Page 76 of Once in a Lifetime, Part 2

“Got it. But if he pushes…” He didn’t finish the sentence, he didn’t need to.

Mano understood. “Make him back off,” he said. “Keep it clean. I don’t want this to escalate.”

The man studied him for one last second, then nodded. “Alright. I’ll take care of it,” he said, like something had already been set in motion.

“Money’s not an issue,” Mano said.

“That’s not the part you should worry about.”

Mano didn’t break eye contact.

The man turned away, pulling his phone from his pocket, dialing before he’d taken a second step.

Chapter 17

Mano called a taxi. Minutes later, he was outside Ody’s apartment building. As he stepped out and headed toward the entrance, something caught his attention. A blond man leaned against a car, phone pressed to his ear. Not talking, just pretending to. Mano slowed. His gaze shifted, scanning the parked cars without turning his head. All empty, except one, a sedan. Through the tinted windows, he caught the driver’s silhouette, angled toward him, watching.

His stomach twisted. He reached the intercom and pressed Ody’s name, holding his breath.

“Yes?”

“Ody, it’s me. Please, open the door.” His grip tightened on the panel, waiting.

“Leave.”

“Please!” His voice broke, rising. “Just open the door, I need to talk to you.” He leaned closer to the speaker, bracing a hand against the wall. “Just… please.”

His heart pounded as he waited. Then the door buzzed open. He pushed it and stepped inside. His legs nearly gave out in the elevator, the seconds dragging. He hadn’t thought this through. He didn’t have the right words. He just needed to see him. To say something, anything.

The elevator doors opened. He stepped out, heading down the hall just as the apartment door swung open.

Ody stood in the doorway, blocking it, his gaze fixed on him. “What are you doing here? It’s like 3 a.m.”

“Ody, just… listen to me.” Mano stepped closer, but Ody didn’t move, keeping the door between them.

The distance hit harder than anything.

“I thought I made myself clear yesterday,” Ody said.

“Let’s talk inside.”

“About what? I got the message loud and clear. At the café. And at the club.”

Mano shoved the door, forcing his way in, pushing Ody back with it. He shut it behind him and leaned against it, his eyes locked on him.

“What are you doing?” Ody snapped.

“They were watching you, Ody. I didn’t have a choice.”

“Who was watching me?”

Mano dragged a hand over his face, squeezing his eyes shut. Where the hell was he even supposed to start? “The guy from the club. The one you saw me with. He has people outside your place. Right now.”

Ody’s expression shifted. “What are you talking about?”

Mano let out a sharp breath. “I was going to text you back, I swear, I just—I passed out, and when I woke up I was there, at his place, and he—” The words caught in his throat. “He said he’d hurt you, if I didn’t do what he wanted. I couldn’t—”

“Whoa, whoa. What?” Ody cut in.