Liam looked at Kelvin on his knees on the floor and let a long breath out through his nose.
"Let him go," he said.
The two holding him stepped back. Kelvin rolled one shoulder, brushed his sleeve where they had grabbed him, and looked around the room at everyone staring at him.
Then he looked at Liam.
Then he stood up, crossed the floor in three fast steps, and put himself directly between Liam and the rest of the room with his feet planted wide and his arms out.
"Stay back," Kelvin said. Loud. Directed at everyone in general. "All of you. Nobody touches him."
Liam put his hand over his face.
He dragged it downward slowly.
Kelvin had his knees bent and his fists raised in what he clearly believed was a fighting stance. His eyes were sweeping the room left to right.
Every person in the warehouse was looking at him. Nobody moved.
A few people glanced at each other with expressions that asked whether this was actually happening.
"Kelvin," Liam said.
