his next venture while the less visionary scrambled to catch up.

  Wyatt’s special skill, born from his love of politics, was his ability to smoke out political corruption. That ability had made him rich. In his nearly twenty years of acquiring land, minerals, and timber, he never once fell prey to unscrupulous or illegal practices to build his wealth. He didn’t have to. He thrived by outwitting the corrupt.

  Charlie and Arthur had never been to the ranch. Both men marveled at his state of the art telegraph system. It was Wyatt’s joy, his lifeline to the world. “So this is what you do with all that money I save you, helping you ferret out the crooks,” Tom said with a grin.

  “Yeah, as you know, Tom, this is the heart of the business.” Turning to Arthur and Charlie he said, “I put this telegraph system in ten years ago. It’s the only one of its kind outside of the major cities in the East and West. I do eighty to ninety percent of my acquisitions by telegraph. Tom can tell you, it is the primary way we communicate. Sometimes three or four times a day. Hell, in the last year I bought horses from Australia, mining equipment from China, and made all my financial investments by telegraph.”

  Joey, Chief, and Alono joined them, all gratefully accepting a glass of whiskey from Wyatt. Each of the visitors congratulated Joey on the match between Lei and Sang Fe.

  “Christ, Joey, I have never seen anything like that. She was breathtaking,” said Tom. “Is that the usual outcome when she fights?”

  Joey smiled, “Except for Wyatt, she is unbeatable. She is the only female kung fu master in the country – might even be the world. We aren’t training women openly now, so we can’t confirm her status. Suffice it to say, that you watched one of the world’s true masters fight today. Remember Sang Fe, her opponent, will leave here in a week with a master rank. He is one of our most accomplished fighters. His problem today was that he was fighting Lei. The only fighter I’ve worked with who is more exciting to watch is this guy here,” he said, nodding to Wyatt.

  At that moment, Lei entered. Tom was confounded. It was impossible to believe that this was the same woman who brought a six foot Chinese warrior to his knees a few hours before. Her glossy black hair was swept up in a sophisticated woven twist. An unusual silver ornament, fashioned after a dragon, held it in place. Silky white pants skimmed her hips and glorious bottom. A soft draped top showed just enough of her full firm breasts to tantalize each of the men, who stole surreptitious glances throughout the evening. Lei had the regal bearing of a princess from an exotic land. Tom knew that is how she grew up. If you call the heavily guarded California compound of the leader of the fiercest Chinese Tong in the country an exotic land.

  Tom shook his head in wonder. “My God, Lei, you are one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen. You look like you’ve stepped off the cover of French Vogue. What the hell are you doing in Wyoming? You would have the high society assholes at your feet in any city in the east.”

  “That’s why I am here, Tom. Among other reasons.” Lei smiled over his head at Wyatt.

  Wyatt returned her smile from half-closed eyes. He looked like a man who knew that every man in the room was lusting after his woman. God help any of them if they made a move toward her. But it was clear to Tom as to everyone else, there was only one man for Lei. That man was Wyatt. The sparks between them were electric. Everyone who met them felt it. Commented on it.

  Tom smiled ruefully. “You are one lucky son of a bitch, Wyatt. But then you know that, don’t you?”

  “Yeah, Tom, I do. Now that Lei is here, let’s have dinner. You all must be hungry.” He stepped over next to Lei and kissed her lightly on the cheek. He nudged his hand possessively against small of her back, and guided her to the dining room. The other men followed, happy to have an uninterrupted view of her beautiful bottom in those surprisingly revealing pants.

  ~~~

  The food was excellent. The wine flowed freely. But, it was no secret; everyone at the table knew they were there for a purpose.

  “Okay, folks, let’s hear it. Who do you recommend I end
orse for governor?” Wyatt asked with a grin, turning the conversation to the topic on everyone’s minds. He knew that whoever received his endorsement would have the best chance to win. The problem was that the potential candidates were weak at best.

  Chief spoke up. “Poor Bernie has been dead for only three days. We haven’t even buried him yet. We’ve had, what Wyatt, four or five potential candidates, riding out to the ranch? Each one’s tried to convince Wyatt to support him.”

  “Let’s face it,” Charlie said, “it’s a mighty weak field. Under ordinary circumstances, that wouldn’t matter. Hell, Wyatt, you even got me elected. They don’t call you a kingmaker for nothing. The problem is that Grant Forrester has thrown his hat in the ring. That changes everything. That son of a bitch could actually win, especially against the current field of candidates.”

  Arthur spoke up. “I am concerned, Wyatt. You and I know Grant Forrester better than anyone here except Chief. He was crooked when he took over the territorial government in New Mexico. Not a damn thing has changed. The first thing he’d try to do if he became governor is take you down. The way you outsmarted that bunch of crooks fifteen years ago is the stuff of legends. What were you, twenty-three years old? I’ll never forget it. What did you end up with, just by seeing through their chicanery? Half of the Colorado River Basin?”

  Wyatt’s grin widened. “Yeah, that was a sweet deal, wasn’t it, Judge? What galls Grant and his corrupt political friends even more than the land I got is that they could have stopped me in my tracks. They just couldn’t see past the cocky Indian kid they thought I was. They underestimated me then and continue to do so. I have been on the winning end of deals with that bunch for the last fifteen years. They never seem to wise up. Of course, now Tom and I have set up so many holding companies that they never know it’s me on the other end, until it’s too late.”

  “Let’s cut through the bullshit, folks,” said Tom. “You know why we’re here, Wyatt. There is one person in this state who can and should be governor. That’s you. Before you protest, you know that I have been telling you for the last ten years that you are going to be governor. Either of one of four territories, or, now that Wyoming is a state, the governor here. This is your time, Wyatt. Arthur, Charlie, and I are here specifically to convince you to run.”

  “Come on, Tom, let’s get serious. A half- breed as governor? In a western state? You know my history. How long do you think it will take Grant and his sycophants to dredge up every fight I’ve been in? Find every guy who no longer has his balls, because of me, or, run down more than a few who no longer have scalps? I know it’s in the past, but damn, Tom. I killed a man two years ago with my bare hands—in a kung fu death match. One of us had to die and I’m happy as hell it wasn’t me. What do you think the scandal sheets will do with that? You know what they’ll say. ‘Wild Savage running for Governor.’”

  “I know all of that, Wyatt. Remember I’m a Caballero. There’s another side to each of those incidents. There’s not a single case where you killed or mutilated a man who didn’t deserve it. Christ, this is the Wild West. How many gangs are still as active as ever and it’s 1892? People in Wyoming know the bad men you came up against. To most people, you are a hero, not a villain. Christ, you cleaned up the marshal service almost singlehandedly. Don’t think the powerbrokers in Washington didn’t notice. Two years ago you stopped Martin Kendrick, who came within days of stealing four million acres of public land, while he was fuckin’ running for Governor of Wyoming! Once again, the Washington big boys sat up and noticed. The downside of putting Martin in jail opened the door for Grant Forrester. Thank God, Bernie still beat him, thanks to you.

  “Add to that you are the wealthiest man in four states, and you accumulated that wealth without cutting a corner or participating in a corrupt deal. To the contrary, in each deal you’ve done, you have exposed corruption, not participated in it. And, yeah, those assholes are out to get you. Why do you think Alono has to arrange for at least six armed men to accompany you wherever you go? How long has that been necessary, Chief? Since the guy was a nineteen year old kid, if I remember right.”

  Everyone at the table nodded their agreement. Wyatt leaned back in his chair, puffing on his cigar. He looked to the other end of the table and exchanged a smile with Lei.

  Lei nodded, and broke in. “Tom, I agree with you. Wyatt would be a superb governor. But let’s talk for a minute about me. I am not an asset to any politician. You know that to most Americans, Chinese are subhuman, second class citizens at best—although we are not allowed to be citizens.”

  Tom interrupted. “Nobody in world looks less second class than you do, Lei. You would be a stunning asset on the campaign trail.”

  “Thank you, Tom. Let’s not forget who my father is. I’ve dealt with that fact all my life. It can’t be ignored. Wan Chang is the leader of the largest and most vicious Chinese gang in the country. Do you think people will overlook that because I am beautiful? Or do we brazen it out. Do we go out to the world and say: ‘This is who we are. Wyatt is an Indian. I am Chinese. My father is the leader of the Sing Leon Tong. Our children are all mixed race. And there is the small issue that we are not married.”

  “Any chance we can remedy that last issue?” Tom asked with a wary glance at Wyatt.

  Lei blushed and looked down. Her refusal to marry Wyatt was well known. It was also the cause for every argument and flare up between the two of them. Of which there were many in their tumultuous relationship.

  Wyatt stepped in. “That’s a personal matter, Tom. No, it can’t be remedied so that I can run for office. Put that aside. Lei is right. In addition to my personal baggage and the things that we were born with, such as her race and mine, and her father, you have to admit we have a lot of strikes against us.”

  “Yes, you do. But you have significant virtues and accomplishments. They far outweigh the negatives. Christ, Wyatt, you are the goddamn most handsome man that any of us have seen. People in Wyoming love and admire you. If you chose, you could buy this election outright. You can’t deny any of that. And, let’s not forget who Grant Forrester is. Are you willing to sit back and let those corrupt cocksuckers out of the New Mexico territory come in and swallow up this state, as well? They’ve already taken over the Arizona territory. If our intelligence is right, and you know it is, they are about to capture the Utah territory, as well. Being governor here would give Grant the platform he needs to become legitimate. Wyatt, that is bad for citizens and it sure as shit is bad for business leaders like you. Let’s face it. Every one of us knows that if you don’t run, Grant Forrester is the next governor of Wyoming.”

  There was silence around the table.

  Wyatt flicked an ash from his cigar. “Maybe you should run, Tom. You sure have the lingo down.”

  “Wyatt, I haven’t said one thing that you don’t know and haven’t thought about. You are the smartest man I know, that any of us know. You are also the most strategic. This is it, Wyatt. I think you are running for governor. We just need to hear you say it.”

  ~~~

  Chapter 2

  Lei excused herself to put the children to bed. When they were safely tucked in, she escaped to the dojo. Like Wyatt, she found peace in the strenuous ancient choreography of kung fu. She knew Tom and the others were correct. If Wyatt didn’t run, Grant Forrester would become governor. But the thought of subjecting Wyatt, the children, and herself to what she knew would be a brutal campaign, was daunting. Putting it aside, she threw herself into the fierce strikes, kicks, and aerial acrobatics of her practice.

  Joey saw her leave the cottage and came over to the dojo office to work while she practiced. Lei moved with grace and power across the center of the ring. Her intensity and concentration were apparent. She was caught totally off guard when a strong arm caught her leg and reeled her in. Before she could scream, a huge hand clamped across her mouth. He brought her to her hands and knees, her ass up in the air, and held her with an iron grip. She heard her sparring pants
rip as a rush of air hit her bottom.

  Kneeling up behind her, his powerful thighs pressed against her bare ass, he said in a harsh whisper, “How do you want it, honey? Hard and fast? Or hard and slow?”

  “What if I don’t want it at all?”

  He laughed a hoarse sound. “Sorry, baby, not one of the options.” He added, his voice gruff, “Did you have my permission to come in here tonight?”

  “Why do I need your permission? I do what I want, when I want. As long as Joey knows I’m here, that’s all that matters.”

  “Oh honey, you’re asking for it, aren’t you? Those are fighting words, baby. Joey’s not the master here. If he was, he’d insist you keep your pants on. He wouldn’t allow you to show off your bare ass like this—no matter how beautiful it is.”

  With a rough laugh, he picked her up and threw her over his shoulder. Her ass was in the air, her head hung down his back. To her shock, they headed out the door of the dojo.

  She shrieked furiously. Pounding helplessly on his back, she demanded he put her down. “Don’t you dare take me outside without any pants. God damn it, put me down!”

  Joey stood in the doorway to his office smoking a cigarette, watching them. He nodded to Wyatt. They traded grins, then Joey shook his head and went back in his office, closing the door behind him.

  ~~~

  “Wyatt, so help me, if you don’t put me down…,” Lei was whispering now, not wanting to make a scene if anyone was in the yard.

  “What are you gonna do, baby? Pull my pants down? Spank me? Hmm, that’s kinda what I had in mind for you. I thought first I would take your pants off. If that’s your bare ass I feel on my shoulder, that’s done. Then I planned to ….”

  “Wyatt, for god’s sake, be quiet. What if someone is out here?”

  “Honey, all they would see is a sight that would make them smile for the rest of their lives. I know. Maybe I’ll fuck you right here in the middle of the yard. Give any visitors we have a real show. How about it, honey? Want my dick up in you from behind? We can pretend we’re barnyard animals.”