The Challenge | BOOK 2

29 - The Storm

What do you think Brianna has showed up at Alison's house for? And what do you think they're all going to do about rescuing Cassius and Livia?

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"You know, interrupting things better not become a habit of yours, because I'll kick your ass as well as Lucas'," Liam said as he glanced up at Brianna. I rolled my eyes and shoved his arm as Brianna's cheeks went red.

"I bet she'd put up a better fight than he does," I joked, winking at Brianna. Her cheeks went even more red as she shook her head.

"I'm sorry, Liam. I didn't know where else to go..." Brianna said, her voice dropping again as the sadness seemed to returned. It had disappeared for a little, whilst I gave her clothes and hot chocolate.

I glanced at Liam, who began to feel bad about making the comment. I knew that he hadn't upset Brianna, but he clearly didn't.

"I'm just joking, kiddo. You're welcome anytime. Lucas on the other hand, not so much," Liam said, trying to joke again. He tried to smile at her, but she stared blankly at her food and stabbed at it with her fork.

I frowned and looked to Liam. He shrugged at me.

"Maybe she had a fight with Lucas," I suggested to Liam. He shrugged again and continued to warily eat, glancing at Brianna every few seconds.

I knew that he had a family connection with the female. It was the same as I had with Lila and Cass. They were family now, and so was Brianna.

"What happened, Bri?" I asked her softly. She looked up from her bowl and watched Liam and I watch her. Then, she sighed and shook her head.

"Lucas," she said quickly. I felt Liam rumble a little from next to me, and I put my hand on his knee. Getting angry wouldn't help anyone.

"I'll kick his ass if you want me to," Liam offered for her. She shook her head and I sighed softly.

"He's just acting strange. I get creeped out in the house all alone most nights. Ever since all this stuff has been happening, I don't like being alone for too long. Past events have changed that for me too..." Brianna started. I raised my eyebrows a little.

Past events? What did that mean?

"When I was little, my mother was killed in our home. I was asleep when it happened, but people came into our house and they killed her. I never saw any of it... my brothers kept me away from it all, but it didn't help the feeling of being scared to be alone," Brianna explained. My heart ached for her.

That was terrible. At least I knew that she'd been through similar experiences that I had.

"Where's Lucas then?" Liam asked, irritated. I knew he'd be knocking a beating into Lucas soon enough. I would have my turn too.

Brianna shrugged. "He comes home, has dinner and then goes off and leaves for majority of the night. He never comes home with an explanation and barely talks to me about it. He's so blunt about everything. Especially when I try to talk to him about his parents..." Brianna sighed.

I bit my bottom lip as I glanced at Liam. His expression was hard and I could tell he didn't like how his brother was acting. I didn't like it either.

"Lucas has always been like that. He'd rather be blunt about things than to face them head on, especially with Mum and Dad," Liam said, trying to be calm. I ran my tongue over my teeth anxiously.

Was Lucas struggling to deal with the new information of his parents' murders more than I thought?

Liam was struggling, there was no doubt about that. But he was handling it. I was helping him.