by Taylor Lee
But this last week had shown that was not an option. He was right when he told her that she was like a flaming fire. Fire burned and hurt like hell if you touched it. Uncontrolled it could take out a forest and everyone in its path. No, Elena needed to leave -- and leave now.
~~~
In her bedchambers, Elena glared at Lei. She didn’t try to hide her anger. This was the first serious argument she had ever had with Lei. She still couldn’t believe Lei, of all people, had betrayed her.
“You asked me to confide in you, Lei, and I did. And you told Bai what I said?
You told him how stupid I am? How I don’t know anything about men? You laughed at me? How could you, Lei?”
“Elena, please stop. I am sorry that you are angry with me. But I am not sorry that I spoke to Bai. Elena, neither of us was laughing at you or in any way making light of what happened. You do both Bai and me a disservice to think that we would.”
Elena tried to stop, to clamp down her anger. At one level she knew she wasn’t angry with Lei, she was angry with Bai. Maybe most of all, she was angry with herself.
“I’m sorry, Lei. I am confused.” She shook her head remembering Bai holding her in the garden and flushed at the memory of the sensations she felt.
“I…it…felt exciting…wonderful when he kissed me, when he touched me. Then I got angry with him and he left furious. What is wrong with me, Lei?”
“Honey, nothing is wrong with you. Bai is an extremely attractive man. In many ways, he is like your father. Handsome, arrogant, and powerful. It is not a mystery why you are attracted to him.”
“But I’m not!” Seeing Lei’s raised eyebrows and questioning look, she added, “Am I?”
“That’s a question you will have to answer, Elena. If you want my opinion, I think you are conflicted. And I think you are scared. Perhaps I did overstep by speaking to Bai. I may have acted more like a mother than I should have. I wanted to protect you. Sexual feelings are potent, overwhelming. They touch our bodies and our spirits when you are with the right person. They are powerful, confusing emotions -- particularly for someone who has not felt them before.
She held up her hand when Elena started to protest.
“No wait, let me finish. There is nothing wrong with being inexperienced, Elena. But Bai is a man of the world. He has had more experiences in his short lifetime than most men have in twenty lifetimes. You have not. I think he deserves to know that. That is why I spoke to him, Elena.”
“Lei?”
“Yes, Elena.”
“I despise him. And he despises me. He thinks I am a child and a bad one at that. He told me that. He also told me he doesn’t fuck children.”
“I should hope not. But, Elena, as I told Bai tonight, the last thing that you are is a child.”
After Lei left, Elena laid on her bed, reliving the evening. She was glad she and Lei had made up. She had never been angry at Lei, even when she was a little girl. It was clear she overreacted. Lei would never make fun of her, of that she was sure. It was just that this whole situation with Bai had thrown her off balance. She didn’t understand what was happening to her, why she was acting the way she was. He was right. One minute she was screaming at him, the next minute she was kissing him.
She didn’t want to think about that any more. But how could she stop? She trembled, remembering how it felt when he kissed her, how all she wanted to do was to kiss him back. When he pulled up her dress and put his strong thigh between her bare legs, she got wet there and he knew it.
Lei said she was attracted to him. If attraction is feeling that she didn’t ever want him to stop kissing her or holding her and touching her, then she couldn’t deny that she was attracted to him.
Oh, my God. I have to stop thinking about this. He told me he never will touch me again. I know he won’t. And it is my fault because I didn’t know what to do or what I wanted him to do. She finally fell into a fitful sleep dreaming strange dreams that she didn’t understand and tried not to remember.
~~~
Lei and Wyatt lay in bed discussing the situation with Elena and Bai. Lei recounted her conversation with Elena.
“She insists she despises him and that he dislikes her intensely. Apparently, he made it clear that he thinks she is a spoiled child. His parting shot to her this evening was that he doesn’t ‘fuck children.’”
“Hmm, I see.”
Wyatt hesitated. “Lei, Bai spanked Elena.”
Lei’s eyes widened and a soft smile crept across her face.
“Mm hmm. That changes things, doesn’t it? I guess it is more serious than I thought.”
Wyatt grinned. He pulled her up close to him. ”Yeah, honey, it sure as hell is.”
~~
Chapter 21
The next morning Bai sat at his desk organizing his thoughts. He planned to talk to Wan and Wyatt about sending Elena back to Wyoming. He looked up in surprise to see them standing at his office door.
“May we come in?” Wyatt asked rhetorically, as they both walked through the doorway.
Bai stood. He bowed slightly to Wan and nodded to Wyatt.
“Mais bien sûr. Please. Sit,” he said, pointing to the chairs in front of his desk. “As you know, I prefer Bolivian cigars; their flavor is more intense. I do have Cuban cigars if you wish,” he said pointing to the humidor on the edge of his desk.
Wan selected two of the Bolivian cigars and handed one to Wyatt. Bai pushed his silver cutter box across the desk. Wyatt hefted the extraordinary piece and shot him an appreciative nod. Bai grinned in return. The box was one of his favorite trinkets. It had a clever cutting mechanism in the top and a match striker plaque at the base. Wyatt owned several silver mines in Nevada and Utah. If anyone appreciated fine silver accouterments, Wyatt did. Hell, Bai thought, he should appreciate it. The cutter had set him back the cost of a pure bred mare. Bai met Wyatt’s gaze with a glimmer of pride. He was smarting from their conversation the previous evening. Even though he knew Wyatt respected him, Bai felt certain he was sizing him up differently, given the “situation” with Elena. With the additional scrutiny he was sure Wyatt was giving him, Bai didn’t mind underscoring his cultural acumen and eye for elegant trappings. He knew being powerful, elegant, and ruthless didn’t hurt him in Wyatt’s eyes either.
Bai reached across the desk and lit each of their cigars. Selecting one from the humidor for himself, he cut it, lit it, and sat back in his chair, shooting each of them a quizzical gaze.
Wyatt answered his unspoken question. “Wan told me this morning what happened at the saloon. Given the involvement of the Rongue Ri, I need to know how you plan to protect Elena.”
Before Bai could respond there was a knock at the door. To his surprise, Nianzu and Elena stood in the doorway.
Wan met his gaze. His voice was cool. “I asked Nianzu and Elena to join us, Bai. I hope you don’t mind.”
“Nianzu, please bring a chair for yourself and one for Elena -- unless you have invited additional guests, Wan. Non? In that case, please sit down,” Bai said, motioning to Elena and Nianzu.”
Bai kept his voice flat, emotionless. He leaned back in his chair, assuming a casual pose. “This is my office, but obviously your meeting, Wan, yours and Wyatt’s. Please be so kind as to tell me your agenda.” He was surprised when Wyatt ignored his question and turned instead to Elena.
Wyatt’s face was stern, his voice was cold. “Elena, I learned this morning that once again you disobeyed your grandfather and Bai. You went to the saloon against their direct orders and were almost killed. In addition, the incident has aggravated the fragile peace between the Sing Leon and the Rongue Ri. Elena, I am as disappointed in you as I am angry.”
Bai saw Elena and Nianzu share a miserable glance. Nianzu shook his head in obvious distress. Elena looked up at her father and shuddered. Bai thought with a scowl, he wished she looked that contrite when he confronted her. Apparently, she was more distraught about disappointing her father than him. From the look on Wyatt�
�s face, she had reason to be concerned. He looked a hell of a lot more angry than disappointed.
Elena whispered, “I’m sorry, Father.”
Bai sat back in his chair, watching the interplay between Elena and Wyatt. If the situation were not so serious he would have enjoyed it. Wyatt continued to glare at Elena, then glanced over and met Bai’s eyes.
“Bai, you know that Wan and I asked you to be in charge of Elena’s security. Now that the Rongue Ri is directly involved, I need to know how you plan to protect her in light of the rising violence among the Tongs.”
Bai’s voice was cool, his eyes hard. “At yours and Wan’s request, I agreed to be responsible for Elena. I have since changed my mind. After the incident at the saloon, it is clear to me that Elena doesn’t belong here, Wyatt. You will do us all a favor if you take her home with you when you and Lei leave.”
Elena swallowed a shocked gasp. Wan started and frowned. Wyatt sat back in his chair and took several puffs on his cigar. He looked at Bai through half closed eyes.
“I see. You are probably right, Bai.” Wyatt’s voice was careful. “But we may be beyond that decision point.”
Wan concurred. “Bai, please remember. Elena is my granddaughter and is here at my invitation. Unfortunately, given what happened at the saloon, which you informed me of only this morning, she is now marked as are you. Given that we are dealing with the Rongue Ri, she is safer here under our protection than she would be in Wyoming. If you give it some thought, I know you will agree. Even more than me and more than Wyatt, the Rongue fear you, Bai.”
Wyatt leaned forward and held Bai’s gaze. “Wan told me what happened at the saloon. Once again you saved my daughter’s life at great risk to your own. I am grateful….”
Bai broke in with a dismissive wave of his hand.
“Don’t mention it. It is what I do. I am a killer, the best there is. Ask Wan.”
The barest smile crossed Wyatt’s face, as if remembering saying something close to that when he was Bai’s age. His next words confirmed he understood the magnitude of Bai’s assertion.
“I am sure that is so, Bai. But you have to agree. My daughter has put you to the test. Even for Elena, killing six men within six weeks on her behalf is something of a record.”
“I am confident you know this, Wyatt, but your daughter is a magnet for trouble.” Bai quirked a brow and allowed a flash of humor to cross his face at the understatement. Wyatt grinned in return.
Watching the exchange between her father and Bai, Elena was infuriated. Damnit, this is the final straw, she thought. Now the pompous bastard has my father wrapped around his finger -- at my expense. Surprising even herself with the vehemence of her response, she practically shouted, “Stop this!”
Elena jumped up, glaring from Bai to her father, heat flaming her cheeks. “Stop discussing me as though I am a brainless child incapable of participating in this conversation or of taking care of myself.” She whirled to face Bai. “First of all, I am not a magnet for trouble. As I have told you, no one, especially you, needs to be responsible for me. I am responsible for myself. Moreover, I will decide if and when I leave here. And to that point I have decided I will no longer ‘participate’ in this discussion.”
She tossed her head and turned to leave the room.
“Sit down, Elena.” Bai’s voice was cool, but his eyes flashed ominously.
“Now.”
Elena recognized the look in his eyes. She hesitated, then turned to Wyatt for support. He gave her a slight smile and an imperceptible nod.
“I think you better do as he says, honey. Bai seems to mean business.”
Elena looked surprised. She glared at Bai, then she sat down and appealed to Wan.
“Grandfather, I do not want Bai to be responsible for me. I want Nianzu to guard me. He understands me and cares about me. He also treats me respectfully, not like an incorrigible child.”
Bai’s eyes twinkled for a brief moment. He murmured, “Your description, not mine, Elena.”
Nianzu broke in. “I’m sorry, Elena. I don’t think that is a good idea. I am responsible for what happened the other night. Bai is right. I didn’t stand up to you. I knew it was dangerous to go to the saloon, but you wouldn’t listen to me. I gave in to you. I think Bai may be the only one you’ll listen to, even more than your father and Wan.”
Wan’s face and voice were grim. “I agree with Nianzu, Elena. I have told you repeatedly that this is a dangerous time. It has now become more so – for you. In the minds of the Rongue Ri, you are responsible for the death of Wichi Fan, their most important leader. Even though Bai killed him, he did it to protect you. In their eyes, you are as guilty as he is. I honor Nianzu and accept that he made a mistake, a grave error. But you did as well by not listening to him. If Bai will agree, I want him to continue to be in charge of your security.” Wan turned to Wyatt, who nodded in agreement.
“What about it, Bai? Are you willing to take on this ‘incorrigible’ daughter of mine? When I heard what happened, my first thought was like yours -- Elena needs to come back to Wyoming. Wan convinced me that you and the men who follow you are more equipped than even my Caballeros to protect her, particularly given that the enemies are members of a rival Tong who know you and fear you.”
Bai didn’t respond for several moments. He wrestled with his emotions. It would be a hell of a lot easier for him to send Elena back to Wyoming. But even he had to admit, that was short-sighted. The Rongue could find her there as easily as here. No, damnit, Wyatt and Wan were right. Of all of them, he had the best chance of making Elena obey, of protecting her. Accepting that reality, he threw Elena a harsh glare, then turned first to Wyatt and then to Wan.
“If you both have concluded that she needs to stay here -- against my recommendations, then I concede. I will continue to oversee her security. As part of that oversight, I will once again develop the rules she needs to follow, explain them to her, and see that she follows them.”
Elena was furious. She snapped, “And what if I decide not to obey your stupid rules?”
Bai smiled at her, but his eyes were cold. “You already know the answer to that question, Elena. I will turn you over my knee and spank your bare ass.”
Elena gulped and felt the heat flood her face. She couldn’t believe Bai would say that in front of her father and Wan. She turned to Wyatt, expecting him to be angry, but instead saw a twinkle in his eye. Fighting the tears that welled up in her eyes, she said in disbelief, “I can’t believe that you are encouraging him, Father. I expect you to be furious that he would threaten to hurt me. I know you would never hit a woman, why would you let him hit me?”
“Honey, you’re right. I don’t hit women and I don’t spank children. I never spanked you as a child, even though you probably needed it. But the standards for spankings between adults are different in my mind.” He added with a grin, “They serve several purposes.”
Elena was stunned.
Bai chuckled. “We seem to have the same standards, Wyatt. I only spank children who are at least twenty years old. As for women, I spank them only when they are asking for it and need it.”
Elena jumped up, taut with anger. She glared first at Wyatt and then at Bai. Seeing the grins on their faces, she turned to storm out of the room.
Bai’s voice cracked across the room, stopping her at the door. “Elena, this is the last time I will say this. Sit. Down. I will tell you when this meeting is over.” He nodded to her chair and said in a quiet voice. “Please, sit down.”
Elena looked to Wyatt, her eyes pleading for his support. A sad smile flickered over Wyatt’s face. Elena felt her chest constrict. She returned to her chair, stricken by her father’s response. She didn’t try to hide her tears. The look on his face cut like a knife. All her life, Wyatt had fiercely protected her, guarding her like the beloved only-daughter she was. For the first time Wyatt was conceding that he wasn’t the one who could best protect her. Now at the most dangerous time in her life, Wyatt was steppi
ng back, relying on Bai to ensure her safety. It was a hard lesson for her and the troubled frown on Wyatt’s face confirmed that it was an equally difficult one for her father. Bai was looking hard at her father, as though he knew Wyatt was taking a big step. With a pang, she saw them exchange a nod, confirming their mutual understanding. Despair crashed over her as the anchor she had clung to all her life slipped away.
The silence in the room was painful. Wyatt reached over and took Elena’s hands in his. She tried to pull away, but he held them tight.
“Honey, listen to me. We are talking about your safety, about your life. This is not about anyone controlling you. It is about protecting you. Twice in the last six weeks you were in grave danger and could have been killed. In each instance, you disobeyed direct orders from Wan and Bai. Both times, Bai saved your life at great risk to himself. Elena, he killed six men who intended to kill you. Four of them were going to rape you first.”
Elena shuddered at the memory. She closed her eyes to shut it out, but didn’t want to concede that Bai had saved her. She saw that her father was serious and didn’t want to make him angry but she hated the smug smile in Bai’s eyes. In a huffy voice, she reminded him, “Don’t forget he also killed my horse.”
Bai said with an insolent grin, “A horse is only as good as how fast he can run.”
Elena glared at him. “Is that your standard for women as well?”
“No, I like women who run in place--in their place.”
“And men, Bai?”
“Only as well as they can control their women.”
Elena gave an angry snort. Wyatt shook his head, a displeased frown creasing his brow.
Bai held up his hands and said with a disarming smile, “Excusez-moi, that was inappropriate. I shouldn’t taunt you, Elena. This is a serious conversation. Your father is correct. This is not about controlling you. It is about protecting you. I have to know that you will do what I tell you to or I can’t keep you safe. Do you understand?”
