"How's Lei?" Enishi asked his wife.

"Still groggy... He pushed me out of the way from the first attacker." Sumi paused and blurted, "I killed so many."

"It was kill or die and you were protecting Lei. How did you get Pearl to fight for Lei?"

"I didn't, she did that on her own. Maybe because he always sneaks her apples or when he was hit, Lei made a cry like a baby animal. I don't really know."

"Were you blind with rage?"

She shrugged. "I thought he was dead because I was careless and dropped my guard."

"You fought well," he took her still trembling hands into his. "What you did was just. Not man, nor heaven, will judge you."

"Let me scrub your skin," Sumi said and began to do just that, after he released her hands.

Once he finished his bath, he found Sumi in their room. He took her into his arms, waiting for the shock of what happened to dissipate. She stayed with her face against his neck for a long time.

"I'm okay now," she announced. "Have you found out anything about the attack?"

"Let's see what the men have to report," Enishi suggested, got dressed and made his way downstairs.

She checked on Lei once more and then followed. Yuesheng came in with his Russian men and announced that the British attack had come from Beijing, due to the salt smuggling ownership rights. He got permission from Enishi to handle it himself. After he left, Enishi made arrangements to go to the Water View Gardens. The salt merchant Zang Yingchen had the government rights to transport and sell salt in Changlu and surrounding regions. That meant the salt merchants of Changlu would be the ones supplying Beijing. To display their wealth they created gardens, that showed the harmony of nature and human control. Tianjin was the transhipment and transportation centre of the salt trade in Changlu. Enishi was going to discuss the salt smuggling and create alliances with these salt merchants. Sumi decided to go with him and left Lei in Feng's care. They travelled by train and Enishi flexed his wealth, creating a buzz among the citizens.

The salt trade in China and even the exports to other countries was an extensive network. Salt taxes were severe in China and the average food stall or restaurant couldn't handle the prices. Salt smuggling wasn't as dangerous as arms dealing or opium smuggling, but still had its own risks. Money meant nothing to Enishi, however it helped him gain power over the weaker and greedy men. The rest was controlled by fear; of his wrath and now Sumi's assassins blades. She played her part as his lethal shadow; dressed in her armoured fighting clothing, carrying the two curved blades that Enishi had gifted to her. Sumi stuck to the shadows, with her existence hidden until necessary.

Zang Yingchen was discussing salt smuggling routes with Enishi. When the man tried to downplay his involvement, Sumi's sudden blade on his neck, changed his mind. "I apologize sir, let me show you the current network."

Enishi raised an eyebrow, as signal to Sumi to sink back into the shadows. The map was laid out on the table. Two areas interested him and he requested the names of the controllers. Again he was met with resistance. Enishi threw an apple from the side table of where he sat and two halves landed in Yingchen's lap. He had not heard, nor seen who had cut the apple.

Yingchen shivered when Sumi said in his ear, "next time my blades will slice your head in two."

"Lady Killer?" Yingchen asked in a whisper.

"I'm not as deadly as my husband," she laughed. Sumi went to stand beside Enishi.

The salt merchant couldn't see her face, because the hood was pulled low. He did see her grinning mouth and the two curved blades she held in her hands. When he looked at the man seated across from him, it seemed that she was mistaken, because he was completely still. But when eye contact was made with the current Shanghai Mafia Boss, the devil incarnate was what he saw. This time the threat was loud and clear.

Yingchen stuttered. "You can have that map of the smuggling routes and government check points."

Enishi took a stack of money out of his sleeve and threw it on the table, then stood up. The salt merchant couldn't hide his flinch, thinking he was going to be harmed.

"Make sure word gets out that I will be more involved in our salt trading." Enishi turned his back on the man and with Sumi walked out.

"Please wait! Might you view our garden?"

Sumi nodded and Enishi agreed to visit the garden. It was visually relaxing, the union of water, plants and buildings. There were connecting bridges throughout the garden. Since it was now evening, the fireflies made their presence known, enrapturing Sumi. She was completely distracted, so Enishi went into his Frenzied Nerve state. He did however pause on a bridge, to kiss her deeply.

"It's so romantic," Sumi said softly.

"We shouldn't linger too long, there are eyes on us." Enishi warned.

"Are we returning to Shanghai or staying the night?"

"All business is done here, we'll return home."

"Then let's not delay any further." She sucked his earlobe into her mouth, pressing her body into his. "This place has stirred up my need."

He smirked and they made their way out of the garden. When Yingchen met them, Enishi complemented him. "Maybe one day I'll have you design a water garden as grand as yours for my wife."

Yingchen bowed deeply. "Until we meet again."

** ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ** ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ **

Bolin met them at the train station in Shanghai. "Yuesheng has taken control of Beijing. His transition to your position is moving along smoothly Boss."

Sumi asked, "does he still partake in Opium?"

"Yes ma'am. Currently the Russians are watching over him, as he is sleeping off the opium."

"If you wanted to in the future, it would be easy to take his position as boss."

Bolin smiled at her. "I have no such desire, unless he tries to get rid of me first."

"You are the only reason he has come as far as he has," Enishi praised. "In the morning we'll have a meeting to discuss the salt smuggling. Right now my wife gets all of my attention."

Sumi winked at Bolin and they got into a rickshaw of a coolie they knew. From the port to the mansion, the coolie told them everything that had been happening locally. Enishi paid him well and then followed Sumi into the house.

Feng welcomed them home, "the children are in bed. Lei is back to his usual self, but wants more combat training. Are either of you hungry?"

"No we ate from a food stall at the train station. Thank you," Sumi replied and holding his hand, pulled Enishi upstairs.

**~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ** ~ ~ ~ ~ ~**

[MATURE CONTENT]

"Enishi I have this deep ache inside me and it's calling for you."

He spread her legs and his fingers felt just how much she wanted him. Her eyes watched his face, while he got Sumi ready for his invasion. But she was impatient and took his manhood in hand and guided him inside. She wanted him further and further in. Their rhythmic union, was slow and sensual at first, allowing his mouth to explore her body. The skin on her throat and chest became heated. Enishi stared into her eyes, seeing his lust reflected. But tonight there was an undercurrent of naked lust too. She clenched, capturing his cock in a tight grip and gave him a cheeky grin. He flipped them and took her from behind, slapping her ass, when she took too long to get in position. Grabbing her hips, he thrust into her with reckless abandon. This frenzied union didn't mean that he'd let her escape him, because he wanted to torture her with pleasure. When Sumi moved almost into a sitting position, he put his arm across her chest, holding her in place. Enishi remained in control, but she surprised him by moving so that his forearm was against her neck. Sumi pushed her neck into his arm, partially choking herself, submitting to his will. He bit her shoulder and her lower body demanded release.

Sumi's panting changed to groans of pleasure and then she demanded, "NOW! Now Enishi!"

He obeyed her, as he knew he would, sending them crashing over the edge of existence. Light and dark merged into the indulgence of love. Only the two of them were in that moment, their exact essence linked by passion for each other.

"I think I'm falling... I'm falling deeper into you," Enishi admitted and collapsed beside her.

"I love you and won't let you down in it.... Also you were right, the more we do this, the more I want and the better it gets."

Enishi pulled her cooling body closer to him. "You make me feel so alive."