At the back of his workshop, Malik tossed down the forging tools and threw off his welding helmet. He stood and kicked the metal table he’d been working on. He couldn’t concentrate. All he could think about was Lindsay, Lindsay, Lindsay.

Nothing he touched came out right. The piece he was working on looked like a hot mess, and he was even grumpier than when he entered the workshop hours earlier. Halfway through the day, and he’d done little more than tinker. This was why he’d been celibate for three years. Women messed with your head.

He walked toward the front of the barn and kicked the bench there, knocking half-finished pieces onto the floor with a loud clatter. Daisy trotted from her spot in the grass to the open door and peered in, tilting her head to side, silently questioning him.

“I’m okay, girl. Just blowing off steam.” He ambled over and rubbed the dog behind her ears, staring out at the yard with unseeing eyes.

He hadn’t been able to think straight since he left Lindsay alone a few days ago. He missed the sound of her voice, and he missed her in his bed. He missed her warm body and the way her long legs wrapped around his thighs. He should call her, but what would he say?

He heard a car pull up in the yard, and he and Daisy went around to the front of the house to investigate. Stephan exited a red sports car from the driver side and Reese from the passenger side.

“New toy?” Malik asked.

“Yeah. What do you think?” Stephan ran a hand over the glossy hood.

“Nice.”

Reese sat on the hood and folded his arms.

Malik sighed. He knew they weren’t there to show off Stephan’s new car. Lindsay must have told Stephan what happened. “Whatever the reason you’re here, you’re both wasting your time.”

“Will you at least hear us out?” Reese asked.

“Before I hear you out, will you answer me one question?”

“Of course.”

“Did either of you know about her past? Did you know her father was the one who caused my mother’s death?”

“Are you out of your mind?” Stephan asked. “You really think we would have that type of information and not share it with you? Come on, Malik. You know us better than that. You’re family. Neither I nor Reese would keep that kind of information from you. All I knew was that he was a terrible businessman, and he committed suicide. She never talked about her dad. It was obvious it wasn’t a pleasant topic for her.”

Malik dropped onto one of the steps, and Daisy trotted off to chase squirrels. “What do the two of you have to say?”

“Actually, I’m here to talk about Lindsay, but I dragged Reese along for the ride. Listen, I know that you guys were a real couple, not this fake crap you started out with. I know you cared about her, and I know she cared about you.”

“Yeah, well, I’m not so sure about that last part.”

“Don’t give me that. You were into her, and she was into you.”

“So what? Relationships end. I’ve ended plenty over the years, or have you forgotten?”

“I’m supposed to believe she was like any other woman you been involved with before? Because I’m not buying that. You guys split and no damage was done to your truck or any of your belongings. That alone proves what a great woman she is.”

Malik wasn’t sure if he was being funny or serious when he made the point about the lack of damage to his property. “You should get your own podcast,” he said sarcastically.

Stephan came closer. “She should have told you about the connection between your parents. I get that. But maybe she had good reason not to.”

“And what reason is that?” Malik asked.

Reese interjected. “We all know how much you loved your mother. We all know how much it affected you when she died, and we all know how much anger you still carry at the people you feel caused her death.”

“They murdered her, just as sure as if they had taken a gun, put it to her head, and pulled the trigger.” Malik spoke slowly, enunciating every word.

Stephan nodded. “And maybe that’s why Lindsay never told you. Can you imagine how hard it would be to tell someone you care about that your parent was the reason for their parent dying?”

“No matter her reason, she should have told me.” Malik rubbed a hand across the back of his neck.

“She should have. But can you understand why she didn’t?”

Malik stared at the road beyond the gate. “You didn’t see my mother before she died. You guys weren’t around then.”

“I’m sorry you had to go through that alone, but I hope you know you don’t have to go through anything else alone again.”

“Yeah, I know.”

“I can’t tell you what to do,” Stephan said. “Well I can, but you probably won’t listen. Lindsay is my friend, and I’m not going to stop being friends with her because you’re upset with her.”

“I never expected you to cut her off. This is my shit to deal with.”

“What are you going to do?”

“I don’t know. Maybe nothing. Maybe let the relationship fizzle out, because all I can think about is Abe Steele when I see her, and I really hate that guy.”

“That’s not fair.”

His gaze flicked to Stephan. “You think I don’t know that?”

“She shouldn’t have to pay for her father’s crimes. I know Lindsay acts as if she’s all tough, but deep down, she’s a marshmallow. And she’s a sweetheart who would do anything for anybody.”

“Are you done?”

“Keep playing, and she’ll find herself a new man, which won’t be hard. Hell, I’m interested my damn self.”

Malik glared at his cousin.

“I’m just saying, she can get another man like that.” Stephan snapped his fingers. “But since you’re done with her, I guess I made the right decision, then.”

“About what?”

“An old buddy of mine, Brandon, asked for her number when he found out she was going to New York for the book signing. He’s been interested in her for a minute. They met before, at one of my parties, so I gave him—”

“You gave him her number? Shouldn’t that be her call?”

“He said he’d show her around. I figured since it was her first time in New York, she wouldn’t mind the company.”

“You really know how to push my buttons, don’t you? It’s been three goddamn days, Stephan. Thanks, cuz.”

“So you’re still interested?” Stephan asked.

“How about the two of you get off my property. Right now.”

“Don’t cut off your nose to spite your face,” Reese said.

“Thank you for those words of wisdom. Bye.”

Reese pushed off the hood and climbed back into the car.

Stephan didn’t move. He and Malik stared at each other.

“She’s been through a lot, and she’s carried the burden of her dad like a cross that isn’t hers to bear. Did you ever really love her, or were those just words?”

Stephan climbed into the car, and the brothers pulled away in a cloud of dust.

He did love her. He loved her to distraction and wanted her with him every moment of every day. But how could he trust her after what she’d kept from him?