by Taylor Lee
“I tried that in the past, Tom. It didn’t work. She didn’t want to believe me.”
“I suggest you try it again. I need you two working together. I prefer being embarrassed by your erotic antics rather than this underground warfare. I’m tired of dodging the poison arrows you’re throwing at each other. It is tearing all of us apart, Wyatt. Not just you and Lei. That includes your children.”
Wyatt eyes hardened. He started to respond and then shook his head, a rueful expression on his face. “You’re right, Tom. Neither one of us wants to be where we are today. It’s like we’ve dug a hole that’s filled with all the things we’re angry about and it keeps sucking us in. I don’t know what it’s going to take to climb out and get us back on track.”
Unfortunately, they were about to find out.
~~~
Lei was right. Wyatt was surprised when he saw the clothes that Wan had bought for Lei and the children. Tears come to his eyes when he saw them. Alex had on black dress pants and a gray and black checked vest. A blue silk shirt contrasted with his astonishing blond hair. He looked taller. His serious demeanor made him look older. He was most like Vivian. Wyatt’s heart gave a slight twinge when he saw this young masculine image of his mother.
Elena was even more beautiful than he had realized. Lei had tied some of her hair on top of her head with brightly colored ribbons. She let the rest of her outrageous curls fall in a flurry of waves over her shoulders. It was the latest Parisian style. Her dress was a mix of bright colors that underscored her bright red hair and startling sapphire eyes. Wyatt saw with a sigh the signs of the gorgeous woman she would become.
Deshi looked like a little prince. It was questionable how long his royal blue short pants, matching vest, and white shirt would stay clean. At least for the moment, he was adorable. As always, he stole the show with his chatter and the twinkle in his bright blue eyes.
They had billed the rallies as family events and encouraged people to bring their children. Tom nodded in appreciation when he saw the children.” Damn, Wyatt, where is Lei? I have to congratulate her. The children look beautiful, but they look like children, not miniature adults. People in the audience will be impressed with them, but not intimidated. That’s a fine line and Lei didn’t cross it. By the way, where is she?”
Wyatt turned as she entered the room. His throat constricted. His eyes stung. Like the children, she was beautifully dressed, but not ostentatious. Wyatt knew Wan had hired French designers to make Lei’s clothes from the time she was a young girl. Early on, Lei added her own visionary imprimatur to the latest style. She wanted to be on the edge of fashion, but insisted on simplicity. To Wyatt’s delight, she loved clothes that emphasized her body.
Tom took one look at her and bowed low. His eyes glowed in appreciation. Her emerald green suit matched and intensified the color of her eyes. The slim ankle length skirt and beautifully tailored jacket showed off the lush curve of her hips and ass, tapered waist, and extraordinary bust line. The bright white high-necked silk blouse was casual, sporty, and exposed just enough of her golden skin to entice. Perhaps most striking were her high-heeled emerald green boots that Tom was certain were only now appearing in the trendy salons of New York and San Francisco. Topping off the outfit was the most stylish hat Tom had seen her wear. It had a tightly molded green velvet base with a rakish feather that seemed designed to highlight her glossy upswept hair.
“My God, Lei, you aren’t fashionable, you are fashion. I promise you in the next four years in the governor’s house, you will be setting the style for Wyoming women. Women in New York and San Francisco will be imitating you, rather than the other way around. I know I have told you this before, but you are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.”
“Thank you, Tom.”
She turned shyly to Wyatt for his reaction and flushed when she saw the tears in his eyes. He looked like he always did when he saw her in a new and special outfit—as if he couldn’t believe that she was real. In that moment, she forgot that she was angry and hurt. She reveled in the admiration and love—and desire—she saw on his face.
He smiled at her from half-closed eyes. He walked over and pulled her close to him and kissed her on the cheek.
“You look lovely, Lei.”
“Thank you, Wyatt. You look wonderful, as you always do.”
He leaned down and whispered to her, “I don’t want to let go of you, Lei.”
She looked up at him with tears in her eyes. “Then don’t.”
He pulled her closer to him and said in a husky whisper, “I don’t intend to—ever again.
“You got that, honey?” He added with a broad grin, his eyes twinkling.
~~~
In retrospect, it was as brilliant as it was simple. What had lived for years in their drunken rantings became a possibility and then a reality after Wyatt announced his candidacy. The brilliant part was the infiltration; even he had been surprised at how easily they were able to enter Wyatt’s innermost circle.
The only part that had been easier was double crossing Grant and his buddies. Everyone would assume it was the Forrester campaign. Who else could it be? They sure as hell didn’t owe Grant Forrester and his bunch of pricks anything except thanks for putting Wyatt squarely in their sights. And, Christ, they had helped them all through the campaign as much as they were likely to hurt them now. Hell, if he was smart enough and quick enough, Grant might be able to turn it to his advantage. After all, once Wyatt was out, Grant was the only one left. It was unlikely anyone would call another special election. All Grant had to do was deny, deny, deny.
Even though he was sure Grant wouldn’t agree they were serving the purposes of the campaign, they were all driven by their hatred of Wyatt and would die before they let him become governor. Like many of the men in the Forrester campaign, they hated and lusted after Lei. However, no one wanted to punish her as much as he did. Hell, they might even get Wan Chang as a bonus. Destroy Wyatt McManus? Bring down that haughty bitch? And, throw gasoline on smoldering Tong wars? All by killing one cute little mongrel kid? Not bad.
~~~
The rally was a huge success. The band played. There were tables and tables of food. The beer flowed freely and there were games and prizes for the children. They decided that Wyatt would open as he usually did by referring to the pictures Grant had circulated and then introduce the family. The crowd was the largest they had ever had - easily three hundred people. It took Wyatt almost fifteen minutes to make his way to the stage, stopped by all the people who wanted to greet him personally or shake his hand. By that time Elena and Alex had found their friends in the crowd and were off playing, and Deshi was charming every adult woman within reach. They all marveled at the precocious miniature Wyatt. Lei stood off to the side by Tom, keeping a watchful eye on all three children. She marveled at the crowd’s reaction to Wyatt. This was the first time she had seen him actively campaigning. She was as impressed as Tom was. It was like watching him spar in a Kung fu match. You knew you were watching a grandmaster.
After Wyatt welcomed the crowd, he turned to the special task at hand.
“Folks, those of you who have been here before have heard me talk about my family. Like the proud father I am, I admit I have bragged a little. I needed to because most of you have seen the way Grant Forrester pictures my children and their mother.
“How many of you have seen Grant’s pictures of my family?” There were loud groans from the crowd.
“Most of you have. We know Grant doesn’t think much of me,” There were hoots of appreciative laughter, “And we learned early on what Grant thinks about women when he put out those pictures of Lei. But hell, most men, even evil men, think twice before they take on young children.”
There were more groans and someone shouted, “Damn right, Wyatt!”
“Ordinarily, I would pass around Grant’s pictures. A lot of you brought your children today. So we won’t show those pictures. While Grant doesn’t care about children, I do. Instead
, I want to introduce you to the real people—not the hideous ones that live in Grant’s imagination.
“That is if I can find them. How about it, Lei, can you round up those little hoodlums of ours?”
Lei managed to corral the twins. She handed Nicolas Deshi up to Wyatt, who leaned down from the edge of the stage, took Deshi, and tossed him up in the air. The crowd laughed with delight when Nicolas Deshi burst out with his infectious giggles.
When the twins got up on the stage, Wyatt said, “This is Elena and Alex, our twins.”
He turned to them and asked, “How old are you two now?”
Alex answered firmly, “Almost eight, Dad.”
Elena broke in. “Daddy, I have been telling everyone we are eight because we will be in one month.”
“My goodness, Elena, you will make a good politician. Shading the truth just a little!” The crowd laughed and clapped. Elena blushed with surprise, then excitement, that the audience had responded to her remark.
“And you already have seen this little scallywag. No, honey, I can’t toss you any more. I need to talk to all these people.”
“One more, Daddy, one more! Make Deshi fly!”
“Okay, but just one more,” Wyatt said with mock reluctance. He tossed him high in the air to the delight of the crowd and shrieks of laughter from Deshi.
He put Deshi down by Elena and then turned to Lei, who was standing by the steps. He walked over to her, smiled, and held out his hand. She smiled back at him, and took his hand.
“And, this folks, is Lei, the woman I love and the mother of my children. She is what turns my life from ordinary to spectacular. I don’t think I have to explain to any of you why.”
He leaned down and pulled her up closer to him.
“She is the reason I wake up with a smile every morning and confirms that I am the luckiest son of a bitch on the face of the earth.”
There were murmurs of agreement from a lot of male voices and even a few women.
“I should also tell you that Lei is a Kung fu master warrior. If you don’t know what that is, I can tell you from experience, you don’t want to get on the wrong side of her. She’ll kick your ass!”
The crowd roared. This time both men and women.
“Isn’t that right, Lei?”
She tossed her head and her eyes flashed. She said with a saucy smile, “Only when you deserve it, Wyatt!”
The crowd clapped and exchanged pleasantly surprised nods at the feisty response from the beautiful woman.
“Wyatt, you are one lucky son of a bitch.”
“Didn’t I tell you so, Mike?”
There were roars from the crowd and the rally became what they had hoped it would – a big party for young and old. Wyatt took a few questions and then urged everyone to join them for food, drink, and games for the children. He agreed to stay on the stage and take questions as long as anyone wanted to ask them.
The party was in full swing when Theresa asked Daniel where Deshi was.
“I have been looking for him for at least ten minutes and I am not seeing him anywhere.”
Daniel frowned, looking around. “The last time I saw him he was with Alex over by the swings.”
Lei was standing in a circle of women, answering questions and listening to their concerns. They were appalled by the pictures that had been circulating, but also were concerned. They wanted Wyatt to win, but didn’t know if the state was ready for a half-breed.
“If you vote your passion and convince one or two others to do the same, then no matter what happens on election day, you can hold your head high. I have been fighting prejudice against women all my life. I wanted to become a Kung fu master, but nobody except my father would train me because I was a girl. I know what it is like to fight for women. That is what Wyatt is doing in this election.”
The women around her nodded, impressed by this forthright, strong young woman.
Even as she was speaking, Lei noticed Theresa walking from group to group. When she caught her eye, she motioned her over.
“Lei, I can’t find Deshi. I have been looking for him for thirty minutes. I am getting worried.”
All the women in the group heard her and saw the fear on Lei’s face.
Janna Peterson, a friend of Wyatt’s, said, “He has run off with the other children, Lei. Let’s all look for him.”
Immediately, the women spread out, gathering others as they went.
Lei’s heart was pounding. She saw Tom coming toward her and knew from his face that something was wrong. It wasn’t possible. It couldn’t be possible. Wan had thirty men embedded in the audience, in addition to his personal entourage. Wyatt had fifty plus Caballeros circulating in the crowd. Up until the crisis hit, all of the men were intentionally blending in, ostensibly enjoying the festivities with the rest of the crowd. As though lightening struck, a hundred men, who seconds before had been engaged in pleasant conversation, became who they were, armed cold-eyed killers, ready to protect their man and his family. But it was too late.
When Lei saw her father coming toward her and saw Tom up on the stage with Wyatt whose face had turned to stone, she knew. Bai, Nianzu, and Chief had surrounded Wyatt. To her horror, Lei saw four of the Caballeros rushing Alex and Elena back to the hotel.
Wan’s face was cold as Wyatt’s.
“Lei, come with me now. They took Deshi. We need to get the rest of you inside.”
Five of his men surrounded them both.
Lei gasped for breath and pulled away from her father.
“Wyatt. I need…Wyatt. I need to be with Wyatt.”
Wyatt searched for her from above the crowd and headed toward her—a tight circle of guards surrounding him. When he reached her, he grabbed her arm and pulled her up tight to him.
He turned to Chief and Tom. “I have to tell them what happened. They can help.”
He stepped up to the edge of the stage holding Lei beside him. His face was grey, his eyes dark, dangerous. “They took Deshi. Please help us find him.”
A phalanx of Wan’s men and six of the Caballeros dragged Wyatt and Lei from the stage.
Wan came up next to Wyatt and held onto his arm, his voice was calm, commanding. “Wyatt, we need to get inside where they can protect us. Then we’ll decide what to do. It won’t help Deshi if you or Lei are killed. Come, now!”
The audience was in shock, clamoring for answers. Tom and Keith stayed on the stage and did their best to answer questions.
“Here’s what we know. Someone took Deshi, Wyatt and Lei’s three year old boy, the one you met today. We know he’s not lost because I was given a note. They knew what they were doing. It seems they also took his nursemaid. I can’t reveal the contents of the note, but I can tell you it was not signed. We don’t know who took him. We do know that they threatened to kill him and the rest of the family if their demands aren’t met.”
Dozens of voices asked the same question in different ways, “What did they demand?”
Tom shook his head and, in a voice filled with pain, said, “That Wyatt drop out of the governor’s race.”
~~~
Chapter 29
Wyatt held Lei as though she would break. Their faces were ravaged with pain. Alex and Elena had cried themselves to sleep. Chief had carried them back to their beds where Theresa crawled in with Elena and Daniel in with Alex, in the event they woke up.
Wan, his face a stony mask, had translated the ransom note for Chief and Tom. Ostensibly, the note was from the Rongue Re, the Sing Leon’s fiercest rival Tong. They threatened to kill Deshi if Wyatt did not withdraw from the governor’s race by Noon tomorrow.
For the moment, Wyatt had risen above his profound grief and fear for Deshi. His face was as impassive as Wan’s.
“It doesn’t make sense. Why does the Rongue want me to quit? How does that hurt you, Wan? Can you get to the leaders of the Rongue through back channels?”
Wan responded, “That’s where Bai and Nianzu are now. I agree. It’s too simplistic.�
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Lei said in a quiet voice, “It is not Chinese.”
Wyatt agreed. “That is exactly right, Lei. This was written by non-Chinese to complicate the issues as much as possible.”
“And to make the newspapers run with the anti-Chinese story,” Tom observed.
Wyatt kept his arms tightly around Lei, holding them both together.
He continued, “If we agree that it is not the Rongue or another rival Tong, then it is Grant’s team or a group that isn’t related to the campaign.”
“But why would someone not related to the campaign make the condition of Nicolas Deshi’s release incumbent on your dropping out?” Chief asked.
Wyatt’s face froze with fear. His voice choked with pain.
“Two possibilities. One to make it look like it is Grant. Two, because they don’t intend to release Nicolas Deshi.”
Lei dropped her head to the table and burst into tears, crying uncontrollably. The four men around her could do nothing more to comfort her; their pain was too great.
Wyatt spoke again, his voice like steel.
“I do not think it is Grant. That son of a bitch thinks he is going to win. This doesn’t help him unless the press and public buy the Chinese connection.” He continued to hold Lei, rubbing her back as she sobbed, whispering over and over soft words no one else could hear.
“I agree, Wyatt. Something isn’t right.” Chief said. “How the hell did they get him? Between us and Wan, we had a hundred men—the best there are. How the hell did kidnappers get in and walk by all of us and take him away.”
