The Frenchman's Woman

by Lee Taylor

  He remembered holding her close to him riding back to the villa. When he lifted her to straighten his shirt, he touched her bare bottom, felt her soft skin, her firm ass. He could still remember her smell. It was sweaty, frightened, mixed with soap and exotic spice. Christ, he even tasted her. Ah, yes, he would know how to undress her. He would remove her clothing slowly, one piece at a time. He’d marvel at her astonishing breasts, her slender waist, her surprisingly lush hips and long slender legs.

  He grimaced. Just thinking about her body, his cock swelled, a hard, insistent reminder that at least one appendage had no qualms about how to respond. Goddamn, what am I doing, he reprimanded himself? This is insane. She is Wyatt’s daughter, Wan’s granddaughter. She nearly destroyed them both, as well as herself, because she wouldn’t fucking do as she was told. He struggled to control his conflicting thoughts, his anger, and, yes, his lust. He needed to deal with her – and with his emotions – coolly, ruthlessly.

  He was grateful when his overarching self confidence reared up. He knew what to do, how to handle her. He’d treat her as the spoiled, willful child she was. He’d make it clear that he won’t tolerate her disobedience. He’d make sure she obeyed him, that she did as she was told. A slight smile tugged at his lips. Ah, mais oui. Miss Elena will know soon, if she doesn’t already, that she’s met her match.

  With a satisfied grin, he walked back through the garden to conclude his meeting with Wyatt and Wan. He needed to brief them on the conversation he planned to have with the governor. Like the accomplished powerbroker he was, he looked forward to the opportunity to further his initiatives.

  And, hell, yes, he looked forward to seeing Elena again.

  ~~

  Chapter 8

  Wyatt shook his head ruefully. “Goddamn, Wan, I know how much Elena is hurting. I’ve sat by her bed for three days now listening to her cry out in her sleep. It breaks my heart. Christ, I am so goddamn angry that I can’t sleep myself. But Bai is right. As much as I hate to admit it, Elena contributed to this hideous attack. It’s imperative she listens to both you and Bai.”

  Wan watched Wyatt pace across the room, his face anguished and hard. He understood Wyatt’s pain because he felt it himself. Every time he looked at Elena, he imagined the horror that she faced. He was wracked with guilt. He was responsible for her safety. He failed her, failed Wyatt, and failed himself.

  “Wyatt, I know Bai is rigid, unrelenting, but in this case, he is what Elena needs. She isn’t afraid of me, as she shouldn’t be. Or of you. She loves us. For the most part, she is obedient, but she does not understand the danger she faces. Being your daughter and my granddaughter brings many gifts, but many dangers. If she is going to stay in California, move away from Wyoming, at least for a while, she needs to understand the constraints on her.”

  “I agree, Wan. Bai is in the best position to protect her. When he returns, I will tell him so. He has my blessing as far as Elena is concerned. You and I are too close to her to step in with as much authority as she needs.”

  Wan nodded in agreement. “I expect Bai back here before dinner. It is important that we let him know that he has our consent to ‘manage’ the young woman that means everything to us both.”

  They sat in silence for several minutes, then Wyatt asked with a thoughtful frown, “Where did he come from, Wan? I mean, when did he become the man he is today? I saw him close up when he was in his teens when he saved Nicolas Deshi. Since then I have watched him over the years from a distance. But now, he is astonishing. His presence is remarkable. You and I both know leaders of men. We are such men. And so is Bai.”

  “Yes he is, Wyatt. We share other traits, as well. Bai is a killer, as ruthless, cruel and strategic a killer as I have known.”

  Wan added with a glimmer of a smile. “Given my associations over the years, that is saying something. The only person I’ve known who kills with as much ‘flair’ is you, Wyatt.”

  Wyatt shook his head and an ironic grin tugged at the corner of his mouth. “Hmm, is that why he seems so damned familiar? I can’t put my finger on it, but he reminds me of someone. Are you saying he reminds me of myself?”

  “I certainly see the similarity, Wyatt. And it is a compliment to you both.”

  Wyatt nodded, acknowledging the praise. “I also think it is because he is mixed race. Like Lei and Nicolas Deshi and the twins, and, hell, like Elena, Alex, and me, although we have Indian blood. But like Lei and the boys, Bai is a mix of European and Chinese ancestry. For that reason alone, he seems familiar to me.”

  Wan nodded, puffing on his cigar.

  Wyatt continued. “Whatever his heritage, someone created an extremely handsome elegant man. He reminds me of the diplomats I’ve met in Washington. Partly because of that charming French accent. Let’s face it, Wan, that kind of elegant, cultured background is unusual in a member of a Tong. The only person I know who has those characteristics is you.”

  Wan smiled. “We must be getting old, Wyatt. We are beginning to see the good in one another.”

  “Hell, Wan, my wife is more like you than any daughter has a right to be. It would be impolitic of me not to admire you, given that I love my wife more than anything in the world.”

  Wan nodded in agreement.

  There was a knock on the door. Bai stepped in.

  “Am I interrupting?”

  “No, Bai, please come in. Wyatt and I were talking about you.”

  Bai frowned slightly and turned to Wyatt, determined to deal head on with the issues with Elena.

  “I know you find my treatment of Elena harsh, but we face serious issues, Wyatt, and …”

  Wyatt interrupted, “To the contrary, Bai. Wan and I agree that you are in the best position to enforce the rules that Elena needs to follow to keep her safe. I know my daughter. I love her with all my heart. But I am not blind to the fact that she is headstrong and not afraid to confront powerful men. I am proud to say that is how I raised her. But at least at this time, in these circumstances, she needs a strong hand. I know I can’t keep her locked up on our Wyoming ranch all her life. If she is going to spread her wings and come to California, someone has to take charge of her safety. And let’s face it,” he said grinning at Wan, “She has her grandfather wrapped around her finger.”

  Wan smiled. “Some of us might say she has both her father and her grandfather where she wants us.”

  Bai was surprised. He smiled at them both and nodded to Wyatt. He was struck by how much Elena resembled her father. She had his intense blue eyes and the high cheekbones of his ancestors. But where Wyatt was striking, powerful, and commanding, Elena was exquisitely beautiful and fragile. While Wyatt’s hair was dark, almost black, Elena’s fiery red hair was her very own trademark.

  He turned to Wyatt with a pleasant grin. ”It’s understandable that you and Wan find it hard to resist her. She is a young woman with many charms. I appreciate that you understand the dangers that we face. I don’t know how much Wan has told you, Wyatt, but the California Tongs are edging up to the kind of internecine violence that is raging in New York and other cities in the East. It is a tinderbox. One match can set off a chain reaction that will be difficult to stop. Wan and I are working hard to prevent violence, but we are also preparing for it if it becomes inevitable. Elena needs to understand that. God forbid that she had been attacked by Tong members rather than the Dunwoody gang. It would have precipitated an all out war with many casualties on all sides.”

  Wan nodded his agreement. “That brings me to our dinner tonight, Wyatt. Bai has an excellent relationship with Governor Sampson. Obviously, you know the governor; his first term in California straddled your second term in Wyoming. He and Bai have had many conversations regarding the potential for Tong violence and the repercussions for California. When I knew you and Elena were going to be here, I invited the governor and his family to join us for dinner. Bradley and Ginny will be delighted to see you and Elena. They only wish that Lei could be here. It will be a social event on one leve
l, but after dinner Bai will lead a discussion with the governor and Greg Forester, his political guru, regarding the situation among the Tongs.”

  Wan turned to Bai. “It is your decision, Bai, but I know Wyatt will be interested in the initiatives you are making with the Tongs.” He looked from Bai to Wyatt and smiled. “It is unusual to have the two most strategic men I know sitting across from me. Wyatt could be a useful sounding board, Bai.”

  Wyatt nodded in response. “Wan is aware, as I hope you are, Bai, that anything you choose to say to me will be held in the strictest confidence. Wan has alluded to the work you are doing. I must say, I am intrigued. Given the importance of the Tongs to my family, in particular, and my long standing association with the Chinese community, I am pleased to be a confidant at whatever level you choose.”

  “It is my privilege and my honor to bring you into my confidence, Wyatt.”

  Bai smiled disarmingly. “It must mean that I am ‘growing up,’ if the man who has been my hero second only to Wan is interested in my work. I will appreciate your insights and perhaps after the conversation with the governor tonight, you will have more to say.”

  “You know the history of the Tongs as well as any non-Chinese man, Wyatt. As you are aware, originally the U.S. based Tongs were protective business associations formed to help Chinese immigrants in this country. Over the years, for good reasons, again many of which you know and have been a part of, the Tongs have become associated with violence and crime. We have lived in the shadows or what I refer to as benignly as possible as the ‘other side of the law.’ But like your Caballeros, we serve a beneficent purpose, as well. We protect immigrant Chinese and our interests, particularly our financial interests.

  “Simply put, I believe if the Tongs are to survive in this new century, we need to return to our original roots that as a ‘business association.’ We need to be a powerful positive force in the white community, as well as the Chinese. Just as the outlaw gangs have outlived their usefulness and are fading in importance, I believe the future of the Tongs will rest more on our economic power than on violence and intimidation.”

  Wyatt was watching him with interest. “Please go on, Bai. You are speaking a language and an approach that is not only consistent with my views, but most welcome. As you know, Lei’s and my young sons and Wan’s grandsons, are now in their teens. I want to believe that they will be part of a different Chinese community rather than one marked primarily by violence and racial hatred. Given your views, I can understand why you are trying to tamp down the current violence among the Tongs. Unfortunately, the last thing most people in the white community believe is that the Tongs are beneficent. Rather, they are viewed as savage violent organizations, much in the way Indians were when I was growing up.”

  “I know that, Wyatt. It is my great frustration with the current state of affairs. I will explain in more detail at a later point. In summary, I have been working with the smaller Tongs in the West to form an alliance based on a non-aggression pact among us that focuses on the beneficence of the Tongs rather than the violence. Many of the smaller Tongs are interested, but there are major holdouts. The Rongue Ri, for example. They see my efforts simply as a way to increase the influence of the Sing Leon. In truth they are correct. If a majority of the Tongs believe as I hope they will, and act in a consistent manner, the Sing Leon will be more powerful, as will those who associate with us. The losers will be the Tongs who insist that violence is the only way.”

  Wan interjected. “Bai is modest, Wyatt. He is viewed among the smaller Tongs as the leader of the future. The larger Tongs are understandably threatened. If Bai’s approach takes hold, their power will be dramatically diminished.”

  Bai hesitated for a moment. He exchanged a look with Wan, who nodded, confirming he agreed that Bai could tell Wyatt some of their personal plans.

  Bai continued. “You will recognize another element of my strategy, Wyatt. Frankly speaking, at this point, most of the Tong ‘resources,’ including the Sing Leon’s, come from illegal activities. Your Caballeros were once a violent gang with the sole purpose of protecting you and your holdings. Now they are a formidable force to protect and expand your financial empire. With Wan’s blessing, I am taking the Sing Leon in a similar direction. Our goal is to branch out into legitimate activities, such as import and export businesses, financial instruments, land acquisition, etc. Our wineries are a good example. Hell, last month we even bought a bank in England and two in France, didn’t we, Wan? All of our entities were purchased by shadow corporations, of course. That is another way I am following your model, Wyatt. All of our enterprises, except for our California wineries, which Wan and I own personally, are owned by holding companies, none of which can be traced to the Sing Leon. I trust you of all people understand our need for anonymity.”

  “That is interesting, Bai. I do indeed understand. You are correct. Only 1 % of my acquisitions are done under the auspices of my investment company, San Francisco Land Partners. I would rather my competition not know who they are bidding against, which ensures that I maintain my strategic advantage.”

  “Precisely, Wyatt. That is the model I am using.”

  Wyatt nodded and added with a slight frown, “Perhaps we should share our acquisition strategies, Bai. I hate like hell to think that the entity bidding me up on my next purchase is you and Wan.

  Bai laughed. “Yes, perhaps it does call for cooperation, not unintentional confrontation. We do need to talk further.” His eyes twinkled and he added with a grin, “But do understand, Wyatt, I like to win.”

  Wyatt nodded and said with as wide a grin, “Another way we are similar, Bai.” He chuckled, “Come to think of it, I don’t know when I have ever lost.”

  Both Bai and Wan laughed appreciatively.

  Wyatt returned to the political discussion. “I’m curious. How are you working with Governor Sampson, Bai?”

  “Carefully, Wyatt, carefully,” Bai said with a knowing smile. “I believe a working relationship with the white government and financial power structure is essential to our success. But in order to maintain my credibility with the Chinese, I must not be seen as a ‘sell-out,’ willing to trade their interests to get in the good graces of the white community. At this point, my work with the governor is strictly a partnership to see what we both can do to prevent Tong wars in California. I have intimated in the barest terms my strategic goals and, of course, I know you will keep what I have told you about Wan’s and my financial goals in confidence.”

  “That goes without saying, Bai. I will observe your conversation with the governor this evening with great interest. I have watched you since you saved Nicolas Deshi’s life and, as if that was not enough, you have now saved Elena. In addition, you know the role this man plays in my life,” Wyatt said, nodding to Wan. “I am grateful that he is being well served by his second in command. His trust in you is deserved, as is mine. In addition to being grateful to you on my son’s and daughter’s behalf, and their grandfather’s, I am impressed by you, Bai -- as a leader, as a strategic thinker, and as a man.”

  Wyatt stood and bowed respectfully. Bai rose to his feet, graciously returning the bow.

  ~~

  Chapter 9

  Elena stared in the mirror, ignoring the excited oohs and aahs from Angel and Francine. She tried to decide if she was as beautiful as they were exclaiming or if they were just pretending not to see the strain written on her face. How was it possible, she wondered, that she could feel such intense conflicting emotions while the two women beside her were oblivious to her obvious distress?

  How could she face Bai tonight after what had happened in the garden? She was angry with him. But he frightened her…and he confused her. She didn’t understand him. Or herself. He was arrogant, commanding, and egotistical. He was also handsome. And, dear God, he was…so male.

  She walked across the courtyard to the formal gathering room, every step forced, deliberate. Hearing the gay chatter and laughter echoing over the cobble
stones, she hesitated. For a brief moment, she almost ran back to her chambers. Steeling herself, she went to the arched entrance, took a deep breath, pasted a smile on her face and prepared to enter. Tonight, for the sake of her father and grandfather, she hoped that she could hide behind false smiles and pretend gaiety and somehow not betray her true feelings.

  She froze at the doorway, questioning her sanity. Across the room, Bai stood surrounded by women. Clearly entranced by the tall man with the knowing eyes and casual air of authority, the four women looked as though they would eat him up if they could. And why wouldn’t they? He was splendid. His lean muscular body was made for the slimmer silhouette now fashionable in men's clothing. His suit followed his body, the cuffed trouser legs were narrow and his jacket and waistcoat emphasized his lithe, powerful physique. His dark hair was tousled and hung loose at chin length. He was strikingly handsome with the languid grace of a predatory animal, with gleaming amber eyes to match.

  Looking at this elegant, distinguished man, easily the star attraction in a room of sophisticated, important people, Elena was wracked with her inadequacy. She couldn’t, simply could not, subject herself to an evening with them.

  Too late--the governor saw her and called out to her, effectively cutting off her escape. She stood trapped in the doorway, looking at the group gathered inside. If she could have one wish and one wish only, it would be that either she or Bai – it didn’t matter which—would drop off the face of the earth and never be seen again.