The Frenchman's Woman

by Lee Taylor

  Wyatt changed the subject, asking about his meeting with the sheriff. Bai summarized the conversation, omitting the descriptive threat from Clint Dunwoody. Instead, he merely indicated that he had agreed to meet Mr. Dunwoody any time, any place. If it wasn’t clear to Clint Dunwoody that he stuck his prick in a buzz saw, it soon would be, Bai thought with satisfaction. Not that the bastard knew the range of brutality at the disposal of the two grandmasters he had threatened. But he most certainly knew the Frenchman’s reputation. Beneath that swaggering drunken rant, Bai was certain, even someone as dumb as Dunwoody had a modicum of fear. He wondered idly if Wyatt had spent as much time as he had the last three days conjuring up a fitting demise to the Dunwoody gang. Seeing the contained rage in Wyatt’s eyes when he asked him about his meeting with the sheriff, Bai knew the only question was who would get to Dunwoody first, Wyatt or himself.

  He and Wyatt shared a knowing glance. Wyatt shook his head, grinning in admiration. “Damn, Bai, what is it going to take for me to steal you away from Wan, make you part of my Caballeros?”

  Bai stroked his chin, as though in thought. He said with a slight smile. “Thank you, Wyatt, but I am a Sing Leon, through and through.”

  Wan interjected. “Christ, Wyatt, on most days this man is what stands between me and certain death.”

  “The offer stands, Bai. Twelve years ago you saved my son, Nicolas Deshi, when he was kidnapped by the Demonios gang. And now twelve years later you save my daughter from the fucking Dunwoody’s. I am forever in your debt.”

  Bai bowed respectfully, but a grin tugged at the corner of his mouth.

  “Like Wan, you already were in my debt, Wyatt.”

  Wyatt guffawed, “You are goddamned right about that, Bai.”

  ~~~

  Elena was annoyed at the way her father and grandfather were slobbering over Bai. In her opinion, he was conceited enough without their effusive praise.

  She saw Bai studying her. She squirmed at the quiet anger seething beneath his cool facade. She knew Bai insisted on this conversation. He wanted to ensure she took responsibility for her role in the attack. Rather than let him control the discussion, she decided to take the initiative. She would make the discussion one between her and her grandfather.

  “Grandfather, I know you told me not to ride alone at the compound. I made a mistake. I should not have done what I did. I apologize to you for going to the waterfall by myself. I should have asked one of the guards to ride with me.”

  “Thank you, Elena. I appreciate your apology. What happened underscores how important it is that you follow the rules at this compound.”

  “I know that, Grandfather.”

  In a disarming gesture, she sprang to her feet. Kneeling beside his chair, she wrapped her arms around his neck and rested her cheek on his. She whispered, “I am truly sorry, Grandfather. Please forgive me.”

  Wan nodded and patted her cheek. Elena gave him a glowing smile, then contritely returned to her chair.

  Bai leaned against the wall. Pinning her with a dubious glare through half closed eyes, he took a puff off of his cigar. Seeing his skepticism, Elena glared back at him, then flashed an insolent smile. “Do you have something you want to add, Bai?’

  “Hmm. That is the question I was going to ask you, Elena.”

  As they visibly squared off, both Wan and Wyatt sat back in their chairs to watch the coming confrontation.

  Elena flushed with anger. She could swear something akin to incredulity flickered in Bai’s eyes and was stung by his clear doubts. More than anything, she was infuriated that he seemed to think that it was up to him -- not her grandfather -- to control her. Confident of her grandfather’s support, she decided to take him on.

  “Why don’t you come out and say what you are thinking, Bai? You don’t have to be afraid of me. And my father and grandfather apparently think you are Jesus Christ come down from the cross.”

  Elena caught the twinkle in her father’s eyes and saw him exchange an amused glance with Wan. She sensed they were glad that she was back to her usual spirited self, but it annoyed her all the same. Damn, the least they could both do was support her, understand why she was angry with Bai.

  “And what is it that you think this resurrected savior is thinking, Elena?” asked Bai with an ironic smile, ignoring her taunt about his being afraid of her.

  Trying to keep her anger in check, she said with a derisive sneer, “Why don’t you say what you are thinking, Bai? You think it is my fault I was attacked. That I deserved what I got. Those men aren’t to blame, are they? I am! Say it! That’s what you are thinking, isn’t it? I deserved it, right?”

  Wyatt and Wan both frowned. Wyatt reached out to take her hand and started to speak, but Bai held up his hand drilling Elena with a piercing glare. His voice was stern, dispassionate.

  “I would not say nor do I think that you deserved in any way the hideous attack from those degenerate men. But one fact remains. It is the fact we are here to discuss. If you had done what Wan told you to do instead of waltzing off like a disobedient child, the attack would not have occurred.”

  Elena felt a rush of angry heat flood her cheeks. She clenched her fists, resisting the impulse to reach out and smack his smug face. With an indignant toss of her head, she snapped, “Well, I’m glad that is out in the open. Why not continue, Bai. Tell me directly to my face what you think of me.”

  “You can always expect that I will be direct, Elena.” Bai said coolly, meeting her infuriated stare.

  Elena glared at him. She was thoroughly angry now, not the least bit afraid of him. “Then let me be direct. Why did you kill my horse? You murdered a beautiful mare in cold blood.”

  Wyatt reached over, putting a restraining hand on her arm. “Elena, that’s enough. You know that’s not what happened. You have had enough time to think this through. You know Magic was fatally wounded.”

  Elena whirled on him.

  “Father, I can’t believe you are supporting him,” she said, pointing to Bai. “You are a whisperer. I am a whisperer. I have saved countless animals because of the things you taught me. I could have saved Magic.”

  “Honey, I know you have a genuine gift with horses, but from what Bai said…”

  She broke in furious. “Why do you believe him and not me? He didn’t give me a chance to save her. He murdered her!”

  Wyatt started to respond, but once again Bai put up his hand. His gaze was hard, devoid of emotion. He frowned at Elena, demanding her attention.

  “Elena, look at me.” He waited until she looked up glaring at him. “Magic had four bullets in her chest and one in her front leg. She lost at least five or six quarts of blood. You have looked in enough animal’s eyes, as I have, to know when an animal is dying. She could not have survived her injuries. Perhaps I should have waited and sent one of my men to put her out of her misery. That seemed cowardly to me, given the circumstances. I am sorry your mare is dead. But, once again, Magic would not have been at the waterfall if you had obeyed your grandfather.”

  Elena gaped at him in shock. “Damn you! Now you’re saying that I murdered my horse?”

  “No, Elena, I’m not saying that. But actions have consequences. And your actions had serious consequences,” he said holding her gaze.

  Elena gripped the arms of the chair. A wave of icy hot fury seared her sensitized nerves. She struggled to breathe. Sharp gasps squeezed her chest. If Bai had known her better, he would have seen the pain that underlay her rage. She whispered in a barely audible voice, “You had a gun. Why did you stand there? Why didn’t you shoot them? Before they ripped off my clothes? Why did you let that man touch me the way he did? Why? Did you want to see me naked, shamed? To prove how bad I was to go off by myself?”

  Bai froze. He was silent. When he spoke, his voice was tight with unusual emotion. “Elena, you know that is not the reason I waited. You may have forgotten that you had a knife at your throat. In answer to your question, I waited until I was confident that I could k
ill all four of those bastards without them killing you. It was the most difficult decision I have ever made.”

  Elena saw the torment on Bai’s face. But the memory of Pete’s excited chortle when he shoved his fingers inside of her, his glee at the prospect of raping a virgin, blinded her to Bai’s anguish. Overcome by her own despair she was too agonized to acknowledge his. Her pain triumphed. With a harsh groan, she burst in tears. Wyatt and Wan both jerked toward her. Wyatt reached her first. He pulled her down on his lap and held her close, stroking her hair.

  Wyatt turned to Bai. His face was stern.

  “I know how hard your decision was, Bai. Goddamn, I’m sure I understand better than anyone. I am grateful that you had the courage and presence of mind to wait until you were sure that you could kill them all and save Elena. It required an inner strength available to few people. It is what makes you the extraordinary leader that you are. As I told you I will be forever grateful. But I ask you to remember that no matter what the precipitating cause, my daughter has had the most hideous experience I can imagine. She is emotionally fragile.”

  Bai was solemn. “I do understand that, Wyatt. I will attempt to be more sensitive to her feelings. However, I do not think it serves any purpose to minimize how important it is going forward that Elena does what Wan and I tell her to do.”

  Wyatt tilted his head his agreement.

  “You are correct, Bai. We all agree. But at this moment, emotions are running too high for us to have a constructive discussion. Perhaps this will be possible in the next day or two.” He turned to Elena “Honey, we all know you feel bad about what you did. I know you will listen to your grandfather and Bai from now on. I also know how upset you are. I have a question about this evening. We thought earlier that you were up to attending the dinner tonight. If you wish to change your mind, I know your grandfather will understand.”

  Wan murmured in agreement.

  “No, Father, I want to go. I’m sorry I got upset. I was angry and sometimes I start crying when I least expect it.” Nestling against her father’s shoulder, she struggled to contain her sobs. She looked up though the blur of her tears and saw Bai watching her. His expression was hard, tight, his eyes were narrow, his lips pressed in a thin line. She tossed her head and looked away.

  In a watery breath, she whispered, “Thank you, Father. Thank you, Grandfather.”

  Studiously ignoring Bai, she gave her father a quick kiss, then put her arms around her grandfather’s neck and kissed him.

  Wan held her close to him for a moment, stroking her back.

  Elena looked up at him through teary eyes. “I love you, Grandfather. I will wear the sapphire dress. I love it. You were kind to give me such a beautiful gown.” She looked from one to the other then stammered, “Thank you…Thank you both for understanding that I can’t talk any more right now.”

  Without acknowledging Bai, she left the room, her head held high.

  Bai rose to his feet. He bowed to Wyatt, then to Wan. “I want to finish this discussion with Elena. You will please excuse me, oui?” He turned on his heel closing the door firmly behind him.

  Wyatt raised his eyebrows. “Hmm, that will be an interesting conversation.”

  Wan arched a brow in return, then nodded in agreement.

  ~~

  Chapter 7

  Elena sped through the garden, helpless to quiet her raging emotions. For once, she was oblivious to the heady odors and riotous colors of the verbena, yarrow, and sage that she loved. She knew that she had played on her father’s and grandfather’s concerns. Damnit! What did Bai want her to say? That she went to the waterfall hoping to be attacked -- rather than wanting to swim? Admit she wanted to be raped? A thousand emotions swirled in her mind. She wanted desperately to push them away.

  “Elena, stop. I want to talk to you,” Bai called from the courtyard gate.

  Elena was angry that Bai followed her. She sped up, not looking back, hoping she could run fast enough to get to her chambers before he caught her.

  In seconds he was next to her, his hand grasping her arm.

  “I told you to stop.” He was careful not to hurt her, but his grip was firm.

  “Elena, when I tell you to do something, I expect you to do it. Do you understand?” His voice was fim, commanding. His eyes glittered, cold and hard.

  Elena’s face felt hot. She refused to look at him, but nodded her head yes.

  “That is good. I am pleased you understand. That was quite a show you put on. Unlike your father and grandfather, I am not impressed. The conversation we had is not finished. But you and I are going to finish it now. Just you and me. Contrary to the things you said in front of Wan and your father, these are the things you know, and know well.

  “First, I do not think you deserved to be attacked. Those men deserved to die a hideous death. My only regret is that I couldn’t torture them to death rather than just shooting them. It was the most I could do and get you back to safety.

  “Second, killing your horse was an act of mercy on my part, not murder.

  “Third, and most important, you are not responsible for the actions of those perverted sub-humans. However, you are responsible for your own actions. You may think you can pick and choose which of your grandfather’s orders you will obey. But you cannot, and will not, disobey me. When I give you an order, I expect you to obey it. My rules are simple. You are not to leave the villa without my permission. You will always be accompanied by at least one Sing Leon guard. I cannot be more straightforward than that. Do you understand?”

  Elena glared at him. “Are you telling me that I am a prisoner on this compound?”

  “Not any more than you were a prisoner on your ranch in Wyoming.”

  She tossed her head and tried to pull away. “I left there because I was tired of being a prisoner.”

  “Then you shouldn’t have come here.”

  His voice was terse, cold. He held her firmly in his grip. “I asked you a question, Elena. Do you understand my rules?”

  He waited for her to answer him. Elena was furious, but more than that she was frightened, confused. When he grabbed her arm, she felt that same disquieting shiver of heat she had felt when he held her on his horse, comforting her. Now his face was tight with distain, his voice layered with cold anger. It was as though he was a different man: hard, unyielding, not the least bit comforting. She didn’t know what to do, how to respond. No one talked to her the way Bai was talking to her – as though she was a disobedient child. She was seething with anger, but was not sure how to fight back. She took a deep breath and, without looking at him, nodded yes. She tried to pull away, but he loomed over her clasping her close to him.

  “That’s not good enough, Elena.” He lifted her chin, holding it so she was forced to look at him.

  “Look at me. I asked you if you understand. If you do, please tell me that you do. Tell me you will not leave the villa unless you have my permission and are accompanied by a Sing Leon guard.”

  She squeezed her eyes shut to avoid looking at him and refused to answer. Bai paused, his voice was soft, threatening. “Look at me, Elena. Now.”

  She trembled, then opened her eyes and looked up at him, tears stinging the backs of her eyelids.

  “Say it, Elena. Now.”

  She swallowed hard. “I…I won’t leave the villa unless I have your permission. And…and I will always have a Sing Leon guard with me.”

  Bai stepped back, releasing her arm. His voice was heavy with sarcasm. “Thank you. Now go dress for dinner. I am eager to see one of the many dresses that your adoring grandfather showers on you to show you his love. Love that you seem to take lightly.”

  She started to object, horrified that he thought her so manipulative. Deciding nothing she could say would make a difference in his opinion of her, she turned to go to her chambers with as much grace as she could muster.

  Bai called after her, his lips curled in contempt. “And, cherie, one more thing. If I am interested in seeing you na
ked, I won’t need four men to help me undress you. I will undress you myself—one piece of clothing at a time. I assure you, I will enjoy every minute -- as will you. Indeed, you will beg me not to stop.”

  Elena gasped. She stared at him, her face white with shock. Her lips quivered as she started to respond, then she turned and ran to her chambers.

  Bai watched her go, running his hands through his hair in frustration. He was angry but felt another equally strong emotion he chose not to examine.

  Goddamn her! Infuriated, he thought back on the conversation with Wyatt and Wan. The manipulative little imp! Why couldn’t they see how she was playing them, bursting in tears knowing that they couldn’t bear to see her hurting, making them feel guilty that they hadn’t been there to help her, to save her. Never once did she admit that if she had done what she was told to do, none of it would have happened.

  His thoughts flew back to the waterfall. He knew that no matter how Wyatt and Wan imagined the assault, nothing could equal what he saw that afternoon. The terror on her face. The humiliation. The pain. He physically closed his eyes to shut out the hideous images. Goddamn those men and goddamn her. Filled with fury, he remembered the fragile woman with her beautiful body, her fiery hair, the way she fought so hard, so well, only to be brought down by depraved animals.

  Now as he watched her run to her chambers, he asked himself why he had said what he did. Why did he taunt her? Threaten to do to her what those evil men had done? How he would undress her? How she would enjoy it? But even as he castigated himself for his cruelty, he knew the answer. It was what he wanted to do. Not out of hate to brutalize her like those men had, but because she was beautiful, enticing. He wanted to glory in her stunning body.