I Ran From My Psycho Step-brother Straight Into The Alpha's Lap novel Chapter 46

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

Sophie picked up a rag, her fingers brushing against its rough texture, and stepped into the dining area, peeking cautiously around the corner. In the back, she spotted Max and Torin, their heads bent together in concentration as they worked. A flutter of warmth spread through her chest at the sight of Torin, but she quickly shook it off. She returned to the kitchen, brewing two steaming cups of dark roast coffee, the rich aroma filling the air. She placed two cinnamon rolls on a plate, their sugary glaze glistening temptingly. She would have liked to add more treats, but she didn’t quite see Max and Torin as the dessert-loving type.

With a steadying breath, she made her way back towards their table, her heart racing slightly. She could feel Torin’s gaze on her, a warm weight that made her acutely aware of her movements. She focused intently on balancing the plate and cups, determined not to spill. Setting them down in front of Torin, she met his eyes for a brief moment, feeling a rush of something unnameable. “Thank you,” she managed to say, her voice barely above a whisper. But before she could linger, she turned to leave, only to feel a firm grip around her wrist.

“Are you okay?” Torin’s voice was low, laced with concern. She looked back at him, noting the lingering anger in his eyes, a storm hiding beneath the surface.

“I’m okay,” she replied, hoping to reassure him. He searched her face for a moment, and she could see the tension in his shoulders ease slightly at her answer.

He released her wrist, and Sophie felt a strange mix of relief and disappointment wash over her as she walked back to the front of the café. As the minutes ticked by, several customers filtered in, and she busied herself with their orders. But as the day wore on, a sense of unease settled in her stomach. Torin had left without a word, and she couldn’t shake the feeling of disappointment that clung to her.

The following days passed in a blur, each one stretching longer than the last. Sophie didn’t see Torin, nor did she hear from him. She had no way of knowing whether he was out of town or simply preoccupied with his own life, and asking felt like an insurmountable hurdle. By Friday afternoon, the café had quieted down, and she was grateful to be nearing the end of her shift. Just as she was about to breathe a sigh of relief, two customers walked in. Sophie approached them, ready to take their order, but her voice caught in her throat when she caught sight of the gun pointed directly at her.

“Just come with us willingly, and nobody gets hurt,” the man said, his tone unnervingly calm.

Time seemed to freeze as Sophie stood frozen in place, her heart pounding violently against her ribs. She silently willed Helen to stay in the back, but at that moment, Helen emerged, her eyes widening in horror as she dropped the cups she was holding. Their eyes met, and Sophie tried desperately to convey a sense of calm through her gaze, though her mind raced with fear. She had to think of a way out of this, but in her panic, she completely forgot about Kyle and Levi, who were still in the café.

In an instant, Sophie was yanked from behind the counter and slammed onto the floor. A scream escaped her lips, the shock of the impact sending adrenaline coursing through her veins. The weight that had pressed down on her vanished, and she heard Kyle’s voice urgently instructing her to “Stay here.” She caught a glimpse of him as he vaulted over the counter, his movements swift and determined. Sophie scrambled to sit up, huddling beneath the counter, her heart racing as she sought safety. Helen was just a few feet away, mirroring her actions, fear etched across her face.

Suddenly, chaos erupted around them. The sounds of a scuffle filled the air, and then came a deafening explosion that pierced through the noise—a gunshot. The glass window shattered, and Sophie instinctively covered her ears, desperate to block out the cacophony. Panic surged through her as she felt a hand on her knees, and she opened her eyes to see Kyle crouched in front of her, blood splattered across his shirt.

“Are you okay?” he asked, his voice strained.

Sophie stared at him, her mind struggling to process the scene. The ringing in her ears drowned out everything else. “You… you’ve been shot,” she stammered, horror creeping into her voice.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify