Raj lays back on the couch she had sex on half an hour ago, smoking a cigarette in a black silk kimono robe. She enjoys watching Allie putting on her clothes in the middle of her living room.
"I thought the beer was the reward for saving you." Allie says, sliding into her pants.
"It was." Raj assures.
"What was the sex for then?" Allie asks, getting her shirt from the floor.
"I got horny in the shower and I remembered how hot you looked kicking Tool's ass" Raj explains with a sly smile. "Glad you stuck around."
"I think your vibrator needs new batteries." Allie suggests as she puts on her shirt.
"There are some things a vibrator can't provide." Raj states.
Allie walks to a small dining table near the kitchen where she left her jacket and new gun. Next to the gun, Allie finds a folded note.
"My number." Raj informs. "In case you want a booty call."
Allie says nothing, tucking her gun behind her and putting on her jacket to conceal it. She takes the note and turns around to face Raj.
"I can't promise I'll call." Allie holds out the note.
"I can't promise I'll answer." Raj replies.
*****
Allie exits the building to see the sun has already set, beginning the night. She raucously looks around as she makes her way to the car she stole. All seemed right as Allie approaches the Sabre. On the reflective tinted window of the driver's side door, she spots a figure moving toward her. Acting on pure survival instinct, Allie swiftly turns and draws her gun to whoever is sneaking up to her.
"WHOA, ALLIE! IT'S ME!"
Allie looks pass her gun to see a Latino male in her late twenties with short black hair and a goatee, wearing a red leather jacket over a Liberty Penetrators t-shirt and blue jeans, holding his hands over his head, with the look of fear but with the hope of recognition.
"Hector?" A surprised Allie quickly lowers her gun. "What the fuck you think you were doing,
idiota
? Creeping up on me like that. I could've shot you."
"Nice to see you too, cuz." Hector lowers his hands as he walks to Allie. "Thanks for not shooting me."
"You lucky you can put your hands up so fast." Allie tucks her gun under her jacket.
For a moment of family loyalty, the two cousins hug without any word. After the hug ends, both Allie and Hector take a step back from each other.
"So, last I heard you were working at Vice City." Allie speaks.
"Yeah, some heavy shit went down last month, so I moved back to L.C." Hector explains. "When'd you get out of the clink?"
"This morning." Allie answers.
"And you're already carrying a piece and have a ride? Damn, cuz. You put half the Spanish Lords to shame." Hector states. "So, why you in the projects? Just finished hooking up with an old girlfriend?"
"New one actually." Allie corrects, briefly smiling.
"I thought you'd be with that Sasha girl."
"I was." Allie smiles again. "Most of the morning."
"You did two chicas in one day?" Hector asks with a brief laugh. "I would think after getting out women's prison, you'd want to catch up on some sleep for like, a day or two."
"Maybe you would but all I need is fifteen minutes." Allie playfully boosts.
"You do the lesbian community proud, cuz." Hector says, looking around as he steps close to Allie. "So, you planning to hook up for a third time tonight or maybe you'd like to make some paper?"
Allie pauses for a few seconds, considering Hector's offer. "What do I have to do?"
"The usual shit." Hector answers.
"Well, I was planning to see if the Majestic is hiring but they probably have a waitlist." Allie states with dry humor.
"And to be blunt, your people skills aren't that good either." Hector adds.
"What's the job?" Allie inquires.
****
The Sabre makes a screeching turn on Frankfort Avenue. Allie slows down as she and Hector head for the Northwood Heights Bridge to Bohan.
"How come you ain't spending the day with Sasha?" Hector inquires. "You wore her out or did you two have another fight?"
"How about we talk your love life instead." Allie suggests with a slight annoyance.
