"Yeah," Mo said, chuckling deep in his throat. "We hot-wired up in here. It's all good."
Rider inhaled deeply with Jose. "Mike oughta see this."
"Naw, 'cause he might never leave."Jose motioned to a vat of greens and long metal trays of macaroni and cheese and candied yams as the fry cook dropped a load of battered green tomatoes into a vat. "We got a brother who would definitely appreciate the cuisine."
"The problem would be detoxing both him and Inez after coming through here," Marlene said with a smile.
"Oh, don't worry," Mo said, laughing. "We gonna feed you like family up in here, and we gonna introduce you all around-that's Oscar, Keith, Ty." He motioned toward the kitchen exit with a greasy butcher knife. "Phat G is up front at the bar. It's the weekend, so the joint is jumpin'. Bikers hit us Friday and Saturdays, cops come in during the week . . . families on Sunday, so you know, like I said, it's all good."
A half-smile pulled at Carlos's cheek. There was something comforting in the chaos of the kitchen in a way that felt like home.
"I've gota coupla vegetarians in the group and a couple of brothers that don't do pork." Carlos looked around the kitchen for a moment knowing it was time to water his horses. A menu hit him in the chest and he caught it, still feeling a tactical Guardian's charge coming off it.
"Up here at Monsta Burgers, we got da Big Ass Pulled Pork Platter for those who indulge, the Big Ass Beef Rib Platter, Big Ass BBQ Chicken Platter, and none of the sides are made with meat, so need I go on?" Mo said.
"Thanks, bro-I'm straight," Shabazz said, pounding his fist. "Nice tactical sling, too."
Mo nodded. "Phat gonna introduce you to the team. Mostly tacticals and seers-but we can tune this kitchen up and sling this shit in here like it's a Ginsu knife commercial, feel me. Weslices and dices mofos who ain't cool."
"I feel you," Carlos said, nodding. "That's good to know."
"Chantay gonna take y'all to a VIP table we put aside. It's nice to finally meet the legend, you know?" Mo smiled widely, one gold tooth reflecting the overhead lights. Then with a swift pivot that should have belonged to a much thinner man, he sucked in a deep breath and hollered, "Chantay!Yo, git dese folks a table!"
Dan pored over the menu as they walked toward the kitchen door. "It really says Big Ass Pulled Pork Platter." He glanced at Bobby and J.L. "I mean, in writing.Literally."
But before anyone could comment, the kitchen doors swung wide open. A petite, brown-skinned waitress with shoulder-length braids and a sexy, beef-fed figure strutted into the kitchen with one hand on her hip. Annoyance flared in her big brown eyes, and her mouth was pursed in a pout.
"Mo-what I tell you about hollering for me like that?It ain't professional!"
"We got VIPs up in here, girl . . . don't get all new."
"Who VIP?"She crossed her arms and resumed chewing her gum, looking the team up and down, unimpressed. "What group y'all with?"
"You get your e-mail this morning?" Mo countered, frowning.
"No. I pulled a double last night, so?"
"Hi," Marlene said, stepping forward and extending her hand. "Open a channel and I'll send, sis."
The young woman's eyes widened as her gaze shot from Guardian to Guardian."Oh, my Gawd! Does Phat know y'all are here? Oh, I got your table. Oh, my Gawd-which one is Damali?"
"My wife will be here shortly with some more fam," Carlos said, swallowing a smile.
"Oh, no!Carlos Rivera's up in da house?" Chantay ran to the kitchen doors and burst through them. Her yell mixed in with the din of the lively crowd and the blare of muddy water blues. "Lisa! Nyya, Carmen, Adrienne-y'all are gonna die! Go git Annette and Roshida and tell TayTay to leave the bar for a minute!Where's Anthony and Rene? Make sure Rodriguez blesses those tables good, yo!"
Chantay came back to the chuckling group with a wide grin. "I just wanna shake your hand, brother.Heard all about your squad." Carlos didn't have a chance to answer her before she turned onMo. "You ain't say VIP-type VIP, man! I swear!"
Marlene winked at Carlos."So much for a low-key reception."
Damali set them down on the building's roof. She knew coming out of her first fold-away,Mom Delores was going to scream bloody murder. She and Inez waited for the distraught woman to slump against Big Mike's steady hold, but Ayana loved it and simply clapped her hands.
Gently laying the older woman down, they waited. That's all one could do. The poor woman had fainted and it was best to allow her to slowly come to, gather her wits, and then they could open the huge metal door to walk down the steps. From there, they could find a ladies' room to splash some cold water on her face. In the meanwhile, they had to pass entrance inspection protocol.
Mike and Damali nodded at the large Guardian sentry that was obviously already prepared for their arrival. He lowered the assault weapon and smiled, rushing over to them.
"You got injured, sis? I'll get a medic evac stat-how bad is she? Is she nicked?"
"No, this is her first flight," Damali said. "But thanks, brother."