Chapter 91: Man down
Tobias stopped just before opening the door, eyes narrowing like he’d caught a sound no one else could hear.
He sniffed the air once, then smiled faintly. "Well, damn. Guessin’ your little gang came lookin’ for you after all."
Amari’s eyes widened. "They’re here?"
Tobias turned, amused. "Not a lotta folks stand that still with kill intentions." He cracked his neck. "Cute of ’em to follow."
Amari stepped forward, tense. "Please. Don’t hurt them."
Tobias raised both eyebrows, then scoffed. "Ain’t makin’ any promises. Depends on who moves first."
Before Amari could respond, Tobias knelt down and pulled a knife—Amari stiffened—but the blade went straight to the ropes. Two clean cuts, and the bindings dropped from his wrists.
"Tell ’em to back off," Tobias said simply, "and I’ll walk through the crowd with no holes in anyone. Good faith."
Amari held his wrists, looked down at the burns and marks, then nodded slowly.
They stepped outside.
The door swung open—and the Ocean Brothers were ready.
Milo, Johnny, Kenneth, and Shylo stood in formation, tension cut into every muscle. Apollo stood further back, halfway turned, ready to return at any moment—but his eyes were locked on Tobias.