The guns didn't fire immediately.
That was the first mistake.
They hesitated.
Just one second.
But in a moment like this—
One second was everything.
Sebastian saw it.
Counted it.
Used it.
His eyes moved once.
Left and
Right.
Back to Dorian.
Ten men.
No—
Twelve.
Two behind.
Hidden better than the rest.
Good.
But not enough.
Dorian smiled.
Confident.
Certain.
"You walked into this too easily," he said.
A pause.
"Or maybe… you wanted to die." Don't you?
Sebastian didn't answer.
Didn't blink.
Didn't move.
"Drop it," one of the gunmen snapped.
Safety clicked.
Another.
Another.
The sound layered into the air like a countdown.
Sebastian slowly lowered his gun. Without saying any word.
Not fast.
Not slow.
Controlled.
It hit the ground.
Soft.
But loud enough.
Dorian's smile widened. Very good. He said.
"That's better."
A step closer.
"Now we talk." Are you ready?
Silence.
