I Ran From My Psycho Step-brother Straight Into The Alpha's Lap novel Chapter 169

169 /200

**TITLE: When Night Grows Softer Hope Returns To Lead Us by Asa Rowan Finn 169**
**CONTENT: Chapter 169**

Liam’s expression turned steely as he locked eyes with Talya. “Why?” he demanded, his voice tinged with a mix of frustration and concern.

“I need to talk to him about the vampire sites,” Talya replied, her impatience bubbling to the surface. It was a matter of urgency for her, and she could feel the weight of the situation pressing down on her.

“I can’t take you to him,” Liam said, his tone final, as if he had drawn an invisible line that she was not allowed to cross.

The gravity of his words caught Talya off guard. “You need to be there too, Liam,” she insisted, her voice softening as she sensed the turmoil within him.

His jaw clenched tightly, and for a fleeting moment, he turned his gaze away, as if seeking refuge from the conversation. “I can’t. I can’t be around him right now,” he admitted, the anger in his voice barely masking the pain that lingered beneath.

With a surge of determination, Talya stood up, her legs trembling slightly beneath her. She reached out and placed her hand gently on his arm. “Are you okay?” she asked, concern etched across her features. Liam remained silent, his eyes averted. Talya refused to let his silence deter her. She wrapped her arms around his waist, pulling him into an embrace that took him by surprise.

He hesitated for a heartbeat, but then instinctively returned her embrace, his arms encircling her with a force that was almost painful. Yet, Talya said nothing; she understood that he needed this connection, this moment of solace.

“I’ll take you to Garrett, but I can’t stay there with you,” Liam reiterated, his voice heavy with resignation, as if he were repeating a mantra he wished he could escape.

“Why?” Talya pressed, tilting her head back to meet his gaze, her eyes searching for answers.

His jaw tightened further, the muscles rippling beneath his skin. “Because I can’t be in the same room as him right now,” he replied, each word laced with an unspoken burden.

Talya felt a pang of frustration but held her tongue, not wanting to push him further. Instead, she sought a way to divert his thoughts from Garrett, to lighten the atmosphere that had grown so dense. “Hey, did you see? My casts are gone! We should go out and celebrate before we see Garrett,” she suggested, her voice brightening with the idea.

Liam’s expression softened slightly, a small smile breaking through the tension. “What did you have in mind?” he asked, his curiosity piqued.

“I don’t know, but I could definitely go for something sweet and indulgent, something that feels like a guilty pleasure,” Talya replied, hoping to coax another smile from him.

“Come on,” he said, a hint of enthusiasm creeping into his voice. He grasped her hand, leading her toward the door with a sense of purpose.

“Where are we going?” she inquired, her curiosity bubbling up once more.

“I’ve got the perfect thing in mind,” he replied, his pace unwavering. Just as they were about to step outside, Paul entered the room, his demeanor casual yet authoritative.

“Hey, you two, let’s get you checked out quickly before you take off,” he said, his tone relaxed, but Talya could sense the underlying necessity of his words. Liam emitted a low growl, a sound of frustration, but Talya tugged on his hand, urging him to comply.

“Come on, Liam,” she coaxed gently. He relented, allowing her to guide him toward the bed. She settled down beside him, acutely aware of how he was letting her take the lead. She nestled close, feeling the warmth radiating from him, but a quick glance at his face revealed that he was not inclined to make this easy for Paul.

Paul approached them, his smile unwavering. “Talya, let’s start with you. Do you still feel dizzy? Nauseated?” he asked, his voice calm and professional. Talya shook her head, indicating she felt fine. “Let’s check your blood pressure,” he said, preparing to wrap the cuff around her arm.

Liam’s growl reverberated next to her, a protective sound that sent a shiver down her spine. She glanced at Paul, who remained unfazed, his focus solely on his task. Liam, in a gesture of reassurance, wrapped his arm around Talya, drawing her closer.

“Okay, Liam, your turn,” Paul said, shifting his attention to him. He fired off a series of questions, each met with a grunt or a noncommittal response from Liam. It was as if Paul had mastered the art of understanding Liam’s caveman-like communication, for he showed no signs of irritation. Finally, Paul gave them the green light to leave.