The Golden Dragons

By Jiani Yu

Edward is the son of the most feared and powerful Triad leader in Hong Kong. And Edward wants very little to do with it. All he ever wanted was to have a quiet life without being involved, but that’s not what his father has planned. Edward is sent to Connecticut with Winston, one of his father’s trusted associates to run a high-end Chinese restaurant. At least until his father could either find something more family involved or until Edward came to his senses.
That's until Elana, a restaurant regular comes into the picture. From the moment Edward first saw Elana, he was captivated by her and had to have her. Even if it meant going against his family and being disowned forever. Can Edward and Elana’s love be enough to withstand the pressure from Edwards father powerful grip.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Nov 23, 2011
• ISBN: 9781105307850

Jiani Yu

Jiani lives in Southwestern Connecticut with her daughter. When she is not traveling out of the country, she can be found in New York's Chinatown or in Flushing, Queens. Jiani is a member of the Romance Writers of America and CoLoNY - Romance Writers of Southern Connecticut and Lower New York. She is currently working on the second part to "The Golden Dragons" and "Seoul to Soul"

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The Golden Dragonscover chinese_dragon_tattooblk'.jpg

The Golden Dragons

Jiani Yu

Copyright November 2011 Lulu Press

ISBN: 978-1-105-30785-0

Email: [e-mail]

Cover  Concept by Jiani Yu

Photo and tattoo artwork by Andy Shou

Editor Lady J.

This is a work of fiction.  Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or used fictitiously, and resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.  All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book, or portions thereof, in any form.

This book is dedicated to

The One that makes a way when there is no way. To you I owe everything. To my sister in spirit Judith Gott-Jones. We have climbed some mountains, let's hope the next valley we come to is a much longer walk before the next mountain.

To Lady Orchid aka T. Sparks, thank you for words of encouragement from the start and for making me laugh.  To my sisters at BWLBi (Rain) for allowing me to post.  To my daughter Alexa for artwork.  And to Andy Shou for the masterful tattoo artwork used on the cover.

Chapter 1

Edward Huang, the owner of the Golden Lotus Restaurant stood behind the bar flipping through one of the local newspapers to pass the time, business was slow after lunch. You could hear the cooks in the kitchen restocking for the dinner rush.  He looked down at his silver Chopard watch checking the time, fixed the charcoal pinstriped Versace suite jacket and the light blue cuffs on his tailored shirt. Edward glanced it himself in the mirror that hung behind the bar, making sure that his hair was not out of place, he smiled.

Elana always came in, the same time every Friday, 6 pm sharp with her girl friend, Darci.  It was a pleasure when the two came in, but Edward specially liked the one named Elana.  She was the one he had his eye on for some time.  She stood about 5’6", caramel smooth colored skin and chestnut brown hair.  He was unsure of where it would lead, but he knew that he was ready to get back into the game again. His last serious relationship had been five years ago and it was a total disaster.  He was ready and he wanted to make Elana his own.

Winston, his partner was a slight built man that stood about 5’7.  Edward stood over Winston easily at 6.  He was chain smoking Main land Chinese man, by way of the Hong Kong underground.  A womanizer, loved to gamble on anything, and anyone. If he could make a buck off you, he did.  He was a very cold calculating man whose only family was triad.  Edward detested the idea of his father sending Winston to help him run the business. It wasn't the business his father was concerned about he just knew how his father’s mind worked, he was forever reminding you who was in control.  Winston’s presence was just that.

Edward had just looked up from the watch when a white BMW pulled up in the and parked.  He smiled, threw the newspaper under the counter and announced to the staff in Mandarin that customer’s were coming.

A pair of slender bare, caramel colored legs were the first thing you saw emerge from the driver’s side of the car, an equally stunning were a pair of brown slender legs appeared from the passage’s side. If one did not ask, you would assume that they were sisters.  Edward could hear their laughter as they entered in the door.

And just what are you two ladies up to this evening,

Nothing yet Darci answered.  

How are you this afternoon, Elana asked.  She wore a designer beige twill dress with stripy sandals to match.

Some old thing, Work, sleep, work, Edward replied?  

Edward sat them across from the cashier area that way, he could appear to be working, yet keep his eye on Elana.  Just then Winston came from the office and walked over to the table where Darci and Elana sat.

It is always a pleasure to see you two come in, so what will you two be eating tonight?

Elana smiled, Well, it all depends on how hungry we are.

Just let me know when you’re ready?

Winston walked over to the cashier counter and stood by Edward.  Both would bring in good money,  Winston said to Edward in Chinese. 

Edward looked at Winston and replied, Why is everything about a profit with you?

Winston smiled and said with a laugh, Money is what makes the world go 'round.

Winston reached for  the bottle of plum wine and took down two glasses, still speaking in Chinese, Well, tonight is as good as any night, I've got a plan for mine. Winston handed Edward one of the glasses, let’s get this show on the road. 

Edward and Winston both walked over to the table where the two ladies sat and watched Winston carefully as he poured the plum wine.  Winston was also infamous for slipping knock out drops too.   Edward was determine that Winston would not get a chance to slip anything in Elana's drink.  Edward handed Elana her glass of wine as Winston handed Darci hers. 

Here’s a glass of wine to get you two started. Edward said.

The wine flowed freely during the dinner, Edward could see that after two glasses Elana had reached her limit and Darci was on her fourth.  Winston was about to pour more wine when Elana announced that she had reached her limit and that she was the driver, don’t worry Edward will see that you get home and I’ll see that Darci gets home.

Well, in that case keep it coming. Darci laughed. 

Elana smiled at Edward who was back at the bar cashing a customer out.   She motioned for  him to come over to the table.

Edward, it looks like Winston has made you my designated drive. In which case, I need to get home. she said slowly hoping that she did not miss pronounce any words.

Edward smiled, and thought to himself just how much of a lady she was even when she had too much to drink.  Edward offered his hand to Elana and helped her up.

Don’t’ do anything that I wouldn’t do, and if you do, do it right? Darci said with a giggle, I’ll call you in the morning. 

When they walked out a side into the parking lot there was a warm summers night breeze that blew a slight whiff of Elana's perfume in Edwards direction. He inhaled it's fragrance and for a moment, he was lost in her.  Edward opened the passage side for Elana, helped her in and fastened her seatbelt. 

By the time he had walked around to the other side and got in, Elana appeared to be sleeping.  Her was head tilted towards the passage side and rested on the seatbelt. He started up the car, backed out of the space and drove towards Elana's apartment.

Do you know where I live? she asked with her eyes still closed.

Edward let out a little laugh, I should, you order enough from the restaurant. he replied.

I hope you're not implying that I don't know how to cook. with her eyes still closed.

Oh no, I never...  I'm sure you know how. And have a good reason why you don't.  

Edward waited for Elana to reply, but she didn't. All he could hear was her breathing ever so quietly as he drove towards her apartment. It wasn't until he had pulled into a parking space at her complex that she woke up.

I see we made it.

Elana didn’t seem to worry about Edward coming into her place.  Most guys wouldn’t get pass the lobby door.  But Edward,  she liked him a lot, he was tall and built.  He reminded her of her boyfriend from high-school.  Elana took her shoes off and asked Edward if he would like anything to drink.  He shook his head no and walked over to a group of photos on a table.  He could tell by looking at the pictures that Elana loved to take pictures.  Edward spotted a couple of pictures with Elana, and an older couple.

They must be your parents? he asked.

Yes, there my parents. they live in Hawaii.

Edward took the picture and looked at it more closely. You’ve got your father’s eyes and your mother’s mouth. He said.

Elana laughed, Both of my parents were in the Army and I had the privilege of traveling.  I finished high-school in Hawaii, and college in Connecticut. 

She then took Edward by the hand, led him to the couch.  Elana asked him in Mandarin if he had family in Connecticut.

Edward looked at her in disbelief, You speak Mandarin? 

Elana laughed, I wish you could see your face! 

Edward laughed, You are full of surprises, aren’t you?  She smiled, if only he knew that she had heard him say the first time they met, he would die!"  Damn he thought, I wonder if she ever over heard me talking about her.

I see you like all kinds of music, specially jazz  Edward said hoping to clear his thoughts. 

Elana got up from the couch and stood next to him, I love jazz, she replied, how about you?

Edward let out a little laugh, You are full of surprises aren’t you? he asked. 

What do you mean? she replied. 

Nothing. It’s just like you’re too good to be true.  And yes, I do like jazz. He said with a smile, I’ll bring over my CD’s, you’ll like them.

Edward walked toward the door, he didn’t want to over stay and most certainly he wanted to be welcomed back.

Well, I better get back.  I have a business to run. 

He turned to face Elana, Let me give you my number that way you can give me a call when you’re not working, but then again, that’s all the time.  she joked.

Edward smiled, Well who knows, maybe things are about to change. 

Elana wrote down her number and handed it to Edward.  He took hold of her hand and gently pulled her toward him, and kissed her on the lips.  For a brief moment, they both stared at each other,

Well, I better be going, I’ll call you tomorrow, bye.

Goodnight Edward, and thanks for seeing me home. 

Edward stood on the other side of the doorway and smiled to himself, yes things were indeed about to change.  He had just walked outside when he looked up and saw Winston sitting in his car waiting for him. 

I take it things are not going as we had planned, but by the look on your face I’d say you may be on the right track.

Time Edward said, all in good time.

Back at the restaurant things was busy as always, Edward couldn’t wait to get home.  And when the last customer was gone, staff cleaned up, money counted, Edward and Winston had a beer and talked.

Winston had took Darci home only to find out that she still lived with her parents, so he asked if she would like to go to china-town in the city one weekend, and of course she said yes. 

Edward didn’t speak much about Elana, his plans were totally different from Winston.  Winston looked upon Darci and Elana as profits for their organization.  Elana however, would not become a part of that, he wanted her all to himself. 

Winston waited for Edward as he set the alarm and locked the door to the restaurant.  They both got into their cars and grove off.  On the way home Edward listened some R&B and thought about Elana.  Things had to change, he had been living a non existing life in the organization for as long as he could remember. 

Here he was thousands of miles away from Hong Kong, sharing a house with six restaurant staff.  It was time he made a change and soon.  When Edward got home some of the guys were still up playing cards and drinking. One of the guys asked if he wanted to play or have a drink. No, not tonight. 

He went into his room and closed the door.  Ever since he had gotten back from Elana’s she was all he had been thinking about.  He wanted her so bad, he could still remember how soft her hands and lips felt.  Just thinking about her made him get a hard-on.  Edward took off his suit and put Elana’s number by the phone, he would call her in the morning.  Turning on the shower and stepping in, he hoped that it would subside his urges, but the thoughts of Elana was still implanted in his brain.  He knew tonight would be the longest night he had ever had.

That night Elana laid in bed and listened to Darci go on about Winston.  Darci was in to older men and Winston was the man she needed to get away from this small town.  Elana listened for a while and told Darci that she was going to sleep.  She hung-up the phone and dreamt of Edward that night, she wondered if he had ever been with a black woman. 

Morning came quickly and, peeked it’s sunny head though the window .  Edward did not want to get up as he had tossed and turned all-night.  He picked up the phone and dialed the number, the phone rang twice. The voice on the other end was still sleepy, it was soft and early above a whisper.

Did I wake you, I can call you later if you like?

No, I was just laying here thinking about you.

Oh, I hope it was good,  Elana smiled.

Yes, it was very good and how was your sleep.  Edward smiled, Couldn’t sleep, I was too busy thinking about you.

Well, I just wanted to say good morning and find out if it was ok to come by after work tonight?  It would be around 11, 11:30.

Of course it’s alright, I’m looking forward to seeing you.

Well, I’ll let you go back to sleep.  Maybe if I get a free moment, I’ll call you.

That would be fine, I’ll see you later, bye.  Edward said good-bye and hung up the phone, he turned over and thought of Elana once more.

Next time the phone rang, it was Darci on the other end.  Girl, rise and shine.  We need to get dressed so we can get the stores.  I need to get me something to wear, because Winston is going to take me out after he and Edward get off   tonight.

So, you and Winston are seeing each other, where’s he taking you?

Chinatown, to see the Chinatown no body see.

What’s that, the opium rooms, gambling a hotel room?  Girl, you better be careful. Elana laughed. 

Look who’s talking, who’s to say that Edward won't sell you in to slavery.

Um, I’ll be his slave any time. 

They talked for awhile and agreed to met at Darci’s house.   At the mall, Darci went straight for the make-up counter.  She loved cosmetics!, and shoes, and clothes, and..... If Darci had her way, she’d live in a major department store.  After spending almost three hours shopping Darci was ready to go home. 

Darci, dropped Elana off at her place, Hey, do you think it would be alright to have Winston pick me up at your place?  I don’t want my folks bugging me about going out so late.

Like you never left home late before?

Yeah, but not that late!

Sure, but you can’t spend the night, I might get lucky and the last thing I need is you disrupting my groove.

They both burst out laughing and give each other a high five.  Elana got out and went into her studio apartment.  There wasn’t much to clean because it was small and besides she didn’t like a lot of clutter anyway.  She put away her shopping and decided to relax before her big night.

10:30 pm Darci arrived to begin getting ready for her date.  Elana had just gotten out of the shower and was on the phone talking to Edward.  He had called to see if there was anything she needed before he came over. 

Darci had already spoken to Winston and he would follow Edward over to Elana’s place.  Elana and Darci set and watched the television monitor for their dates to arrive.