Meanwhile, the others were already in the water. Mano was farther out, swimming alone. Ody stayed closer to the shore beside Anna, though the tension between them was obvious.
They swam in silence for a while. “What happened with Mano this time?” she finally asked.
“Nothing.”
“Yeah, sure.”
“What?”
“Keep acting like this, Ody. Next thing you know, you’ll be ignoring me completely.”
“This has nothing to do with us,” he said, but even as he spoke, he knew that wasn’t true.
“I’m going back,” she said, turning toward the shore and joining the others at the beach bar.
Everyone was enjoying cold drinks except Mano and Ody, who were still in the water.
The beach bar was busy. Waiters moved constantly between the tables carrying trays of drinks and food. Some people lounged under umbrellas while others lay in the sun reading. Upbeat summer music played from the speakers.
A man from another group stood up, staring toward the water. “What the hell are they doing?”
People nearby turned to look. “What’s going on?” a woman asked.
A bad feeling crept over the group. Steve was the first to walk closer. Then he recognized them. “Shit!” he shouted, already breaking into a run. “It’s our guys!”
As he rushed toward the shore, the scene came into focus. Mano had Ody pinned in the sand, throwing punches. Whenever Ody managed to move, he tried to shove him away or lock his arm around his neck.
He finally rolled free and lunged at Mano, trying to tackle him. It didn’t work. As he lifted his head, Mano’s fist crashed into his face, sending him straight back into the sand.
“You idiots!” Steve yelled, rushing in and grabbing Mano from behind.
Ody wiped his mouth and looked up at him, breathing hard.
Mano tried to break free and lunge at him again, but Steve held him back with all his strength.
The others rushed over. Anna dropped to her knees beside Ody.
“Let go!” Mano shouted, shoving Steve away.
He took a step forward, but Antony blocked him. “Mano, calm down!”
He shoved Antony aside and towered over Ody, grabbing a fistful of his hair and yanking his head up.
Anna gasped. For the first time, Mano genuinely scared her.
His eyes burned with fury as he stared down at Ody.
Ody glared right back, despite the pain shooting through his scalp.
“We’re done. You hear me? Stay the fuck away from me!”
Chapter 49
Mano stormed off across the sand, his shoulders rigid with fury, leaving the others stunned.
For a moment, no one moved.
Ody touched his jaw carefully, shifting it side to side as pain throbbed where Mano’s punches had landed. “Damn…” he muttered under his breath. “He’s got a strong arm.”
