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

Ara had been coordinating with Portia, Brook, Claudia, Maggie, and Rosa to finalize the construction/interior design of the club, and the proper care of the new staff.  A meeting was to be scheduled to select the new managers for Diamond Knotts and Solar Eclipse.

They had been blessed with good people under them so the day to day business of the family had settled down and was running smoothly.  Both sides of the family were getting along and were becoming more trusting of each other, which was a huge step. 

Ara was sitting in her office when Kane came in to discuss the issue of the club managers.  Eclipse was nearing completion, all the permits were finalized, and they were waiting for the final occupancy approval.  The staff had been training and were prepared to begin their new positions. 

“Can I have a minute of your time, love?”  Kane asked as he bent down to kiss the side of Ara’s neck.

“Keep that up, and it will take more than a minute.”  She replied with a smirk.  “What can I do for you, husband?”

“I have the file here of the applicants for both of the club manager positions.  I wanted to go over them with you and see what you thought.  You know that we need a trained Dominant for Knotts.  Someone who is known in the community and is versed with the rules.  A trained Dominant would be best, but they also require strong managerial skills.  I was hoping we could find someone in the family, but after going through each of the names, no one seems to meet the criteria we have set.  These applications are from applicants outside of the family.  Most are the result of the feelers we sent out through the BDSM community and club owners throughout the country.  It is a short list of candidates.”

Kane and Ara went over the applications and turned over their top pick’s personal information to Simon to begin his extensive background check.  Of the five applicants, three were immediately dismissed after Simon’s background check; he had detected red flags for questionable activities and complaints.  This left two highly qualified candidates.  The remaining applicants were summoned to Seattle for a face to face interview. 

The first candidate was Carmine Thomapolis.  Carmine was currently managing a five star club in Los Angeles, The Mayan.  He was 6’5”, 240 pounds with an olive complexion and greenish brown eyes.  Kane and Uriel were both familiar with Carmine, as they had hung out while attending UDub.  He was familiar with the BDSM community, however, he was more tailored to the needs of Solar Eclipse.  When Carmine took over The Mayan, it was a somewhat popular hotspot with a two to three star rating.  During the last five years, Carmine was able to capitalize on the club, raising it to five stars, and making it the “It” spot to be in LA.

The other applicant was a gentleman named Andy Garcia.  He was the operations manager of The Drake in Houston, Texas.  It was a high-end bar on the lower level, but the upper level was an exclusive member’s only BDSM club.  Simon’s background check had come back crystal clear.  He was 6’3” tall, dark skin, jet black hair and piercing violet eyes.  He was a trained Dominant and was in good standing in the community.  On paper, he presented as the perfect choice for Diamond Knotts.

Andy Garcia arrived at Leone Towers and was in the reception area waiting for his appointment time.  He had heard that a new club was being opened, but what interested him more was the name of the owners of the club.  He had heard of the Leone family for years and wondered if all the stories were true.

“Mr. Gracia, Mr. and Mrs. Leone are ready for you.”  Gina said.  She escorted Mr. Garcia the conference room where Kane and Ara had designated for the interviews. 

Kane and Ara rose from their chairs to shake Mr. Garcia’s hand in welcome.  On the table were the questions that they had agreed would give them a clear picture if the candidate was what they were looking for in a manager. 

After Mr. Garcia had answered the questions about his experience, ideas he may have had in club improvements, and his expectations for income, Kane was ready to wrap-up the interview.  When asked if he had any questions for Kane and Ara, he eluded that he did.

“I’m hoping that this is not offensive in any way, but, in this industry, you hear things.  I was curious, and well, felt that if I am selected for the manager position of either club, I should be completely informed of, you know, things.”  Mr. Garcia stuttered.

“What type of things are you referring to, Mr. Garcia?”  Ara asked.  She gave Kane a stealthy side glance.

“Well, you know, about your family being in the mafia.”  He eluded.  When he saw the glance shared by Kane and Ara, he instantly knew he had made a mistake.  He was curious who his possible employers truly were.  Was he wrong in wanting to know?  He felt he was really wrong right this minute.  “Never mind, my mistake, I am sure it was just gossip.”

Ara smiled at him while removing Kane’s death grip from her thigh under the table.  She knew he was about to reach for his gun, and that would not bode well for anyone.  “Mr. Garcia, frankly, I am not sure what you may or may not have heard, but I can assure you that you are here to interview as the manager of one of our clubs.  There is nothing nefarious about our businesses, nor should you concern yourself with anything other than the running of said club, should you be selected for the position.  Any other questions?”

“No, no, ma’am.  I am humbly sorry if I have offended you or Mr. Leone in anyway.”  He offered as he rose from his seat to leave. 

“No problem, Mr. Garcia.  If you had offended us, as you so delicately put it, you would surely know by now.”  Kane responded with a sneer on his face.  “I think this interview is concluded.  Have a nice day, we will be in touch.”

“Yes, yes, thank you both for the opportunity.”  Mr. Garcia offered as he practically sprinted out the door.

Ara turned to Kane and busted out laughing, “Seriously, husband, are you affiliated with the mafia?”  She asked as she placed her hand on her chest in mock horror.

“I’ll show you affiliation, Mrs. Leone.” Kane responded as he raced to close and lock the conference room door.

The interview, a few hours later, with Carmine was the complete opposite of the prior interview with Mr. Garcia. Carmine was extremely charismatic, knowledgeable, experienced, and the perfect selection for Solar Eclipse.  Carmine was delighted to see his old college buddy, and expressed his happiness at his recent nuptials.  He noticed what an enigmatic couple Kane and Ara were, and already felt at ease in their company.  He felt that this venture would prove beneficial for all of them.  Kane and Ara certainly knew that the choice was made at the conclusion of the interview when Kane suggested that perhaps they could get together for drinks, along with Uriel, Carmine felt sure the job was his. 

Ara was thrilled to at least have one of the manager positions filled, and could not wait to share the news.  She phoned Brooklyn, and together they invited Elizabeth, Portia, Maggie, Rosa, Claudia, and Katrina for a girls’ day out.  Ara had made arrangements for them to enjoy a day at the spa, then dinner.  As soon as she told them about the interview with Mr. Garcia, Claudia piped up, “Is he still breathing?”  After everyone quieted their laughs, Ara turned to her grandmother, “For now.”  Again, everyone burst out laughing.  After their meals, everyone discussed the itinerary for the club opening, and staff, and other statistical information that needed to be fine tuned.  It was truly a memorable dinner, and so nice for them all to get together.  As everyone was preparing to leave the restaurant, Katrina hugged Ara. 

“It has been a long time since we got to just relax.  I have missed you girl.”  Katrina stated.

“Oh, trust me, I have missed you, too, sweetie.  It seems like I have been on a non-stop rollercoaster.”  Ara responded sincerely.

“Well, we will have to make it a monthly habit to get together like this.  You know, I was thinking while you were talking about the interviews, and wondered, have you selected anyone for Diamond Knotts?”

“Not yet.”  Ara responded, but it was obvious that Katrina had someone in mind.  “Did you have someone we should consider?”

“Well, I was thinking of Uriel’s brother, Peter.  He has trained most of the Doms who are members at the club, not to mention, Kane as well.  I was wondering if anyone even considered offering him the position.” Katrina asked.

Ara smiled.  “You know, Katrina, you may be onto something.  I’ll talk to Kane about it when I get home, and see what he thinks.”  They went their separate ways after embracing once more.

Later in the evening, Kane and Ara were at home, waiting for Steve to arrive.  Kane had informed him earlier, when they were going over the supplies needed to tattoo the entire Coven membership, that he felt it would be more intimate for him and Ara to have theirs done in the privacy of their home.  Steve was more than happy to comply, with the knowledge that the fee he was getting for this job was more than he made in six months in his shop. 

Kane had decided he wanted his tattoo over his right pec, leaving the spot over his heart for a future tattoo that he had in mind. 

He and Ara had multiple discussions on where to place her tattoo.  The first spot was the on her back near the shoulder blade, but Kane felt that since she would be wearing evening gowns at many functions, that it was not a good spot.  Then Ara suggested another location, which caused Kane to blow his top.  There was no way she was getting it on her ass.  NOT GOING TO HAPPEN!  Ara couldn’t understand what the big deal was, but Kane would not allow anyone to have that much access to her ass; it was his.  Finally, it was decided that the original location they thought of, her upper right thigh, was the perfect spot.  Kane would not be leaving the room while she got her tattoo; he liked Steve, but he was still going to have his hand near Kane’s prized possession.

The day of the ceremony had finally arrived.  Every detail of the ceremony had been checked and rechecked.  Kane was dressed in Armani black suit, crisp white shirt, black tie, and the cufflinks that Ara had gotten him for the occasion.  They were platinum with the Coven crest engraved on them.   As he finished placing them on, he turned to find his beautiful wife standing with her foot on the chair, adjusting the strap on her shoe.  Her long, toned leg brought images of it and its partner wrapped around him as he drove his hard cock deep inside of her.  Since their return from Boston, they had taken every available opportunity to be wrapped around each other.   Kane hoped each time  would be the time that the new legacy of Leone empire would be conceived.   He walked over and placed a kiss on her leg before taking his long tongue and swiping it up to her knee, causing goosebumps to form.

“Kane, stop that.”  Ara moaned unconvincingly. 

“But, baby.”  Kane cried.

Putting her leg down, and grabbing his necktie, she pulled him