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Me: Just got here. Going radio silent. Will let you know when I’m on my way back. Love you. x
Flicking my cell to silent, I place it into my pocket. Then I jump out of the car, take off my cut, and store it under the seat of the driver’s side. Closing the car door, I then turn and make my way into Chinatown. The buzz and atmosphere of this place is electric—the smells, the sounds, the colors. I have never been in a Chinatown before, but I will admit this one is pretty fucking cool.
As I glance at all the stores along the street, I spot the sushi train, and my stomach swirls in apprehension. Gritting my teeth, I step up to the window and pull out my cell, quickly glancing at the picture of Nalani on my screen. My eyes shift up to see her sitting near the back with a guy who definitely looks like the picture of Park from the dossier.
Shoving my cell back in my jeans, I move to the door and enter, clocking Jun and Cheng sitting behind a bamboo partition with two men in deep discussion. I keep walking to make my way closer to Nalani and Park, then sit on a stool at the train. I have a direct line of sight for Nalani, so it won’t look weird if I’m looking in her direction, but I figure I better grab some fucking sushi, or me simply sitting here is going to look more than a little suspicious.
Reaching forward, I grab the first plate that goes by, not looking at it, and then another, putting them in front of me. My eyes dart between Jun and then to Nalani and Park.
I’m too far away to hear either of their conversations, so I may as well have some lunch while I’m here. I glance down to see what I’ve chosen, and I have no idea what the fuck these are, but one plate reads Ahi Nigiri, and the other Unagi Sushi. I’ve never been a huge sushi eater, nor a big seafood fan but fuck it. I’ll do anything once. I pick up the pink one, shove the whole thing in my mouth, then begin chewing. My eyes widen as I nod my head, actually enjoying the sensation. “Not bad,” I mumble to myself.
With my eyes still firmly planted on Nalani and Park, I watch how she’s sinking into herself with her head hanging low, her eyes focused on her food, making me think she feels threatened by Park. So, as I shove the other weird-looking sushi in my mouth and begin chewing, I continue to watch their dynamic. The way his hand comes out, grabbing her wrist and gripping tight. How she tries to pull away, but he won’t let her.
Yeah, she’s with him under duress.
I need to get her out of here.
Glancing down, my sushi is gone. I didn’t even realize I’d eaten it all. Widening my eyes, I let out a huff, and reach out to grab more random plates. I have no clue how long I will be here, so I may as well enjoy myself while I can.
Shoveling food into my mouth, I’m loving this sushi far too fucking much. Honestly, I am making a damn pig of myself, but I have a real show playing out in front of me. Nalani says something, and Park slams his fist on the table, making their glasses wobble.
Stopping my food fest for a brief moment, I wonder if I’m going to have to step in, especially when Nalani bursts into tears. Park throws a napkin, hitting her in the face, and points over his shoulder. She stands, making me sit taller as I place my tuna roll on my plate, subtly watching her make her way to the hall for the bathrooms.
Wiping my bearded face with a napkin, I throw a wad of cash on top of the multiple plates in front of me, then stand and casually make my way into the hall. My eyes watch Park to ensure he’s not looking this way, but he is too busy on his cell. I risk a glance at Jun and Cheng, but they’re still in their meeting and not interested in anything around them.
It’s go time.
I make my way to the ladies’ bathroom and open the door, stepping inside. Nalani is in a stall, crying, and I know I’m going to go right in for the kill. “Nalani?” I call out quietly.
She chokes on sob, sniffling but doesn’t reply.
I continue, “It’s okay. I’m not here to hurt you, but I do need to talk to you. Can you come out?”
Quite a few seconds go by, and I think she won’t come out when finally, Nalani slowly unlocks the stall door, her beautiful face red and blotchy as she peeks through the door at me. “W-who are you?”
“Name’s Hurricane. I’m with Defiance.”
She instantly closes the stall door, closing herself inside the cubical. “You shouldn’t be here. If they find you, they will kill you, Hurricane. You need to leave. Now!”
“Nalani… I saw the way Park was treatin’ you. You know he’s only gonna get worse. Come with me, and I will take you back to your parents. Back to your club. Back home.”
Her crying becomes louder, and she opens the door, dramatically shaking her head. “You don’t understand. It’s not that simp?—”
“It is! We’ll sneak out the back right now. Just you and me. Park and the others won’t know until we’re already on the road.”
She shoves past me, moving to the basin to wash her hands. “He probably already knows you’re in here with me. The only hope you have is for me to leave and for you to stay in here and leave after me. If he sees you anywhere near me, he will kill you. I don’t want that on my conscience.”
I reach out, gently touching her arm. Her head snaps to me like she’s terrified, so I instantly let her go and raise my hands. “Sorry. Look… I dunno how much time we have before Park comes lookin’, but your parents are worried. You gotta come with me.”
Her brow furrows, and she scowls. “You think you’re some white knight coming in here to save me, Hurricane? All you’re doing is putting everyone in danger by being here. I’m not leaving with you, and if you try to force me, I will scream. Park and his family will come in here to kill you.”
Slumping my shoulders, I exhale. “Nalani… think about it this way. It is your chance to get out?—”
“We’re done here.” She goes to walk out of the bathroom, and I reach for her arm to stop her, but she turns back, glaring at me. “Remove your hand from me, or so help me God, I will make sure that Park knows you manhandled me. I swear you have never known wrath like a Ministry man’s.”
I let her go, my heart racing as I stare into her eyes. I see it—there’s hesitation there. She doesn’t believe the words she’s saying. She doesn’t want to leave, but she is so fucking scared she’s choosing to run rather than to fight.
“Nalani, you have a choice to leave right now. Take it.”
