Page 74 of Once in a Lifetime, Part 2

“For what?”

Mano exhaled. “Someone who can handle… complicated situations.”

“Define complicated.”

Mano looked down, his fingers curling around the phone. “He’s already crossed lines. And he won’t stop.”

The line stayed quiet for a moment.

“You looking to protect yourself… or deal with him?”

Mano didn’t answer right away. His gaze drifted, unfocused. “Both.”

A quiet breath came through the line. “I might know someone,” the voice said. “But this isn’t something you dip your toes into. You understand that, right?”

Mano pressed his jaw tight. “I wouldn’t be calling if I didn’t.”

Another pause followed, longer this time.

“Alright,” the man said at last. “I’ll set something up. You don’t call them. They call you.”

“When?”

“Soon.”

Silence stretched between them. “And, Mano?”

Mano went still.

“Once you’re in, there’s no pretending you’re out.”

The line went dead.

Mano lowered the phone. His bike and apartment keys were still with Andreas. It didn’t matter. He started walking. The streets were still alive at this hour. Music spilled out of bars, people crowded the sidewalks, laughter cutting through the night. Mano moved through it all without really seeing it. His mind was somewhere else.

Every minute stretched. Then his phone vibrated. Unknown number. He stared at it, then answered. “Yeah.”

“Still want to go through with it?” The voice was low, steady.

“Yeah.” He didn’t hesitate.

“Where are you?”

“Downtown.”

“Send your location to the number I texted you.”

Mano sent it, the live pin shifting as he walked.

“Head toward the main street. Don’t bring anyone.”

“I won’t.”

“I’ll call you when you’re close.”

The line cut.

Mano stepped onto the main street, swallowed instantly by noise and light. Music thumped from somewhere nearby, voices overlapping, people brushing past him without a second glance.