Page 65 of Reckless Storm (San Francisco End Game #3)

“That’s not a bad idea. I like your dedication and I know Reed will too. Are you coming in?” I point to the hotel doors and smile as Landon comes to a stop beside me.

Assuming he is, I turn to head up the steps but stop when Landon speaks.

“Actually…” He grabs my arm as he trails off, frowning to himself before he stands tall. “Actually,” he repeats, “I wanted to talk to you first.”

“To me?” My eyes flash to his fingers curled around me before I glance toward the door, but Reed’s nowhere in sight. Knowing him, he’s probably walking the woman to her room.

“Yeah. You.” Landon draws my attention back. “If that’s okay.”

“Of course.” I’m confused, but I smile to reassure him. “What’s up?”

“I overheard something about you and Reed, and it got me thinking.”

“What kind of something?”

“It’s fake, right?”

A laugh bursts out of me while Landon stands frozen, his gaze boring into mine, apparently not seeing the humor.

“It’s a little more complicated than that, but I can assure you, it’s very real now.”

“Now?”

“Yes. We’re together.”

“Why?” His tone changes and I’m taken aback, though I try not to read too much into it.

“Why, what?”

“Why are you together?” he asks, his expression genuinely confused. “It doesn’t make sense.”

“You’re right, it doesn't.” My chest tightens as I think back to our last conversation and self-doubt enters my mind.

He thinks I’ve changed Reed. I saw it in his eyes.

“You know…sometimes great things don’t make sense.

” I smile again, hoping that's enough to stop him from telling me I’m not good for Reed, but he shocks me when he finally speaks after a moment of silence.

“You deserve better.” What ? I stare at him blankly. “Everyone says he’s in love with his best friend.”

Oh . “That was a while ago and—”

“Can we go somewhere and talk?” He cuts me off, his voice quivering before he nods confidently, and an unexplained panic runs through me.

“What?”

“Can we go somewhere to talk? I just want to make sure you’ve thought this through. You know Reed’s been mentoring me, right? Well, we’ve gotten close. I’ve seen and heard things that I think you should know.”

“Oh. Ah. I appreciate you wanting to help. Always a hero.” I force a smile. “But I’m okay. I’ve thought about this a lot and—”

“ Now , Hayley.” He shakes as he speaks and while my panic rises, I contemplate reasoning with him. That is until he taps his pocket and I freeze. What the hell is he insinuating? Does he have a weapon? He just played football. What the hell is going on?

“Landon, I—” He grabs my wrist this time, his hold painful as he shifts onto the step above me, towering over me in a power move.

“I’ve been watching you both,” he admits and my skin crawls. “You’re not right for each other. And you need to see that.”

With panic and confusion coursing through me, I stare up at him as his words register. I’ve been watching you both.

“Did you know I was coming today?” I ask, wondering how closely he’s been watching, unable to hide the shiver that runs through me.

“Nope.” He shakes his head. “It was a nice surprise.” His voice turns light and his demeanor instantly changes. But while he seems calmer, it doesn’t make me any less nervous. Where the fuck is Reed?

“Okay, but you do know things, right?” I want to glance toward the hotel doors, but that will only draw attention to the possibility of Reed coming back.

“I do know things. Like I said, I want to talk. Come on. I’ll fill you in over a drink.” He points behind him and I shake my head.

“I don’t think that’s a good id—”

“You’re coming. Now ,” he snaps again, shaking his head, until his anger makes way for a smile, his expression morphing in front of me. “I just want to talk,” he adds calmly, and it hits me that he might be a lot more dangerous than I realized.

“Okay. Sure.” I change tack. “Let’s talk. I just have to tell Reed where I’m—”

“ No . He’s not here. You can text him when we get there.”

“He’ll be back any second.”

“Let’s go, Hayley.” He tugs on my arm, but I pull him back.

“Okay. But please let go of my arm. I promise, I’ll come with you. Happily. I’ll listen to what you have to say. But if you’re holding my hand and Reed sees you, he’s not going to like it.”

“That just proves my point. He used to be a good guy. And now…” He trails off and I cringe.

“Please.” I tug against his hold, hoping to delay our walk. But when I remember his pocket, I change my mind. “Actually, it doesn’t matter. Let’s go.”

Landon eyes me suspiciously, but he drops my arm seconds before Reed walks out the door. “What are you doing out— Landon, hey.” Reed smiles as he moves toward the steps. “Sorry that took forever; that woman can talk.”

I fake a smile as Landon stiffens beside me. “You’re too nice,” I say before my gaze shifts to Landon, catching his bitter expression when Reed looks away.

And I’m at a loss as to what to do.

“Do you still need your ID?” Reed grins as his eyes flash to the door, and I take that as my out.

“I do. Let’s go.” I move in Reed’s direction but Landon grabs my hand, linking our fingers.

“Not yet.” His fingers crush mine and I fight not to cry out. "We were going to talk.”

What is he doing? I just told him—

“What the fuck, Landon?”

“Hayley wanted to talk and we’re going to talk. Right, Hayls ?”

Is he crazy? His nails bite into the palm of my hand and my eyes water, but I smile wide to stave off the tears, turning to Reed. “Reed, baby. I won’t be long. I—”

My words cut off as Reed's face drops and my panic makes way for full-blown hysteria, desperately needing Reed to stay calm, hoping he’ll understand.

I mouth “call the police” and his eyes widen.

But instead of stopping, he pulls his phone from his pocket, pressing the buttons as he jogs down the stairs.

“Please,” I beg out loud this time, and Landon releases his hold, raising his hands in the air.

If he’s pleading his innocence, it’s too late.

The second he reaches us, Reed grabs Landon by the shirt, curling his fists into the material while Landon laughs, shaking his head.

“You’ve got it all wrong, Reedy boy .” He uses my occasional nickname for Reed and I feel nauseous.

How often has he been watching us? “I’m trying to help you both,” Landon continues.

“Like Hayley said, I’m her hero. And to do that, I have to tell you, this isn’t right. You’re not meant to be together.”

“What the hell? What’s going on?”

Landon’s smile drops before he scoffs. “You’ve changed, Reed. Even you can admit that. And Hayley deserves better.”

Reed’s grip tightens as he growls. “Who the fuck do you—”

“I’m just trying to help you. Like you’ve helped me.”

“The fuck.” Reed walks him backward, putting some distance between us, and I watch on in horror. I’m struck silent, but when Landon slides his hand into his pocket, I scream.

“Help!” I call out as Reed throws Landon against a wall, shoving his arm into his neck. “Reed, please. Let him go. I’m okay. Let’s—”

“Can’t you see it?” Landon croaks out, his wild eyes not really focused on anything. “Exhibit A. The golden boy wouldn’t do this. Are you jealous?”

“You think this is jealousy, asshole?” Reed tightens his hold on Landon’s neck, and I reach out to grab his waist, trying but failing to drag him away. “I’m doing this to protect my girl.”

“That may be so now , but what happens when she does something you don’t like?

I think you’ve been holding on to a lot of anger and you’re ready to unleash it.

Just look at what you did to her stalker.

” He laughs again and my eyes widen. It was never Cam.

He was telling the truth. “What happens if you do something to her?” Venom coats Landon’s voice, and I frantically shake my head.

“Reed, no. You—”

“Stay the fuck away from her,” Reed yells, his anger rising just like Landon said it would.

“I don’t know what the fuck you think you’re doing, but it’s not going to work.

” Reed clenches his fist at the same time I catch movement somewhere down the road.

And I’m about to call out when Landon lunges forward, his hand no longer in his pocket.

“ Reed !” I rush ahead, slipping between them as Landon reveals a knife, the blade stopping inches from my face. “Don’t do this, Landon.” I try to stay calm but my voice trembles with fear. “Please. I’ll come with you. I’ll—”

Landon stabs the knife toward me, and my eyes slam shut as I’m pulled backward.

I wait for the sting, but I’m thrown to the side, opening my eyes when I slam into a hard chest, turning in time to see Reed double over, clutching his side before he falls to the ground.

Landon raises his knife again, but before I can react, I’m forcefully shoved away and Zane runs past me, tackling him to the ground.

“ No !” I cry out, but I’m not sure what I’m yelling about because it’s too late.

Dropping to the ground, I crawl to Reed, my knees scraping against the rough concrete as I reach for his hand, pulling it away to find it covered in blood.

“My phone,” he rasps, handing me his bloodied phone, his voice barely audible. I check the screen to find it connected to 911 and glance up to catch Zane slamming Landon’s head into the pavement.

“Hello,” I call out into the phone as nausea consumes me. “I need help.”