Page 1 of Royally Lucky

Chapter One

“Inow pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride,” the priest said.

Kendrick grinned. His younger brother Jeter slid his hands around Vittoria and bent her backward. He looked into her eyes before kissing his new bride, much to the delight of the onlookers filling the cathedral.

The priest cleared his throat as the kiss continued a little longer than most he’d probably officiated. However, the man just married a fucking Royal MC brother and the daughter of a former mafia man. What the fuck did he think he was getting into?

Kendrick shifted his feet, crossing his hands slightly in front of his body so the priest’s eyes were on him. He held the other man’s gaze for a long moment, letting him know it was in his best interest to chill the fuck out. A red hue stained every inch of skin above the ceremonial collar. Father Totton gave a slight nod.

Jeter lifted both himself and Vittoria. When they turned to face everyone, Kendrick followed suit. He looked over toward the woman on the other side of the aisle. Since Vittoria moved to California, she’d formed friendships with the wives and ole’ ladies of the MC. The one they’d paired him with kept looking toward the aisles as if nervous. He made a mental note to reassure her that she was safe with him. Hell, once they finished taking pictures and the damn dance his new sister-in-law insisted they do, he had zero interest in her.

Jeter and Vittoria moved down the stairs, which he took as his cue to take his place behind them. He held his arm out for themaid of honor. She blushed as she slid her hand into the crook of his arm. Kendrick, being the gentleman his mother groomed him to be, walked slow enough that she wouldn’t trip in the four-inch heels she wore. Behind them, the others followed until they reached the long hall that led outside.

“Congratulations, brother. Vittoria, you look absolutely stunning. Are you sure being chained to this deplorable human for life is what you want to do? You know, my jet’s on the runway and ready to roll at a moment's notice?” he said, kissing her on the cheek.

Jeter slugged him on the arm, then pulled him in for a hug.

“What the hell? Don’t give her any ideas, man. I’d chase her down to the ends of the earth.” Jeter mock growled.

Vittoria laughed and patted Jeter’s chest. “No need to do anything crazy. You’re stuck with me for life.”

“Crazy’s his middle name, sorellina.” Kendrick kissed Vittoria on the cheek again, eliciting a warning grunt from his brother.

It seemed like hours had passed before they’d finished taking pictures.

“My fucking face hurts from smiling,” King growled. The president of the Royal MC stood with a scowl, looking like he wanted to shoot somebody.

“Oh, stop it. You look sexy as fuck. I am having all kinds of fantasies right now.”

Kendrick watched King’s ole’ lady blink several times, worried she was having some sort of seizure.

“What the fuck are you doing, woman?” King growled.

“Who me?” she asked, pressing her hand against her chest, trailing her finger between her cleavage. Kendrick realized the woman was trying to seduce her husband. Fuck.

“I’m taking mental pictures, my love.” Ayesha licked her lips. The action snapped King’s restraint as he eliminated the spacebetween the two and tossed his wife over his shoulder, making her gasp. A loud thwack echoed around the small room.

“Do you think they’re gonna fuck in the church?”

Kendrick glanced at the man who’d spoken. “He’s your brother by blood. What do you think?”

A door slammed shut, followed by a woman squealing, letting him know that King and Ayesha would likely do just that.

“I gotta go see the priest and pay him for his services. I’ll see you at the reception, yeah?” he asked, jerking his head toward the door the duo had entered.

“I’ll wait for them to finish and make sure we get there together. My ole’ lady is already there with the kids. He owes me one.” Duke leaned against the wall and kicked one leg over the other as he pulled his cell phone out.

Upstairs, he went to find Father Totton. His leather-soled shoes thunked softly with each step he made. As a good Catholic, he stopped and dipped his fingers in the Holy Water Font and made the sign of the cross before continuing forward. He scanned the pews, admiring their grandeur yet preferring St. Michaels in Chicago. The old church survived the Chicago fire in 1871, unlike many structures.

At the door leading to the rectory, he could hear the soft swish of cloth. He lifted his arm and gave two firm knocks, waiting for Father Totton to answer. The swishing stopped. Kendrick could picture the man holding his breath with one hand on his chest.

“Father Totton, do you have a minute?” he asked, letting the other man know he couldn’t hide like a child.

A couple of seconds passed, and then the door creaked open.

“What can I do for you, young man?” Father Totton asked.

Kendrick allowed a smile to form. “Ah, you can do nothing for me, Father. I don’t like men on their knees sucking my cock or taking it in their ass. Is that what you’re worried about? Doyou think I will find all your naughty secrets like those other men of the cloth back in Chicago were found to have?”

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