by Taylor Lee
Wyatt knocked on the door, smiling broadly when he saw her.
“Thank God, Elena. You look much better. Bai will be surprised. Sleeping most of the last three days seems to have been what you needed,” he said with a wink, a teasing reference to her annoyance that Bai had insisted she needed to sleep.
Elena was momentarily embarrassed, but brushed it aside in her excitement about the dinner party. “I admit that sleeping helped. I do feel much better. But look, Father, Francine put some special cream on my bruises. See? They almost look like they disappeared. Now I can wear one of my new dresses for the dinner tonight.”
“They do look like they’re almost gone, sweetheart.” Wyatt’s soft smile couldn’t hide his unease. “Honey, do you think you’re ready to join us for dinner tonight? It may be too soon.”
Elena saw his concern. She wished she could reassure him that she was going to be all right.
“I want to go, Father. I have been in my chambers since it happened. I need to get out, to put it behind me. It will be good for me to be with other people.”
“Then you shall, my darling. I know your grandfather will be pleased and I will be honored to accompany you. But first things first. Bai is back. He and your grandfather are waiting for us in Wan’s office. Are you ready to discuss what happened at the waterfall, how we can prevent anything like it from happening again?”
Elena’s heart jumped at the thought of seeing Bai. She didn’t know if she was excited or dreaded meeting his eyes. She knew Bai was angry that she’d left the compound without a guard. She was convinced he blamed her for the attack. For all she knew, her grandfather felt the same way, although he said he didn’t. She took a deep breath, closed her eyes, then shook her head resolutely. Lifting her chin, she said, “Let’s get it over with. I think I know what will be the primary focus of the conversation.”
Her father gave her a quick smile and kissed her cheek.
“Remember, darlin’, we love you. You’re my best girl.”
Elena hugged her father, then turned with her head held high to go to her grandfather’s office.
~~~
Bai was updating Wan on his meeting with Sheriff Thompson. The day after the attack, the Sing Leon took the bodies of the four dead men to the sheriff and asked him to return them to Clint Dunwoody. They included a cryptic note from Wan Chang indicating the corpses were found on his property. Dunwoody responded with an alcohol fueled tirade at the Golden Horseshoe Saloon. He pledged the next time that his men would not only rape Wan Chang’s granddaughter, but they would do double duty and fuck his daughter Lei, the uppity Chink cunt who was also Wyatt McManus’s wife. Dunwoody swore they would teach those fuckin’ Chinks – especially the Frenchman—a lesson they’d never forget.
As Bai listened to the sheriff as he relayed Dunwoody’s threats, Bai’s eyes narrowed to gleaming golden slits. He responded with a slight bow, “I look forward to the opportunity to discuss this matter with Mr. Dunwoody. Please relay my open invitation. Any time, any place, at his convenience,” He added with a grim smile, “Or, more likely, at mine.”
Bai was standing with his back to the wall when Wyatt and Elena entered. Wan rushed to her, grasping her hands in his. Then kissing her cheek, he led her to a seat in front of his desk.
“You look beautiful, my dear child. Almost your old self. It is hard to believe that you look the way you do after what you have been through.”
Bai was stunned at her beauty. This is how she must have looked before the attack. She was taller than most women he knew, tall and slender. Her casually elegant shirt emphasized the swell of her breasts, her slim skirt hugged her curvy hips and ass. A delightful rosy hue flushed her naturally pale cheeks. Her mouth was even fuller, more sensuous than he remembered, especially her bottom lip. It was swollen, as though she bit it often. Just the thought of delving in that luscious mouth shot a rush of heat to his already alert cock. He caught himself. Damn, he chided, remember who she is. A spoiled child who singlehandedly turned the entire compound upside down. He ignored his internal urge for caution and allowed himself to appreciate for the first time the color of her eyes. Before he had seen only the terror in them, the fear. He was startled by the deep blue, almost violet color, shaded by lush dark brows and feathery lashes. The only thing unchanged in his mind was her fire red hair, fighting to escape the careless clips she had put in place, reminding him of the traumatized girl he had held in his arms and in his thoughts for the past three days.
Wan’s question broke his reverie. “Elena, your father tells me that you want to join us for dinner tonight. Do you think you are strong enough? You know you are not obligated, although I would dearly love you to attend.”
“Yes, Grandfather, I want to come. Francine put some special cream on my bruises – the ones that show. Look, you can hardly see them.” She pointed to the beautiful swell of her breasts where the bruises were barely perceptible.
Her grandfather smiled and winked at Bai. “You are right, Elena. The marks are not noticeable, are they, Bai,” he said, smiling at Bai’s obvious interest.
Bai returned Wan’s wink and bowed to Elena with a slight appreciative smile. He said, grinning to himself at the understatement, “No Elena, I barely noticed the bruises.”
Wan returned to the question of the dinner party. “Does that mean that you can wear the new dress I had made for you, Elena? I hope so. I know it will look lovely on you. When I saw that fabric I knew for the first time someone captured the color of your eyes.”
Bai saw the way Wyatt and Wan gazed at her. He was struck again how much they loved her. He shuddered to think what would have happened to them both if Elena had been raped or, God forbid, killed. They never would have recovered. Fresh rage tore through him at the men who hurt her, even more so at Elena. Her careless childish disobedience would have destroyed these two men he loved and respected. With renewed fervor, he determined that nothing like it would happen again. Someone needed to put the fear of God in this headstrong, defiant young woman. He didn’t believe for a moment that either Wyatt or Wan would wield the strong hand she required. But he knew he would. Merde, oui! It was why he insisted on this discussion.
Wyatt changed the subject, asking about his meeting with the sheriff. Bai summarized the conversation, omitting the descriptive threat from Clint Dunwoody. Instead, he merely indicated that he had agreed to meet Mr. Dunwoody any time, any place. If it wasn’t clear to Clint Dunwoody that he stuck his prick in a buzz saw, it soon would be, Bai thought with satisfaction. Not that the bastard knew the range of brutality at the disposal of the two grandmasters he had threatened. But he most certainly knew the Frenchman’s reputation. Beneath that swaggering drunken rant, Bai was certain, even someone as dumb as Dunwoody had a modicum of fear. He wondered idly if Wyatt had spent as much time as he had the last three days conjuring up a fitting demise to the Dunwoody gang. Seeing the contained rage in Wyatt’s eyes when he asked him about his meeting with the sheriff, Bai knew the only question was who would get to Dunwoody first, Wyatt or himself.
He and Wyatt shared a knowing glance. Wyatt shook his head, grinning in admiration. “Damn, Bai, what is it going to take for me to steal you away from Wan, make you part of my Caballeros?”
Bai stroked his chin, as though in thought. He said with a slight smile. “Thank you, Wyatt, but I am a Sing Leon, through and through.”
Wan interjected. “Christ, Wyatt, on most days this man is what stands between me and certain death.”
“The offer stands, Bai. Twelve years ago you saved my son, Nicolas Deshi, when he was kidnapped by the Demonios gang. And now twelve years later you save my daughter from the fucking Dunwoody’s. I am forever in your debt.”
Bai bowed respectfully, but a grin tugged at the corner of his mouth.
“Like Wan, you already were in my debt, Wyatt.”
Wyatt guffawed, “You are goddamned right about that, Bai.”
~~~
Elena was annoyed at the way her father
and grandfather were slobbering over Bai. In her opinion, he was conceited enough without their effusive praise.
She saw Bai studying her. She squirmed at the quiet anger seething beneath his cool facade. She knew Bai insisted on this conversation. He wanted to ensure she took responsibility for her role in the attack. Rather than let him control the discussion, she decided to take the initiative. She would make the discussion one between her and her grandfather.
“Grandfather, I know you told me not to ride alone at the compound. I made a mistake. I should not have done what I did. I apologize to you for going to the waterfall by myself. I should have asked one of the guards to ride with me.”
“Thank you, Elena. I appreciate your apology. What happened underscores how important it is that you follow the rules at this compound.”
“I know that, Grandfather.”
In a disarming gesture, she sprang to her feet. Kneeling beside his chair, she wrapped her arms around his neck and rested her cheek on his. She whispered, “I am truly sorry, Grandfather. Please forgive me.”
Wan nodded and patted her cheek. Elena gave him a glowing smile, then contritely returned to her chair.
Bai leaned against the wall. Pinning her with a dubious glare through half closed eyes, he took a puff off of his cigar. Seeing his skepticism, Elena glared back at him, then flashed an insolent smile. “Do you have something you want to add, Bai?’
“Hmm. That is the question I was going to ask you, Elena.”
As they visibly squared off, both Wan and Wyatt sat back in their chairs to watch the coming confrontation.
Elena flushed with anger. She could swear something akin to incredulity flickered in Bai’s eyes and was stung by his clear doubts. More than anything, she was infuriated that he seemed to think that it was up to him -- not her grandfather -- to control her. Confident of her grandfather’s support, she decided to take him on.
“Why don’t you come out and say what you are thinking, Bai? You don’t have to be afraid of me. And my father and grandfather apparently think you are Jesus Christ come down from the cross.”
Elena caught the twinkle in her father’s eyes and saw him exchange an amused glance with Wan. She sensed they were glad that she was back to her usual spirited self, but it annoyed her all the same. Damn, the least they could both do was support her, understand why she was angry with Bai.
“And what is it that you think this resurrected savior is thinking, Elena?” asked Bai with an ironic smile, ignoring her taunt about his being afraid of her.
Trying to keep her anger in check, she said with a derisive sneer, “Why don’t you say what you are thinking, Bai? You think it is my fault I was attacked. That I deserved what I got. Those men aren’t to blame, are they? I am! Say it! That’s what you are thinking, isn’t it? I deserved it, right?”
Wyatt and Wan both frowned. Wyatt reached out to take her hand and started to speak, but Bai held up his hand drilling Elena with a piercing glare. His voice was stern, dispassionate.
“I would not say nor do I think that you deserved in any way the hideous attack from those degenerate men. But one fact remains. It is the fact we are here to discuss. If you had done what Wan told you to do instead of waltzing off like a disobedient child, the attack would not have occurred.”
Elena felt a rush of angry heat flood her cheeks. She clenched her fists, resisting the impulse to reach out and smack his smug face. With an indignant toss of her head, she snapped, “Well, I’m glad that is out in the open. Why not continue, Bai. Tell me directly to my face what you think of me.”
“You can always expect that I will be direct, Elena.” Bai said coolly, meeting her infuriated stare.
Elena glared at him. She was thoroughly angry now, not the least bit afraid of him. “Then let me be direct. Why did you kill my horse? You murdered a beautiful mare in cold blood.”
Wyatt reached over, putting a restraining hand on her arm. “Elena, that’s enough. You know that’s not what happened. You have had enough time to think this through. You know Magic was fatally wounded.”
Elena whirled on him.
“Father, I can’t believe you are supporting him,” she said, pointing to Bai. “You are a whisperer. I am a whisperer. I have saved countless animals because of the things you taught me. I could have saved Magic.”
“Honey, I know you have a genuine gift with horses, but from what Bai said…”
She broke in furious. “Why do you believe him and not me? He didn’t give me a chance to save her. He murdered her!”
Wyatt started to respond, but once again Bai put up his hand. His gaze was hard, devoid of emotion. He frowned at Elena, demanding her attention.
“Elena, look at me.” He waited until she looked up glaring at him. “Magic had four bullets in her chest and one in her front leg. She lost at least five or six quarts of blood. You have looked in enough animal’s eyes, as I have, to know when an animal is dying. She could not have survived her injuries. Perhaps I should have waited and sent one of my men to put her out of her misery. That seemed cowardly to me, given the circumstances. I am sorry your mare is dead. But, once again, Magic would not have been at the waterfall if you had obeyed your grandfather.”
Elena gaped at him in shock. “Damn you! Now you’re saying that I murdered my horse?”
“No, Elena, I’m not saying that. But actions have consequences. And your actions had serious consequences,” he said holding her gaze.
Elena gripped the arms of the chair. A wave of icy hot fury seared her sensitized nerves. She struggled to breathe. Sharp gasps squeezed her chest. If Bai had known her better, he would have seen the pain that underlay her rage. She whispered in a barely audible voice, “You had a gun. Why did you stand there? Why didn’t you shoot them? Before they ripped off my clothes? Why did you let that man touch me the way he did? Why? Did you want to see me naked, shamed? To prove how bad I was to go off by myself?”
Bai froze. He was silent. When he spoke, his voice was tight with unusual emotion. “Elena, you know that is not the reason I waited. You may have forgotten that you had a knife at your throat. In answer to your question, I waited until I was confident that I could kill all four of those bastards without them killing you. It was the most difficult decision I have ever made.”
Elena saw the torment on Bai’s face. But the memory of Pete’s excited chortle when he shoved his fingers inside of her, his glee at the prospect of raping a virgin, blinded her to Bai’s anguish. Overcome by her own despair she was too agonized to acknowledge his. Her pain triumphed. With a harsh groan, she burst in tears. Wyatt and Wan both jerked toward her. Wyatt reached her first. He pulled her down on his lap and held her close, stroking her hair.
Wyatt turned to Bai. His face was stern.
“I know how hard your decision was, Bai. Goddamn, I’m sure I understand better than anyone. I am grateful that you had the courage and presence of mind to wait until you were sure that you could kill them all and save Elena. It required an inner strength available to few people. It is what makes you the extraordinary leader that you are. As I told you I will be forever grateful. But I ask you to remember that no matter what the precipitating cause, my daughter has had the most hideous experience I can imagine. She is emotionally fragile.”
Bai was solemn. “I do understand that, Wyatt. I will attempt to be more sensitive to her feelings. However, I do not think it serves any purpose to minimize how important it is going forward that Elena does what Wan and I tell her to do.”
Wyatt tilted his head his agreement.
“You are correct, Bai. We all agree. But at this moment, emotions are running too high for us to have a constructive discussion. Perhaps this will be possible in the next day or two.” He turned to Elena “Honey, we all know you feel bad about what you did. I know you will listen to your grandfather and Bai from now on. I also know how upset you are. I have a question about this evening. We thought earlier that you were up to attending the dinner tonight. If you wish to change
your mind, I know your grandfather will understand.”
Wan murmured in agreement.
“No, Father, I want to go. I’m sorry I got upset. I was angry and sometimes I start crying when I least expect it.” Nestling against her father’s shoulder, she struggled to contain her sobs. She looked up though the blur of her tears and saw Bai watching her. His expression was hard, tight, his eyes were narrow, his lips pressed in a thin line. She tossed her head and looked away.
In a watery breath, she whispered, “Thank you, Father. Thank you, Grandfather.”
Studiously ignoring Bai, she gave her father a quick kiss, then put her arms around her grandfather’s neck and kissed him.
Wan held her close to him for a moment, stroking her back.
Elena looked up at him through teary eyes. “I love you, Grandfather. I will wear the sapphire dress. I love it. You were kind to give me such a beautiful gown.” She looked from one to the other then stammered, “Thank you…Thank you both for understanding that I can’t talk any more right now.”
Without acknowledging Bai, she left the room, her head held high.
Bai rose to his feet. He bowed to Wyatt, then to Wan. “I want to finish this discussion with Elena. You will please excuse me, oui?” He turned on his heel closing the door firmly behind him.
Wyatt raised his eyebrows. “Hmm, that will be an interesting conversation.”
Wan arched a brow in return, then nodded in agreement.
~~
Chapter 7
Elena sped through the garden, helpless to quiet her raging emotions. For once, she was oblivious to the heady odors and riotous colors of the verbena, yarrow, and sage that she loved. She knew that she had played on her father’s and grandfather’s concerns. Damnit! What did Bai want her to say? That she went to the waterfall hoping to be attacked -- rather than wanting to swim? Admit she wanted to be raped? A thousand emotions swirled in her mind. She wanted desperately to push them away.