The Frenchman's Woman

by Lee Taylor

  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 43

  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.
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  “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 people, 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.

  Wan continued, “Not only did Elena risk her life to save you, Bai. She conceived of a brilliant plan that neither Wyatt nor I thought of, a plan that required her brave participation to work. This is the woman you say is not up to your lifestyle?

  “Look at me, Bai.”

  Bai met his gaze. His expression was as fierce as Wan’s.

  “How insulting of you. And how blind you are to compare Elena to Lei’s mother and your mother. Unlike those women, Elena is well aware of the dangers surrounding you. The only one who is more willing to accept those dangers than you are is Elena. Do you know why, Bai? Because she loves you. She loves you without qualification, without conditions.”

  They sat glaring at one another, their anger vibrating between them.

  Wan broke the molten silence. “You do her a great disservice, Bai. But more than that, you do yourself a great disservice. To turn away from the greatest love imaginable, from a glorious woman, is a tragedy.”

  Bai flushed then looked away, refusing to answer. Wan sat for another moment, then ground out his cigar and walked to the door.

  At the doorway he hesitated. “You pride yourself on taking risks no man I know would take, except Wyatt. But you are unwilling to risk Elena.”

  He opened the door and said over his shoulder, “My heart aches for you, Bai.”

  ~~

  Chapter 44

  Wan wanted to tell Lei in person that he was Bai’s father and prepared to go with Wyatt and Elena to Cheyenne. By late afternoon, they left the compound, reaching San Francisco after dark. None of the three of them said good-by to Bai.

  Elena did not speak during the long ride from Los Vistas. When they arrived at the hotel, she refused Wyatt’s and Wan’s invitation for dinner, indicating that she was tired and wanted to rest. She gave them each a quick kiss on the cheek and went to her room.

  The next morning, seemingly oblivious to the sounds and smells of the bustling train station, Elena trailed behind her father, walking along the track to the private cars. She gazed straight ahead: her expression was grim, unseeing. Stopping at the Pullman car that matched their tickets, the porter took Wan and Wyatt’s luggage inside their car, but left Elena’s on the boardwalk.

  Elena tapped him on the shoulder. “Excuse me, sir, but you need to bring my bag, as well.”

  The porter looked at her in surprise. “You are Elena McManus, correct?”

  Elena frowned and nodded yes.

  “Your car is next door, madam.”

  She turned to the adjacent car where he was pointing. Bai was standing in the doorway at the top of the stairs. He peered down at her and with a quizzical smile tipped his hat to her. Elena stared at him, shocked. A wave of anger washed away her surprise, replacing it with cold fury. She looked away, then shaking her head, started to mount the stairs to her father and grandfather’s car.

  Wyatt caught her in his arms and backed her down the stairs. Holding her close, he lifted her chin and looked in her eyes -- not letting her look away.

  “This is not the time to lose your courage, honey. Or to be blinded by your anger, darlin’. Remember what I told you about male pride, baby? Go to him, Elena. He needs you, sweetheart. He needs you so that he can be strong.”

  Elena hesitated, frozen with indecision. Since yesterday, when Bai sent her away, she managed to bury her pain beneath a rigid shield of righteous anger. But the price was high. Incapacitating hurt coiled so close to the surface that just the scent of him, the whiff of sandalwood, the sweet smoky smell of his cigar made it difficult to keep her knees from buckling. Without her father’s firm grip, she would have collapsed to the boardwalk.

  Wyatt leaned down and kissed her on the cheek. Grasping her shoulders, he turned her toward Bai’s car. “Go darlin’. Go to your man.”

  Elena hesitated, then regaining a tight hold on her anger and, without looking at Bai, she walked up th
e steps to his car, brushing by him without speaking.

  As she strode by him, Bai caught her arm and held her firmly next to him. He bowed to Wyatt and Wan. In his curt, authoritative voice, he indicated to the porter where he should put Elena’s luggage. He handed him a folded bill and the porter’s eyes widened at his generosity.

  Bai said quietly, “We do not wish to be disturbed. I will ring for you when we require your services.” The porter nodded in understanding and winked at Wyatt and Wan, who overheard Bai’s instructions.

  With a dismissive toss of her head, Elena shook off his grip. With her chin firmly raised, she entered the car. She was surprised to see the usual rows of seats were missing. Instead, the car looked more like a large luxuriously appointed bedroom – with a small table and two dining chairs, two velvet covered arm chairs, and a very large bed.

  Outside, the shouts of the engineer signaled the imminent departure of the train. There was a low rumble of engine parts engaging. With a loud whistle and a burst of steam, the wheels of the train hit the tracks with an increasingly rapid clickety-clack as the train pulled away from the station.

  Bai closed the door and walked over to a glass-fronted cabinet. He took out an ornately carved decanter of brandy and held it up to her with a lazy smile. “Would you like a glass of brandy, cherie?”

  Elena had not moved from the doorway, rather she pressed her back firmly against the metal door, her hands clenched in tight fists at her sides. Her face was pale. Two angry splotches stood out on her cheeks. She glared at him and shook her head, refusing the brandy. And him.

  Bai took his time pouring himself a glass of brandy, swirling the amber liquid around the deep bowl of the glass. He sunk down in one of the armchairs, reaching for a cigar from the humidor on the intricately carved side table. With insolent slowness, he lit the cigar, then puffed on it while holding her gaze. He pointed the end of the cigar at a spot in front of him, a wicked half smile dancing across his lips.