by Taylor Lee
“Thank you, Wan.” Bai’s tone was serious.
They stood and bowed respectfully to one another. Wan walked over to him. In an unusual gesture of affection, he put his arm around Bai. “I’m proud of you, Érzi.”
Bai bowed again. “Thank you, Fùqīn. I honor you.”
As they were walking out to the courtyard where the rest of his men were already mounted, waiting for him, Wan shared an amused glance with Nianzu and winked.
“I think if you look up on the balcony, Nianzu, you might see the reason our indomitable leader has seemed somewhat distracted today.” He winked at Elena, who was standing on the balcony outside of her chambers.
“I overheard the kitchen girls chattering. I believe we can put our concerns to rest. It seems Bai’s inattention is not due to nervousness that the Chinese Tong leadership is assembling at his request. Rather, it is whispered he got less sleep last night than usual.”
Nianzu glanced up and grinned when he saw Elena. He waved to her. She smiled and waved back. Bai frowned slightly, then mounted Noire. As he turned to go, he swung Noire back to face the balcony and looked up with a twinkle in his eye. He tipped his hat to Elena, then turned and rode out of the courtyard followed by Nianzu and the rest of his men.
~~~
Bai and Nianzu rode in front, fifteen of his men followed. Ordinarily they never rode in this large a group, but tonight was unusual. Each of the Tongs was likely to have a similar size contingent. Anywhere from fifty to a hundred Chinese men were advancing on Villa De Las Montañas, the spacious compound belonging to Mr. Liang Zhao. Zhao was the head of the Qeong Ton, the third largest California Tong. Only the Rongue Ri and the Sing Leon were larger. It was a credit to Zhao that Bai had requested the conclave take place at his villa. It also underscored Bai’s confidence in his leadership that he did not insist on having the meeting at Los Vistas. A not so subtle reminder to the other leaders that Mr. Zhao publically declared his support of the Brotherhood
As they rode through the dark countryside, Bai allowed himself to think about Elena. All day long he had been obsessed with thoughts of her: her beautiful body, the feel and smell of her. More than anything, he was struck by what she did to him. It was as though she had entered his bloodstream – touching, possessing every part of him. Only when he saw Wan or Nianzu or one of the others looking at him oddly did he realize his thoughts and feelings were more apparent than he thought and quickly redoubled his effort to concentrate on their work. He was chagrined, then amused, to hear that the servants were talking about them. Merde, was it that obvious? Wan’s wink and Nianzu’s grin left no room for doubt. But why would he think he could hide his feelings, act as though nothing had happened. Mon Dieu, he had spent the most momentous night and morning of his life with the lovely Elena, the woman who had consumed his soul.
As they got closer to Las Montañas, he turned back to the challenges that lay ahead. He pushed against a hard thought. Even though she was absent, Elena would play a role tonight. Elena knew nothing about the work he was doing, only that they were meeting to deal with the potential violence among the Tongs. He tried to push aside the fact that if the meeting was a failure or even less of a success, it would be in large part because of Elena’s and Nianzu’s actions. Merde, he wished he could get it out of his mind.
But the scene at the saloon, like the one at the waterfall, was never far from his thoughts. He flashed back to the saloon. The image of her captured by the Rongue killers, while the others were intent on beating Nianzu to death, was frighteningly vivid. As hard as he tried, he was unable to squelch the fury and the fear the image inspired. He saw again the salacious grin on Wichi’s face, knowing Wichi was already fucking Elena in his mind, intending to make her his cunt. Damn, Bai was glad he beheaded him. He should have ridden through the streets of town carrying Wichi’s head high on a pole. Then there would be no doubt what would happen to anyone who touched his woman.
Goddamn, he realized with a start, he had not made arrangements for Elena’s safety before he left the compound. Christ, he and Nianzu were both gone and, fuck, he hadn’t put a back up in place. He wondered if he should send one of his men back to stand guard. Surely Wan would take charge, watch over her. But God, what if she decided she wanted to ride Zhenqui? Would she ask Wan to ride with her? Fucking unlikely. No, more likely she would take advantage of him being gone and take off by herself.
He hadn’t realized he was muttering out loud until Nianzu spoke loudly.
“Bai, are you all right? Goddamn, you look like you were about to slaughter someone back there. Christ, if I ever needed to be reminded of why men are afraid of the Frenchman I’ll remember the look on your face. Seriously, are you okay?”
“I’m fine. I… I realized I didn’t arrange for a guard for Elena while we are both gone. I… I may send Quitin back to guard her, make sure she doesn’t leave the villa.”
“Damn, Bai. It’s nearly dark, almost eight o’clock. Elena isn’t going anywhere. Plus, Wan is there. Bai, I know you worry about Elena. I know we made a terrible mistake going to the saloon. I will never forgive myself. I am much more responsible for what happened than Elena is. But you trusted me enough to bring me to this meeting as your lieutenant, something I will be grateful for as long as I live. If you can trust me on this critical mission, then, hell, you have to trust that Elena is fine. Right now she is probably counting the minutes until you get back.”
Bai took a deep breath and nodded.
“You’re right, Nianzu. Wan is there. Humph. Perhaps Elena was correct. Remember when she told you my head is so big I have room for more imaginings than the rest of you do?” he said with an attempt at a smile. “She may be right. I’m discovering that she usually is.”
~~~
The ride from Los Vistas to Las Montañas took nearly two hours and it was dark when they arrived. Nianzu followed Bai up to the gate and turned their horses over to the waiting stable hands. The rest of the men dismounted, joining the men from the other six Tongs represented at the meeting. Bai had requested that each Tong send only two men inside the conclave: the leader and his lieutenant. It was understood that each Tong could bring as many men as they felt were necessary to guard their leaders, but inside the meeting would be a maximum of fourteen men. In the clearest possible declaration of Bai’s leadership, Wan Chang insisted that Bai and Nianzu represent the Sing Leon. When he entered the room, twelve men, most of them at least two decades older, stood and bowed respectfully to the young man who would be their leader.
Any concerns Nianzu might have about Bai’s state of mind evaporated when they walked in to the meeting room. He turned and gazed at his beloved friend, the man who was the recipient of twelve respectful bows. It was as though a cloak of grace had settled over Bai’s shoulders. Nianzu watched with pride as Bai greeted each of the leaders, all of whom were there because Bai requested their presence.
By the end of the meeting, two things were clear. The Brotherhood would not be formed this evening, if ever; and war between the Rongue Ri and the Sing Leon was more likely, if not inevitable.
“You were fucking amazing, Bai. I will never forget Gui Li’s face when you said, ‘Sir, it takes more courage to end violence than to be violent.’ Damn, I think even he had the grace to be embarrassed.”
“Ah, Nianzu. So true. But do not forget. Before the meeting Feng got to every man there tonight with a stark warning—join the Brotherhood and you are the sworn enemy of the Rongue Ri.
“Ultimately Gui and the others are correct. It is easy for us, for me, as the leader of the Sing Leon, to talk about non-violence. I head up the fucking most violent Tong in the country and I personify that violence.”
“But Bai, no one there said they were opposed to the Brotherhood. Hell, how could they? You took them back to the roots of the Tongs and reminded us all of the founding principles — kindness, righteousness, wisdom, and bravery. Goddamn, when you told the story of the Four Brothers I thought Nui Sima was going to cry. He said h
e hadn’t heard those principles articulated since his grandfather died. Hell, Bai, there were more than a few teary looking eyes when you finished your appeal. I was damn proud of you.”
“Thank you, Nianzu. But the message is clear. Two weeks ago, it looked like we were going to prevent a Tong war and the timing for the Brotherhood seemed auspicious. Since I killed Wichi Fan, none of the minor Tongs are willing to step forward until I clean up the mess that I made. In other words, they all need to know that I can and will take on Feng Zhang, or they aren’t willing to follow me.”
He was quiet for a moment, adding, “The challenge is clear. I fight the war the Brotherhood was intended to prevent or the Brotherhood is dead. A hell of a choice, wouldn’t you say?”
They rode for several miles in silence. Finally, Nianzu spoke, his voice breaking. “Bai, you haven’t said it, but I will. If Elena and I hadn’t gone to the saloon, tonight would have been the beginning of the Brotherhood. Instead, tomorrow we begin to plan the war that you spent the last two years trying to prevent.”
Bai’s sigh was audible. “It is what it is, Nianzu. It fucking is what it is.”
Nianzu didn’t know which hurt more, the anger behind Bai’s words or the crushing disappointment. He knew he would never forgive himself for having caused both.
Chapter 29
Elena finished her bath, impatiently watching Francine brush her hair.
Francine’s voice was filled with wonder. “Miss Elena, you have the prettiest hair I’ve ever seen. I know for sure all the men agree. All I ever hear is them talking about the fiery haired woman.”
“Thank you, Francine. I think people like it because they are surprised by the color.”
“No, Miss, I think it is more than that.” Francine smiled and blushed.
“What else?”
“At least the men—they like it because it is so – how do you say it – fantaisiste, wild!”
“Hmm, you may be right about that, Francine,” Elena said, thinking about how Bai wanted her to put her hair down and how he kept burying his face in the loose curls. “Francine?”
“Yes, Miss.”
“What does chatte mean?”
“Miss Elena!” Francine turned bright red and jumped back, her hand to her mouth. “Miss Elena, you mustn’t ever say that! Nice ladies don’t say that.”
“But, what does it mean? Is it like pussy?”
“Miss Elena!!”
“Oh Francine, don’t be a ninny. Do you think I am a child? That I don’t know anything?”
Francine’s eyes widened. She looked at Elena as if seeing her for the first time.
Elena giggled to herself. Even though she didn’t speak Chinese, she understood enough to know that some of the women in the kitchen were talking about her when they came from Bai’s chambers carrying his bed linens. She also heard Angel and Francine whispering, then they both blushed and stopped talking when she came in the room.
She gave Francine a sunny smile and continued with a wink, “I don’t want to shock you but tell me, if I asked someone to touch my chatte, am I saying it correctly? Would he know what I mean?”
Francine turned an even brighter shade of pink but appeared to have given up being shocked. She said in a pained voice, “Yes, Miss, I am quite sure he would know what you meant.”
“And if I wanted to use some special French names for his…”
“Miss Elena!!”
“Oh, for God’s sake, will you stop saying that and just help me?”
~~~
For the next half hour, Elena sat with pen and paper and a blushing Francine and made a phonetic list of French names for his beautiful cock.
Elena waited until she was sure that Francine had left for her quarters, then tossed aside the cotton nightgown Francine had laid out for her. She went to her closet and instead brought out a beautiful silk nightgown and robe Lei had given her months ago, but that she had never worn. She put it on, smiled at her reflection in the mirror, and shivered thinking about what Bai would do when he saw it. Making sure no one was in the garden, she slipped out of her chambers and ran through the cool dark night to Bai’s chambers. Her eyes and body were dancing with excitement and anticipation.
She sat in the armchair beside the fire dozing, her silky nightgown clinging to the damp curves of her body. She waited for him all evening, not sure when he would return, and sprang up eagerly when she heard Bai and Nianzu’s voices in his office next door.
Minutes later, he came through the doorway between his office and his chambers. By the time they reached Los Vistas, Bai had forgotten the role Nianzu had played, forgotten Nianzu existed. The anger, the disappointment, the hope, the fear, and ultimately the fury – all the emotions he had felt throughout the evening came down to one person—Elena.
Seeing her there, safe, beautiful and oblivious — his relief turned to rage. He knew he was angry at many things other than her, but it was her he wanted to punish. Punish her for the worry she caused him, for the fear he felt, for not listening to him. And he wanted to punish her for being here when he had been terrified she’d be gone.
“Why are you here?” His voice was cold, hard. He didn’t hide the anger he was feeling.
She rose when he entered a shy, excited look on her face. When he spoke, she stepped back, surprised, then paled at the anger in his voice.
“What… what do you mean?”
He saw the hurt in her eyes and heard the fear in her voice.
“Why aren’t you in your chambers?”
Her eyes widened with surprise. She took an audible breath then asked, “What happened, Bai?”
He glared at her.
“A better question is what didn’t happen?”
He strode over to his cabinet, took out a bottle, and poured himself a large glass of bourbon. He tossed back half of the fiery amber liquid, something he rarely did. He loosened his collar, lit a cigar, and sunk down in one of the armchairs by the fire. He took a sip of bourbon and several puffs off his cigar, searing her with a harsh glare.
“Since you inquired, something that I’ve been working on for nearly two years fell apart tonight.”
“I’m sorry, Bai.”
“You know what, Elena? You should be sorry because you had a lot to do with it falling apart.”
Her face flushed and her eyes darkened. She studied him for a moment, then asked in a quavering voice, “Because of what I did at the saloon?”
“Yes, because of what you did at the saloon.”
He ran his hands through his hair, an irritable gesture.
“Oh Christ, it probably wasn’t going to work, regardless of what you did.”
He sat in his chair, staring at the fire for what seemed like hours, then walked over to the fireplace with his drink in his hand. He stoked the fire and threw on several more logs.
He turned back to her and took a sip of his drink. His expression was stern, hard.
“This isn’t going to work, Elena.”
“What isn’t?” Her voice was quiet, her face pale.
“This,” he said, gesturing toward her. “You and me.”
She looked at him in surprise. Her lips quivered but she took a breath and continued looking at him. Her voice was soft, tremulous. “It seemed like it was working last night… and this morning.”
Her eyes were dark, her face was astonishingly pale. At least she didn’t look like she was going to cry. He shook his head and stared back at the fire.
“I love you, Bai.”
He whirled on her. “Please, Elena.”
His voice was harsh, angry. More than anything, he was disgusted.
“You have no idea what you are saying. You are such a child. You think you can make everything go away, make everything all right if you say you’re sorry. Or if you say something sweet or look beautiful or wiggle your ass!”
He glared at her.
“Do you think I am your father or your grandfather? Well, I’m not, Elena. I’ve watched you manipulate the
m for weeks now. Just so you know, it disgusts me.”
She grew paler. If anything her eyes opened wider, but she didn’t answer.
He looked away, then said with a snort, “Christ, I can’t even fuck you.”
“Why not?”
He was surprised at her matter of fact response. His voice dripped with distain. “Because in the event you don’t know, your cunt is not ready for the way I intend to fuck you.”
She flushed and looked down for a moment, then said, “Oh.”
Bai thought, Christ, I have to show her why this won’t work. She has no idea who I am, what I am. What this little child-woman needs is a lesson, she needs to understand what she is up against.
“Then again, why not, indeed?” he snarled. “Come here, Elena.”
~~~
She stared at him in surprise and stepped back when he put his drink down on the mantle. He stood with his back to the wall and opened his white silk shirt, nearly to the waist. Elena gasped at the sight of his hard muscular chest with the fine black hair trailing down his stomach to the top of his trousers. He rolled up his shirt sleeves and unbuttoned the top buttons of his pants. She stared at his erection, visible from across the room, and choked at the anger in his eyes.
“I said, come here.”
He ran his hand through his dark tousled hair. With a sardonic grin, he pointed to a place in front of him. “Here, kneel here.”
She trembled then took a deep breath and walked over to him. She bit her lips nervously, then sunk to her knees where he was pointing.
“Take it out. Take my cock out of my pants.” His voice was curt, commanding.
She swallowed hard, her eyes focused on the huge bulge in his trousers. Her fingers were shaking, but somehow she managed to get the buttons of his trousers undone. Trembling, she looked up at him imploringly, but he just puffed on his cigar.
“Now, Elena. Take it out now.”
She forced her hands to stop shaking. With a determined sigh, she reached up and pulled his pants down his thighs. His cock sprung out hard, long, and thick. She started, but managed to keep from jumping back in fright. Instead, she closed her eyes tight squeezing back tears and buried her face in the wiry hair on his groin.
