United with the Family by Cherie Benjamin (most read book in the world .TXT) 📕

"Having a day of fun, I see."

"Oh yes, Gina found me a little virgin."

"Wow, so you have had a good day."

"Yes, so what brings you over?"

"Well, I was driving by St. James’ Cathedral earlier, and I saw Kane Leone with that beauty that was working for him at Diamond Knotts on his arm."

"So?"  Sebastian questioned.

"They were talking to Grandfather and Grandmother; I don't know, something seemed off about it."

"What do you mean?"

"Grandmother had the same look on her face that she does when she looks at Simon.”

"So who is this girl?"

"I don't know, but I am going to find out."

"Great, now, how are the plans to take out the old man coming along?"

"Good, we should have everything lined up in a few weeks.  Fuck. The family is going to think that the Leones planned it, and will follow me however I lead them."

"No, however we lead them."  Sebastian smirked.

"Yes, father, we."

It was a surprisingly bright sunny Monday morning in Seattle when Kane and Ara cuddled in the back of their limo on the way to Leone Towers.  Ara was excited to get started on the plans for the new club. As she mentally organized every detail, careful to remember that the next several weeks were going to be a whirlwind of plans and activities, she anticipated everything she needed to accomplish the design.  That very evening was Erik's oath ceremony, but afterwards there was going to be reception to announce Kane and Ara’s engagement. As was customary with the ceremony, all of the high-ranking family members and their wives would be in attendance. Rosa was organizing all the details for the reception, but that didn’t mean that Ara was left to sit at home alone.  As the soon-to-be Donna of the Leone family, she would need to be in attendance. However, she still needed to buy a dress for the occasion. Kane had offered to have a buyer pick up a dress, but Ara had been looking forward to picking out her own dress. Therefore, after having a great debate, complete with yelling by both parties, followed by a round of incredible makeup sex, Kane agreed they would go after lunch to look for a dress.

Before they knew it, they were at Leone Towers. Erik exited the front seat, and surveyed the area for any signs of danger.  Once he was confident that they were in the clear, he opened the back door and Kane and Ara exited the vehicle, and quickly entered the building, and into the private elevator to their offices.

"The architect that the family maintains on retainer will be arriving in about thirty minutes."  Kane said as he held tightly to Ara's hand. David Grant was a third generation architect, whose family had worked with the Leone family for years.  Over the decades, the Grant family had designed most of all the buildings that the family owned and could be trusted to maintain secrecy of any activities that they may have observed.  Of course, they were paid handsomely for their loyalty.

"Great.  I will get everything I have ready.  Where do you want to have the meeting?"

"You can use the conference room across from our offices."

"Okay.  By the way, I love you."

Kane turned and pulled Ara into his arms before he claimed her lips in a searing kiss.  When they both were out of air, he pulled away and gave her one of his signature smirks.

"And I love you, soon-to-be Mrs. Leone."

Ara’s heart skipped a beat.  Mrs. Leone. Arabella Leone. Ara Leone. Arabella Morotti Leone.  Yes, the last one scared her, but she knew she needed to embrace the name.  She was going to be Arabella Morotti Leone Donna of the Leone/Morotti Crime families.  Kane and she had talked about the name and they both agreed that Leone would always be first, but, out of respect to her heritage, she would honor her grandparents by using the Morotti name.  The heritage that went along with the Morotti family needed to be always represented and the blood that flowed through Ara veins would be passed to the next generation, solidifying the union of the two crime families.

They arrived on their floor and walked toward Ara's office.  Kane stopped just outside her door,

"I am going to do a few things in my office, will you be okay?  Erik will be sitting just outside your door at all times."

"I'll be fine."

"Good.  See you soon."  Kane said, giving her a quick kiss.

Ara walked into her office. As soon as she shut the door, Kane turned to Erik.  "That woman is my life, please don't let me down."

"Never, Kane."

Ara gathered all the information she had researched and designed on the new club and took it over to the conference room.  She busied herself setting up the PowerPoint presentation, along with all the designs and schematics she had amassed. Soon she heard Kane's voice along with another male voice in the hall.  Quickly straightening her dark blue dress, she turned to the door. In walked a tall, dark skinned man with black hair and piercing black eyes. He was well dressed in a designer black suit.

"Ara, this is David Grant, our architect.  David, this is Ara White; you will be working with her on the design and specifications of the club."

David walked over to the stunning young woman.  Fuck, she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.  Reaching out and taking her hand, he started to bring it up to his lips to kiss.  But, before he even reached halfway, he saw the extremely large diamond ring on her finger.  Shit, she was engaged.

"Oh, by the way, David, this beautiful and talented woman is also my fiancée."  Kane smirked.

He saw the way that David had leered at Ara; hell every man that even looked at her for longer than a passing glance noticed how fucking beautiful she was. However, he knew that Ara was his and his alone.  So he allowed David to reach for her hand. When he stopped short after he saw the diamond, he had to smirk to himself. That’s right, motherfucker, she is taken.

"It’s an honor to meet you, Miss White." David said, dropping her hand after a quick shake.

"Likewise, Mr. Grant. I have everything setup, and am ready to get down to business.  Please come in." Ara said. Once David had passed her, she looked up at Kane, who still had his smirk proudly displayed on his face.  "You are in so much trouble, Mister."

Leaning down and whispering into her ear.  "And what, little pet, are you going to do me?"

Ara pulled back and looked dead into his eyes.  It was now or never. She needed to see if she could do it, so she pulled from her inner Donna.  Tapping her finger on her chin, she whispered, "I do seem to recall where I can find a paddle and some rope."

Kane’s mouth fell open...Did she just threaten to tie him up and spank him?  Never had he had any woman threatened him like that; he had never wanted to be a submissive. Fuck it; when Ara said it, the thought turned him on instantly.  His cock was now hard and it wanted nothing more than to plunge deep inside of its home. Fuck! He could not do anything right now; maybe after the meeting as she lay on his desk.  Turning back to her, he whispered, "later."

Ara gave him a smirk, and turned her attention back to David Grant.

"Mr. Grant, let's get started, shall we?"

Kane left to allow Ara to do her presentation.  As much as he wanted to stay, he wanted Ara to stand on her own; he was confident she would do a great job.

Over the next hour, Ara presented all the ideas she had for Eclipse to David.  David was in awe at the level of detail that she had shown him.

"Miss White, this is excellent. I am sure I will be able to come up with a set of plans that will cover each of the concepts and concerns that you have detailed."

"Wonderful! Do you have a timeline for submitting the initial draft plans to me?"

"I should have something for you in a few weeks, if that is okay with you."

"The sooner, the better; I need this project to get started to allow me to work on the back end materials."

Damn, David thought.  This woman was not only gorgeous, but also an intelligent and shrewd businesswoman.  Why had he not found her first?

"Certainly, I'll be in touch.  We should exchange contact information, should there be any questions."  David prompted, hoping that he might have a chance to sway Miss White away from the evil hands of Kane Leone.  Yes, he and has family had worked for the Leone family for many years. The contracts with the Leones had definitely subsidized much of his family’s wealth, but from all he gathered from this meeting, Ara White was worth the fight.

Ara glanced over at David.  While communication between them for this project was essential, there was something about David Grant that caused her intuition to set off warning bells.  Kane had told her that David had worked with the family before, but there was something about the way he looked at her that had her hesitating in giving him her contact information.

"Actually, Mr. Grant, you can reach me here if you have any further questions.  I am sure you have that number, am I correct?"

"Yes, I do, but what if I have questions, and you are not in the office,” David was certain that this would seal the deal and get him the number he desired.

"Oh, I am sure they can find me."  Ara said, trying to play it off. "Come, let me walk you out."  Ara walked toward the door and opened it, relaxing instantly when she saw Erik sitting next to the door.  Just knowing that Erik was close was very comforting.

"Mr. Grant, thank you again for your time, and I hope to hear from you soon."

"Please, Miss White, call me David."

Ara looked up at Erik, hoping he noticed her distress.

Erik immediately noticed that Ara had an uneasy look about her and then he looked at David.  When he did, he noticed that he appeared desperate. Shit, he had to react quickly to ease Ara’s tension, and show Kane that he made the right decision in placing himself in a position of such importance.  If Ara was not happy, Kane wouldn't care whether or not he was good at his job. He would take him out no questions asked. "Mr. Grant, I'll walk you to the elevator. Miss White, Kane wanted you to come to his office as soon as the meeting was over."

"Thank you, Erik.  Goodbye, Mr. Grant."  Ara said as she walked away from them and to Kane's office.  As she opened the door and walked in, she saw Kane behind his desk, leaning back in his chair with his feet upon his desk, talking on the phone.

"Uriel, I don't give a fuck.  I want to know where he is and I want to know today.  Call me as soon as you find him."

Ara walked over behind Kane’s head, leaned down, and began