Ody sighed in frustration. “Either you’re lying to me… or you’re not the fearless Mano who doesn’t back down from anyone.”
Mano bit his lip, looked away, then breathed out.
“Which is it?” Ody pressed.
Mano met his eyes. “I’m not the fearless Mano you thought I was.”
“That’s all you have to say?” Ody asked, tone almost mocking.
“You asked for honesty. That’s the truth.”
“And all that talk about putting them in their place? Making them realize they messed with the wrong guy?”
Mano rubbed his jaw, swallowing. “Just empty words.”
Ody stared at him, something shifting in his eyes. He shook his head, then walked past him, opened the door and left.
Chapter 16
Mano closed his eyes and let out a long breath. He’d made himself look weak on purpose. Let Ody think he was all talk. Let him think he folded the second things got difficult. Risking Ody’s safety wasn’t an option.
The next morning, Ody woke up knowing they’d come for him again.
“Morning,” he greeted his friends outside the classroom.
“Morning. You okay?” Steve asked.
“Yeah, I’m fine. Why?”
“Nothing, man. Just asking.”
“Coffee after class?” Chris asked.
“Uh… yeah, sure.”
As they walked inside, Kash passed Ody and slipped a note into his hand.
Ody kept his expression neutral, not wanting anyone to notice. He sat down, unfolded the note, and read it.Meet me in the backyard after class. If you don’t show, you know what’ll happen to Mano.
“What’s that?” Steve asked.
“Nothing. Trash.” Ody crumpled it and tossed it in the bin.
On the way back to his seat, he glanced at Kash. Kash gave him a small signal with his eyes, his friends right beside him, one on each side.
When class ended, they gathered their things.
“Let’s go,” Chris said, reminding them about coffee.
“You guys go ahead. I’ll catch up. I need to call Anna,” Ody lied, heading toward the backyard, a barren corner behind the building where no one usually went.
He arrived first, pacing. When they appeared, he braced himself.
“Glad to see you’re obedient,” Kash said, smug as ever. “Hope you’re not still upset about the water.”
“Let’s get this over with,” Ody muttered, earning laughter from the group.
“A little eager today. Don’t tell me you’re starting to like the way we treat you,” Kash teased.
