United with the Family - Cherie Benjamin (book reader for pc txt) 📗

be burned in your hand and your heart."

Nazario lifted the picture, set it on fire, and placed in Erik’s open hands.

"As burns the symbol of this saint, so will burn my soul. I enter this pledge full of life, and will depart it only with my death."  Erik proclaimed.

At the end, he was allowed to drop the card and in doing so, he was now a made man of the family.

The bottle of Jameson was opened, and cigars were handed out.  Members lit their cigars and soon each hand had a tumbler of Jameson.  A toast was given and Erik beamed with pride and joy.

"Gentlemen, thank you for coming this evening.  My lovely wife has prepared a wonderful reception; let us go enjoy the rest of the evening with your lovely wives."

The entire family walked past Erik, shaking his hand and welcoming him to the family.  When the last member left, the only ones that remained were Nazario, Kane, Roaland, Uriel, and Erik.

"Erik, son, welcome.  You have already been given the most important duty in the family. I am sure you will ensure that our future Donna will be protected."

"With my life." He swore.

"Kane, it’s time to get Ara; I will give you a cue to walk in."

"Thanks, Dad."

Kane left the room and went to his old bedroom. When he opened the door, he found his dazzling bride-to-be looking through photo albums.  "FUCK."

Ara looked up and giggled loudly.  "Love the bubble bath pictures."

"Who gave you those?"

"Oh, Rosa brought them to keep me company.  You really were a cute baby."

"Were?  I'm not cute now?"

"Oh, baby, you are beyond cute."  Ara cooed.

"Fucking a.  Now, let’s go, love, Dad is getting ready to introduce us."

Ara stood up and smoothed her dress with shaky hands.  Damn, she was nervous. What if they didn't like her? What if they did not think she was good enough for Kane?

"Ara, love, don't be nervous; they are going to love you."

"Are you sure?"

"Hell yes.  If not, I'll just shoot them."  Kane deadpanned.

Ara was shocked at his comment, but then she saw the mischievous look in his eyes.  Damn him.

"Fuck you, asshole."  Ara huffed.

"Oh, baby, I will, later; don't worry."  He smirked.

Walking arm in arm, they arrived outside the room where Rosa had set up the reception.  They could hear talking and laughing behind the doors. Then, they heard Nazario as he began to get the members' attention.

"Family, Rosa and I have some wonderful news that we wanted to share with all of you this evening.  As you know, Kane has been preparing to take over the family, but he needed to find a wife. We are excited to announce that he has found a woman who is going to be a remarkable wife to your new Don.  So, ladies and gentlemen, I would like to introduce the newly engaged couple, Kane and Ara."

Kane placed a kiss on Ara's lips and walked into the room, one-step toward the rest of their life. 

 

Chapter 21

 

As Kane and Ara walked into the door of the reception room, everyone was on their feet clapping and cheering.  They walked up to where Nazario was standing on the small raised platform, holding hands and smiling as they turned to greet the family as a couple for the first time.

"Thank you.  We can't wait to usher in a new era for the Leone family.  We may be a little mischievous in some areas." Kane joked, chuckling, as did entire family.  "But the main thing in our hearts and minds is that, we are a family. This woman beside me has already started helping the family by designing and heading the building project of a new business that will take over the site where Puss and Boots was previously.  The projected revenue for this project will be higher than any other business we own... (Cough) legally.    My father has given me a big pair of shoes to fill; he has spent the last 28 years of his life building, watching, and protecting this family.  It is his confidence and leadership that will assist me as the new head of the family. I, with his guidance, hope to be worthy of his legacy. When the transition is complete, I will strive to ensure a bright and prosperous future for this family, until the next generation is ready and willing to take over the reins.  I know you once you get to know her; you will love Arabella, and will put her under your protective wings, because she is the love of my life, and the mother of our future generations."

As Kane finished his speech, every member of the family stood, took out their gun, and laid it on the table; a sign that they would protect of Arabella with their lives.

Ara watched and was confused at what was happening.  Kane leaned over and whispered in her ear the significance of their actions.  As soon as Kane explained, tears formed in her eyes. She could not believe that a week ago, she was without a family and now, before her, there were so many who would pledge to protect her with their lives surrounding her.  Kane wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. His strength and love, gave her the courage to stand tall and address the family.

"Thank you for your love and protection.  I promise with my last breath to love, honor, and protect the family."  After Ara said that, all the wives stood beside their husbands and everyone began to clap and cheer.

 

"Thank you, everyone, now let us sit down and eat this very expensive meal which my wife charged to my credit card."  Nazario joked.

Kane and Ara walked over to the head table, where Nazario, Rosa, Roaland, Di, Iezekiel, Kate, Uriel, and Erik were seated to enjoy the meal.  Rosa had the wait staff from one of the clubs come in; because she knew she could trust them. Dinner was served and everyone moaned in enjoyment of the food.

 

"Fuck, Mom, this is good."  Kane moaned.

Rosa laughed.  "I wondered when it was going to come out.  I couldn't believe that you didn’t say fuck once during your entire speech."

"Fuck, I didn't realize that."  Nazario said.

"Well, we know where he gets it from."  Rosa stated, patting Nazario's arm. "Like father, like son."

Ara listened to the banter between them and counted herself very fortunate to be part of such a loving, caring, and cheerful family.  Then she wondered what it would have been like to have parents like Nazario and Rosa growing up. And, in that moment, she promised herself that when Kane and she had children that she would be exactly like Rosa and Nazario.

"Are you okay?"  Kane questioned, placing a kiss on her temple.

"Yes, just thinking."

"I love you."

"Oh, Kane, I love you, too."

Kane leaned in and captured her lips before parting them, and then caressing her tongue with his.  His hand found the top of the slit of her dress and slipped his hand inside. As he began to move his upward, he found that the little minx was wearing one of his favorite pieces of lingerie, garters.

Kane pulled away from her delicious lips.  "You know what garters do to me."

Ara’s tiny hand reached over and palmed his now hard cock.  "Hmmm, he is ready to play."

 

Kane placed his hand over hers and held it.  "Minx."

Ara giggled.

"Ara, have you set a date yet?"  Kate asked.

"Yes, actually we have, August 8th."

Rosa screamed.  "August 8th?! Oh my! We have so much to do."

Nazario reached in his pocket and pulled out his wallet, and then grabbed his credit card and handed it over to Rosa.  "Damn, I don't think it even had a chance to cool down."

Rosa took the card and, to the surprise of the table, stuffed it down the front of her dress.  "Don't want to lose it." She remarked, giggling happily.

The rest of the dinner was spent talking about the wedding.  Di offered to help and so did Kate. Ara knew she would need a total of ten attendants, since it was a traditional Italian wedding.  She, of course, wanted Katrina to be the maid of honor and she wanted Brook as a bridesmaid, but she needed three more.

"Kate, I would love to have you as a bridesmaid."

"Of course, I would love to."  Kate gushed.

"Thank you."

"So, is Zachary going to walk you down the aisle?"  Uriel quipped.

Kane’s head snapped toward Uriel.  Had he lost his fucking mind? Kane stood quickly and, with a murderous look in his eye, he barked at Uriel.  "Uriel, a word."

 

Kane quickly glanced at his father, who nodded his head once, giving him permission to handle Uriel any way he saw fit.  Uriel had always been a loyal member of family and he had been Kane's first choice as Capo, but, over the last week, he had made several major mistakes and in this world that would not, or could not, happen.

Kane leaned down to Ara’s ear and whispered.  "I'll be back, baby."

Ara was as shocked as Kane at Uriel’s question.  Yes, most of the people knew her heritage, and what was about to happen, but Iezekiel and Kate did not, and neither did anyone else that may have overheard Uriel’s comment.  Kane was so pissed that she couldn’t help but wonder what was about to happen to Uriel.

Kane walked out of the reception area, through the den, and out to the back of the house.

"Patrol the grounds and don't come back until I tell you."  Kane barked to the two guards stationed at the back of the house.  They nodded and then left.

His heart was pumping hard and his temper was boiling.  He stood in the middle of the yard and took a few moments to center himself.  This is where being a Dominant helped. The control and discipline helped him to think before he reacted.  He turned and saw Uriel standing about five feet away from him. Walking over to him, he took his hand, swung around, and connected it with Uriel's jaw, whipping his head back.  Before Uriel could right himself, Kane reared back and, with all his strength, punched him in the stomach, causing Uriel to fall to his knees, gasping for air.

"Uriel, you have seriously disappointed me.  You are my motherfucking Capo and you are supposed to watch my back and protect me.  However, every fucking time I turn around, you are questioning my decisions; you fucking knew that we were keeping the information about Ara's heritage quiet. What the fuck do you do but mouth off in front of uninformed members of the family about it?  Tell me why I shouldn't take out my gun and end your sorry ass right this minute?"

Uriel raised his head. His jaw felt like it was broken, and the pain from Kane's hit in the stomach still hurt.

 

Fuck, what was going on?  When Kane had put him in the position of second in command, he was beyond excited.  The Leone family had been so good to him and his family. His father, Roaland, was Nazario's Capo and to keep the police clueless, Uriel went by his mother's maiden name.  He and Kane had played together as children, and, as they got older, they began learning about the