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

loss, as if, in some weird way, she was washing off Sean's loving touch.  Why was he such a confusing man?  She had been around Kane when he talked about Sean's habits with a woman and she could not be in that type of relationship.  Hell, she didn't want to allow her heart to open up to any man again, but he crept in anyway.  As the Don of the family, Sean had a rough and tough image to maintain, and, from what she would remember, he did it well.  Yet, last night, he was tender and selfless in tending to her during her emotional episode.

Finishing, she dried off and realized that there was no way she could put on the clothes from yesterday, but she did not know where her luggage was.  Looking around the room, she found a beautiful silk flower shawl draped over a chair; it would have to do until she found her luggage.  Walking back into the room, she was drawn to the large window overlooking the city.  The sun rising across the skyline was casting a warm glow, a new beginning of a new day. 

 

When she heard Sean say good morning, she was embarrassed that she was standing before him in only a shawl in his bedroom.  "Sorry, I thought you were still asleep.  Did you happen to bring in my luggage?"

Sean sat up.  He couldn't believe had fallen asleep and slept through the night.  Normally, he only slept a few hours before he woke up.  "I did, but I’m not so sure I want to tell you where it is; I really like the view."

Elizabeth’s Irish temper surfaced. "You could fucking turn around, like a gentleman would."

Sean laughed.  "Well I can see who you’ve been hanging out with; lassie, I never said I was a gentleman, but I did have your luggage brought up and it is over there.  Why don’t you finished getting dressed and I will go get some breakfast." 

Sean climbed out of the bed, but, instead of walking out of the room, he walked over to where she was standing.  He placed his hands on either side of her face.  "Your father will be here in a few hours.  I just want you to know, Elizabeth; I am not leaving you, ever."

Elizabeth stared into his green eyes, sensing from years of experience that he was telling the truth. For the first time in a very long time, she felt the possibility of being with someone else.

Chapter 15

 

The Leone and Morotti families made their way to New York early the following morning.  Kane and Ara were determined to be with Elizabeth when her father, Peter, arrived.  Kane had received a call from Elizabeth’s in-laws, Anthony and Monica, that they were already in town, but they would wait for him to arrive before going to Sean's penthouse.  After dropping off most of the family at the Leone townhouse in Manhattan, Kane, Ara, and Seth made their way to Sean’s penthouse.  When they arrived, they found Anthony and Monica waiting for them.  The group entered the building and walked up to the security desk.  Kane recognized one of the guards as one of Sean's men.

"Mr. Leone, it is nice to see you again."  The guard said.  "Mr. O'Leary is expecting you, please go on up."

"Thank you."  Kane responded.

The guard opened the private elevator and entered the digital code into the keypad that would allow the group to proceed to the penthouse.   Everyone was in a rather quiet and somber mood, each trying to mentally prepare to be strong and supportive for Elizabeth.  They were all aware that this was going to be very difficult for her and that she was going to need their support.  When they arrived at the penthouse, the door to the elevator opened directly into the foyer of Sean’s penthouse, where he stood waiting for them. 

"Good morning.  Please come in."  Sean offered.  "Let's go into the living room and make ourselves comfortable."

Kane, Ara, Anthony, and Monica went into the living, while Seth took his position at the elevator.  Kane knew that Sean had his own very capable security, but Seth was Ara's personal guard and wherever she was, Seth followed.  

When they walked into the living room, they saw Elizabeth standing next to one of the large windows overlooking the city.  She was dressed in black form fitting pants and a white silk blouse.   Kane walked over and pulled her into a hard hug.  "How are you, little cousin?"

"Worried."  Elizabeth whimpered. 

"We’re here for you, and won't leave your side."  Ara assured her.

"Thank you."  Elizabeth whispered.

"That is what family does, Elizabeth; no matter the blood that runs through your veins, you are family and always will be."

Elizabeth reached up and wiped a tear that had slipped from the corner of her eye.  She had tried to maintain her professional attitude to help fortify her from any emotional outbursts, but discussing Lisa was weakening the walls she had built.  "Kane, please help me find Lisa."

"The Coven surveillance and forensic teams are already operational.  They send their concern and wanted me to tell you that they won't rest until they find her."  He relayed.

Elizabeth nodded her head and tried not to cry anymore, but, as she turned towards the room, she saw Anthony and Monica, and totally lost all control over her emotions.  "Mom, Dad."  She cried and rushed over to their opened arms. 

"Shh, sweetie, we are here."  Monica cooed, stroking Elizabeth’s hair, as she embraced her daughter. 

"It hurts so much."  Elizabeth sobbed.

"I know, sweetie, but we are here for you."  Anthony promised.  "Come, let's have a seat, and come up with a game plan."

Sean watched as everyone surrounded Elizabeth with love and support.  Hearing the conversations between each one, and observing the heartwarming reunion between her and her “parents”, he was assured that Elizabeth was truly loved as one of their own; this made him happy.  He wanted nothing but the best for his Elizabeth.  Yes, he thought, she would be his Elizabeth, because he had decided he was going to pursue her.  His mother had been so right when she said that one day a lassie would come along that would be the center of every thought and dream.  

"Sean, my boy, this woman will be your sun on the darkest days, she will love you with all her heart and will protect you from yourself."  His mother had told him.

His mother had been the wisest person he had ever known and he tried to remember all the words of wisdom that she had passed along to him. 

"Mr. and Mrs. Servillo, I am Sean O'Leary; I want to welcome you to my home. If there is anything you need, please let me know."

Anthony Servillo looked up at Sean O'Leary.  He knew who he was, and was grateful he was there for his daughter, but through observations for the few moments he had been in Sean’s home, he knew that he had an eye on Elizabeth.  "We know who you are.  What time is that man going to be here?"  Anthony did not hold Sean responsible for the way Elizabeth’s father had treated her, but he was not going to permit anyone to upset his daughter any further.

"Peter will be here in about an hour."  Sean responded humbly.  He knew that Anthony was securing his position as Elizabeth’s father in this maelstrom.

"Well, I am telling you now, he may be a member of your family, but if he causes our Elizabeth one more ounce of grief because of his bias beliefs, I will make him suffer as much as she has."  Anthony growled.

"Dad!"  Elizabeth exclaimed.  "Sean and I have had a long discussion concerning Peter; as hard as it is to see him after all these years, I need to do this and to find out about Lisa.  She has been the innocent party in this mess and I love her dearly.  Sean promises me that he will not allow Peter to disrespect me, or you for that matter, and I believe him.  He has been nothing but kind and protective of me since I heard the news."

"Okay, but if he doesn't do something, I will."  Anthony barked, pointing at Sean.  Sean O'Leary may be the Don of the Irish family, but she was his daughter and he would protect her with his last breath.

Sean nodded his head, because he knew Anthony was only looking out for his daughter and he could respect him for that, because, if it had been anyone else, he wouldn't be breathing after a remark like that.  The next few hours he planned to do everything he could to build some type of trust with Anthony, because he knew that eventually Anthony would be the one that he would have to go to when then time came to make his future dreams come true.

 

 

Peter O'Donnell arrived at Sean's penthouse a little after two.  He often wondered why Sean hadn’t moved into his parents’ mansion after their deaths.  It was a much more befitting place for the Don to be living, not this bachelor pad.   He walked in and walked up to the guard desk. 

"Peter O'Donnell here to see Mr. O'Leary."

The security guard picked up the phone and dialed Sean's number.  "Mr. O'Donnell is here to see you.  Certainly, sir.  You may go up."  The guard said, as he stood up and walked over to the elevator to grant Peter access to the penthouse.  Inserting the code into the keypad for second time that day, the guard allowed Peter to step in.  As he ascended, he prayed that Sean could help him find his baby girl.  He had also wanted to talk to him about finding Elizabeth and hopefully mend the damage that he had caused all those years ago. 

Peter could still recall when he had heard that Elizabeth had been dating someone, and had wondered why she didn't bring him around to meet him.  He remembered the day he was walked into a cafe and spotted them together in a corner booth in a loving embrace.  When the young man turned his head, Peter knew instantly that he was not Irish.  He ran a background check and discovered that he was Italian and that his parents were connected to the Leone family on the West Coast.  The night that he confronted Elizabeth and demanded she choose was the biggest mistake he had ever made.  At first, he couldn't believe she had chosen the young man over him, but, looking back, he could tell that the young man looked at her like he had looked at his own wife, Melanie, God rest her soul.  A few years back he returned to the apartment, but they had moved on and no one knew what had happened to the young couple.  He had found out that she had graduated with honors, but he had not found out where she was at this time.

When the elevator finally arrived, he was greeted by Sean; beside him was a tall, menacing looking man.  He had never seen him before and wondered where he had come from. 

"Peter, how are you holding up?"  Sean asked, as he offered his hand.

"Not good, not good at all, Sean. I still