I Ran From My Psycho Step-brother Straight Into The Alpha's Lap novel Chapter 116

**When Night Grows Softer Hope Returns To Lead Us by Asa Rowan Finn**
**Chapter 116**

“What happened?” Liam inquired, his voice steady yet laced with an undercurrent of tension.

Talya met his gaze, her expression a mixture of uncertainty and hesitation. For a heartbeat, silence enveloped them, thick and heavy, until Liam broke it, his patience wearing thin. “Just spill it. I’m already angrier than you can possibly imagine, so whatever it is, just get it out.” He leaned back, crossing his arms defiantly across his chest, as if bracing himself for the storm.

With a resigned sigh, Talya realized that Liam wasn’t going to let this go easily. “I was just on my way to lunch when Brandon intercepted me. I might have smiled a little when I noticed his nose,” she confessed, a hint of mischief creeping into her tone. “As you can guess, that didn’t sit well with him. He had some choice words for me, and I… well, I had some for him too. I ended up kicking him in the groin and then kneed him right in the nose. Of course, that set off the fountain of blood again, and he was howling like a banshee. Before I knew it, Trevor was behind me, grabbing me, so I turned and punched him. That didn’t make him very happy, and he gave me this,” she said, gesturing to her bruised face.

Liam remained eerily still, his eyes locked onto hers, assessing every nuance of her expression. “So, Trevor is the one who did that to you?” he asked, his tone deceptively calm. Talya scrutinized him, sensing an unsettling intensity in his demeanor—he was too calm, too collected. It sent a shiver down her spine. She nodded slowly. “What did Brandon say to you?”

“Nothing,” Talya replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Not a sufficient answer,” Liam countered, his eyes narrowing slightly.

“Seriously, he didn’t say much at all. I did most of the talking,” Talya insisted, hoping to deflect his probing.

“Well, what did you say?” Liam pressed, his determination unwavering.

“It doesn’t matter,” she replied, trying to dismiss the conversation.

“Yes, it does. I need to know exactly what happened,” Liam said, his voice firm, leaving no room for argument.

“Why?” Talya shot back, her frustration bubbling to the surface.

“Because I just do. Now, tell me exactly what you both said,” he demanded, his tone leaving no room for defiance.

“Fine,” Talya relented, exasperation spilling from her lips. “He asked if I thought it was funny that you broke his nose. I told him no, but I thought he deserved it, and I was glad someone finally put him in his place for once. Then he had the nerve to say you weren’t around to protect me this time, and… well, you know the rest.”

Liam abruptly pushed his chair back and stood, the sound echoing in the tense silence. Talya’s eyes widened in surprise; there was something different about him. His eyes seemed to shine with a fierce light. “There’s one more thing I need to know, Talya,” he said, his voice unexpectedly light yet heavy with implication. “Why did you freeze when I put you in that hold during gym class?”

A wave of dread washed over Talya, tightening her chest. “I don’t want to talk about that,” she replied, her voice trembling slightly.

Liam stepped closer, his presence commanding. “There will only ever be truth between us, Talya. And I need the truth,” he stated, his seriousness cutting through the air like a knife.

“I don’t want to talk about it,” she insisted, standing up and folding her arms defensively. “It’s none of your business,” she snapped, the words escaping her before she could rein them in.

“Your business is my business,” Liam retorted, towering over her, his intensity palpable.

Talya glared back at him, her frustration boiling over. “Trevor restrained me once for Brandon. Okay?”

“Liam,” she called out one last time, her voice thick with emotion.

He turned to face her, stepping closer, his gaze fierce. “What Brandon doesn’t understand is that I will always be here to protect you,” he said in a dangerously low tone. “It’s time he learned that.” Without another word, he strode out the front door, leaving Talya staring after him, her heart heavy with dread.

After several agonizing minutes, she forced herself to rise and lock the door, her legs shaky beneath her. She returned to the couch, exhaustion settling over her like a heavy blanket. This situation was spiraling out of control, and she had no clue what awaited her that night, but deep down, she sensed it wouldn’t end well.

After a brief pause, Talya resolved to take action. Time wouldn’t pass if she merely sat and stared at the clock. She stood and made her way into the kitchen, tidying up after their dinner, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts. Once finished, she grabbed her phone and noticed five messages and two missed calls from Sage.

Without hesitation, she dialed her number, her heart racing. Sage picked up on the first ring. “I am so sorry,” Talya blurted out before Sage could even greet her. “I know I’m a horrible friend.”

“Oh, you are absolutely right about that! I’ve been worried sick about you. I heard what happened. I called and called, went to your work, even checked your grandparents’ house,” Sage vented, her voice laced with concern.

“You didn’t tell them what happened, did you?” Talya asked quickly, anxiety creeping in.

“I made up some ridiculous excuse about needing a homework assignment from your room. What on earth, Talya? What happened? Where are you? Are you okay?” Sage fired off her questions, her worry palpable.

“Okay, okay,” Talya said, trying to calm her friend. “First off, I’m at Liam’s house.”

There was a moment of silence before Sage pressed, “Tell me everything.”