Page 211 of Once in a Lifetime, Part 2

“If you want to make it home in one piece, turn around and leave,” Mano said, his voice low and steady.

All five of them burst out laughing.

“Did you hear that?” Tom sneered. “What are you gonna do to me, huh?” He stepped closer, smirking. “Take off your tights and whip me?”

Mano’s jaw clenched.

“Let’s just go… please,” Ody whispered behind him.

Mano didn’t answer. He knew they wouldn’t just let them walk away. He turned his head just enough to look back at him. “Go to the car. Now.”

Ody’s eyes widened. “What?”

“Go to the car. Do what I’m telling you.”

“I’m not leaving you alone,” Ody said, louder this time.

“Aww,” Tom mocked. “That’s cute. Your boyfriend wants to play hero, but you don’t wanna leave him.”

Their laughter broke out again.

Mano turned back to them, his gaze narrowing, cold and sharp.

The guy in front of him faltered, then forced a smirk. “Don’t look at me like that, faggot. I’ll rip your eyes out.”

“And then what?” Another one cut in with a laugh. “How are you gonna see your boyfriend’s ass to fuck him?” More laughter followed.

Mano closed his eyes and let out a slow breath, his body trembling as he fought to stay in control. “Let him go and I’m all yours. Five against one.”

“Mano!” Ody snapped.

“Whoa,” the guy laughed, locking eyes with him. “This one’s got balls.”

“Well, yeah,” another added. “He’s the man in the relationship. Not like that one back there.”

Mano’s jaw locked, every muscle in his body going rigid. “So?” he said, sharper now.

Tom held his gaze, then smirked. “Fine. Tell your girl to leave. I don’t want her crying when you get your ass kicked.”

“Mano…” Ody said.

Mano turned his head just enough to look back at him. “Go to the car.”

“No!”

“Ody, go to the car. Now!” He grabbed his arm and shoved him toward the chapel.

Ody stumbled, staring at him, fear in his eyes, not wanting to leave.

Mano didn’t look away. Not until Ody was far enough. When he finally disappeared behind the chapel, he turned back to them.

His eyes were different now.

Chapter 42

“Now that your girl’s gone...” Tom said. “Where were we?” The circle around him closed in.

Mano let out a short laugh, glancing down. Then he lifted his eyes, looking at them like he wasn’t afraid of anything. “I’m really sorry to disappoint you,” he said, his voice laced with sarcasm. “But I’m the girlfriend in the relationship.” His fist drove straight into the nose of the guy in front of him before any of them could react. He didn’t stop. The next punch snapped another head to the side, sending him crashing down. A third followed just as fast.