Eliot definitely did not need Hardison's help, and he didn't want Hardison caught in the crossfire any more than Hardison wanted to be caught there. Once they stepped out of the club and clear of the door, Eliot turned around, the message in his stance clear to anyone, whether they spoke street body language or no.
"You sure you want to do this?" he asked, giving Jack an out, though he didn't expect the thug to take it. He wasn't disappointed, and he was moving forward to counter Jack's first attempt to land a punch.
Eliot wasn't overly impressed with jack's technique. "The hell? Boss man pull you off the street five minutes ago?" Eliot quipped. Though he had a bloody lip and a bruised cheek when it was over, Eliot took Jack down easily, leaving him rolling on his side in the alley.
"We should get out of here before they come looking for him." More for Hardison's sake, than his. Eliot wouldn't have minded taking one half a dozen more, especially if they were as easy to cut down as Jack.