Page 68 of Once in a Lifetime, Part 2

“How long is this going to last?” Mano asked. “I have things to do. I’ve got responsibilities.”

“Good morning to you too,” Andreas replied, unimpressed. He took the pan off the stove and turned to face him. “You don’t need to worry. Soon you’ll be mine, and you won’t need responsibilities anymore. I’ll take care of everything for you.”

Mano stared at him. “I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that.”

Andreas walked past him without a glance. “You do have a responsibility today, though.”

Mano turned, raising an eyebrow. “Oh yeah?”

Andreas slowed, then stopped. He turned his head, his eyes finding Mano’s. “You’re going to meet Ody.”

Mano went still. “What?”

“You’ll call him. Tell him you want to meet.”

Mano held his stare, silent.

“Come,” Andreas said, already turning toward the living room.

Mano followed and sat on one couch.

Andreas reached into his pocket, pulled out Mano’s phone, and set it on the table between them. “Call him.”

Mano glanced at it. “Why?”

“You’ll tell him you’re dating Ranya.”

Everything inside him just stopped. “You… you know about Ranya too?”

“I know everything about you.” He pulled out a pack of cigarettes. “I know about your brother, Nick. In England.” He slipped one between his lips. “I know your parents were killed in front of you when you were ten.” He lit it, taking a slow drag. “…with a gun.” He let the smoke out, never taking his eyes off him.

Mano’s breath hitched. His eyes flicked to the drawer where he’d seen the weapon before. The image hit him, loud and sharp. Gun. Blood. Then he forced his gaze back to him.

“Call him,” Andreas said. “You’re meeting tonight at eight.”

Mano didn’t move. “I can’t do that.”

“Why not?” Andreas exhaled smoke.

Mano shook his head, his jaw clenching. “I’m not doing that to him. I’m not going to stand there and tell him that.”

Andreas leaned back. “Would you rather he’s emotionally hurt… or physically hurt?”

Something twisted hard in Mano’s chest. “Please…” The word tore out of him. “I… I can’t do this. Don’t make me.”

Andreas watched him calmly. Studying. Then he nodded. He pulled out his phone, pressed a button, and brought it to his ear. “Cut his brakes.”

“No!” Mano shot to his feet, snatching up his phone. “I’ll call him. I’ll call him!”

Andreas kept the phone to his ear. “You heard him,” he said, then hung up. “That was one of my men. Angelo.” A faint smile tugged at his lips. “Ody is exactly his type.”

“Don’t you fucking touch him. I’ll call him, okay? Just leave him alone!”

Andreas gestured lazily toward the phone.

Mano sat back down, his hands trembling around it. He opened his contacts, his pulse kicking up at the sight of Ody’s name. He pressed call and brought the phone to his ear, lowering his head, his free hand coming up to his forehead.

“Mano?”