Manhunt (3)

Kevin paced around his room, his grip on his phone tightening. Outside, a group of guys loitered near his house—too many to be a coincidence. Some leaned against parked cars, pretending to scroll through their phones. Others stood around, chatting like they belonged. But Kevin wasn't an idiot. Henry's guys weren't just hanging out. They were watching.

His stomach twisted as he pulled back his curtain slightly, trying to count them. At least six, maybe more. His pulse quickened.

Shit.

He pressed the phone harder against his ear. "Dude, this is seriously fucked up right now."

Liam's voice came through, sharp and tense. "What the fuck happened?"

Kevin swallowed. "Henry's guys are outside my house. They've fucking surrounded it. I won't be able to leave without them seeing me."

There was a beat of silence before Liam exhaled sharply. "Fucking same here. They've surrounded Maiya's place too. I'm stuck."

Kevin raked a hand through his hair, frustration mounting. "Damn it, what do I do?"

"For now? Come here."

Kevin frowned. "To Maiya's café? Wouldn't that look suspicious?"

Liam scoffed. "Kevin, you're a fucking black hole. No one's gonna find it weird if you're at a café eating food. That's literally your whole personality."

Kevin clenched his jaw. "You stay there. I'm coming over just so I can personally kill you."

"Love you too, man."

Kevin rolled his eyes. "Fuck off."

Liam chuckled before growing serious again. "Listen. Should we call the others?"

Kevin hesitated. "If we all move at once, it'll look sus. Let me get there first. Then we'll talk."

Liam sighed. "Fine."

Click

---

Liam set his phone down and ran a hand over his face. His leg bounced anxiously, his fingers trembling slightly.

Maiya, sitting beside him, narrowed her eyes. "Kevin's coming?"

Liam nodded but said nothing.

She tilted her head. Liam was always confident—borderline cocky. But right now, his entire body was tense, his fingers twitching. He was scared.

That scared her.

---

The café bell jingled. Two men stepped inside.

The first was bald, with a deep scar running down his cheek. His black leather jacket was worn at the seams. The second had a dyed-red mohawk, his knuckles covered in tattoos. Both carried baseball bats.

Maira, standing behind the counter, greeted them with her usual bright smile. "Good afternoon! What can I get for you?"

The bald man smirked, leaning on the counter. "We could use your number."

Maira's smile faltered. "Excuse me?"

The bald guy leaned in closer, his breath hot and reeking of cigarettes. "C'mon, babe. Just you and me. All night."

Maira forced a polite chuckle. "I'm sorry, but—"

"No buts, babe," the bald guy interrupted, his grin widening.

Maira's hands curled into fists under the counter. She kept her voice level. "What would you like to order?"

The bald guy snickered. "I'd like to order a night with you."

Her stomach churned.

"I'm not a—"

"Don't lie," he sneered, reaching toward her.

Before he could touch her, a hand clamped onto his wrist.

A young man, dressed in a black jacket with neatly cut hair and sharp features, stepped between them. His grip was firm.

"Stop. She's uncomfortable."

The Mohawk guy scoffed. "Who the fuck are you?"

The man raised his hands in peace. "I don't want trouble. Just… leave her alone."

The bald guy's face twisted in irritation. "Fuck you."

Without warning, he swung his bat.

A sickening crack echoed through the café as the man collapsed, blood trickling from his forehead.

Maira gasped, frozen in horror.

The bald guy turned back to her, reaching again—

BOOM.

A figure leaped over the staircase railing, crashing down between them.

A swift kick sent the Mohawk guy flying into a table, knocking over a tray of pastries.

Liam landed in a crouch, his breathing heavy. He straightened, his sharp blue eyes locked onto the two men.

His voice came out low and deadly.

"Try that again, motherfucker."

The bald guy growled, tightening his grip on the bat. "You've got a death wish."

The Mohawk guy groaned, pushing himself up. "Let's fuck him up."

The bald guy swung first, a wide arc aimed at Liam's ribs.

Liam ducked, the bat missing by inches. He surged forward, driving a sharp jab into the guy's throat. The bald guy choked, stumbling back.

The Mohawk guy lunged, throwing a wild punch. Liam twisted, dodging easily before countering with a brutal elbow to the gut. The Mohawk guy gasped, doubling over.

The bald guy recovered, gripping his bat tighter. He raised it high and swung down—

Liam sidestepped, grabbed his wrist, and yanked him forward. The moment their bodies collided, Liam drove his knee into the guy's gut.

The bald guy wheezed, eyes bulging as he crumpled to his knees.

The Mohawk guy, in a last-ditch effort, threw a haymaker.

Liam caught his arm mid-swing, twisted it behind his back, and slammed his face into the counter.

THUD

The Mohawk guy groaned, slumping unconscious.

Liam exhaled sharply.

Maira rushed forward, her hands covering her mouth. "Jesus Christ, Liam. You—You knocked them out."

Liam wiped his bleeding lip. "Yeah, well… they were fucking asking for it."

The café door swung open.

"Son of a bitch," Kevin said, stepping inside. "Who the fuck are these guys?"

Liam spit blood to the side. "Henry's guys."

Kevin's face darkened. "Wait, for real?"

Liam rolled his shoulders. "Yeah. Now stop questioning me and help tie them up."

Maira hesitated. "Wait… why? Isn't that illegal?"

Maiya, still catching her breath, shot her sister a glare. "And what they did to you isn't?"

Maira looked away, guilt flickering across her face.

Liam turned to her. "Call an ambulance for the guy who tried to help you."

Maira's eyes widened. "Oh—oh my God, I forgot about him!" She scrambled for her phone.

Kevin and Liam grabbed the unconscious thugs, dragging them upstairs.

---

The moment the door shut, Liam exhaled sharply.

"This is bad."

"No shit, Sherlock," Kevin muttered.

Liam ran a hand through his hair. "They're searching for me. If Henry's guys are already staking out your house and Maiya's place, then we're officially out of time."

Kevin cracked his knuckles. "Then let's get some fucking answers."

Liam stared at the tied-up thugs, his fists clenching.

"Yeah. Let's."