Page 21 of Black Orchid Girls (Detective Amanda Steele)

“Would you have? That’s easy to say now.”

She sniffled and tears welled in her eyes. “It just hurt so freaking much, Ky. You could never understand unless you lost Michelle or the kids. Trust me on that.” He went to speak, but she held up a hand and continued. “I know you loved Lindsey and you liked Kevin.” She gave him a partial smile. It was just a case of big brother not thinking anyone was good enough for his little sister, but in all honesty, her brother and husband were friends as much as family.

“They were amazing. Both of them.”

“Yes, they were.” She paused a few beats and added, “When I lost them, well, I lost my way. Guess that’s the best way to describe it. I was utterly destroyed. Broken.”

“Then you should have leaned on me and the rest of your family.” Kyle’s voice cracked, and his eyes became wet.

“I know.” She swallowed a sob. “But I can’t go back in time. I can only move forward. I’m hoping we can rebuild the trust between us.”

“Me too.”

“Do you think we can?” She could barely scrape that question from her throat. What if he sent her away?

“I’d like to.”

She blinked and dipped her head. “I guess that’s all I can ask.” She opened the door and added, “Thanks for your help today.”

“That’s what big brothers are for.” He gave her a subtle smile, one that barely ticked up the corners of his mouth.

Though she left Mack’s Garage with a lead for the case, she felt wrecked, like she’d faced an emotional hurricane. Family was never simple. A lesson she’d relearned in the last few months. Her parents’ marriage wasn’t as perfect as it had once appeared. Her father’s affair and illegitimate child was a secret her parents had held for twenty-some years. The entire situation had shaken Amanda’s foundation, making her question what and who could be trusted more than ever before. And she was sure before Chloe’s investigation could be resolved, there would be lies and secrets to wade through. There always were.