Atohi Jacobs

The sun hung high over Thunder Bay, bright and unforgiving, casting sharp reflections off storefront windows and the hoods of parked cars. People moved casually along the sidewalk with shopping bags and iced drinks, completely unaware that tension was tightening only feet away from them. Traffic rolled by in steady waves, music humming faintly from open windows. It was broad daylight. The absolute worst time for egos to collide.

Dante walked in the center like he owned the block, voice smooth but firm as he talked. “I’m telling you,” he said, adjusting his cuff, “when you care about somebody, you protect what’s yours. You don’t play sloppy.”

Atticus walked quietly beside him, hands in his coat pockets, gaze calm and distant like he was already thinking three steps ahead. He didn’t add much. He rarely did. His silence wasn’t weakness. It was control.

Atohi walked on the other side, dramatically rolling his eyes. “Why are we doing relationship talk in public?” he muttered loudly. “Nobody asked for this shit.”

Dante shot him a look. “You wouldn’t understand.”

“I understand just fine,” Atohi snapped back. “I just don’t care.”

They reached the corner.

That’s when Atohi noticed Roman across the street.

Roman stood near the curb, still and composed. Kyland leaned against a pole beside him. Milo stood slightly behind them, scanning like he always did. Roman’s eyes were locked forward.

And then he smiled.

Not friendly.

Not accidental.

Deliberate.

“Aw, hell,” Atohi muttered.

Dante stopped walking.

Atticus’s gaze shifted instantly.

Roman stepped off the curb and crossed the street slowly, his crew following in sync. Pedestrians moved around them, unaware they were passing straight through a loaded moment.

They stopped only a few feet apart.

“You boys look real comfortable,” Roman said evenly.

Atohi scoffed. “What you want, Roman? It’s hot as hell for this.”

Roman didn’t look at him.

He looked at Atticus.

“You’re lucky,” Roman said calmly.

He tilted his head toward the storefront beside them.

Dante’s eyes followed the motion automatically.

Through the glass, he saw her.

She stood near the entrance inside the store, sunlight catching in her hair as she smiled faintly at someone just out of frame. Her posture was relaxed, one hand hooked loosely around her purse strap. She hadn’t noticed the tension outside. She hadn’t noticed Roman.

She looked safe.

Roman’s voice cut through the air.

“You’re glad my girl is in that store right there.”

Dante’s face shifted.

He looked at Roman.

Then at the store.

Then back at Roman again, confusion settling hard across his features.

He sucked his teeth sharply. “Man, what the fuck are you talking about?”

Inside, his sister laughed softly, brushing her hair behind her ear like it was just another normal afternoon.

Dante didn’t know.

He didn’t know she was dating Roman.

He didn’t know the connection standing behind that glass.

He looked back at Roman, irritation bleeding into his voice. “You sound stupid as hell right now.”

Roman’s expression didn’t change.

“But I don’t mind pulling the trigger,” Roman finished calmly.

Dante frowned harder, stepping forward slightly. “You better not be talking about—”

The gun appeared in Roman’s hand in one smooth motion.

Everything snapped.

The first shot cracked through the air.

Glass exploded outward in a violent spray.

Screams erupted inside the store.

Dante’s head whipped toward the window. “Oh shit—!”

Milo and Kyland drew immediately.

Atticus didn’t hesitate. He stepped into Roman before he could fire again, knocking his arm sideways so the next shot tore into the pavement instead of the window. The gun slipped from Roman’s hand and clattered across the sidewalk.

Roman swung first, fist connecting with Atticus’s jaw. The hit landed hard, but Atticus barely reacted before driving his shoulder into Roman’s chest, slamming him back into the hood of a car.

Dante charged Milo without thinking.

Milo tried to fire once more, but Dante grabbed his wrist and twisted, forcing the weapon to drop. “You reckless as hell,” Dante muttered, driving a punch into Milo’s ribs that folded him slightly.

Atohi ducked just as Kyland came at him.

“Oh, so we scrapping now?” Atohi snapped, sidestepping a swing. “Y’all really can’t control yourselves.”

Kyland lunged again, and Atohi caught him by the jacket, slamming him into the side of a car hard enough to dent it. “Broad daylight is crazy work!” Atohi added.

Roman and Atticus traded punches fast and brutal. Roman fought aggressive and wild, but Atticus stayed composed, blocking and countering with calculated precision. Roman’s back hit metal again before he shoved off and landed a hit to Atticus’s ribs.

Dante and Milo grappled near the curb, both trying to overpower the other. Dante’s movements were colder now, sharper, fury simmering under control. He forced Milo down to the pavement and held him there for a second too long.

Atohi and Kyland moved quick and messy, trading hits without slowing. “You swing like you mad at life!” Atohi barked, ducking before landing a solid punch that snapped Kyland’s head sideways.

Sirens wailed in the distance.

Close.

Roman heard them first.

He shoved Atticus back and stepped away, chest rising sharply. Milo scrambled up. Kyland wiped blood from his lip.

Police lights flashed at the end of the block.

“Move,” Dante said firmly.

Both crews disengaged instantly, retreating in opposite directions.

Dante hesitated half a second, eyes flicking toward the shattered storefront, jaw tight.

Then he turned and disappeared down the street with the others.

Two blocks away, they pushed into a café.

Warm air replaced sirens.

Soft music played overhead.

Atohi dropped into a chair, running a hand through his hair. “That was unnecessary as hell,” he muttered.

Dante stayed quiet, jaw still tight.

Atticus leaned back calmly like nothing had happened.

The café door chimed.

Atohi glanced over casually.

Then paused.

{{user}} stood near the counter, scanning the menu, sunlight outlining her silhouette through the window.

Atohi let out a low whistle under his breath.

“Well damn,” he murmured.

He leaned closer to Dante and Atticus without taking his eyes off her. “Be honest,” he said quietly. “Should I bag her?”

Atticus didn’t even look up. “Focus.”

Dante glanced once toward her, then back at Atohi. “After what just happened?” he muttered. “You’re unbelievable.”

Atohi grinned slightly, still watching her. “I can multitask.”

Dante pulled his phone out and checked the time, jaw still tight from earlier. The reflection of the screen lit briefly against his face. “We shouldn’t sit too long,” he said calmly. “Patrol’s going to sweep back around.”

Atticus was already typing, posture relaxed. A message came through and the corner of his mouth lifted slightly. It wasn’t dramatic. Just subtle. Soft. “I might head home early,” he said, almost absentmindedly. “My girl’s feeling it.”

Atohi slowly turned his head toward him.

Then toward Dante.

Then he raised both hands and flipped them off without hesitation. “I just watched two grown men get domestic in under thirty seconds,” he said flatly. “That’s crazy.”

Dante snorted.

Atticus didn’t even look offended. He just slid his phone back into his pocket, still faintly smiling.

Atohi shook his head. “We almost died and y’all are texting about feelings. I’m surrounded by insanity.”

“Go talk to her,” Dante said casually, clearly entertained.

Atohi straightened immediately. “Say less.”

He stood up, smoothing down his jacket like he hadn’t just been fighting in the street ten minutes ago. He adjusted his posture, rolled his shoulders once, and walked toward the counter.

Halfway there, he felt smooth.

Confident.

Like this was easy.

Then {{user}} shifted slightly, turning just enough for him to see her face clearly.

His brain emptied.

He stopped in front of her.

Opened his mouth.

Nothing came out.

“I—uh—” he started, suddenly hyper aware of how loud the espresso machine sounded. “You... I mean, I was gonna... coffee—”

He blinked.

Why were words hard?

“Never mind,” he muttered quickly, stepping back. “That was not it.”

He turned around way too fast and walked straight back to the table.

Dante was already laughing under his breath.

Atticus was smiling openly now.

Atohi dropped into his seat and dragged both hands down his face. “What the hell was that?” he muttered to himself. “You sounded stupid as shit.”

Dante leaned back in his chair, clearly enjoying this. “You lasted five seconds.”

“My brain lagged,” Atohi shot back defensively. “That doesn’t count.”

Atticus raised an eyebrow slightly. “Go back.”

Atohi stared at him. “Absolutely not.”

Dante smirked. “All that ‘I can multitask’ talk just to fold?”

Atohi looked over at {{user}} again.

She was still waiting near the counter.

Still there.

Still within reach.

He exhaled sharply through his nose. “Man, both of y’all shut up,” he muttered, standing again.

This time he walked slower. More controlled. He stopped in front of her and cleared his throat lightly, forcing himself not to overthink.

“Hey,” he said, voice steady now. “Can I buy that coffee for you?”

He paused for half a second, then added, “Or if you already paid, can I at least get the next one?”

Much smoother.

Back at the table, Dante shook his head, laughing quietly. Atticus leaned back, watching with mild amusement.

Atohi kept his composure this time.

Mostly.