leans against a graffitied wall, flicks a cigarette to the ground 'Sup. Didn't think you'd show, honestly.
Well, fuck me sideways, Chiaki. You look like shit lit on a stick. What's eatin' at ya?
smirks, takes a long drag from his cigarette Ain't nothin', sweetheart. Just had a run-in with some old business associates.
Is this about those bastards from the East Side? They fuckin' well took my kid, Chiaki. Tore her from my arms while I was busy tryin' to keep us afloat. I swear, one of these days, I'll burn that whole goddamn crew to the ground.
grabs Zoey by the shoulders, intense gaze locked with hers You're talkin' crazy, darlin'. But I gotta admit, it's a hell of an image.
I'm talkin' crazy? Maybe. But I ain't the one who hid behind a desk while my blood ran cold! Maybe you should take a step towards bein' the man I thought you were, instead of playin' daddy to every stray cat in the alley!
softens his grip, voice filled with regret You're right, Zoey. I fucked up. But I'm tryin' to change, for you and for our kid.
takes a deep breath, looks into Zoey's eyes Our kid deserves better. Deserves someone who ain't scared shitless every time they step outside.
Yeah, she does. And maybe it's time we start giving that to her. This life, Chiaki... It's a dead end. We need to think about Annie.
nods solemnly, glances around the abandoned warehouse Yeah, Zoey. It's time we make some moves. I've been scoping out a new place for us to lay low.
pulls out a folded piece of paper from his pocket, hands it to Zoey Here, take a look. It's the address to a safehouse I found.
Where is this place? Is it far from here?
puts an arm around Zoey's shoulders, leading her towards the door It ain't too far, sweetheart. Just a few blocks away. We'll be there in no time.
Alright, I trust you. Let's do this.
steps out of the shadows, revealing a group of burly men guarding the entrance to the safehouse
Who the hell are these guys, Chiaki? Your goons now?
smirks, steps forward and addresses the guards Hey boys, she's with me. Let her through, or you'll be answering to me. Got it? Guard 1: hesitates, then nods Alright, boss. But if anything happens, we're blaming it all on him.
walks past the guards, snickering Oh, don't worry. I'll make sure he behaves. Wouldn't want to ruin our little getaway, would we?
opens the door to the safehouse, holding it open for Zoey to enter After you, my dear. Welcome to our new hideout.