Sheriff’s comment didn’t go unnoticed.
An elderly Black man at a nearby table barked out a string of colorful insults.
“You greedy son of a…
cheap, corner-cutting…
God Himself couldn’t save your sorry…” Every swear word somehow transformed into obscure street slang that nobody outside the neighborhood could hope to decipher.
Despite replacing every profanity with nearly incomprehensible expressions, the meaning came through perfectly.
The old man’s verbal barrage flowed with the effortless rhythm of a seasoned rapper.
Foggy burst out laughing.
He hurried over and slapped the man a high five.
“Nice one, Old Kent!” Sheriff shot them both a furious glare and even raised a fist.
But that was as far as he dared go.
Everyone knew Alvin had one unbreakable rule.
No fighting inside Peace Restaurant.
A few people had tested that rule over the years.
None of them had enjoyed the outcome.
The restaurant door opened again.
A breathtaking Eastern European woman in her thirties stepped inside.
She surveyed the room once before walking straight to the counter.
Without saying a word, she tilted her head toward Sheriff.
Move.
Sheriff’s anger evaporated instantly.
He offered an awkward smile.
“Hey, Darya.” Picking up his glass, he quietly relocated to a recently vacated table.
Darya gracefully settled onto the barstool.
She exchanged familiar nods with several customers before producing a cigarette.
Lighting it with practiced elegance, she rested her chin on one hand while watching Alvin work behind the grill.
Jessica marched over carrying a glass of lemonade.
She set it down with enough force to make the ice clink loudly.
“No smoking.” Darya looked up at her with an amused smile.
“My lucky girl.” She took a slow drag.
“Would you let me finish just this one?” “I’m sure the gentlemen nearby won’t mind.” Her sparkling eyes swept across the counter.
Every man except Matt instinctively nodded.
Jessica shot the entire group a look of absolute disappointment.
Ignoring their silent protests, she delivered the very first finished steak to Matt.
As always, she carefully placed the knife and fork into his hands.
The ten burners roared together.
One by one, the sizzling steaks reached perfection and were carried out to waiting customers.
When the last plate left the kitchen, Alvin removed his apron, wiped his hands on a towel, and poured himself a beer behind the counter.
Darya smiled.
“You really should have a talk with Thor and Doom.” “They chased a gorgeous woman away from your restaurant.” She laughed softly.
“No wonder this place is always full of smelly old men.” The “smelly old men” throughout the restaurant immediately turned to look at her.
She ignored every one of them.
Alvin ignored her as well.
Instead, he called toward the far side of the dining room.
“Nick Castle.” “It’s eight-thirty.” “I’ll be checking your homework at ten.” “If it isn’t finished…” “You’ve got an hour and a half left.” He smiled pleasantly.
“And trust me.” “You don’t want to find out how I deal with kids who skip their homework.” Nick groaned dramatically and clutched his head.
He wheeled himself behind the counter at top speed before stopping beside the small doorway leading upstairs.
Grabbing the railing, he stood on one leg and hopped the rest of the way toward the second floor.
The entire restaurant erupted with laughter.
“Faster, Nick!” Foggy called after him.
“I don’t want to see you sweeping the sidewalks with that wheelchair tomorrow!” Nick twisted around long enough to stick out his tongue before disappearing upstairs.
The little door swung shut behind him.
Only then did Darya stub out her cigarette.
She opened her elegant handbag and removed ten thick bundles of twenty-dollar bills.
Twenty thousand dollars.
She pushed the money across the counter toward Alvin.
There was hope in her eyes.
And pleading.
Along with just a trace of uncertainty.
Alvin glanced at the cash.
Then calmly separated it into two equal stacks.
He pushed half back toward her.
“I heard you’ve taken in several girls who were smuggled over from Eastern Europe.” “If any of them are underage…” “They go to school.” He looked directly at her.
“After that, just give me a hundred dollars a month.” “The women who want honest work should save their money and leave this place.” Darya immediately shook her head.
“That isn’t how things work.” “If you only take a hundred dollars…” “The other gangs will notice.” “We’ll all have problems.” She gently pushed the money back.
“We’re doing well.” “The girls earn decent money.” “Two of them saved enough last week to move to Los Angeles.” She looked at Alvin earnestly.
“Please.” “You have to accept it.” “I know you don’t want money earned this way.” “But if you refuse…” “I can’t bear the thought of falling back under another gang’s control.” The plea in her voice softened the room.
Old Kent nodded.
“Take it, Alvin.” “We all know you’re protecting those girls.” “But if you don’t accept the money…” “You’ll break the rules that keep this neighborhood balanced.” “The gangs around here will lose their minds.” “They can’t touch you.” “But they can hurt the women.” Alvin considered that for a moment.
Then he sighed.
“Fair enough.” He waved Sheriff over.
“Come here.” Sheriff hurried across the room.
Alvin pointed at the money.
“Take it.” “You’ve got fifteen days.” “I want two food trucks.” He gave Sheriff a level look.
“If I catch you cutting corners again…” “I’ll send Thor over for a chat.” Sheriff’s shoulders slumped.
“Twenty thousand only covers one truck.” “Come on, Alvin.” “You’re a fair man.” “You can’t expect me to lose money.” Alvin poured him a beer and slid it across the counter.
“This…” He smiled gently.
“…is your punishment for being greedy.” “There won’t be another one.” The warm smile somehow frightened Sheriff more than anger would have.
He nodded frantically.
“Understood.” “It won’t happen again.” “I swear.” Alvin didn’t bother responding.
He already knew Sheriff wouldn’t risk cheating him twice.
Instead, he looked toward Old Kent.
“Who’s having the hardest time around here?” Old Kent thought for a moment.
“Lilith.” “She’s raising three kids by herself.” “She could definitely use one.” “And Archie’s family.” “Six people.” “Nobody has work.” “They need the other.” Alvin nodded.
“Then let them know.” “Tell them to meet Sheriff at his garage.” “If they need any special modifications…” “They can work it out with him directly.” He waved Sheriff away before the man could say another word.
Sheriff immediately scooped up the money as though afraid someone might change their mind.
Alvin turned toward another customer seated near the entrance.
A powerfully built Black man was finishing the last bite of his steak.
“JJ.” “When you leave…” “Walk Sheriff home.” “He shouldn’t be carrying that much cash by himself.” JJ had once served in the Marine Corps.
After getting into some trouble, he’d disappeared into Hell’s Kitchen and eventually found work at Peace Restaurant as Alvin’s driver and security man.
“No problem, Boss.” JJ swallowed the last bite of steak, drained an entire glass of lemonade in one go, and stood.
He nodded to Alvin before escorting Sheriff toward the door.
The moment it opened…
Everyone saw the same thing.
An extraordinarily beautiful blonde woman stood outside.
Even more striking than Darya.
Behind her were the two police officers from earlier.
Recognizing the officers, JJ didn’t think twice.
He simply escorted Sheriff to the truck and drove away.