Steve and Chris said nothing, both of them looking shaken and guilty after hearing that.
By the time Ody headed to meet Anna at the café, the knot in his chest had only tightened. He knew the conversation would be hard.
“Hey babe,” Ody said, putting an arm around Anna’s waist. She barely greeted him before demanding answers, her worry already bubbling to the surface. Ody guided her to a table.
Once they sat, he took a breath and began. He told her all of it. Kash, the beatings, Mano stepping in, the threats, the group fight, the whole truth.
Anna went pale. “My God, Ody. It could’ve gone so much worse. What if they’d really hurt you?”
“Do you see why I couldn’t tell you? If Mano hadn’t spoken to Steve…” Ody’s eyes locked on hers. “I don’t know what they would’ve done to me.”
“So he stayed quiet because they’d hurt you if he helped?” she asked.
Ody nodded.
“Unbelievable. I still think you should’ve told me sooner,” she said, a scolding edge in her voice. “But… I guess Mano is not the jerk I thought he was.”
A soft smile touched Ody’s lips.
“It’s just… the way he treated Katerina made me think he was trash.”
“Anna, don’t talk like that,” he said. “His personal life is one thing. This is different.”
“You’re right.” She sighed. “He proved himself.”
“There’s something else I wanted to ask you,” Ody added. “I talked to the guys about Serifos. Steve is in. Are you okay if I invite Mano too?”
“Who is he going to bring?”
“He’ll figure something out.”
“It’s just… we planned this as a friends’ trip,” she said, hesitating.
“Well, we haven’t met Steve’s girlfriend either,” Ody pointed out. “Isn’t it the same thing? Unless you don’t want him there.”
“No, it’s not that,” she said quickly. “He helped you. And… I trust your judgment.” She paused, thought it through, then nodded. “Alright. Invite him.”
Relief settled in Ody’s chest. As he stepped outside the café, the thought of Mano joining them in Serifos lingered in his mind. A trip with friends. A trip where Mano would not be the outsider.
He would talk to Mano tomorrow. And this time, he would make sure Mano came with them. No excuses. No slipping away.
Chapter 20
Ody woke up determined to start studying for his exams. Instead, he checked his DMs and texted Mano.We need to talk about Serifos
Mano replied a few minutes later.After 4. Gym first. Want me to pick you up?
I’ll come by with the car,Ody wrote back.
The first day of June arrived hot and heavy. Mano went to the gym, took a cold shower when he got back, then got ready to meet Ody.
He always preferred taking his motorcycle instead of being trapped in a car in that heat, even if Ody hated the idea.
He pulled on a black tank top that left his muscular arms and shoulders on full display. His tattoos traced both arms, and he paired the top with black jeans and white designer sneakers.
When he stepped outside with two helmets, he saw Ody’s car already parked. He opened the passenger door, sat down, but left it open. “Why don’t we just take the bike? Where are we going?”
“For coffee. I need to tell you about Serifos.”
