“In the car,” Kash said, tilting his head toward a nearby SUV.
Ody sprinted toward it, Kash following behind. As he neared the car, the back door swung open. Two hands grabbed him and yanked him inside. They shoved him into the middle seat. Kash climbed in after him. The driver locked the doors and hit the gas.
“Where’s Anna?” Ody demanded, his voice shaking.
Kash chuckled, leaning back as the car sped off.
Ody looked around the car. Kash sat on one side of him, another guy on the other. A driver and a passenger in the front. Anna wasn’t there.
Relief washed through him. His stomach twisted a second later. Mano was right.
A few meters behind, Mano followed on his motorcycle, keeping his distance.
They arrived outside the same school where Mano had been beaten. The car doors swung open.
“What the hell do you want from me?” Ody shouted as they pushed him toward the gates.
Four more men emerged from the shadows. The same ones who had beaten Mano, plus two new faces. Eight men total.
Ody’s back pressed against the gate.
“Get inside,” Kash said.
Ody turned, climbed over the gate, and dropped inside. Gravel crunched under his shoes as he landed. The men vaulted over the fence after him and closed in.
Ody’s fear was written all over his face.
“Do you know why you’re here?” Kash asked.
“No,” Ody replied, his voice trembling.
“Because your buddy didn’t do what he was supposed to,” Kash said. “If he’d stayed out of it, you’d be safe right now. But the deal broke this morning.”
“What do you want?” Ody asked, stepping back.
“Stop walking,” Kash said.
Ody continued retreating, his eyes darting between the men surrounding him.
“I said stop walking!”
Ody stopped mid-step.
Seven men stood behind Kash, all staring him down. Mano’s words rang in his mind.Be brave.
Kash stepped closer. “You know, Ody… I never planned on hitting you. We never laid a hand on you, and you know that.”
Ody kept his head turned away.
Kash lowered his voice. “But after what he did, I don’t have a choice.” He raised it again. “These guys don’t show mercy. If I give the word, they’ll jump you.”
Ody swallowed hard. “Why are you doing this to me? I haven’t done anything to you.”
“I know.” Kash shoved him hard. Ody hit the ground. “Do what you didn’t do this morning. Apologize.”
He looked up, horrified. He never imagined he’d end up here… like this.
“If you don’t apologize, I’ll give the word,” Kash said, jaw tight. “Come on, Ody. Just do it.”
