I Ran From My Psycho Step-brother Straight Into The Alpha's Lap novel Chapter 23

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

Helen stepped closer to Sophie, her voice bright with enthusiasm. “You know, these are Sophie’s homemade cinnamon rolls.”

Liam, feigning an exaggerated swoon, pressed his hands dramatically over his heart. “You can brew amazing coffee and bake like a pro? Marry me!” he exclaimed, his laughter ringing through the café.

Just then, Torin strolled up behind Liam, emitting a low, almost growling sound from his throat. Liam turned to him, chuckling, but chose to hold back any further comments. “I’ll take a large dark roast coffee with a splash of cream and two of those delectable cinnamon rolls,” Liam ordered, his tone playful yet earnest.

Sophie rang him up, taking his cash with a smile. “Looks like you’re feeling a bit more human today compared to this morning,” she teased, trying to suppress her laughter.

Liam’s expression dropped into a mock frown. “Hey, I wasn’t that bad,” he protested, crossing his arms in a show of indignation.

Sophie erupted into laughter, only to regret it as a sharp pain shot through her stomach. She fought to maintain her smile, even as she caught her breath. “You were pretty bad, though,” she replied, her tone light but sincere. “I was genuinely worried about leaving you in the car.”

“Well, nobody should be awake at that ungodly hour, let alone be out and about,” Liam said with a dramatic roll of his eyes, clearly still perturbed by the early start.

Sophie beamed at him and turned to prepare his coffee and cinnamon rolls, her heart lightening at their banter. She returned with his order, placing it in front of him. Her gaze drifted to Torin, who was observing her with an intensity that made her pulse quicken. Today, he wore another impeccably tailored suit, and the memory of their last encounter flooded her mind uninvited. Without thinking, she blurted out, “I need to talk to you.”

Torin didn’t flinch or show any sign of surprise. “Okay,” he replied, his voice steady. He then ordered two large dark roasts, served black. Sophie felt her cheeks flush as she moved to prepare his coffee. Why was it that he always made her feel so flustered?

Taking a deep breath, she managed to steady her nerves before handing him his coffee. When he didn’t step back from the counter, she looked up, her heart racing. “Can I get you something else?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

“You said you wanted to talk,” he reminded her in a low, measured tone.

Sophie mentally kicked herself. “Oh, right, I did. I mean…,” she faltered, glancing at Liam, who had turned away from them. She turned back to Helen, her voice a mix of urgency and hesitation. “Is it okay if I speak with Torin for just a minute?”

Helen waved her off, her expression encouraging. “Of course! Go ahead. You’re past your break time anyway,” she said with a reassuring smile.

Sophie inhaled deeply, stepping out from behind the counter. She could feel Torin’s gaze on her, heavy and expectant. She tried to walk normally, but the weight of his attention made it increasingly difficult. As she moved toward a table that offered some privacy, her heart pounded in her chest. Just then, a couple entered the café, and Sophie greeted them with a warm smile.

“Welcome to Sip and Drip!” she called out cheerfully.

The couple nodded in acknowledgment, passing by Sophie and Torin. In an attempt to sidestep them, Sophie inadvertently moved at the same time as the woman, resulting in the woman’s large bag colliding gently with her stomach. It wasn’t a hard hit, but enough to knock the wind out of her, sending a wave of pain radiating through her ribs.

“Sorry!” the woman mumbled as she hurried past.

Sophie couldn’t muster a reply, her breath caught in her throat. Suddenly, she felt a firm hand on her elbow. Torin turned her to face him, his expression darkening. “Who hurt you?” he asked, his voice low and dangerous.

Sophie struggled to catch her breath, blinking back tears that threatened to spill. “I’m fine,” she gasped, though the words felt hollow.

Sophie squeezed her eyes shut, feeling the weight of her confession. “I lost your suit jacket,” she whispered, her voice trembling with regret. When silence followed her admission, she risked a glance at Torin. To her surprise, he didn’t appear as furious as she had anticipated.

“Okay,” he replied simply, his expression unreadable.

“Okay?” she echoed, bewildered. “You mean, okay?” she asked, searching for some sign of his feelings.

“It’s not okay,” she insisted softly, her voice barely above a whisper. “You don’t understand. It’s gone. I can’t even imagine how much it costs. I—” She lowered her voice, glancing around the café to ensure no one else was listening. “I don’t have the kind of money to replace it. I’m so sorry. I should have never taken it with me. I knew she would take it. I’m so sorry.” Tears of frustration and pain threatened to spill over, but she fought them back.

“Sophie,” she heard Torin say her name gently. She looked up, meeting his piercing gaze. “Did someone take the jacket?” he asked, his tone calm yet probing.

Sophie nodded, her heart sinking further. “Did you try to get it back?” he inquired, his voice steady.

Another nod from her. “Is that how you got hurt?” he asked, his words slow and deliberate, as if she were a child.

Sophie hesitated, then nodded again, feeling trapped. An angry curse slipped from his lips, and she watched as he dropped her arm, striding out of the shop without another word.

Sophie stood there, stunned, her heart racing as she processed what just happened. Turning to Liam, who was watching her with a sympathetic expression, she felt a mix of emotions swirling within her.

“He’s not mad at you,” Liam said gently, his voice soothing amidst the chaos of her thoughts.