by Taylor Lee
“I’m not sure where you got the affliction, Bai, except that you are a man. I can tell you that Elena came by her possessive streak naturally.”
She hugged Wyatt, who lifted her face to his.
“Damn right, sweetheart. I pity the man who thinks he can come within five feet of you and not face the consequences.”
“I think all three of you are a little crazy, but it’s why I love you. You love so fiercely in return,” Lei replied with a bemused smile as she reached up to kiss Wyatt’s cheek.
~~~
Martin’s face was gray. His red-rimmed eyes watered fiercely. He choked out a harsh breath then vomited for the third time in the wastebasket. Beads of sweat glistened on his fat face. His voice was a raspy groan.
“Jesus Christ, Greg, how can you stand there like a fuckin’ sphinx when you just killed a man?”
Greg looked with distaste at the sweaty frightened little man. He checked the chamber on his gun, then tucked it back in his boot holster.
“Please do yourself a favor, Martin, and act like a man. A man who goddamn well knew the plan for tonight.”
“Fuck, Greg. We agreed the Frenchman was going down tonight but, Jesus Christ, Louie Sinclair?”
Martin’s voice skidded to a halt as he leaned over the waste basket, heaving the last remnants of his hearty dinner. He wiped his hand across his mouth, catching particles of vomit on the back of his hand. He looked over to the crumpled body on the floor as if he hoped it had disappeared.
Greg glared at him in disgust.
“I’m going to say this once and, Martin, if you value your life, you will listen to me. You are to do everything I say without question, do you understand?”
Martin’s lips quivered and his eyes filled with watery tears, but he managed to shake his head yes.
“That’s better. Now, we are going to meet with the governor and you will do as I say, get control of yourself, correct?”
Martin looked back down at the body next to Greg’s desk. The pool of blood collecting by its head confirmed what he already knew. He closed his eyes then opened them and nodded to Greg.
“Fine. Let’s go. Everything is proceeding according to plan, Martin. Don’t fuck up.”
~~~
The governor frowned when Peter, Greg’s assistant, grabbed hold of his arm and whispered in his ear.
“It sure as hell better be important. It’s not as though I don’t have several hundred guests to see,” Governor Sampson growled to the emissary beside him.
“I understand, governor, but Greg said it’s urgent. He and the lieutenant governor are in your office.”
The governor shoved down his annoyance, excused himself, and followed Peter down the hallway to his formal office. He muttered under his breath that heads would roll if this was some ridiculous staff issue that Greg couldn’t handle.
He threw open the door to his office and accosted his chief of staff.
“For Christ’s sake, Greg, what could be so fucking important that Peter would drag me away from the most important event in my reelection campaign? Goddamn, I was just getting started with Philip Carpenter. Next to Bai and Wyatt, Phil is my biggest fucking contributor.”
“Governor, we have a serious issue.”
Greg’s voice and one look at Martin’s grey face dripping with sweat brought the governor up short. He looked over his shoulder and was surprised to see Chris and Hank, two of Greg’s staff, join Peter, who closed the door behind them and locked it.
“What the hell’s going on, Greg? Christ, Martin, you look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
Greg couldn’t hide the wry smile that quirked across his face.
“In a sense, he did. There’s no easy way to say this, governor, but Louie Sinclair is dead.”
“What? What the hell? Where? How?”
The governor’s face was white with shock, his voice disbelieving.
“He was shot. His body is in my office.”
“My God, Greg. And we’re just standing here? We need to get the sheriff! Christ, when did it happen, how did it happen?”
“Calm down, Brad.”
Greg used the governor’s first name, something he rarely did, and guided the shaken man to his chair. He went over to the bar and poured a glass of brandy and handed it to the governor.
“Governor, this will come as a shock to you, but we are facing serious issues. Every one of our lives is at stake.”
“What…what the hell…I don’t understand.”
“Of course, you don’t, Brad. You were unwilling to see the evil in our midst. I have been warning you for some time about the Frenchman. In my opinion, the epitome of evil is that fucking Frenchman. He is a curse, a yellow curse on every upstanding American. He intends to take us down, governor. First our women, then us. One at a time. He intends to take over this state and then the country. He is a menace, a fucking Chink menace. ”
“What? Jesus, Greg, are you crazy? Bai…,” the governor paled and then stammered, “Are you telling me that Bai…Bai killed Louie Sinclair?”
“I didn’t see him do it. But Martin did, didn’t you, Martin?”
Greg turned to Martin, who was shaking, spittle running down his chin. He looked as though he might cry. Puddles of sweat dampened his waistcoat and an acrid stench poured off his body. Greg gave him a terse smile and said in a soft commanding voice, “Tell the governor what you saw, Martin.”
Martin struggled to speak, but strangled on the words.
Greg saw his fear; Christ, he could smell it. He chuckled to himself, thinking this called for a change of plans.
“Actually, Brad, we are surrounded by evil, closer than we want to think. In fact, as difficult as it is for me to say, Martin is involved in Senator Sinclair’s murder.”
Martin flushed and stammered out an incoherent denial, staring at Greg in shock.
Greg’s voice was calm, solicitous.
“Martin, please tell the governor the truth. You were there when Senator Sinclair was murdered, were you not?”
Martin clung to the edge of the desk, looking as though he would vomit again. Bright red splotches covered his otherwise stark white face. He tried to pull himself together and spit out, “What the hell, Greg? What the hell are you doing? What are you saying?”
Greg eyed him with a scornful twist of his lips. He rounded the governor’s desk and pulled open the second drawer. He drew a handkerchief out of his pocket and snapped it open. He removed the pistol from the drawer, being careful to wrap the handkerchief around the handle.
“Hm hmm. I thought you had a gun in here, Brad. That’s good. You should always be prepared to defend yourself. You never know when you might need it, right, Martin?”
He walked over to the lieutenant governor, who was staring at him in disbelief. Looking over his shoulder at the governor, who was as pale as Martin, Greg said in an aggrieved voice, “Much as I hate to tell you this, Brad, Martin is up to his ass in evil. Aren’t you Martin?”
Martin’s eyes were wide with shock and for one second, understanding flashed across his face. Any sound he made was swallowed by the blast of the governor’s gun. The governor fell back in his chair, his face white with shock, staring at Martin’s body sprawled on the floor at his feet. The close up gunshot blew off the top of Martin’s head, spewing blood and grey matter across the carpet.
The governor managed to choke out, “Jesus, fucking, Christ, Greg. Damn you! Tell me what the hell is going on?”
“Hmm. If I had to sum it up, elected officials seem to be dropping like flies, tonight, wouldn’t you agree, Peter?”
Greg grinned at his cohort and moved next to the governor, who was staring at them with a mix of horror and disbelief. Greg placed the gun he was holding on the desk next to the governor.
“I regret to tell you, Brad, but you aren’t going back to the ball. Nope, enough festivities for tonight. No more dancing for the governor. Too bad, Brad. No doubt you could have raised half the money you need for reelection.
But that seems almost frivolous, doesn’t it? What with two men, a U. S. Senator and your lieutenant governor, no less, lying dead in your mansion? No, for the rest of the night, you will be busy trying not to get killed or arrested. That should keep him busy, don’t you think, Peter?”
The two men laughed as Greg moved to the door, leaving the governor sitting frozen in a horrified stupor.
Chris turned to Greg.
“She is in the ladies’ room. We managed to get her aside when he was talking with Nianzu and told her Lei needed her.”
Greg licked his lips, delighted that each element of their plan was working as intended.
“Peter, I’m going to bring her here. You know what to do. Make sure she understands it is the governor’s gun. And whatever you do, don’t hurt her. That is my prerogative,” Greg said, a wicked gleam brightening his eyes.
~~
Chapter 31
Elena looked up as she left the ladies’ room to see Greg rushing toward her. His face was tight with concern.
“Thank God, I found you, Elena. I need to talk to you now. Please come, I need your help. Something terrible has happened. We need to warn Bai.”
Greg grabbed her arm, but Elena pushed his hand away and pulled back.
“Is Bai… is it Bai…?”
Before she could voice her fears, Greg shook his head and said, “No, no. Bai and your father are in the ballroom. It’s the governor and the lieutenant governor. Oh, my God, Elena, please come quickly. I need your help!”
Elena knew she should find Bai or her father first, but the fear in Greg’s face and voice galvanized her.
“What’s wrong? What’s happened?”
“Quick, down this hallway to the governor’s office. I’ll tell you when we get there.”
Elena dashed after him, wishing she would see one of their men along the way. She needed to let Bai know where she was. She also was concerned about Lei. Peter, Greg’s aide, told her Lei needed her in the ladies’ room, but Lei wasn’t there. Oh God, I hope we are doing this right. I don’t know who to trust, she thought, as she and Greg ran down the long corridor to the governor’s private office.
Greg took out a key and unlocked the door to the office and pushed Elena inside ahead of him. Elena stood in the doorway, aghast, trying to understand what she was seeing. Three of Greg’s men were standing against the wall, their faces tight, their hands under their coats, resting on their guns. It took her a moment to recognize the governor. His back was to her but when he turned to look at her his face was a ghastly shade of grey. His eyes were wild with what looked like fear. It took her a full minute to acknowledge the body on the ground at his feet. Only then did she see the gun on the desk next to the governor’s trembling hand.
Elena covered her mouth with her hands to keep from screaming. She looked at the governor in shock.
“Governor Sampson…my God…What have you done? What...Why...”
Greg held her arm and pulled her body next to his.
“I know this is a horrible shock. But my men are here and they will help us. You need to stay here, Elena. We don’t know who is working with him.”
Greg pointed to the governor. “We also don’t know who else he killed. My men heard a shot in my quarters and are going to investigate. Unfortunately, Chris saw the governor and Senator Sinclair talking in the hallway.”
He hesitated and then in a hoarse voice finished his thought.
“We can only hope, Elena, that he only got Martin.”
Elena took big gulps of air trying not to faint. Oh God, this is just what they expected, but she was here by herself, with only Greg and his men to protect her. She needed to get to Bai fast! She had to warn him!
As if he could read her mind, Greg broke in.
“Elena, Chris just told me Bai is looking for you. I will find him and bring him here. Stay right here, my darling. Do you hear me? I will take care of you now. You’re mine now. You must do what I tell you to, do you understand?”
Elena looked at him in surprise, trying to grasp the situation. Something was wrong, very wrong. Why was Greg talking to her like that? Looking at her like that?
“No, Greg! No. I need to go find Bai. He will be frantic looking for me. Please, get out of my way.”
She tried to push him aside, but he grabbed her arm and twisted it--hard. Elena cried out surprised at the pain.
“No, Elena. You must do what I tell you. It is the only way you will be safe.”
He shoved her away from him and she stumbled against a chair, then sat down across from the governor, staring at Greg in disbelief.
Greg turned to his men.
“Peter, you come with me. Chris, Hank, keep her safe. Don’t let anyone in, do you hear me? And don’t hurt her.
“Let’s go, Peter.”
He slammed the door behind them, their footsteps echoing down the empty corridor.
Bai was standing in the ballroom with Wyatt, Nianzu, and Alex. He lit a cigarette and took a deep drag when he saw Lei come in the ballroom by herself. He threw his cigarette to the floor and ground it out with his heel and strode to meet Lei.
“Where’s Elena?”
Lei started at the tone in Bai’s voice and looked in surprise at him and then at Wyatt.
“What’s wrong, Bai? Elena isn’t with me.”
Bai felt his face harden. His voice was soft, cold.
“We were told you asked her to come to the ladies’ room. Was she there?”
Lei paled and shook her head no.
“I never asked for her. I was talking with Mrs. Sinclair. …Oh my, God …they have her…they do…don’t they?”
Bai saw the look on Wyatt’s and Nianzu’s faces and knew it reflected his own. At that moment, Liang and Quitin came up to them.
“Bai, Jim Thompson grabbed me in the hallway. He told me that one of his men saw Elena with Greg Forester. They were running down the corridor to the governor’s office.”
“I don’t understand. The governor didn’t react to the necklace except to comment on its beauty. He didn’t act strange in any way…” Nianzu broke off staring at Bai.
Alex looked from his father to Bai and then to Lei.
“What the fuck is going on? Where is Elena? Why the hell do you all look like that?”
When no one responded, Alex turned white and grabbed Wyatt’s arm.
“Tell me, Father. Is something wrong with Elena? Where is she?”
Bai ignored Alex and spoke crisply.
“Nianzu, come with me and Wyatt. Quitin, tell the others then meet us at the governor’s office. Liang, take Lei to Mrs. Sampson’s quarters and lock her in with two guards. Lei, don’t argue. Do exactly as I say.”
Lei nodded and turned to go with Liang.
Alex grabbed her arm and held Wyatt’s arm with his other hand.
“No! No, I tell you. Mother, Father, tell me, tell me now. Where is Elena?”
When they didn’t answer, he whirled toward Bai.
“I can see it on your face. Something is terribly wrong. Something has happened to Elena and it’s your fault. What did Nianzu mean about the necklace? The necklace she was wearing. My God! You used her, didn’t you? You used my sister in some fucking game of yours! You did, didn’t you? Goddamn you! You used my sister as bait? You son of a bitch, you…”
Alex raised his hands and rushed toward Bai. Wyatt caught him from behind.
Bai spoke in a voice only his followers knew.
“Hold him, Wyatt. Take care of him. NOW!”
Wyatt twisted Alex’s arm up hard against his back and held it tight. His breath was hot in Alex’s ear and he spoke in a voice as hard and cold as Bai’s.
“Listen to me, son, and listen hard. Decide where you stand. You can stand with me and these men and the man who loves your sister more than anything in the world or you can get the hell out of our way. Decide, Alex. Do you want to hate Bai or do you want to help us find your sister, my daughter, and Bai’s wife?”
Wyatt shoved
Alex up against the wall, then turned to Bai and Nianzu and said, “Let’s go.”
~~
Chapter 32
Elena sat in the chair across from the governor, staring at his ashen face. Little by little, her fear lessened and her training stepped in. As horrified as she was by Martin’s body and the hideous mess on the floor at her feet, she knew she had to get the gun from the governor. He was too shaky, too distraught. He could do anything, including killing her like he did Martin. So much didn’t make sense especially Greg. What the hell was wrong with him? Why was he acting the way he did? Saying the things he had? She needed to know. But first she had to get the gun and then she had to get to Bai.
She stood up carefully, trying not to startle the governor, but it was too late. He stood up and moved toward her. Looking down at the body the floor, he blanched. When he turned to face Elena he was holding the gun in his wobbly hand.
“You don’t understand, Elena. Please, dear, please. Don’t look at me like that. You know I would never hurt you. I love you. I love your family. You don’t understand. It’s not me. I didn’t do this. It’s Greg. Please, Elena…”
Elena stepped back focusing on the gun. The governor was shaking, waving the gun in wild circles like a conductor’s baton, as though he was underscoring a note for emphasis, not waving a loaded weapon. She heard the panic in his voice which further steeled her. Keeping her eyes locked on his face, she leaned down and pulled up the hem of her gown and tucked it in her drawers. Thank God, I am wicked, she thought with a shudder. The slit up the front of her dress gave her the leg room she needed.
