by Taylor Lee
Nicki flushed and burrowed against his shoulder.
Rafe pulled her closer. “At the risk of repeating myself, you and I are much overdue for a lengthy discussion.”
~~~
Three days later, Rafe folded the Washington Post with a satisfied smile. For the first time since Cherise Freeman killed her husband and shot herself there was a new headline story above the fold. This story described in graphic detail how Senator Donald Michaels had taken a multimillion dollar bribe from a known terrorist. The picture accompanying the shocking story captured Michaels with his head down, his hands cuffed behind his back being led into the Washington city jail.
Rafe took out a Sharpie and scribbled a note across the top of the folded newspaper. He handed it to Caleb.
“Take this down to the station and make sure that they hand-deliver it to Michaels.”
Caleb read Rafe’s note and nodded.
“Damn straight, Boss.”
Rafe heard his friend laughing as he strode to the door.
Scribbled on top of the damning photograph of the Senator was this message:
“Payback’s a bitch. NOW we are settled. R.B.”
~~~
For the first couple of days following the disaster, Rafe kept Nicki a virtual prisoner at their retreat center. He cared for her like she was the most precious creature in the world. Masseuses, reflexologists, estheticians pampered and treated her to a three day healing spa adventure. Every food she loved and craved was there without her asking. In an extreme departure from their usual hardcore lovemaking, Rafe insisted she was too fragile for sex. He refused to do more than cuddle her and lay beside her ensuring that the only thing she do was rest and sleep. Surprisingly, Nicki agreed.
On the afternoon of the third day, Rafe joined her in the bedroom and tossed down a pile of maps and brochures all describing the delights of Thailand, specifically, Bangkok.
When she looked puzzled, Rafe pulled out a dossier for her to read. She shuddered when she saw the name of the client on the tab. This was a bad man, a very bad man.
“Ever been to Thailand, Darling?”
She frowned remembering. “Yes, but I was ten. It was one of my father’s business trips. All I wanted to see were elephants.”
Rafe chuckled. “We’re going after a hell of a lot more than elephants, Darling.”
Nicki sat up hoping he meant that he was allowing her to participate in another mission. “We?”
Rafe sighed. “Against my better judgment, I’m going to send you to Bangkok under cover.”
Nicki gave him an impish grin. “Oh, goodie! Does that mean I get to let out my ‘inner slut’?”
Rafe drawled, “You may dress like a slut, Darling, but that inner slut of yours is mine—mine alone.”
He swept the pile of papers to the floor and motioned her to stand. She looked surprised then stood before him her hugging her robe closed.
A rakish smiled tugged at his lips.
“And now, Darling, we are going to begin our discussion of your lone ranger behavior.”
At her questioning frown, he smiled and ordered.
“Nicki? Take off your clothes. You won’t be needing them for the rest of the day—and night.”
# # #
THE FIRST TIME EVER I SAW YOUR FACE
Chapter 1
San Francisco Chinatown
February, 1885
“Guipo biao! Come here!” Ting Lyn’s nasal screech echoed through the hallway. Struggling to quash her anger at the ugly curse, Daiyu hurried up the stairs, balancing the heavy loads of laundry in her strong arms. She was accustomed to Ting Lyn slurring her mixed heritage, but this was the first time Ting Lyn called her a whore – at least, she thought with a dismissive shrug – to her face.
Lowering her eyes to avoid looking at the group of tittering girls lounging on the silk covered pillows, she stole a quick glance at Ting Lyn.
Long ago, her father taught her the power of the anger cleansing breath. Daiyu hid her grin. She was sure her father would be amused if he knew that when it came to Ting Lyn, instead of a river of peace, Daiyu envisioned her anger breaths as a flurry of flying ants. She reveled at the image of Ting Lyn’s twisted face and squinty eyes furiously fighting off the biting insects.
“You lazy girl. How long must I wait for my breakfast? I could starve while you lumber up the stairs,” Ting Lyn snarled. “What were you doing, guipo? Casting those ugly green eyes at the stable boys? Enticing them with your pale skin, your sweaty stench?”
“I will bring your breakfast immediately, Mistress.” Daiyu kept her voice soft, her expression impassive, as she shelved the stacks of clean clothes. She’d learned not to respond to the racially charged epithets of the vicious young woman.
Daiyu moved gracefully. Each day to amuse herself, she assumed the attributes of one of the kung fu animals. Some mornings she was a dragon, sometimes a lion. Her favorite was the sensuous snake. Shoving down the bile of hate rising in her throat at Ting Lyn’s ugly words, she assumed the deceptively calm presence of a panther, sleek and muscular—its dark green eyes glittering ominously.
Moments later, she trudged up the stairs, shouldering heavy trays of hot tea and fragrant noodles, enough food for an army of men. More than enough for four overfed, spoiled young women. Concerned for her safety, Daiyu’s father, the famed kung fu sensei, appealed to Feng Sun, the leader of the Ong León Tong, to take his daughter under his protection. Daiyu chafed at the oversight. She knew, as her father did, that of all the young women in Chinatown, she could protect herself. But forced to hide her forbidden warrior skills, Daiyu accepted the protective cover serving Feng Sun’s obnoxious offspring.
Daiyu entered the room as Ting Lyn whirled on Ang, her youngest cousin, focusing her wrath on the cowering girl. “You baboon! You scurrilous monkey! You knew this? Now you tell me? That Wei Sun, my beloved, is coming home? Will arrive any day?”
Daiyu stumbled as a rush of excitement skittered over her. Before she could catch them, the precariously balanced trays crashed to the floor. The shrieking girls scattered to avoid the splattering debris. When Ting Lyn wrenched forward to strike her, Daiyu ducked and Ting Lyn sailed by, landing in a pile of slithering noodles. Daiyu looked up to see Ang press her hand to her mouth to stifle her giggle. The other girls jumped back, unable to smother their gasps of horrified delight at the sight of Ting Lyn upended in the viscous mess.
That evening, Daiyu scampered along the narrow dark streets heading home, her heart racing with excitement. She laughed out loud at the memory of Ting Lyn’s fury, but quickly forgot the hateful, abusive tirade focusing instead on the joyous news. Wei Sun was coming home.
Ten long years hadn’t dulled the memory of Wei’s laughing eyes and teasing grin. God, she had adored him. As a young girl, Wei and her brother Bo were her closest companions. She was nine, and Wei and Bo were twelve, when Wei left for China. Girls weren’t allowed to practice kung fu, but because she was talented, and her father insisted, the boys let her practice with them. Surprising sensations rioted through Daiyu at the thought of the handsome boy—who Daiyu realized with a start, was now a man.
~~~
Three days later, Wei bounded up the steps to Wong Li’s home. He had spent much of his youth in Wong Li’s center practicing the warrior arts under the expert tutelage of his beloved sensei. Ducking his head to clear the door frame, he grinned at the confirmation of his height and breadth. It was invigorating returning to his childhood home as a man: strong, purposeful, and ready to assume the leadership role his destiny decreed. After an hour of animated conversation with the man who was his second father, and Bo, his boyhood friend, Wei couldn’t hide his furtive glances.
“Are you looking for something, Wei? Or, perhaps, someone?’ Wong Li asked, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
Wei gave him a sheepish grin, knowing his heated cheeks gave him away. “I confess. You know who I am looking for. Where is she? Don’t tell me our little Daiyu has gone o
ff and gotten herself married? “ He spoke the words carelessly, surprised at how anxious he felt waiting for Wong Li’s answer.
Wong Li gazed at him with a knowing smile. “No, she is not married. Our Daiyu is particular. She has chosen, most emphatically, not to marry.”
Wei glanced down to hide the flood of relief surging over him. When he saw Wong Li and Bo smiling at him in amusement, he stuttered, “I…I have a gift for her. I never saw black jade before I went to China. Now I know why you named her that, Sensei. In all of China, I never saw anyone with eyes the color of Daiyu’s.”
Wong Li nodded in agreement. “Ah, yes. Daiyu’s eyes. If anything, Daiyu’s unusual beauty is more intense now that she is a young woman.” Not attempting to hide his pride, he added, “Quite simply, she is lovely.”
Bo rolled his eyes and scoffed. “That is an understatement, Father. Every wealthy man in San Francisco is ravenous for her hand. But she refuses them all.” He grimaced, his eyes flashing with anger. “We had to put her under your father’s protection, Wei. Many of the powerful men who want her are unwilling to accept rejection by a woman.”
Wei turned on his friend, his voice sharp. “That makes me angry, Bo. Why do you let her out of the house? Why don’t you keep her here where she’s safe?”
Wong Li smiled, his eyes twinkling. “Apparently, you have forgotten Daiyu. If you thought she was brash, high spirited, and determined when she was nine years old, Wei, you should not be surprised by what she is like at nineteen years old.”
Wei snorted. “You are correct, Sensei. I remember well how determined, how stubborn she was.” He added with a rueful grin, “Bo and I never had a chance. We were helpless to her demands. Maturing has not softened her? Made her more compliant?”
Wong Li quirked a brow. “Iron does not soften with age, my son. It just becomes more complex.”
Chapter 2
That evening, Wei sat across from his father and accepted the cigar Feng Sun pushed across the desk. Wei basked in the approval he saw in his father’s hooded eyes. Feng Sun was the most powerful Tong leader in California. Strong men quaked in his presence. Few dared look him in the eye. While Wei had never been afraid of his father, he respected him, knowing that the tales of his infamous temper and deadly skill with weapons were not exaggerated. But tonight there was nothing but pride on the older man’s solemn face as he gazed at his son.
“It is time that you came home, Wei. I am well pleased with you. You know it is my intention that you will be the leader of the Ong León. The reports from your teachers in China are replete with your skills as a warrior. I am proud of you, Son, and eager to present you to my followers and to San Francisco’s powerful Chinese leaders. It is auspicious that we will celebrate your homecoming on the Chinese New Year which this year also happens to be Valentine’s Day.”
“It will be a great celebration, Father. I met with Wong Li and Bo today. They agreed to stage the Five Animal Tribute in honor of the occasion.” He smiled, a cocky grin, “It only took me ten minutes to wrestle Bo to the ground to win the role of the dragon. I think even Wong Li was impressed with the expertise I gained in China.”
His father smiled in approval. “You and Bo always were competitive, but being the son of Wong Li gave him an edge. It is good for this old warrior to know that you are now the strongest and most expert of the kung fu fighters.”
Wei forced a diffident tone as though what he was saying was of little import. “I understand that you have given protection to Daiyu, Bo’s sister.”
“Yes. Daiyu was always a pretty child, but she is a startlingly beautiful young woman, no doubt the result of her mixed heritage.” Feng Sun frowned. “Her beauty, added to her obvious distain for the men wooing her, is tantamount to waving a red flag in front of angry bulls.”
Struggling to quell the unexpected sensations roiling in his gut, Wei puffed on his cigar, affecting nonchalance. “Is she… Is Daiyu here, by any chance?”
Feng Sun scowled. “No. Along with your sisters, Daiyu is at your aunt’s home preparing for your homecoming celebration. I do not envy her. Your sisters, and, most especially your cousin, are exceedingly demanding.”
He threw his son a quizzical glance. “Tell me, Wei. Is the gossip I hear from your sisters true? They say that you will use the occasion of your homecoming celebration to announce your betrothal to your cousin, Ting Lyn.’
Wei snorted in surprise. “You jest, Father. I haven’t seen Ting Lyn for a decade. Good God, even as a boy I found her insufferable, her affectations intolerable.”
Feng Sun nodded in mute agreement, then added, “Well, Son, you may not plan to wed your “challenging” cousin, but you must know that Ting Lyn and her mother—my dead brother’s wife—have been planning your wedding since you were children.”
Wei grimaced, thinking about the simpering girl who refused to walk in the sun lest she darken her complexion or soil her dress. He grinned to himself, remembering Daiyu’s dirty face and her triumphant shout when she pinned him to the bare ground with a vicious throw.
Snuffing out his cigar, Wei stood and met his father’s gaze. His lips curled, but his voice was firm, serious. “No, Father, there will be no lover’s announcement on Friday, or ever, concerning Ting Lyn and me. When I marry, it will be for love.”
Bowing low to his father, he turned and strode from the room.
~~~
Daiyu returned from her forced exile to Ting Lyn’s villa, heartsick that Wei and Ting Lyn planned to announce their betrothal at his homecoming celebration. At first, she refused to believe Ting Lyn’s confident boasts. But as Ting Lyn and her overbearing mother packed a dozen gowns for Ting Lyn’s presumed trousseau, Daiyu began to accept Ting Lyn’s smug declaration.
Depressing her further, she learned that Wei and Bo planned to stage the Five Animal Tribute at the celebration. A bitter wave of envy swamped her when she heard the news. As children, she and Wei and Bo often staged the kung fu spectacle, trading parts, always arguing who would be the dragon. No matter how many temper tantrums she threw, her diminutive size most often relegated her to the role of the snake.
As she helped her father pack the costumes and props for the kung fu tribute, Bo charged in, his face pale, his voice shaking. “Father. We are in trouble. Shingbo is ill”
Wong Li drew back, startled. “Surely not so ill that he cannot perform the spectacle?”
“Father, he is vomiting. He has severe dysentery. Damn. No one else in our troupe can be the snake. Only Shingbo is small enough to qualify.” Bo groaned. “Father, do you know how angry, how disappointed Wei will be? The interplay between the snake and the dragon is the triumphant highpoint of the dragon’s role.”
Wong Li ran his hands through his hair in a rare show of frustration. As he and Bo discussed alternatives, Daiyu stepped forward. Her voice was firm, assertive.” I will play the snake. I know the role. No one knows it as well as I do.”
Bo stared at her, aghast. “What are you saying, Daiyu? Are you crazy?” When she lifted her chin underscoring her determination, Bo’s face flushed an angry red. “No, Daiyu. You cannot, you will not do this. Everyone will know. Most important, Wei will know. He’ll be furious.”
Daiyu took a deep breath and glared at her brother. “He won’t know. And think
how furious he will be if we cancel the performance. No, Bo, I am the right person to play the snake. You know that. The costume will fit me. I am almost Shingbo’s size.”
When both her father and brother stared pointedly at her full breasts, Daiyu tossed her head, pressing her hands against the lush mounds. “I will bind them. Tight, flat. No one will know.”
Seeing his father’s thoughtful frown, Bo swung on his sister. “You are putting our father’s livelihood at risk, Daiyu. If anyone discovers he taught you kung fu, he will be ostracized, banished. You know this, Daiyu. You are being selfish.”
To Daiyu’s surprise, her father disagreed. “No, Deiyu, you are correct. You are the only person who can p
lay this role, the only person who should perform this role.” Ignoring Bo’s outraged stutter, Wong Li continued, “You have practiced for this moment all of your life.” When she demurred, he held both of her hands in his. “No, daughter. Go out there. Fight like the warrior you are, the warrior you have spent your life training to be.”
Chapter 3
A flash of riotous color split the sky, chased by the formidable rumble of fireworks. The raucous crowd shouted its approval, then quieted expectantly when a cymbal crash heralded the beginning of the Five Animal spectacle. One by one, the fierce fighters took the stage. The familiar tableau riveted the audience. “Oohs” and “ahs” acknowledged the dramatic strikes, the pulled punches, and the fighters’ fearsome aerial leaps. As the lion and dragon fought their timeless battle, the audience shouted encouragement and groaned in mock relief when the dragon overcame his ferocious rival.
The lion slunk to the side to tend to his wounds as the eerie wail of a bamboo flute beckoned the audience’s collective gaze to the floor. Slithering over the edge of the stage was the disingenuously languorous snake. The other animals drew back in an uneasy circle. As the serpent climbed and twisted upright, its rainbow colored scales gleamed in the firelight. All but the dragon fled the stage.
Wei stepped back frowning. From its initial slithering entrance, something was different about the snake. Wei sensed it and then he saw it. The sensuous, tantalizing moves caught him off guard. Shingbo was a trained fighter, but he did not have this innate, bewitching grace. Wei looked to Bo, hovering at the side of the stage. Bo met his gaze and shrugged. Wei forced his attention back to the snake, enticed by the evocative moves of the writhing reptile circling his feet. Stunned by a fragrance he knew but couldn’t place, Wei forced himself to focus on the demands of the dance. Sliding his large hands over the snake’s slender undulating body, he was shocked to feel soft curves, not Shingbo’s hard wiry body. Bending, coiling the sleek serpent through the strenuous movements, he rasped in its ear, “Who are you?”
