Page 53 of Once in a Lifetime, Part 2

“Down! Now!” the men shouted, shoving people to the floor.

Hands went up, bodies dropped. Everyone moved. Everyone except them.

The man approached her. “I said… hands.”

Mariana’s breath trembled. She let go of Mano’s hand and raised her own.

“Mom…?” Mano whispered.

“You too, kid.” The gun pointed at his forehead.

Mano froze, staring straight at him.

“Sweetheart,” she said, “hands up. Like me.”

He hesitated, eyes locked on her, then slowly raised his hands.

“On the ground.”

She lowered herself, and Mano followed quickly this time, pressing close against her.

“I’m right here,” she whispered. “Don’t be scared.”

“Hurry up! Open the safe!”

The staff froze behind the counter, hands hovering over keyboards, eyes darting between each other. No one moved. Then, almost as one, their gazes shifted towards Michael.

“Oh, I see,” the man muttered, following their line of sight, and closed the distance in a few quick steps. The gun came up, pressing hard against Michael’s temple. “What’s it gonna be?”

Michael’s breath caught. His eyes flicked to his employees, then to his wife on the floor, then to his son. “Open it.”

They moved quickly after that. The safe swung open. Stacks of cash were grabbed and stuffed into the bags. The men barked orders, sharp, impatient.

Michael was shoved down beside his wife and son. For a moment, everything narrowed. Mariana reached for him, their hands finding each other, fingers gripping tight.

“Michael…” her voice broke.

“It’s okay,” he said softly, though his eyes had already found their son. “It’s going to be okay.”

“Dad…” Mano whispered. He stayed beside his mother, eyes wide, locked on him.

Michael reached out, resting his hand on Mano’s head, his touch lingering for just a second. “It’s alright, son.”

“That’s all?” The shout cut through the room.

Michael was yanked to his feet.

“Where’s the rest?”

He didn’t answer. The gun shifted, this time, toward her. Mariana gasped as she was pulled up beside him.

“Don’t you dare!” Michael snapped.

“I don’t wanna kill anyone,” the man said. “Don’t make me.”

“The main safe.” He didn’t hesitate. “I’ll take you to it. Just—just let her go.”

Mano stayed on the floor, his eyes locked on them.