United and Dangerous by Cherie Benjamin (the speed reading book .TXT) 📕

There would also be specific testing for each of the four units.  The teams would be broken down into the Forensics Team, the Surveillance Team, the Termination Unit, and the Cleanup Crew.

The Forensics Team would be given a series of tasks to solve. This could be anything from determining poisons presented, fingerprints, or determining the type of weapon used to complete a kill.  One of the Leone’s contacts on the police force was going to provide some cold cases as test criteria for the team to research and possibly find something that previous forensics specialists may have overlooked.  This had Ara thinking of a use for the teams on the legitimate side during those occasions where there was time between assignments.

The Surveillance Team would be tested by placing them in a fabricated scenario that would be designed to address each method of surveillance that could be used to maintain the eye on a subject.  Gerardo, a senior member of the former Morotti, was chomping at the bit to be the subject of this test.  He swore no one would be able to keep him in their sights.  He was eager to give them the slip.  The team would be using every type of equipment available, to include cell phone monitoring, video and audio bugs, landline taps, and physical surveillance.  They would be given a specific amount of time to ascertain the subject’s routines, habits, acquaintances, and, eventually, apprehend the subject.  At the end of the time specified, the team members should be able to provide exact details about the subject, down to the kind of food the subject eats for breakfast.  In an actual scenario, the Surveillance Team is only to ascertain the information needed by the Termination Unit, however, there may be a situation that may require apprehension, and they needed to be prepared. 

The Termination Unit was a little more difficult to test.  It wasn’t as though there was a hit available to test them on at the moment, although Sebastian certainly would make for a nice test run.  So they would be testing on all the various weapons that Uriel was procuring.  They would also be tested on numerous physical limits.  Just how long could they stay cramped in a ventilation duct before their muscles cramped, or claustrophobia kicked in?

The Cleanup Crew would be given various fabricated scenarios to which they would have to respond and remove all traces of evidence that anything occurred on the premises.  This task would be timed, and the Forensic Team brought in afterwards to determine if they could find any traces of evidence of a crime.  Kane planned to get with the guys who used to do cleanup for the Leones, and see if they were interested. 

All in all, each test would be designed to push each member of a specific unit to fine tune the knowledge, skills, and abilities they were bringing to their unit.

As Kane and Ara were going over the Coven’s plans, they were interrupted by a knock on their office door.  Kane responded to enter, and when the door opened, in walked a smiling Erik with his arm wrapped tightly around a smiling Brook’s waist.  "We're back!"  Erik boomed.

"Erik, Brook, it is wonderful to see you."  Ara said as she rounded the table, went over to Brook, and gave her a big hug.  After finishing with Brook, she turned to Erik and hugged him as well.  Kane had also come over to the couple, and, after shaking Erik's hand and giving him the typical one arm hug, he then gave Brook a genuine hug.

"Oh, Ara, isn't it wonderful?  I can’t even tell you how happy I am; there are just no words to express it."  Brook cried.

"Yes, let me see the ring." 

Holding out her hand, Ara admired the glimmering pear shaped diamond and matching wedding band, which looked exquisite on Brook’s hand. 

Ara was surprised that Erik had picked out a really beautiful ring, go figure.  "Tell me all about the wedding."  Ara begged, grasping Brook's hand and taking her over to the couch in the office.

Once sitting, Brook began to tell Ara how Erik had planned every detail of the wedding, from the rings, to the flowers, and even her dress. 

"Oh, Ara, I was so nervous when I unzipped the bag, but started crying like a baby when I saw how beautiful it was.  It was a long form fitting gown with a flare at the bottom.  The top of the gown was a strapless sweetheart neckline and the bodice and body of the gown had flowers with Swarovski crystals. The bottom of the gown was made of sheer fabric, which also had flowers and Swarovski crystals.  And I don't know how he did it, but it fit like it was made for me."

"Oh, Brook, please tell me you have photos."  Ara was so excited for her friends, but she also wished she could have been there for them.

"Erik hired a professional photographer, so we have loads of pictures.  And, Ara he had reserved the honeymoon suite, which was decorated with rose petals and candles; it was so romantic.  We didn't want to leave."

Ara looked up to find Kane looking at her with a forlorn look.  She knew how he felt.  Yes, their wedding was spectacular, but they hadn't had their honeymoon; maybe sometime soon they could just get away, even if it was just a few days.

"Hell yeah, baby."  Erik said.  He would have stayed forever if they could have.

"Well, we are glad to have you back.  Did he tell you everything about the new family dynamic?"  Ara asked Brook.  Girlfriends were only told a limited amount of information on the family, but, once they become wives, they were then privy to more.

"Oh my God, Ara.  I had no idea what was really going on, and you are now co-leader of the family." 

"Yes, I am, Brook.  There are a lot of responsibilities and duties.  The merging of the families has caused the implementation of filtering out several previous ventures of a distasteful nature.  It has required me to initiate a new project; I was wondering if you could help me?"

"Of course, you know I would love to help you.  Just tell me what you need."  Brook answered.  Over the next hour, Ara explained the phasing out of anything to do with the prostitution ring the former Morotti family oversaw, and went over her ideas on the rehab project she was spearheading.  Once Brook was brought up to date on the plans, she came up with several more ideas, and was thrilled that Ara had asked for her help.  Erik and Kane had come over and sat with them as they had their discussion and Brook had decided to hire someone to work her store, so she could spend quality time with the project.  Erik was so proud of his wife. 

Kane informed Erik about the situation with David and how Mr. Grant was no longer going to be a problem.  Erik, of course, wanted details, but Kane didn't think Brook should hear all the gory details, so he told Erik they would get together later over a celebratory drink and fill him on the details then.  Erik and Brook left, but Erik said he would be back later after he took Brook by her shop.  Kane had been kind enough to allow him the time off, but it was time to get back to work and do his job, protecting Donna of the family. 

After Erik and Brook left, Kane and Ara resumed work on the Coven’s plan.  They were going over the list of Bosses they were going to invite to the meeting to go over progress on the plans for the Coven.  Kane had assured Ara that, currently, there was no enterprise like this and the other family Bosses would appreciate the ability to have somewhere to go to discreetly discuss and remedy their problems.  Moreover, once the word got around the underworld about the services they discreetly and efficiently provided, they would be so busy that the income generated would satisfy any previous doubts or hard feelings the senior members had.  As Kane was making the list, Ara was sketching out a design for the Coven’s insignia.  They had talked about having a singular design that incorporated something from both of the former families that would encourage a feeling of unity under new Coven family.  She drew an eagle, with a cross in the middle bearing the name Coven.  The eagle’s talons each clutched a gun and a knife. 

Kane looked over and saw the drawing Ara was working on and was impressed at the detail that she had incorporated.  He could see this as the symbol of the Coven.  "Ara, baby, that is fucking great!"

"Really?"

"Yes."

Ara looked back down at the drawing, bringing her bottom lip into her teeth as she studied it, and wondered what it would look like as a tattoo.  She had wanted to get a tattoo for years, but, with the cost of school, she could never afford it.  However, she could see this being her tattoo.  Looking out the side of her eyes, she then imagined what Kane would look like with it on his chest.  Fuck, just thinking about this tattoo embedded into the muscular flesh of his chest made her extremely wet and horny as hell. 

Kane looked over and saw that Ara’s skin was flushed soft red color, with a slight sheen of sweat on it, and her breaths were shallow.  Fuck, she was very aroused. He wanted, no, needed to know the reason behind it.

"Baby, what’s got you all hot and bothered?"

"Nothing."  She lied, her cheeks growing redder with her denial.

Kane pushed back his chair, reached for her, and pulled her toward his lap to where she was straddling his legs, her skirt was now hiked up her legs, and the tops of her stockings were showing.  Kane loved her in stockings.  His cock was hard and getting harder by each passing second.  Rubbing a hand up and down her stocking covered leg, he leaned in and began nuzzling his nose on her neck, right behind her ear.  Fucking God, she smelled so good.  "Tell me what it you are thinking that has you so aroused, and I will make it happen."

Ara could feel his engorged cock; it was perfectly lined up right in the spot that she needed.  She began to rub her silk covered pussy over his pants covered cock, trying to get the friction she so desperately needed. 

Kane moved his hands up, grabbed her hips, and held her still.  She huffed with frustration.  "Tell me."

Looking up into his lust filled eyes with her own lust filled eyes, she licked her lips, leaned in and huskily answered.  "I was thinking about you with the Coven insignia design tattooed on your chest; I would have mine on my thigh."

HOLY FUCK!  She wanted a tattoo, and on her thigh, too, where, unless she was wearing a bikini, he would be the only one that would see it.  "You want a tattoo, baby?"  He stuttered out.

"Yes and I want one on you as well.  A matching pair."  She grinned.

"Fuck, baby, that is so fucking hot.  We have a guy in the family who does tattoos, so we can go see him.  But, right now, I want to be buried in your hot little pussy.  Just picturing you with that tattoo has me harder than marble."

"Please!"  Ara begged.

"Lean back, baby."

Ara leaned back, and placed her elbows back on the desk, while Kane unbuckled and unzipped his pants as his cock jumped out, long, thick, and the tip weeping.  He reached up and pushed her panties to the side and thrust his way home.

"Oh, baby, you are so fucking wet and tight!"  Kane moaned as he thrust his hips harder and harder. 

"Kane,