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

Looking down at her watch, Ara saw it was time to check the tests.  “Elizabeth, it’s time, will you go with me?” 

“Of course, sweetie.”

They walked in the bathroom and over to the vanity.  All the tests were turned over facing down. 

“On the count of three we start flipping them over, agreed?”  Ara asked nervously.  Elizabeth stood there nodding her head with a huge grin on her face.

“One, two, three…”  They each started flipping over the test sticks to see a glowing plus sign on each.  The girls hugged each other, jumping up and down in excitement.  Tears ran down Ara’s face and both hands were now placed on her flat stomach.  “I am going to be a mother.”

“And a wonderful mother at that.  Ara, I am so excited for you and Kane.  I hope one day this will be Sean and me.”

“It will be, have faith.  Oh my God, I need to tell Kane, but I think I’ll wait until we get home.  I want to make it special.  Can you get rid of all these except one and transport it back to Seattle for me?”

“Of course.”  Elizabeth agreed, Ara another hug.

Elizabeth took the tests and got rid of all but one, which she packaged in a plastic bag and placed in her suitcase.  Ara would be getting it from her when they arrived back in Seattle.

Ara sat in the living room of the suite later that afternoon, staring out at the Vegas skyline.  She was going to be a mother.  A mother.  She was carrying Kane’s baby.  The smile and tears wouldn’t stop.  She never thought she could be happier with her life, but this little person growing inside of her made her rethink everything. 

Kane returned a little while later and found his lovely wife sitting in the living room reading a book.  He stood and watched her for a moment and counted his lucky stars for bringing her into his empty life.  “Hello, sweetheart.”

“Kane, did you have a nice time?” 

“Yes. Gregory is an old friend of Dad’s and wanted to catch up.  What did you and Elizabeth do with your day?”

“We went shopping over in the bazaar.  I even picked up a few things you might even like.”

“Really and what would those be?”  The visuals going through Kane’s mind were endless.

“Why don’t I show you?”  Ara said with a sexy smile.

“Well, lead the way, my little minx.”  Oh, yeah, this was going to be a good day, Kane thought.

The rest of the afternoon was spent using the toys that Ara had purchased.  In the end, the couple collapsed into an exhausted afternoon nap.  When they woke up, they began to get ready for the final reception. 

The conferences and demonstrations that were conducted had impressed the family heads. Inquiries were made, answers provided, and Contracts were already being negotiated.  It appeared that the Coven Commission and Coven were going to be very busy.  If the rumors were true, the income expected would exceed both the Leone and Morotti families combined.  Kane and Ara were both convinced that this would alleviate any concerns the family members had at the initial meetings when the idea of the Coven were discussed.  Now, it was time for the closing reception.

Kane dressed in his new Armani tux that Ara had purchased him, a crisp white shirt, bow tie, and the Coven cufflinks. 

Ara had purchased a beautiful gown for the occasion.  The top was a fitted bustier in cream with black lace, with a cream bottom containing inserts of the black lace.  She pulled her hair up into an elegant updo and placed the diamond and emerald necklace that Kane had given her around her neck.  Looking in the mirror she was pleased with the way she looked.  She didn’t look like the same Ara that she was in May; this woman was the Donna of the most powerful family in the country. 

“Fuck, baby, you look great.”  Kane moaned, wrapping his arms around her and placing a kiss on her exposed neck.

“Thank you.  I am excited for this evening to be over with so we can get back home.”

“Me, too.  I think we need to have a little session soon, my pet.” 

Her heart rate picked up, and shivers rolled down her spine at the thought of returning to her Master’s playroom.  Work had put a damper on time they were able to spend enjoying each other in the playroom.  “Whatever you think is best, Master.”

“Fuck, baby, you can’t say things like that to me before we have to leave the room.  Damn, now I will be hard all night until we get back.

“And I will take care of you when you get back, I promise.”  She purred as she ran a hand down his chest.

“All right, come on, let’s get this show on the road.”  Kane grumbled, wanting nothing more than to strip her and bury his hard cock deep inside.

The reception area had been beautifully decorated in the colors of the Coven’s black, white, and red.  Ara and Rosa had provided detailed instructions on what they required.  The tables were covered in white linen table cloths, with black napkins.  The place settings were white china with black chargers.  In the center of the table was an arrangement of blood red roses in crystal vases.  It was a very powerful and elegant presentation.  The head table was occupied by Kane and Ara, along with Nazario, Rosa, Zachary, and Claudia.   The Coven Commission and their wives were put at a table to the right of the head table and to the left was the table containing the team leaders of Coven, Inc.  Dinner was served and the wine and liquor was flowing.  All the heads of the families seemed to be getting along, which shocked more than one person. 

Ara had been careful about not drinking any wine with dinner.  She had been happy that no one seemed to notice that, but, after drinking all those glasses of water, her bladder was screaming.  “Sweetie, I need to use the restroom, I’ll be right back.”  She whispered to Kane. 

“Let me get Seth.”  Kane said as he began to rise from his seat.

“No, I will take Elizabeth; it’s just down the hall.  We’ll be fine.”  She assured him.

“All right, but be careful.”  He was trying not to smother her in protection, with all the families in attendance, but he could never be too cautious.

“I always am.  Love you.”

“I love you.”  Kane stated.

Ara walked over to the Coven team leaders’ table and whispered into Elizabeth’s ear what she needed.  Elizabeth got up and went with Ara to the bathroom. 

They finished up and were on their way back when the lights went out on the entire floor.  They heard yelling and screaming coming from the reception area and then gunfire.  Elizabeth placed herself between Ara and the room, above all else the Donna of the family must be protected, but Ara was struggling against her hold to get back to make sure everything was okay.  Elizabeth was reaching in her purse for her nine mil as they opened the doors.  They saw people running out of the doors at the front of the room, with their guns drawn protecting their loved ones the other families rushed out, but suddenly they heard Erik’s booming voice echoing through the room.  “Get a doctor here now!  Kane doesn’t have a pulse.”

Ara tried to get around Elizabeth to run to Kane, causing Elizabeth to drop her gun.  At that precise moment, someone grabbed Ara from behind and placed a cloth over her mouth.  Before closing her eyes for the last time, she saw that Elizabeth was in the same position with a hooded man holding her with a rag over her mouth.  As she was blacking out Ara’s mind was on one thing and one thing only, the love of her life was dead.

Publication Date: 06-19-2019

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