United with the Family, Cherie Benjamin [read after .TXT] 📗

 He was her grandfather, but she did not want anything to do with the criminal activities.  Shit, was that a double standard? She was okay with the Leones running guns, and being hit men, but not what her grandfather's family did.  Drugs were a definite no, too many lives are destroyed by them, and human trafficking was wrong on so many levels. However, somewhere deep inside, she wanted to meet him.

"Yes, but not alone.  I would need Kane with me."

Kane did not like the idea of Ara meeting Zachary, but he also knew she had questions that only he could answer.  Hearing that she would not meet Zachary without him by her side, made him feel better. "I would never leave your side, if it is something you want to do.  Dad, what do you think?"

"I think Ara has a good idea; maybe we can talk to Zachary and make him see that you and Ara are a great team.  Zachary has always been very level headed, but my main concern Sebastian and Kurtus and their reactions. Kurtus has been biding his time until Zachary decided to turn over the reins.  But, now that Ara is the oldest grandchild, I don't know if that is going to happen."

"Nazario, I could never be a part of the type of business they conduct.  I find it disgusting and vile."

"But you are okay with what we do?"  Nazario questioned.

"Surprisingly, it doesn't bother me."

Nazario smirked; damn, she was one fascinating young woman.  Kane was going to have his hands full with her, much he did with his lovely Rosa.

"Well then, let me call Zachary."  Nazario pulled out his phone and dialed Zachary’s private cell number.

"Hello, Nazario."  Zachary answered.

"Hello, Zachary.  I would like to meet with you if possible."

"Really, about what?"

"Zachary, we know about Ara's heritage."

"Okay, when and where?"

"The sooner, the better; you are welcome in my home.  I will guarantee your safety." Nazario looked at the clock. It was 10:00, and he knew Kane would want a diamond on Ara's hand before meeting with him.

“How about twelve thirty?"

"Fine, I will be bringing Tony."

"Not a problem; we will see you then."  Nazario hung up and placed the phone back in his pocket.  "He is bringing Tony. Kane, I think you should call Uriel, and have him here as well."

Kane pulled his phone from his pocket and called Uriel telling him to be at Nazario’s house at twelve fifteen.  As soon as he had finished talking to Uriel, Maggie brought in Erik.

"Erik, it’s so good to see you."  Rosa said, giving him a hug.

Erik, the kind, good hearted man who loved life, picked up Rosa and hugged her in a big bear hug.

"Erik, put me down."

Erik chuckled and placed the woman he considered a second mom back down on her feet.

"Erik, glad you could make it so soon.  I have something I want to talk to you about, but first I want you to meet someone.  Erik this is Ara; Ara this is Erik."

"Glad to meet you, little lady…damn…you're hot."

"Erik, shut your fucking mouth; you're talking about my fiancée."  Kane barked.

Erik whipped his head around and stared at Kane.  "When the fuck did that happen?"

"This morning.  Anyway, sit down; we have some business to discuss."

"Erik, you have done a great job with everything we have asked you to do, so Monday you will be a made man."  Nazario said.

"REALLY?! Thank you, thank you.  I promise to make you proud." Erik said.

"I have all the trust in the world that you will.  As of this moment, you are Ara's bodyguard. Whenever she leaves the home she and Kane share, you will go with her.  She is working at Leone Towers with Kane and me."

"Is there a threat I need to be aware of?"

"We will be discussing that after a meeting this afternoon, but your main concern is to protect her with your life."  Nazario said.

"I will."  Erik said.

"Great.  Kane and Ara are getting ready to leave to do a little shopping, so get to it."

Kane and Ara said their goodbyes to Nazario and Rosa and went out the front door to find Ben by the car waiting for them.  Kane assisted Ara in the car and turned to Ben.

"Ben, make sure you have your weapon handy at all times.  Also Erik will be Ara's bodyguard from now on."

"I understand. It is loaded and ready."  Ben said.

Kane turned and looked into Erik’s eyes with a deadly serious look.  "She is my life."

"I understand, Kane; I won't let you down."

"Great, Ben take us to Valdo's."

Kane got in the back with Ara, while Erik rode in the front with Ben.  They sped to the jeweler, whose family had made rings for the Leone family for generations.  Kane knew that Valdo would have the type of ring that Ara deserved on her finger.

They pulled up in front of Valdo’s Jewelry; the outside of the building was dark red brick with the wood trim painted in a soft butter cream.  Two lead glass lights flanked the large and ornate wood door.

Kane opened the door for Ara and walked into the store.  The walls of the store were a warm golden color, with a deep chocolate brown accent stripe down the middle, in which glass alcoves held displays of beautiful jewelry.  A large gold chandelier hung from the ceiling and the floors were covered in a medallion pattern carpet in the same dark brown and gold. The counters were dark lacquer brown and the chairs were in soft gold color.

"Kane Leone, so good to see you," Valdo said walking towards Kane and Ara.

"Valdo, it has been too long.  How is your father?"

"Well; he’s enjoying retirement and how is your family?"

"Very good, actually, they are on cloud nine."  Kane said, wrapping his arm around Ara’s waist and pulling her close.  "I would like you to meet my fiancée, Ara White."

Valdo eyes grew wide.  "To be married?"

"Yes, now we need a ring to go on her beautiful finger."

"Sure, do you have anything in mind?"

"No."  Kane said leaning close to Valdo and whispered to him.  "Bring out everything…except for those below five carats."

Valdo nodded then went into the back room and pulled the best rings he had.  The Leone family were great customers, and he knew they only bought the best. If this was Kane Leone’s fiancée’s ring, so many people would see it, which would lead to more sales.  After selecting the best he had, he returned to the showroom and laid his selections down on the black felt cloth.

Ara looked down at the black felt.  There laid the most gorgeous rings she had ever seen.  The first was a large round diamond with sapphires around it, but it was not the one.  Next was a pear shape diamond, but it was too big and was not her style, but the third one was it.  It was a large emerald cut diamond surrounded by diamonds and the band had diamonds all along the side. Kane watched as Ara rubbed the ring. As he looked at her face, he knew that that was the one.

"Is that it, my love, the ring that will be on your finger for all eternity?"

"Yes.  Oh Kane; it’s perfect."

"Valdo, I believe we have found a ring."

"Excellent, now, Miss White, let's see if it needs sizing."  Valdo said.

"Actually, Valdo, let me do something."  Kane said. He stood from the chair and moved Ara's legs around, and then he dropped down on one knee and took Ara’s left hand.  Kissing the back of her hand, and then looking into her chocolate eyes, he declared, "I promise to love and take care of you until my last breath.  I know I will not be a perfect husband, because no one is, but I promise to always to strive to be the best that I can. I promise to keep my vows and to never stray from them.  Ara, will you marry me?"

Ara was so overcome with emotion she could not even speak, so she nodded her head.

Kane took the ring and slipped it onto her delicate finger.  It was as if the ring had been made for her finger alone, it fit like a glove.  It was not too big, nor was it too small; it was just right.

"Valdo, please send me the bill."  Kane said while standing before helping Ara to her feet.

"Certainly; I will make sure to have the wedding bands ready for your next visit."

"Actually go ahead and put them on the bill, too; we will be taking them now, as well."

Valdo hurried to the back and collected the wedding ring that matched Ara’s engagement ring and a platinum band for Kane.  He returned to the showroom and showed the couple the rings. They were happy with them. Kane tried on the band and it, too, fit perfectly.  Valdo put the rings in their boxes and handed them to Kane.

Kane and Ara walked out the door to find Erik and Ben standing guard.  They were quickly put into the car and were on the way back to Nazario and Rosa’s to meet Zachary.

"Kane, what do you think Zachary is going to say?"

"I don't know.  In the past, he has always been trustworthy and honest with us.  He has never infringed on our business, and, of course, we have never infringed on his.  However, Sebastian has tried on several occasions to steal from us and Nazario has had to call Zachary.  But that was business; this is totally different it's about his family.”

"But I don't want to be a part of his family."

"I know, Ara, but, unfortunately, you are, and we have to make him see that, no matter what, we are going to be together."

"You don't think he would hurt you to get to me?"

"No, I don't think so."

"Kane, I couldn't bear it if something happened to you because of me."

"Ara, I will be fine.  Don't worry; we will work this out together."  Kane said before kissing Ara sweetly.

Quickly they arrived back at the house and, once again, sat in the den.  At twelve fifteen, Uriel arrived and sat down with everyone.

"Ara, it’s good to see you."  Uriel said.

"Same here; how is Katrina?"

"She is great; we should have her spring collection of clothes moved by this weekend, and we will move the rest next week."

"Spring collection?"  Nazario asked.

"Nazario, Katrina has an extensive clothes collection.  She has them put in groups."

Nazario laughed.  "We must have you two over for dinner soon."

"We would love it."

"Now to the business at hand, Kane, why don't you tell Uriel what is going on?"

Kane nodded, knowing his father was preparing him since he would soon be taking over.  "Uriel, Ara and I are getting married."

Uriel shook his head; he knew he didn’t hear Kane say he was getting married to Ara.  "What did you say again?"

"Ara and I are engaged."

Uriel was shocked.  Kane had only met Ara a few days ago and now they were getting married.  He looked into Kane's eyes; in them he saw the love that he had for Ara. And then he looked at Ara; she was glowing.  He had never seen her smile this large; her eyes were also filled with love. Shit, Kane Leone was getting married.

"Congratulations, I am very happy for you."

"Thank you Uriel, now, I need my capo."  Kane said seriously. "We have found out that Ara is Zachary Morotti’s granddaughter."

"What the fuck?"

"Yes and he is on the way here now to talk about it."

"I’ve got your back."

"Also, as of today, Erik is Ara's bodyguard.  We are having a ceremony on Monday evening to make him a made man."

Then, in the background, they heard the doorbell ring.  It was time to put on their game faces. "Uriel, please see Zachary and Tony in."  Kane said. He led Ara over to the front of the couch and took the position on her right, while Rosa took the position on her left. Nazario stood by the chair in front of the couch and