Page 31 of Royally Lucky

“Sutton,” Kendrick called out.

A whimper worked its way past her lips, despite her vow to stay strong. She took another long swallow, hoping he didn’t hear her.

“Baby girl, what’s wrong?” Kendrick’s arms wrapped around her.

She shook her head, unwilling to admit she’d lost herself in a memory.

“Doc said she could have PTSD.”

Sutton sucked in a breath and then reminded herself they didn’t know. They only had knowledge about the kidnapping. “I’m fine. The mind is the largest muscle in the body, and sometimes it fucks with us when we least expect it.” Stay close to the truth, and nobody will see through the façade.

“Ain’t that right. My ole’ lady and our kid are upstairs. How about I take you up there while the guys finish up?” T-Rex offered.

“Is that cool with you?” Kendrick asked.

“Yes.”

He pulled her body flush with his, spearing his hand through her long blonde hair until he gripped her neck with it. His hold didn’t hurt but made her feel immobile and cherished. The combination was weird but right. He pressed his lips to her forehead and inhaled. “You’re mine, and nobody gets to touch orhurt you ever again, Sutton. Got that? Call out if you’re scared or need me, and someone will get me. I don’t give a fuck if it seems stupid to you; it won’t be to me. Got it?” he repeated.

“Got it, Sir,” she breathed. Never did she think she’d want a possessive man, but hearing Kendrick speak the sexy words to her and knowing he meant them with every fiber of his being did something to her. She reveled in his claims and wanted the fantasy he offered.

“Ah, Sutton, you don’t have a clue what hearing you say that does to a man like me.” He gave her a hard kiss that was over too soon for her liking.

“Mmm, maybe you’ll have to show me later.” She licked her lips, tasting a hint of whiskey he must’ve drank. “I think I’d like you to teach me many things.”

“Good girl.” He ran his thumb over the corner of her mouth before turning toward T-Rex. “T, if she needs anything, give me a holler.”

Her body trembled for an entirely different reason when he said good girl. A new kink unlocked right after an episode. What kind of sick woman was she becoming?

KENDRICK WATCHED SUTTONwalk with T-Rex up the stairs to the second level, knowing she’d lied to him. Oh, he didn’t doubt some fucking memory had her in its grip, but it wasn’t from the most recent ordeal she’d gone through. No, the horror that flashed over her face as she’d looked at the tables and the floor had brought something to the surface of her mind, triggering her.

“She’s got secrets,” King said.

Kendrick turned his head around to see the president of the Royal MC staring after Sutton with a pensive look. “Do you know what they are, or are you guessing like I am?”

King shrugged. “We do a thorough background check on everyone who enters our lives, especially those we allow around our ole’ ladies and children. Keys can dig up just about anything about anyone, including shit the government thinks they’ve buried. Her story is for her to tell, but if she doesn’t tell you and it becomes an issue, I can help facilitate the finding.”

“Is she in danger from whatever happened?” Kendrick would kill for her if he had to.

“No.”

He exhaled. “I’ll see if she trusts me enough to give me her past. What’s a future if you can’t be honest about what built the person you are today?”

“Damn, I didn’t know you were so fucking wise.” King opened the door to the room they’d been in when they’d seen Sutton on the security feed standing frozen.

Keys looked up from his monitor. “Everything good?”

“It will be,” Kendrick said, nodding toward the computer. “Whatcha got?”

“A whole lot of shit going down, my friend. How do you know Taysey Rizzo?” The large monitor on the wall across the table lit up, showing his ex-fiancé. Her bleach-blonde hair and svelte figure stood proudly next to a man Kendrick would recognize anywhere.

“The man beside her is Frankie Dragna. His father and mine were once close back in Sicily. Their grandfathers were like brothers. I believe Gaetano and Ignacio are still alive but must be close to ninety. They’re the founders of the Dragna Family. Both men were trustworthy businessmen, unlike my father. Frankie Boy is a different breed. If Taysey hooked up with that little bastard, then she’d have gone from bad to worse.” Kendrickdidn’t give a damn about her or who she fucked. Hell, he hadn’t lost a wink of sleep when she’d decided to marry Rizzo instead of him at the last minute. Did he feel bad for killing Geovani Rizzo, her lover? Not even in the slightest. The bastard tried to take out his little brother and the woman who was now his sister-in-law.

“From the intel I’ve gathered, she’s why there’s a hit on you and your brother. I believe there’s some twisted game they want to play, which involves taking what and who you both love and making you suffer before killing you both.”

Kendrick sat back and crossed his arms. “That’s fucking crazy. She left me, and I let her go.”

Duke barked a laugh. “Sorry, man. Women like her are batshit crazy. Also, remember Rizzo is dead, so she probably blames you and Jeter. It doesn’t matter that fucker had it coming. You can see madness in her eyes even through the camera.”

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