Page 64 of Once in a Lifetime, Part 2

“What the fuck is this?” Mano snapped, glancing at the door. “Why is it locked? Who the fuck are you?”

The man didn’t answer right away. He reached the bottom step at his own pace, dragging a hand over his jaw, unbothered. “No rush. We’ll have plenty of time to get to know each other.”

Mano took a step toward him. “What do you want?” His voice was sharper now. “Why am I here?”

The man’s mouth curved. “I like that you’re asking questions,” he said. “But you don’t get to decide when I answer.”

Mano’s jaw clenched. “Unlock the door.”

He didn’t even react. He just watched him.

Mano’s chest rose and fell. Then he stepped in, closing the distance between them. His fist came up fast and connected with the man’s face.

The impact was solid. Enough to snap his head to the side. But that was it. His body didn’t move, didn’t even shift. A second passed, then, slowly, he turned his head back, like nothing had happened. A smirk pulled at his lips. He dragged his thumb across the corner of his mouth, checking for blood. “Feisty,” he said, almost amused. “I like it.”

“Who the fuck are you?” Mano grabbed his collar. “What do you want from me?”

“I think you’re looking for your phone.” He glanced down at Mano’s grip on his collar, then back up at him, completely unbothered. One hand came up, slow, and peeled Mano’s fingers off like it took no effort at all. Then he stepped past him. He walked over to a set of drawers and opened one without hesitation, pulling out Mano’s phone.

Then Mano saw it.

The gun.

His breath caught, his chest tightening too fast as something cold settled in, the air suddenly not enough.

The same. It felt the same. He wasn’t there anymore, he was back at the bank, the robber aiming the gun to his forehead.

“Ody seems like a really nice guy.”

Mano snapped back to the room, his eyes locking onto him. The man sat back on the couch, pulling out another phone. He tapped the screen and brought it to his ear. “Send me the visual.” He ended the call just as quickly.

Mano went rigid.

A second later, the man looked down at the screen again, then turned it toward him. The image took a moment to register. Then it did. Ody. Live from the court. His stomach dropped as he took him in, the ball in his hands, his body in motion. His hair catching the sunlight, turning gold.

Mano’s heart stuttered, his gaze snapping from the screen to the man.

“You don’t want anything bad to happen to him, do you?” His voice stayed low, almost casual.

The ground felt unsteady beneath him, his lungs struggling to keep up. He shook his head, a small, immediate no.

The man leaned back, completely at ease. “Sit.”

Mano didn’t move. His jaw clenched as his attention flicked to the screen. Then he lowered himself onto the couch, neither of them looking away.

Chapter 15

The man crossed one leg over the other, observing Mano like he had all the time in the world. “I have men watching Odysseus right now.”

Mano forced himself to stay calm. “Who are you? What do you want?”

“Andreas.” He looked straight into his eyes. “As for what I want… you and I are going out to dinner tonight.”

Mano frowned. “What?”

Andreas tilted his head. “I’ve been watching you for a while.” He let the quiet stretch between them. “Long enough.”

Mano just stared at him, trying to catch the moment where this would stop feeling real. It didn’t. “Is this the first time you’ve kidnapped someone?” he asked, completely serious.