Page 80 of Once in a Lifetime, Part 2

Mano turned, fast. “No. He wanted you gone. You’re not going anywhere near him.”

“I don’t care!” Ody shouted. “I’m not leaving you alone again. I did that once, I’m not doing it again, you hear me?”

“Ody…” Mano grabbed his shoulders, steadying him. “Ten minutes ago you had people watching you. You’re not leaving this house until this is over. You’re safe here.”

“But—”

“It’s not up for discussion.” Mano cut him off. “I’m going alone.”

Ody stared at him, his expression torn between anger and fear.

“Please,” Mano said, softer now. “Stay. I can’t be out there worrying about you too.”

Ody looked down, exhaling.

Mano reached for him, tilting his face up before pressing a soft kiss to his lips. “I’ll come back to you.” He turned and walked out.

He reached the bar and spotted Andreas at an outside table. Music pulsed through the street, people dancing, but Andreas sat in a quieter spot. Mano’s jaw clenched as he walked toward him. Andreas’s gaze lifted to meet his, the ease gone, something colder taking its place.

Mano pulled out the chair and sat across from him, his stare hard. Andreas held it, exhaling smoke between them before tapping ash into the tray. “You stepped into dangerous territory, kid.”

“I had to.”

Andreas studied him. “You’ve got balls. I’ll give you that.”

Mano didn’t react. His gaze stayed locked on him. “You thought you broke me. Thought I was your fucking toy. You thought I’d do whatever you wanted because you’d taken everything else from me.” His voice hardened. “Giving me my phone back was your mistake.”

Andreas was silent for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then he tapped the ash from his cigarette. “I miscalculated.”

Mano’s eyes narrowed.

“I knew you were capable of making a call,” Andreas continued. “I just didn’t know you had access to people who could make mine back off.” He took a slow drag. “You made all of it disappear without ever stepping into the picture yourself.”

Mano leaned back, watching him. “You underestimated me.”

“I did.” The corner of his mouth curved as he exhaled smoke. “Where’d you find connections like that?” he asked.

“I don’t discuss my work with people outside of it.”

Andreas let out a low chuckle. “Do you have any idea who you’re dealing with?”

Mano leaned in, his expression hard. “You don’t stop, neither do I. This isn’t about winning. It’s about him being safe. And if it comes down to you or me… I don’t give a damn if one of us ends up dead.”

Andreas’s brows lifted. “Wow…” He nodded, then looked back at him. “You really love him.”

Mano exhaled through his nose.

“I really thought I’d make you fall for me,” Andreas said. “I always get what I want. First time I don’t.” He was silent for a moment. “Part of me wants to burn everything down just to have you.” He kept his eyes on Mano. “But I don’t want someone who looks past me. And you don’t see anything but him.”

Something in that hit deep.

“So you’re no use to me,” Andreas added. “Shame. You’re exactly my type.” His gaze lingered on Mano before shifting past him.

Mano noticed, but before he could turn, a fist slammed into Andreas’s face.

Chairs shifted, a few heads snapping toward them. Mano shot to his feet, grabbing Ody’s arm. “What the hell are you doing?” he hissed. “Have you lost it?”

Ody leaned in toward Andreas, who was still turned to the side. “He’s mine. Don’t come near him again. You hear me?”