by Taylor Lee
“Are you ready, Bai?” Her face was pale. Her eyes were wide and dark and she couldn’t hide her fear.
He smiled at her. “Yes, cherie, I am ready. And, mon amour, so are you.”
Elena nodded. Wyatt and Nianzu held him in place. With tears streaming down her face, Elena swallowed hard and dug deep in the wound. After two tries, she grasped the bullet. Biting down hard on her lip, slowly, carefully, she removed the shattered slug. Bai was stoic throughout, only closing his eyes when she dug deeper for the second time.
When she removed the bullet, Elena stepped back, motioning to Dr. Wong and Madam Chan to finish cleaning the wound and apply bandages to his shoulder and arm.
Elena looked to Wyatt and he shook his head in agreement, understanding her plea.
Wyatt stepped up to Dr. Wong and Madam Chan. His voice was pleasant, respectful. “Elena and I have worked together since she was ten years old caring for badly injured horses. Between the two of us, we will determine if Bai has any broken bones and, if not, we will dress the rest of his injuries. We will call you if we need your help, but unless there are broken bones to set, we have everything we need.’
Wyatt continued, “Before Elena and I get started, Nianzu, will you please keep giving your boss as much of that bourbon as he can swallow.”
The Chinese healers looked to Wan, who nodded. They bowed and left the room.
Elena and Wyatt moved forward. As they had many times in the past, they worked together to determine that there were no broken bones and then systematically cleaned and applied healing ointments and bandages to the numerous cuts and abrasions on Bai’s body. By the time they finished, Bai had drank over a glass of bourbon and drifted in and out of consciousness.
Wyatt and Nianzu and two of the other men carried the table next to his bed and then carefully lifted him from the table to the bed. He groaned, but was sleeping so soundly that they were able to get him in bed without waking him.
Wyatt, Wan, Nianzu, and Elena sat by his bed. Nianzu gave Wyatt and Wan a cigar and then poured each of them, including Elena, a large glass of bourbon. The four of them sat in silence, sipping on the pungent liquor.
Wan spoke first. “Elena, we could not have done what we did tonight without you. Your plan was brilliant and beautifully executed.” He bowed to her. “I am forever in your debt.”
“Thank you, Grandfather.”
Nianzu nodded. “Elena, you were our leader tonight. Every one of us trusted you and followed you and you never faltered – not once.”
Wyatt nodded, a smile creasing his lips. “Honey, you know how proud I am of you. But like your grandfather and Nianzu, tonight I am in awe.”
Elena smiled back at him with a saucy toss of her head. “Does that mean that you and grandfather aren’t going to spank me like you said you would?”
“No, honey, we’re not. For one reason and one reason only. After seeing that kiss between the two of you, I am confident Bai will give you the kind of spanking you deserve.”
Elena blushed and grinned at her father, understanding his implication. She went first to Nianzu and gave him a hug and a kiss. She turned to her grandfather and held him in her arms for several long moments, then kissed him on his cheek. Finally, she went to Wyatt and whispered to him. He nodded and picked her up in his arms and sat her down on the bed next to Bai. He pulled off her boots then helped her out of her skirt and torn blouse, protectively shielding her with a quilt.
“Put your head down, baby. Go to sleep. We’ll be right here beside you both.”
Elena nodded and lay down next to Bai, carefully reaching for his hand. Wyatt settled down in the chair beside the bed. He looked over and smiled to see that Elena was already asleep and that Bai had put his good arm around her shoulder.
~~~
The next morning, Elena woke. To her horror, Bai was not beside her. She sprang out of bed and almost collapsed in relief when she saw him fully dressed, sitting in one of the chairs by the bed, smoking a cigar.
“Oh, my God, Bai, you scared me to death!”
Relief struggling with fury, she marched over to him, her hands on her hips.
“What do you think you are doing? Why aren’t you in bed? You are badly hurt!”
He grinned at her. “I seem to remember someone saying to me ‘just because you saved my life, do you think that means you are in charge of me?’ Is that what you think, cherie?”
She stood in front of him pale and shaking, struggling to keep from bursting in tears.
He smiled gently and held out his hand urging her to him. “Here, cherie, kneel here beside me. Put your head in my lap, mon amour. That is the best I can do for now to hold you. Perhaps by tonight, I will be able to carry you to my bed and hold you as you should be held.”
She sunk to her knees and buried her head in his lap. For many long moments, he stroked her hair, her face and wiped the tears from her cheeks, crooning comforting words in French and English.
There was a knock on the door. Wyatt entered followed by Wan and Nianzu.
Elena sat up, but didn’t move from the place beside his chair. She shrugged in response to the look of amazement on their faces.
“Goddamn, Bai, do you think you should be out of bed?” Nianzu asked in shock.
Wyatt and Wan just shook their heads, seeing the indomitable look on his face.
While Wyatt arranged four chairs in a circle around him, Wan went over to Bai and stood with his hand on his shoulder without speaking. Bai reached up and covered his father’s hand with his and smiled.
After a moment, he said, “Now, shall we get to work? We have much to do today.”
The men sat down in the chairs surrounding him, but Elena stayed on the floor next to him. Throughout the conversation that followed, she never let go of him or he of her.
Bai waited until each of the men had cigars. As if he had not been severely injured and endured twenty four hours in captivity, he rattled off a series of instructions, indicating an astute analysis of their work ahead. His voice was firm, his expression serious.
“This is our single best opportunity to convince the Rongue Ri to agree to a cease fire. My understanding is that Corto Ling is the leader now. I know him as you do, Wan. Of all of the possible leaders, he is the most likely to negotiate.
“Nianzu, please get word to Corto that I want to see him here tonight. Guarantee his safety with my word and make it clear that if he does not appear, he will be dead within three days, as will the members of his leadership council.
“Finally, I want to reconvene the conclave with the minor Tongs. Please confirm with Liang Zhao that the meeting will be at Los Montañas at eight o’clock tomorrow evening. Get the message to each of the other leaders.”
Nianzu was clearly surprised at Bai’s orders. A worried frown knotted his brow. “Bai, I will do what you say, but do you think it is wise to have the conclave at Los Montañas. Altogether that is four hour ride. Are you up …”
Bai raised his hand, an impatient gesture. “You heard me, Nianzu. Please make the arrangements that I requested.”
Seeing the flush of embarrassment on Nianzu’s face, Bai softened his tone. “I appreciate your concern. It is important I convey the message that I am in charge and more than capable of leading the Brotherhood and the Sing Leon, physically, as well as intellectually.”
Wyatt shook his head and grinned in appreciation. He spoke for them all.
“Sure as hell don’t think there will be a problem getting that message across.”
~~~
After Nianzu, Wan, and Wyatt left to implement Bai’s orders, he turned to Elena, allowing the strain to show on his face.
“Elena, cherie…”
She broke in, placing her fingers against his lips to silence him. “Bai, please come and lay with me. I need you beside me.”
He nodded. His voice was weaker than it had been when the men were in the room.
“Will you please give me two more of those pain pills? And, cherie, don
’t let anyone enter my chambers for the next several hours, oui?”
Elena saw the pain ravaging his face. Without speaking, she helped him stand, supporting him as he walked to the bed. She took off his boots, helped him slip off his pants, and gave him two pills. He groaned as she helped him lay back in the bed and covered him with a quilt. He smiled grimly when she walked to the door and locked it, murmurming his thanks that she understood his need to deal with his pain in private.
~~~
By eight o’clock the following evening, the leaders of the six minor tongs had convened at Los Montañas. All of them knew that Bai had been captured by the Rongue Ri and knew only that he had been rescued by the Sing Leon. Knowing he had been in captivity for nearly twenty four hours, they could only imagine the extent of his injuries. None of them expressed surprise whenWan Chang and Nianzu entered the room. They all bowed in respect to the long time leader of the Sing Leon.
Wan motioned to them all to be seated.
“Bai specifically asked me to join you this evening. I am pleased to honor his request. However, I assure you that I will be quiet in this discussion and defer to the leader of the Sing Leon.”
To the surprise of the other leaders, the door opened and Bai walked in. Other than the sling supporting his right arm, and being slightly paler, he showed no signs of the ordeal he endured.
He bowed respectfully to Wan and to the other leaders who quickly bowed in return. With a smile, he nodded to Nianzu who stood up, and passed the cease fire agreement between Bai and Corto Ling from one man to the next.
“Now that we have dealt with that issue, I am here tonight to convene the first official meeting of the Brotherhood. Our first order of business is to confirm membership. Liang Zhao, you have declared your intention to be one of the founding members, is that correct?”
Liang Zhao nodded and bowed respectfully.
Bai turned to each of the other leaders. One at a time, he confirmed their intentions. When all six leaders had spoken, Bai smiled pleasantly and turned to their host. “Liang, I think this is an occasion for celebration. May I impose on your hospitality further and request cigars and your finest bourbon for the members of the Brotherhood? And then, gentlemen, I suggest we get down to business.”
~~
Chapter 42
The next morning, Elena awoke, surprised to see that not only was Bai not in bed, but he was not in the room. She knew how exhausted he was when he came back from the conclave. She hoped he would concede and spend the day in bed.
Last night, she helped him out of his clothes, carefully avoiding his injured shoulder and multiple bruises. Starting at his temples, she used her healing touch and knowledge of the traditional methods, to reach every place on his body that was injured and aching. They did not speak. Only because her father gave her a quick report when they came back to the villa did she know that the conclave had been a success. After two hours of her healing touch, Bai succumbed and fell into a deep exhausted sleep.
Tired from the trials of the last three days, rather than going to look for Bai, Elena went to her chambers. She drew a bath. Sinking in the healing waters, she laid there long after the water had cooled. She heard a knock on the door and turned to see Francine in the doorway.
“Miss Elena, I know you are resting. Mr. Bai sent me to ask you to come to his office when you are dressed.”
Elena hopped out of the tub, shaking off her weariness, and began to dry off her tired body.
“Thank you, Francine. Please help me find something fantastic to wear, and please help me with my hair. I have looked positively wretched these last three days. I want to look spectacular when I go to see Mr. Bai.”
~~~
Bai heard her knock and looked up to see her in the doorway. His breath caught in his throat, stunned by her beauty. She looked like an angel. Her pale skin was flushed from her bath and, he thought with a grimace, anticipation, and excitement. Her outfit skimmed her gorgeous body, leaving nothing to the imagination. Her beautiful breasts were apparent as was the curve of her hips and ass. Her hair was piled up on her head, but, as always, errant curls escaped. He longed to tug on them, remove the combs that kept her hair from spilling over her shoulders and back. Flashing him a brilliant smile, she reached behind her to close the door.
She grimaced at the fatigue on his face and ached for him, wondering how long he had sat at his desk, knowing the pain he was feeling. He lit a cigar and leaned back in his chair. It was then that she saw the expression on his face, the look in his eyes. Her heart raced. She was afraid.
He gave her a weary smile. “Sit down, cherie. I need to talk to you.”
She sat in the chair in front of his desk. Her chest tightened and she struggled to breathe. She looked in his eyes. Fear and then knowledge swept over her.
He took a deep breath. His jaw was set in a stern line. He gave her a tired half smile, confirming her fears. Even so, she was stunned when he spoke.
“Elena, I have arranged for your travel back to Cheyenne. You are booked on the train to Denver tomorrow morning and then on to Cheyenne the following afternoon. You will need to go to San Francisco this evening to catch the train in the morning.”
She gasped in shock, clutching the arms of the chair. She was afraid she might faint. Instead, she shook her head. Her voice was soft, disbelieving.
“Bai, I…I don’t understand.”
He shook his head and held her gaze.
“I think you do, cherie. We had an agreement. We agreed you would not leave the villa without me, or, only with my permission. Given that you broke that agreement in numerous ways, I do not need to explain.”
She sat stunned, staring at him.
“Elena, this is about more than your disobedience. You now know that Wan is my father. You also know that I am the leader of the Sing Leon, the largest and most important Tong in the country. It is also the most violent. The most dangerous. The events of the last days make it clear why I cannot, and, will not, allow you to be part of the life I lead. I am sorry, cherie, but you must go.”
She stared at him without speaking. For several moments, she sat stock-still, a tsunami of emotions flooding over her. She felt disbelief, pain, anguish. And then, seeing the implacable resolve on his face, a deep painful overwhelming emotion replaced all the others. Anger.
She stood. Her body was rigid, frozen, as though she was packed in ice. She didn’t know how or where she found her breath, but she did.
She nodded and said quietly, “I’ll pack my things.” Without another word, she turned and left the room.
~~~
Bai sat at his desk with his back to the door when he heard it open. He turned to see Wyatt standing in the doorway.
Wyatt stood in front of Bai’s desk glaring at him, as if taking stock. Bai saw from his expression that he had talked to Elena.
After a moment, Wyatt shook his head in disbelief. “I didn’t believe her. I didn’t think it was possible that you could be this hard, this cruel.”
Bai returned his glare. With a fierce effort, he shoved down the raging pain crushing his chest. His voice was forced, clipped, controlled.
“I am not being cruel, Wyatt. This is the best and only way I can show her how much I love her. I cannot subject her to what a life with me would be.”
Wyatt was silent for several minutes, emotions ranging from anger to disgust crossing his face. He nodded in agreement. “You’re right, Bai. It isn’t cruel, it is cowardly. And not worthy of my daughter.”
He turned and left the room, closing the door firmly behind him.
An hour later, Wan entered without knocking. He closed the door behind him. His face was rigid with anger. He sat down in the chair in front of the desk and motioned to Bai to pour him a glass of bourbon. He took his time lighting a cigar and puffed on it several times before speaking.
“Why, Bai?”
Bai’s expression was as stern as his father’s. His voice was as cold.
“You of all peop
le, Father, should know why.”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
Bai leaned forward in his chair. His voice was ragged, intense.
“Where is my mother? Where is Lei’s mother? Why aren’t they here, Father?”
He held up his hand when Wan started to answer.
“I will tell you why, Father. Because even though you loved them, and I assume they loved you, they could not handle the life you live. They would not tolerate the violence, the danger, never knowing whether you would be alive from one day to the next. And you did not ask them to stay because you knew you couldn’t protect them.”
“What has that to do with Elena?”
Bai shook his head in disgust, refusing to answer.
“I am not surprised that you cannot answer that question, Bai. You are correct. Lei’s mother is not here. Neither is yours. In addition to my philandering, which they both seemed willing to forgive, they could not and would not live with the danger of my life.”
He took a sip of his drink then puffed on his cigar.
“Again, you are correct. I did not ask them to stay. But not because I couldn’t protect them. I didn’t ask them because I knew they would refuse. They each told me as clearly as possible that they were afraid of the life I live.”
He glared at Bai, his eyes were cold, hard.
“But, I repeat, what does that have to do with Elena?”
Bai scowled and looked away.