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

“Fine.”  Kane whined. 

Ara was wearing a short black suit from Chanel.  She had found the dress when she was in New York and knew it would be perfect for the Ceremony.  She had also found her dress for formal reception in Vegas.  Kane hadn’t seen it yet and she was sure he would be all over her once he did. 

“I have something for you.”  Kane said, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a red velvet box.  He opened it; inside was a pinky platinum ring with the Coven crest engraved on it. 

“Oh, Kane, it is perfect.”  Ara cried, taking the ring and placing it on her right pinky finger.

The Don and Donna were ready to perform the ceremony that would join the most skilled teams in the world together.

The Coven team members would all be getting their insignias after the allegiance ceremony, during the reception afterwards.  Steve was bringing in a team of ten additional artists to assist with the large group of members.  Booths were going to be setup along the wall of the Coven chamber, allowing members to get their mark when a booth was vacated.  There was a catered reception where they could mingle and get to know their team members, as well as their new Don and Donna.  Each team member would be provided with the travel itinerary for the Vegas trip, as well as a surprise bonus check.  Kane and Ara were aware of all the effort and hard work the members had been providing in getting the teams equipped and up and running; not to mention their contributions during the apprehension of Sebastian.  Showing that appreciation would go a long way.

The team was assembled in the great hall.  Kane and Ara both had been very excited about finding the location.  It was a large cavernous room with balconies overlooking the main area.  On the back wall, they had the Coven crest placed on a stone slab.   Minimal lighting was throughout the entire room, except in the large circle in the center of the room where two bright lights illuminated whomever was standing there.  This was the center of power for the group. 

Kane and Ara walked into the room and took their positions in the center.  Looking around the room, they were amazed at the sheer power that the shadows of the team projected.  These men and women were going to be the most lethal group in mafia history, even surpassing their mentors, Monster Inc. from the 1940s. 

“The Commission members, please step forward.”  Kane commanded.

Uriel, Erik, Roaland, Reinzo, Sal, and Tony stepped forward and faced Kane and Ara.

“The task before you comes with great responsibility.  Your decisions on the contracts submitted will ultimately determine the life or death of intended targets.  All decisions must be made with just cause, without regard to any outside influences.  You will determine the contracts without emotions, consideration of monetary value, or the relationships involved.  All contracts that end in a tie, will be submitted to myself and your Donna for the final vote.  There will be no rescinding of the final decision.  You will be called upon on a weekly basis to meet and review submissions.  You will not discuss any Coven matters outside of the confines of the family.  You are to report directly and only to myself, your Don, and Arabella, your Donna.  The only release from this oath and your position on the Commission is to be granted such by us, or by death.  Do you swear your fidelity to the family, to uphold the rules and laws of the group?”

“We do.”  They confirmed.

“Stand behind us, facing your teams.”  Ara commanded.  The Commission followed her command and were now standing behind their Don and Donna facing their team members.

“Men and Women of The Coven, do you hereby swear your allegiance?  Do you vow to follow all orders dictated by your Don and Donna as passed down through the Commission?”  Kane asked.

“We do.”  Came the thundering voices of the team members.

“Do you swear to maintain and conceal from everyone but members of the Coven the existence and mission of this organization, upon penalty of death until the day you die?”  Ara asked.

“We do.”  Came the resounding agreement.

“Then, from this day forth, you are avowed members of and will function as part of the elite team and family of The Coven.”  Kane and Ara both stated proudly.  “Please join us for the welcome reception.  You will each be marked with the insignia of The Coven.  Tattoo artists have been placed around the chamber ready to provide your insignia.  This is the opportunity to celebrate the new beginning and to meet your fellow team members,  so we might get to know each of you better.”

Many of the members mingled with Kane, Ara, Nazario, Zachary, and even Sean, who had been invited to attend while he was in town.  It was intimidating to everyone; the sheer amount of power occupying the room at one time. 

Kane noticed that, for some reason, Sean seemed slightly irritable this evening.  Once he worked his way over to him, he questioned, “Hey, Fucker, what’s got your panties in a twist?” 

Sean was irritated all right, but Kane actually managed to make him crack a smile.  “Got some problems with a Colombian group trying to worm their way into my territory.  I warned them once, now I am about to get real on their fucking asses.”

Kane looked at Sean and noticed that he was serious.  “What Colombian group?”

“Roberto Cortez’s punks.  They’ve been selling in my territory.  One of those fuckers tried to knife me while we were in NY.  I sent his fucking ass back to his fucking boss to deliver the message, but apparently the fucker doesn’t speak fucking English.  I have been on the phone with Liam off and on all night.  Looks like I may be your first client.  I want the fucker done.  Maybe we can meet with the Commission tomorrow and have a sit down and go over the facts?”

“Definitely.  We would be proud to have you as our first client.  Let me get with the Ara and we will arrange a meeting tomorrow.”  Kane responded.  He was almost giddy at the thought of having their first client before even having the show in Vegas.

“So how is it going with Elizabeth?”  Kane asked.

Sean smiled brightly.  “Great.”

“Really?”  Kane questioned, leaning close.  “So, how great?”  Kane smirked, raising his eyebrows up and down.

“I am not telling you anything, asshole.”  Sean growled.  He was about to tell Kane that they had not taken their relationship to a physical level.  He was allowing Elizabeth to set pace on their relationship.  During the last few weeks, they had talked daily on the phone, he had sent flowers, chocolates, and a charm bracelet with a claddagh on it, with a note saying “more charms to follow”. 

“Fine, fucker.”  Kane laughed.  “Enjoy the rest of the evening.”

“I will, I have a Coven Inc. member to find.”  Sean smirked as he walked away to spend some time with the woman he loved.

Sean entered the conference room that held the six members of the Coven’s Commission.  After introductions were made, Sean submitted his case for the execution of the crime boss, Roberto Cortez, of Colombia.  After hearing Sean’s statement, he was dismissed to allow the Commission to discuss his request.  The Commission unanimously agreed to accept the Coven’s first contract for a hit.  Sean signed off on the contract with the Coven, then transferred the required $750,000 dollars into the designated Coven account.  The Commission then convened with the assigned team leaders to provide them with the pertinent information for their first job.  There was a palpable excitement to the meeting.  This is what they had trained and prepared for.  Although they were able to demonstrate their skills to some degree with the Sebastian abduction, this was to be their first professional hit.  Each team leader ensured he or she had all the facts that would affect their particular team’s skills.  There was no room for mistakes on their very first assignment.  This hit would set the standard for all other requests when deciding whether or not to utilize the Coven’s talents. 

The logistics involved in accomplishing a hit of this caliber were anything but simple.  First the target was international.  Second, the target was a semi-celebrity as a male model. Third, the operation could in no way be traceable, nor leave any shred of evidence of who accomplished the hit, or who requested it.  Most people thought that it was as easy as finding the target and shooting him.  But that is not how this highly trained killing team would perform their task.  Planning out every detail and then executing the hit in such a way that the actual hit would not be detectable, but the result simply with his death from natural causes, was brilliant.

The surveillance team would be the initial phase of the operations, gathering all the intel possible on Cortez’s schedule, habits, routines, and travel.  It would not be easy to do, but the team felt sure they would be able to do it and do it very fucking well.  It would take time to gather the needed information, plan the job, execute it, and clean up all evidence that would link it to them or to Sean.  Roberto Cortez was going to die, but it would appear he died of natural causes. 

Elizabeth was taking some time away from the team to join Ara over at the Rehab center to talk to Portia and deliver a gift to her.  They arrived at the center with Seth and Ben, who stepped out of SUV and surveyed the area for any threats.  Kane had taken them aside before they left and asked them to extra vigilant.  He couldn’t exactly pinpoint why, but his intuition told him that something was not quite right.  When they felt that it was safe, Seth opened the door and Elizabeth came out first, followed by Ara.  Seth enjoyed being Ara’s bodyguard.  She was as compassionate as she was intimidating, and had proven that she was a kickass leader.  He had enjoyed taking her to her weekly training sessions, both target shooting and her hand to hand training.  The first time he had seen her on the firing range, he was shocked.  He was sure that if he had tried to out shoot her, it was possible that she might beat him.   Yet she still struggled in hand to hand combat, but she never stopped, even though she spent most of the time on her ass. 

Ara and Elizabeth walked into the center and were met by Portia.  She looked so much better than she did when Ara had first met her.  She knew it was because she no longer had to endure the stress or brutality of her toxic husband. 

“Ara, la mia bellissima figlia, it is so good to see you.”  Portia cooed.

Ara engulfed Portia in a tight hug.  “Anche tu, I’ve missed you.”

Portia pulled back and with a bright smile.  “Let’s go have a cup of tea and talk.”

Elizabeth and Ara followed Portia into her apartment.  The design team had done