“What’s your problem? Give me my helmet.”
“No.”
Mano froze. His jaw tightened as he stared at him. “What did you just say?”
“How are you going to ride like that?”
“I’m fine.” He held out his hand impatiently. “Give it back.”
“Start the engine.”
Mano scoffed and twisted the throttle with his right hand. Pain flared, sharp enough to make him let go. His hand dropped to his side.
“Get off,” Ody said.
Mano stared at him.
“I’ll drive you home. Get off.”
Mano leaned forward on the bike, eyes burning. “You’re fucking nuts. Give me my helmet or you’ll be next.”
“Hit me if you want,” Ody said without flinching. “But you’re not riding like this. Get off.”
Chapter 3
Mano’s glare only hardened. Without a word, Ody turned and walked toward his car, the helmet in hand.
“Hey!” Mano shouted, swinging his leg off the bike. “Where are you going with my helmet?” He went after him, while Ody kept walking at an infuriatingly relaxed pace. “I’m talking to you!” Mano reached for the helmet from Ody’s left side.
Ody switched it to his right at the last second, forcing Mano closer. Their faces were suddenly inches apart. Mano’s gaze flicked to the small beauty mark above Ody’s lip.
“Give it back,” he growled.
“Come get it,” Ody replied, quickening his pace.
Mano shoved him hard. Ody stumbled, caught himself, then turned, jaw tightening.
“Are you giving it back or not?” Mano demanded, fury burning in his eyes.
Instead of answering, Ody broke into a run.
“What the hell is wrong with this guy?” Mano muttered, then sprinted after him.
Ody pulled his keys from his pocket and unlocked the car remotely. He slipped inside, slammed the door, and locked it. Mano reached the car seconds later and leaned toward the driver’s window. “What the hell are you doing?”
Ody raised a hand and gestured for him to go around to the passenger side.
“Open the door!” He pounded on the glass.
Ody shook his head and pointed again to the other side.
“Are you going to open it, or do I have to smash it?”
Ody rolled the window down just enough to speak. “If you want it back, get in.”
Mano let out a dark chuckle and lowered his head before looking up again. “You have a death wish,” he said in English, almost under his breath.
Ody smiled and gestured again.
