Page 160 of Reckless Storm
“Hayls.” He turns to face me, his wild gaze pleading with mine, but I can’t let him do this. I can’t let him fight over me.
“He’s not worth it. He—”
“What’s the matter, Golden Boy?” Cameron taunts just when I think I’ve got him. “Scared I’m going to steal your girl?”
Dammit.
Reed shakes out of my grasp, spinning to face Cam with his fist still clenched, but before he’s had a chance to swing, Cam’s jamming a left hook into his stomach.
And there’s no going back after that.
Reed slams his fist into Cam’s face, over and over, connecting with his jaw, his cheek, his nose while taking every hit Cam delivers.
I panic, begging them to stop, but when neither of them hear me, I try another approach.
“Reed,” I scream, putting myself in his line of sight. “Stop, please.”
He stills, his expression stoic as his eyes flash to mine, the brief distraction allowing Cameron to deliver another blow. This time to the ribs.
Without flinching, Reed lowers his fists just as Brooklyn rushes over with a guy from our film crew, both of them jumping in to break up the fight. The bouncers arrive next and Reed’s pulled in one direction with Cameron dragged toward the exit, his drunken ass yelling abuse as he leaves.
“Fuck.” Reed tugs against the bouncer’s grip, though it’s obvious he’s not really trying. He could easily break free if he wanted to. “You can’t let him go.”
“Come on.” The bouncer spins, pointing Reed in the opposite direction. “You’re coming with me. You can wait in the back office until yourfriend’sgone.” He drags Reed toward a discreet door behind the bar, and Reed doesn’t bother fighting as I rush to keep up.
“I—”
“I know who you are, Coombs,” the bouncer says when we reach the door, his eyes darting between Reed’s and my own. “I know whobothof you are. And I have no doubt that guy must have deserved what he got, because that’snotyou. At least it’s not the guy the media claims you to be. Cool off in here, and we’ll let you go.”
“Thanks, man.” Reed forces a smile as they both walk inside, his eyes drifting back to mine. “I appreciate it. Can my girlfriend come in?” He points to where I’m hovering, but I don’t botherlistening to the response, pushing my way inside, grabbing his hand to check for bleeding.
“I’m fine,” he growls, and I roll my eyes.
“You’re not fine. You—”
“Mr. Coombs?” Reed and I glance up to find another bouncer standing with an officer on duty, his apologetic gaze boring into ours. “The police were on-site for another issue and—”
“I’ll take over,” the officer says, stepping closer as my grip on Reed tightens. “Are you Reed Coombs?”
“I am.”
“We’re going to have to ask you to come down to the station.”
“I—”
“What the hell?” I cut in before Reed can speak. “Did that asshole report him? He threw the first punch. Did he tell you that?”
“We’ll be speaking withbothparties, ma’am. But we need Mr. Coombs at the station.”
I shake my head but Reed squeezes my hand in reassurance. “It’s okay, Hayls. I’ll go. We have to speak to them anyway. To tell them what we know.”
He presses a kiss to my temple as my body trembles. “I’m coming with you.” I glance up at the officer, standing tall. “I need to give evidence. I’m the reason they’re fighting.”
With a defiant gaze, I stare into his eyes and refuse to back down, my body tense, willing to plead my case if I have to.
He holds my gaze for a beat before shaking his head, seemingly giving in. “Come on, then,” he snaps, and…Thank God.
Sighing in relief, I curl my fingers through Reed’s as we exit, ignoring the stares aimed our way—aimed Reed’s way—as guilt takes over me.
