by Taylor Lee
Wan held Alex’s arm as they walked through the gardens, pointing out the intricacies of the various arrangements. Particularly the elaborate herb garden that Bai created for Elena. Even though he hated to show his jealousy and his anger to his grandfather, Alex couldn’t quell the fury that bubbled up when he heard the admiration in Wan’s voice as he described Bai’s knowledge and the gracious gifts for Elena.
Unable to contain his rising anger, Alex’s fury overcame his restraint.
“Looks like Bai took a big chunk of what you own, Grandfather, to buy this place. I guess he will stop at nothing – even taking advantage of you – to win over my sister.”
Wan stepped back in surprise. He frowned and looked to Wyatt, who shrugged, quirked an eyebrow, and gave a slight knowing nod at Alex.
Wan took his time lighting a cigarette. Alex’s face heated with a mix of embarrassment at his outburst and anger that he couldn’t hide. Wan smiled at him. His voice was gentle, without judgment.
“No, Alex, you are wrong about that. Everything that you see here is what Bai built off of the acquisitions he made through wise management of money. As well as his uncanny ability to see opportunities that no one else saw, except perhaps your father. Over the last several years, Bai has introduced me to financial opportunities that I never would have known. Rather than siphoning off my wealth, he has built it exponentially.”
Alex felt his cheeks heat. He shook his head to stop the angry tears that threatened to fall.
“I’m happy for you, Grandfather. I hope that Bai continues to show you the respect you deserve.” He hesitated, then unleashing his anger, he glared at both his father and grandfather.
“I don’t care who Bai is, Grandfather. If he takes advantage of you, or in any way hurts you or, God help him, if he hurts my sister, he will have to deal with me. No one, not you, not my father, can stop me.”
Alex turned and strode away. He struggled to catch his breath. His body shook with anger.
He headed toward the stable, intent on finding a horse and getting as far away from the compound as he could. Before he got to the stable, three young boys came barreling across the courtyard shrieking with excitement.
“Alex, Alex, wait for us!” yelled Deshi, echoed by Gabe and Jacob. All three boys threw themselves in a heap on their older brother, almost knocking him to the ground.
“Hey, hey, boys, don’t knock me over. Damn, I’m glad to see you, too, but not if you throw me to the ground,” Alex said with a grin, the first time he had smiled since getting off the ship that morning.
“Damn, I can’t believe you boys.” He turned to Deshi and calling him by his English name, said, “Nick, I think you have grown four inches since I left, and look at you two,” he said in amazement, staring at the thirteen year old twins. Nicolas Deshi at nearly seventeen years old was already past Alex’s chin and the twins were at his shoulder.
“Hell, I thought I was going to be the tallest of the McManus boys, but if the three of you don’t stop right now, I’ll be the shortest. Man, you three might catch up to Father.”
“I want to be as tall as Bai,” Gabriel said in an adoring voice, his face shining with admiration, “And as strong as Bai, too!”
“Ha! No one is as strong as Bai, not even Father. You will never be half that strong!” said Jacob, ducking away from the attack that was sure to come from his twin.
“Stop it, both of you,” said Deshi in a voice intended to show how much older and coolheaded he was. “Remember, unless you spar every day like Father and Bai do, neither one of you will be even as strong as Liras. He is only ten years old and threw both of you yesterday.”
Both twins whirled on him, loudly protesting, insisting that Liras had not played fair and that they were humoring him.
Alex smiled at their familiar bickering and pushed down his annoyance at their hero worship of Bai. He thought to himself, damn the bastard’s even corrupted my brothers.
A musical voice echoed over the cobblestone walkway. “Alex, darling, there you are!”
Alex looked up to see his stepmother, Lei, coming down the path. Her face glowed with excitement. His breath caught in his throat when he saw her. Lei was one of the most beautiful women he had ever known. Only Elena was as beautiful and they were so different in looks that there was no comparison. Lei was the only mother either Alex or Elena had known. They both loved her deeply and she returned their love fiercely. She and Elena shared a unique bond as the only women in a crowded household of men, but she and Alex had a special relationship, as well. Everyone fell in love with the irrepressible Elena the moment they met her. Alex was quieter and content to live in the shadow of his wild and wonderful sister. But Lei had always seen and celebrated his special talents, making him feel as important to her as Elena was.
Lei’s mother left Wan Chang when Lei was only four years old, refusing to tolerate the violence of the Tongs and Wan’s overt philandering. Lei told Alex she grew up as the beloved but lonely daughter of the leader of the Sing Leon. She was protected and sheltered like a princess in a foreign land. Only when she met the outrageously handsome, commanding Wyatt McManus did she break out of the protective cocoon her strict, adoring father had built around her. Over the years, Alex watched as Lei managed to soften the competitive hostility between her husband and her father. Eventually, the two arrogant leaders of men grudgingly came to accept and care for one another.
Alex learned in a letter from his grandfather the latest bombshell rocking the combined family. To everyone’s surprise, Wan disclosed that Bai, the young man who had been Wan’s second in command and his closest confidant, was in truth his son. Like Lei’s mother, Bai’s mother was white. She lived in France, refusing to live Wan’s violent lifestyle in a country openly hostile to the Chinese. Even Lei hadn’t known Bai was her half brother. It was a secret Bai intended to keep. When he assumed leadership of the Sing Leon from his father, Wan overruled him, eager to declare his beloved son.
Clinging lovingly to his arm, Lei bombarded Alex with questions about his China adventure, eager to catch up on all the news. She attended Hong Kong University and had many friends in China. As they walked through the gardens with Lei’s excited laughter filling the air, Watsu, the manservant, approached. Deferring to Alex, he asked where he should put Alex’s trunks.
Lei responded, “Alex’s chambers are next to Wyatt’s and mine, Watsu. Please put his trunks there.”
Alex broke in. “Lei, I’m sorry but I don’t intend to stay here. I won’t need a room.”
“I don’t understand, Alex. Of course you will stay here. Elena and Bai created the most amazing quarters for us. Even the twins have their own chambers. Although much to their dismay, they have to share a bathroom and don’t have a fireplace and private bath as we do.”
At that moment, Wyatt came up behind them. Draping a protective arm over Lei’s shoulder, he nodded curtly to his son.
“Alex is upset about what happened to Elena when he was gone, Lei. He needs time to adjust to the fact that she and Bai are getting married.”
Lei looked in surprise at Alex. For the first time, she seemed to see the anger and pain on his face. She put her arm around him. Before she could speak, Alex interrupted.
“No Father, I don’t ‘need time to adjust.’ I will never accept Elena’s marriage to that man.” Seeing Lei’s shocked expression, he continued, “I’m sorry, Lei. I know how hard this must be for you. First, he springs on you that he is your half brother. Now he thinks he can marry your daughter. You must be as upset as I am.”
Lei and Wyatt exchanged a glance. Smoothing her expression, Lei said in a soft voice, “Alex, come here, darling. Sit down.”
She pulled him over to a stone bench and sat next to him. Wyatt took out a cigarette, lit it, and stood off to the side, a thoughtful expression on his stern face.
Lei’s tone was gentle. “Honey, I know this is a big surprise. Your father and I were as surprised as anyone when we learned from your grandfather th
at Bai is my half brother. I always admired him and felt a connection. Now that I know who he is, I see that your grandfather and Bai are so much alike, they could only be father and son. And, honey, when Elena comes back from her ride, you will see for yourself how much she loves Bai. I am certain you will be happy for her.”
Alex stood up and moved away from Lei, his face contorted with anger.
“No, Lei, I will not be happy for her. Indeed, I intend to do everything I can to see that she does not marry him. I am sorry to say this, Lei, given your relationship to him, but Bai is not an honorable man. He is not worthy of my sister.”
Lei stood up, her eyes wide, a frown washing over her face. Before she could speak, Wyatt moved between her and Alex and took a drag off his cigarette. He blew the smoke up in the air, then tossed the cigarette to the ground, glaring at Alex.
“Son, for the moment, I will ignore your rudeness to Lei, as I ignored your rudeness to your grandfather. What I will not ignore, or permit, is your doing anything to detract from your sister’s happiness in these next days before the wedding. To be clear, you will stay here in the extraordinary quarters that Bai designated for you. You will not disgrace your mother, your grandfather, or me by acting like a jealous child instead of the honorable young man we know you to be. Do you understand me, Alex?”
Alex’s face was hot. He fought the angry tears in his eyes. He glared at his father, but seeing the hard cold anger in Wyatt’s eyes, he just shook his head and nodded.
At that moment, they heard a clatter of horses’ hoofs as Elena rode up to the courtyard, flanked by her guards. She shouted in delight when she saw her brother. Her bright red sun-kissed curls flew in a cloud behind her. Her dark blue eyes shone with excitement. She was riding a white Arabian mare that to Alex’s amazement had eyes as blue as Elena’s.
Elena leapt off her horse and threw herself at Alex, almost bowling him over. He forgot his anger for the moment and grabbed her and swung her around in a dizzying circle. They both laughed and cried at the same time. Elena asked him a hundred questions, not waiting for an answer before rushing on to the next. She interspersed her questions with hugs and kisses. Finally, Alex managed to squeeze in a few questions of his own.
“My God, Elena, where did you get this mare? I’ve never seen anything more beautiful – except for you and Lei – of course.”
“Isn’t she gorgeous?” Elena asked breathlessly. “Bai gave her to me. He insisted that I have a white Arabian with blue eyes. He went to thirteen breeders before he found her. He had seen a horse like this in Persia when he was a boy. He said she belonged to a princess and he wanted me to have one just like the one he remembered. I named her Zhenqui – it means “precious” in Chinese. Bai suggested the name. Have you ever seen a more beautiful horse, Alex?”
“No, Elena, I haven’t,” Alex said with a forced smile.
If Elena noticed her brother’s reserve, she gave no sign. Instead, she dragged him over next to Lei and Wyatt.
“Oh, Alex, you have no idea how glad I am that you made it home in time for the wedding. It would not be as wonderful without you. We are going to have a gorgeous party tonight. You won’t believe the people who are coming. The governor, the chief justice, about ten different senators and legislators and so, so many of Father’s and Grandfather’s and Bai’s business friends. And Alex, wait until you see my dress. Thanks to Lei, as always, I will be gorgeous and… and…”
She stopped, as though aware that she was incoherent with giddy joy, and burst into peals of laughter. Her father and Lei joined her. Even Alex couldn’t stop his grin.
“Oh, Alex, I am so excited and so glad that you are here!” She threw her arms around him brushing his cheek with another kiss. “I need to get ready, Alex. Please know how happy I am you got home, not only for the wedding, but in time for the party tonight.”
Lei and Elena left to go to their chambers. Elena’s excited chatter and Lei’s musical replies floated across the courtyard. Wyatt turned to Alex. His expression was solemn, stern.
“I arranged for your formal clothes brought from the ranch. You will find everything you need in your chambers. Bai assigned Watsu as your valet. He will help you with any needs you have.”
Wyatt turned to go, then looked back at him. Alex quickly looked down, refusing to meet his father’s eyes.
Wyatt’s voice was as stern as his expression. “I’m glad you’re back, Alex. I look forward to having you at the party tonight.”
With that, he turned and went to find Lei.
Chapter 4
A myriad of brightly colored Chinese lanterns hung from the trees and shrubs surrounding the villa. They filled the gardens with flickering lights, rivaling the beauty of the starlit night. In the ballroom, candles and gas lamps glimmered, wine and spirits flowed. Elegantly attired Chinese servants passed trays of exotic food and the string quintet filled the air with beautiful music. The sounds of laughter and gay conversation echoed across the courtyards.
The guests were a stimulating mix of political and business leaders. Their garb and demeanor exuded authority. The governor of California chatted with a financier who came from New York for the party. The Eastern investor planned to stay at the villa to conclude the purchase of the banks he and Bai were acquiring. Distinguished men from industry and politics sized up their competition, sniffing out rivals and potential collaborators. Balance sheets and promised political contributions made up the undercurrent of the carefully bland conversations. The unspoken currency was money in exchange for access.
The women flitted through the ballroom, a bevy of iridescent butterflies. Their dresses were created in the most exclusive salons in New York and Paris and rushed to California ordered by frantic women determined to shine at the social event of the year. More than a few shared their displeasure at the late notice of the party, miffed that they had only months, not the usual year, to prepare. Most of the women who belonged to the important men on the guest list took pains to eschew their California and western roots. They did what they could to assume the cultural sheen of Europe and the East Coast. The irony of struggling to shine at an event hosted by a man whose wealth and power came from the most questionable of sources, and was Chinese to boot, escaped them. They took comfort that he was at least part French. To compound the irony, the belle of the ball, the center of attention, was a girl raised on a Wyoming ranch by a moneyman whose roots were as questionable as the man she intended to marry. But the odor of great wealth trumped social sensitivities. The privileged guests thanked their particular gods and breathed relief that they had been invited.
Wyatt, Wan, and Lei stood to one side of the room, forming a protective circle around Alex. Lei’s light touch on his arm was as restraining as the implied warning in his father and grandfather’s gazes. Alex chafed at their presence, but did nothing to hide the tight knot of anger that their concern could not release. The object of their attention, and that of everyone present, stood across the room. She was a bright flame attracting a circle of awestruck men several layers deep. Apparently, waiting thirty minutes in line to dance with the lovely Elena did not dampen the promise of two minutes of certain bliss in the arms of the belle of the ball.
Alex stared at his sister. The fierce love and possessive anger he felt wracked his sensitized nerves like sharp fingernails raking soft flesh. To his eyes, she was the most beautiful woman in the world. Alex was overwhelmed by her stunning dress. There might be dresses more expensive or created by a more famous designer, but none of the women in the room had the advantage of Elena’s body to showcase their sartorial confections.
Outrageous four inch high heeled slippers added height to her slender body and made her already sensational legs positively wicked. Her dress was a creation of sapphire satin overlaid with a shimmering layer of gossamer silk shot through with hundreds of tiny sparkling stones. Tiny insignificant straps anchored the low cut dress. Their only function was decorative. It was Elena’s full firm breasts that did the yeoman’s
work of keeping the bodice in place. Each movement raised the question of how even those gorgeous mounds could or would keep the fabric from slipping lower. The glistening silk clung to the saucy curve of her firm hips and revealed a tempting hint of the crevice separating her round toned cheeks. In the latest style worn by only the most fearless of women, the ankle length dress flared at the bottom. The jagged uneven hem rose daringly, giving the occasional glimpse of her knees – an unheard of liberty.
As beautiful as her body was, Elena’s crowning glory was her hair. Tonight it was swept up in a flurry of red gold curls held in place by pins tipped with sapphires, diamonds, and pearls. But her unruly curls refused to stay in their assigned places and errant locks sprung enticingly free, surrounding her face and neck. Her pale skin was flushed with excitement. Her flashing dark blue, almost violet eyes sparkled with joy, converting the most jaded observers to admiring enthusiasts.
Watching her from across the room, Wan and Wyatt swelled with pride. Alex stood beside them, quietly angry, refusing to join in their proud assessments of the lovely Elena. Alex glanced up to see Sheriff Thompson, a friend of his father and grandfather, moving toward them. Ignoring Alex, the sheriff motioned to Wyatt and his grandfather to join him by the doorway where several of his men stood. The sheriff’s expression was serious, his eyes hard.
Wyatt and Wan stepped away from Lei and Alex, joining the sheriff and his deputies. Alex moved a little closer, wanting to hear their conversation.
“What can I do for you, Jim? That look on your face implies that you want more than the promise of a dance with Elena. At least I hope so. I can do just about anything for you except get you any quicker through that line to my daughter.” Wyatt’s grin was friendly but stopped short of his eyes.
