Contentions(A Liam Payne AU)

Chapter 10-Capable

“Easy, easy!” Liam yelled, grasping my shoulders tightly as I shot up in bed, memories bombarding me from every corner of my mind. The stench of alcohol, the uncertain nights, the pain of the beatings; it all flooded back and hit me like a brick wall.

“Brinlee, c’mon, kid. You’re alright,” he soothed, petting my hair, damp with sweat. “You’re safe; your father isn’t here, sweetheart.” At those words, my whole body froze and ice shot through my veins. How did he know about my father? How did he know what happened?

“Get away from me!” I screamed, suddenly not feeling so safe with this man. “L-Let go!” Liam threw out sweet assurances, trying to calm me down as I thrashed and hit, only wanting him to leave. I wanted to be safe. I didn’t want to be reminded of those awful memories.

“Brinlee, one last chance,” Liam said evenly, pushing my shoulders into the mattress as much as he could. “Calm down.” I only let out another wail, kicking him in the leg but not even a flinch coming from him.

“That’s it,” he sighed, momentarily letting go of me just to catch my wrists as I attempted to punch him. In one quick movement, he was sitting up and my back was pressed to his chest, my arms crossed over my torso and held there while his legs hooked over mine, pinning them to the bed.

“I’m not going anywhere,” he breathed in my ear, his chin going to rest on my shoulder. “I’ll stay like this for however long it takes for you to calm down so I’d start trying, love.” My arms body went limp, a sob escaping my mouth as my lungs seized, panic rushing through my body at the hold I was in. It was so restricting so…threatening. I had no control over anything; I was at the will of someone else and I had learned a long time ago that that was not a good position to be in.

“Let go,” I wheezed, struggling feebly but only feeling his grip tighten. It wasn’t enough to hurt me, but just enough to make me feel totally helpless. Even thinking about it made me shake, tremors racking my body as fear surged through me, fueling my whimpers.

“Ju-just please! D-don’t hurt me, L-liam,” I sobbed loudly. “I-I’m sorry. Don’t hit me.” A sharp breath was sucked in behind me and I felt his arms suddenly loosen considerably, almost in a small apology.

“I’m not hurting you,” he soothed, his warm lips pressing to my temple. “. I’m just holding you, yeah? I’m trying to help you feel safe, not threatened.”

“I’m not safe,” I choked, feeling anything but secure. It was as though my father was around any corner, ready to snatch me away now that Jordan wasn’t there to protect me. I was vulnerable and I hated it…

“You are,” he murmured, rocking slightly. “He isn’t going to hurt you anymore, I’m going to protect you.”

“You can’t-“

“I can and I will,” he said firmly. “He won’t come near you.” My tremors were dying down, tears slowing as I sniffled.

“Yo-you don’t understand, Liam,” I whispered, burying my face into his bicep. “He’s capable of killing.” Every muscle group in the young man behind me tensed, his breath catching. His lips lowered to my ear, warm air making me shudder.

“So am I, sweetheart…”