lincoln-riley

[lincoln-riley]

Lincoln nodded, slowly but firmly, confirming her question. Wincing as he watched the shock play out on her features, he looked away briefly, finding it difficult to maintain eye contact. Guilt rushed over him in waves, making him regret not telling her sooner– though would it have changed anything? Perhaps more bloodshed could have been prevented, but Link figured his fate would have been the same regardless of when he chose to break his silence. Sighing hard, he leveled his gaze with hers again, a soft frown tugging at the corner of his mouth, “I signed up to build casinos,” he answered, head shaking gently, “And, on a more personal note, to find my mother’s killer– he allegedly had cartel ties. But…after everything that’s happened…I don’t care about that anymore.” Avenging his mother hadn’t ever included spilling innocent blood or terrorizing an entire town. It had been about one man, and one man only– but now, in light of everything else, Link had let go of that hate. He’d never figured out who to point it at anyway.

Swallowing hard, he nodded as if to brace himself as he prepared to tell Aria exactly who was behind all the violence. He knew he was doing the right thing by coming clean, so why did it feel like barbed wire was twisting into his gut? “The Enterprise,” he divulged, dark eyes searching hers and waiting for her to make the connection. On the surface, The Enterprise really was the massively successful company it claimed to be, but underneath spoke to something far more sinister. And what did they want? “Everything,” he answered simply, “It’s not enough to wipe out the gangs in town– it’s about absorbing their cash flow too.”

Frowning, he nodded and darted another look around, unable to face her the way he wanted to. He knew that by telling her all of this, he was risking her safety too, but he felt quite sure this was the only way to get the truth to those who needed to hear it. Link knew he couldn’t go to the various gang leaders himself– they’d never trust him, assuming he even got close enough to have an audience with them. But Aria? She was the bridge he needed. He knew that, but it didn’t mean he felt good about the position he was putting her in. “I know, and believe me, if I thought there was another way, I would’ve done it,” he pressed, head shaking, “I never wanted any of this to land at your feet.” Palming the back of his neck, he blew out a long sigh, “Why now?” It was a valid question. “Because I can’t do this anymore– it’s out of control, and if me speaking out stops innocent bloodshed, I’ll deal with the consequences.” 

Lincoln shook his head, “No, I had no idea about what happened at the casino.” There was a considerable amount of bitterness in his tone as frustration ticked at the back of his jaw. That was another reason for finally breaking his silence– now the business he’d fought tooth and nail to build was being affected, diminishing his reasons for even stepping foot in Tonopah Valley in the first place. “And I don’t know where Dante is either, but with any luck, he’s six feet under.” Harsh, maybe, but Link found that he really did mean that. Dante was a snake. Pushing that thought aside, Lincoln’s face suddenly fell at her question, “No, no,” he pressed, reaching to take her hands in his, “This is real– always has been.” After everything he’d just told her, Lincoln didn’t expect Aria to actually believe him now, but he could hope. “I had no idea who you were then.” And even after he’d found out, it hadn’t changed how he felt about her or what he’d wanted to build between them. But in recent weeks, he’d been slammed with the truth: they couldn’t build a damn thing with this sort of secret hanging between them, nor could they build anything once it came to light. Doomed all along.  “I do,” understand, that was, “But it’s the gravity of everyone else’s that I care about more.” This town had suffered enough and his silence had only added to it. That wasn’t the sort of man Lincoln was, and he couldn’t be that man for a moment longer. It was dangerous, exposing The Enterprise like this– not just because he’d have a target on his back after that, but because he knew both Los Santos and the Sons of Silence would want retribution. If gunning after him gave that to them, then so be it. At least it’d finally give them both the real devil in their midst– Giovanni Ricci. “If this exposes this organization for what it’s really become and stops the violence, it’s worth every risk.” As the tears that had been threatening to fall from her eyes finally spilled over, Link lifted a hand to her face, the pad of his thumb gently swiping them away. “I think you know what all of this means, though,” he continued, figuring he might as well not beat around the bush, “Devante and I…we can’t stay here.”

Upright and waiting, she's not entirely sure what she's expecting him to say. However, the idea of outrunning an empire certainly wasn't it, especially not when she could see in his face that he wasn't joking. It only begged the question, what empire? And what had he done to warrant being on their hit list? "What?" Aria tilts her head, pausing as if she's questioning whether or not she just heard what she did. "You... know?" Adding, she could feel a cold chill beginning to travel up her spine. Not unselfishly, but with that very confession, she had just been put between a rock and a hard place. Or rather, him and Los Santos. She didn't ask how, nor who, figuring that since he started this conversation, he'd delve into that as he spoke.

A wash of surprise overtakes her features, pinning her shoulders back and raising her brows. Worked for them? What the fuck. "Then what did you sign up for?" Aria asks, not really sure where she wants to start with the questions, nor how she actually feels about it. Right now, all she could feel was surprise and a sinking feeling of dread. Did she believe him? Could she? It felt quite like a reality slap to the face, if she was honest. "And who are they? What are they after?" Frowning now, she felt like she already had a general idea given who their main targets had been, but better to hear it from a source than speculate.

Narrowing her eyes at the revelation that he was aware of who hung around her establishment, there was that cold chill etching its way back up her spine. If he knew, how long had he known for? What if the only reason he even looked her way was to use her as a way in? No... no way, he wouldn't do that, would he? She would know if she was being played... wouldn't she? "Me?" Raising a brow, she huffs out a breath and drags a hand through her hair. "Do you have any idea what position you've just put me in?" Thoughts rolling in a million miles an hour, she could only pause and blink at him for a good few seconds as she processed everything.

"You've known everything, all this time? Walked amongst the people who lost family, friends... Said nothing. Why tell me now? The casino... did you know that was going to happen? Do you know where Dante is?" Had it all been some sort of plan? Aria shook her head, feeling as though the more she thought about it, the more questions and concerns she had. "And me... You knew? About who goes in and out of my restaurant. Tell me that isn't why you walked into my shop that day?" To get close to her, even if it was just his orders from above. With her emotions in upheaval, there's a pool of tears that threaten to spill over her eyes, held back only by her own will power.

"I am hearing you out," she bites, pulling in a breath and blowing it out slowly. "Lincoln, I'm not sure you understand the gravity of your situation... Because yes, I can do what you want, I can get this to the people who need to hear it, but I can not promise you your safety. I can't tell you that just because you tell me you had nothing to do with it that they will believe me, or even care." Which might sound harsh, but it was the blunt truth, how much sway she had with Rio, with Los Santos? It might not count for anything. "...And even if they do, it's not just them. It's the Son's. These people, Link.... They are not evil, not bad, but they are loyal and they are wounded, retaliation is what they call justifiable." And it's with that thought, the tears finally spill silently over her eyes. She knew right here and now, he couldn't stay. It would be dangerous, for him, for Devante, too dangerous to take the risk that either gang would not literally kill him just for having his name tied to the organization that caused them so much pain.

[lincoln-riley]

Lincoln was struggling with this overwhelming need of his to be transparent and the nerves that came with it. He wasn’t stupid– as soon as Aria learned the truth, he felt quite sure that’d be the end of whatever this had been shaping up to be, but he couldn’t be selfish anymore, couldn’t think about himself. Things had gone entirely too far and while his confession would undoubtedly put multiple targets on his back, it felt like the only way to finally stop the domino effect that the Enterprise had started. “An empire,” he answered, knowing that for however dramatic it might have sounded, it was still the truth. Sighing, he scrubbed a hand across his face, head shaking softly. “All the shit that’s been happening in town…the attacks…I–” pausing, it was almost like he straightened where he was sitting as if to prepare himself for what he was about to confess, “I know who’s behind it.”

Link let that marinate for a moment, because in his mind, it was nothing compared to what he needed to tell her next. Knowing who to point a finger at was one thing– being in their ranks was another. “I fucking work for them,” he continued, a hand reaching up to pinch the bridge of his nose. As far as deliveries went, it wasn’t his smoothest, but how could one really admit to being part of a murderous organization and have it be smooth? “But I’m asking you to please believe me when I tell you that I never thought it’d go this far, that this is not what I signed up for.” He figured he’d start there, though he had to wonder if that would even matter to Aria at this point. Would any of it? Or was all of this completely beyond saving? “I’m here for the casino, to build shit that matters, but Two Kings might as well be a goddamn footnote compared to what they’re really after.”

Swallowing thickly, he eyed her again, “Madre Tierra,” he began, only able to imagine what sort of nerve this part of the conversation would hit, “I know who comes in and outta there,” it was his way of saying that while the Enterprise didn’t have all the intel, they at least knew the names of some cartel members and the places they frequented, and Lincoln was implying that she knew what they were involved in too. To what extent that she knew didn’t really matter to him, what mattered was that she could be a bridge– she could pass this information along to someone who could actually fucking do something. “That’s why I’m telling you this,” Link continued, laying it all out there, “Not just because of us and not wanting any secrets here, but because I think you’re in a unique position to stop this– or at least alert the people who can stop it before this shit runs over everyone and everything you love.”

No, he hadn’t necessarily lied to Giovanni when he’d looked him in the eye and said he wasn’t planning anything from within– he was doing it from the outside looking in. “Please, Aria, hear me out– not for us, but for this town.” 

The more she felt his energy shift back into something heavy, the more she felt that weight herself. It wasn't that she thought she could cure his disappointment over the gala with intimacy, it was that how much he was holding onto it made her feel like he wasn't telling her everything. "What would we be outrunning?" Finding some alarm in that comment alone, she doesn't feel a whole lot of surprise when his next one is about needing to tell her something. Of course, she had no idea what he wanted to say, but color her curious and concerned, she grips at the sheet, pulling it around her front as she sits up. "Well, I already don't like where this is going." With a raised brow, her tone remained a kind of gentle she only reserved for those she cared about. He thought she might want him gone? What could possibly make him think that? "Okay, I'm listening." Intently.

[lincoln-riley]

Since its partial re-opening, Two Kings Casino had seen a considerable drop in activity, though that wasn't exactly unexpected after what had happened at the charity ball. Lincoln knew it'd take time for business to reach the pre-gala levels they'd been enjoying, if it ever reached them again. That was the part he was struggling with– would the public’s faith in the casino ever be restored, or was it shaken for good? Thankfully, he knew he had greed on his side to some extent– some people were so money hungry, even tear gas couldn't keep them away. 

Pulled from his thoughts as an unfamiliar face approached, Lincoln cleared his throat, preparing for an inevitable thread of conversation– one he hoped wasn't centered solely around what had happened. Link just wanted to move forward and assure all casino goers that such a feat was possible. “It's going well– drinks are flowing almost as much as the slot machines,” he answered, managing a soft smile as he darted a look around, “Is this your first time at Two Kings?” He prompted, attempting small talk. As co-owner of the place, small talk had become second nature at this point.

Where: Kings Casino Who: @lincoln-riley

Fender was stepping back into the Casino for the first time after the incident. He worried that the truth might come out about him, but he had no idea who this Dante guy was, nor would the town care about his past. He had no real ties to anyone here.

The blonde made his way through the slot machines, haven't yet decided on what he wanted to play -- if he wanted to play, until his azure hues landed on the owner.

He made his way up, seeing that no one was standing with him.

"How is the night going?" To the blonde, it was all about connections.

[lincoln-riley]

Lincoln had never worn anger well. While it suited some men and fit them like a glove, the same couldn't be said for the youngest Riley. He'd always been more cool, calm, and collected, but after what happened at the gala, even he couldn't keep up that act anymore. Lincoln was furious and trying to hide it behind a smile and one of his fancy suits felt futile at this point. Tensions were high, lines had been crossed, and now the business he'd poured his heart into would likely suffer. How else was he supposed to feel?

Glancing over at Elliott, he nodded and poured the other man a glass of bourbon before passing it over. He took a sip, managing a soft scoff of laughter into the rim of his glass at Elliott’s suggestion, “Might as well at this point,” he muttered, head shaking, “Gonna have a hard time convincing people to come back here after that fucking debacle though.” At the end of the day, the casino was a business, and if he couldn't turn a profit because people were too afraid to come back, he could only guess what that would mean for him. Humming thoughtfully at the idea of pointing fingers, Lincoln tipped his head to the side, a scowl darkening his features, “I've got my suspicions.” Considering his less than pleasant run-in with Giovanni not so long ago, it didn't feel like a leap to suspect him. But proving it? That was something else entirely. “I just can't prove it yet. One thing is for sure though– ain't no way Dante is still alive.”

The situation was all too familair - the yellow tape the cops on the scene, the mess they were creating. It wasn't that long ago that Elliott had to go through that entire thing, twice. He hated it, not only because of the situation that put his guests in danger but also because of what it did to the place. It felt like a big fuck you to his face because after all - if everything went to shit, all this thing with the Enterprise would have been for nothing. It was enough already how far, how deep he got entangled with it - but to lose it all?

And now? Things were getting way out of hand, especially now that Lincoln was involved, especialle now that they knew someone was looking for Dante; one that was involved with them. It seemed that they were shit out of luck.

"I thought you'd never ask." A drink or five was definitely needed at this point. Not that it was going to change any of the situation, but it helped. At least it had helped him in the past, as slightly shameful as it may have been. "Why don't you turn it into a murder mystery event? Would fit the theme and you wouldn't have to invest so much in the decor." He offered, sitting down besides Lincoln. He had always liked the man, not only for his opinions, of course. "You think we can point fingers yet, because I fucking want to."

[lincoln-riley]

What happened at the gala was weighing on Lincoln more than he wanted to admit, and was undoubtedly creating distance where he didn't want there to be any. It was no secret that he was angry over it, and while some men tended to wear their anger well, like it was a suit of armor, it had only ever weakened Link and held him back. He didn't want to be that way right now, not with Aria while she was clearly trying to help him over this rather large bump in the road. Easing out a soft sigh, he nodded, knowing she was right in everything she was saying, even if it was still a difficult pill to swallow, “I know, and I'm grateful for that. I'm just not sure where it ends.” Especially if Giovanni was involved. Link had no proof that he was or wasn't, but he knew the man was limitless, and that worried him. “Katy Perry's got the right idea, though,” he added, managing a chuckle that really sounded more like a scoff once it hit the air. “Not much else we can do, I guess.” Waiting was hard for him, especially when he was worried that if this was Giovanni, the man could easily gun for him to make a statement if he wanted to. Snorting a soft laugh at the poke to his chest, Link actually smiled then, “There might be one or two.” Realistically, he likely had more than just one or two skeletons in his closet, but who didn't? The thing that bothered him was that he'd been keeping a rather large one locked up tight and he didn't know how much longer his conscience would allow him to do that. He wanted to help build an empire of casinos and grow a brand, not fund massacres in the street. The Enterprise had gotten rather good at the latter. Glancing over at her, he nodded, a frown diving deep between his brows. Taking off felt like a coward’s way out, but he didn't want his son's safety being threatened, and he felt quite confident that day was coming. “Yeah, I am,” really worried about it, that was. He knew he couldn't hide that anymore, not from her. Leaning into her hand against his cheek, it wasn't long before he laced his fingers through hers and brought her hand to his lips, “Hell, right now sounds perfect to me.” He knew it was a pipedream though– The Enterprise wasn't just something he could run from, despite wanting to. “Not sure this is something we could outrun though,” he added almost as an afterthought once the realization hit him. Sighing, he understood then that it was now or never– he couldn't keep what he knew from Aria anymore, and not solely just because he felt so isolated and alone in the knowledge he had, but because all of this had to stop. He didn't know how telling her might accomplish that, but either way, he couldn't keep living a lie, not if he wanted a true shot at something real with her. Shuffling against the pillows, Link sat up with a start, clearing his throat, “Look, I need to tell you something. Probably won't be easy to hear but I need you to try, okay? After that, if you want me gone, I get it, just…hear me out first.”

"Happy to be of some help," she teases, pressing another lingering kiss to his chest before propping herself up to look at him. Aria could tell the way the event ended had rattled him, she didn't need to be psychic to see it. "I'm just saying, it's broke a bad pattern, sure, the gas wasn't fun, and good luck getting Katy Perry back here again, but... It could have been worse, and it wasn't." At least, that was her thinking. She did frown slightly though, not really feeling as though she'd worded that well enough to convey the support she was trying to give him. "So we just wait and see what secrets come out in the open," there wasn't anything she thought they could do to stop it. "If you've got any skeletons in your closet, give me a heads up, huh?" Poking his chest, she chuckled softly. It was only after she said it that she realized it was slightly hypocritical to ask even in a joking manner, considering she had secrets of her own. "Take off?" Aria tips her head, dark eyes wandering across his features as he continues to suggest they never look back. It threw her for a few seconds as she tried to figure out whether he was more serious than he was kidding. "You're really worried about this, aren't you?" She could see it in his eyes, leaving her with a tiny thought that maybe she was missing something. With a soft sigh, she brought a hand up to his cheek and smiled as she traced her thumb under his lower lip. "I say that sounds like one hell of an adventure, when do we leave?"

[lincoln-riley]

WHERE: Two Kings Casino WITH: @elliottortegax

Running his fingers along the yellow caution tape that still stuck out like a sore thumb throughout Two Kings Casino, Lincoln stepped behind the bar, helping himself to a glass of top-shelf bourbon. He didn’t see the point in refraining– it wasn’t like the casino doors would be opened up to its usual patrons any time soon, not as long as there was an active investigation taking place within the very bowels of the place. Really, Lincoln wasn’t sure why law enforcement was even bothering– he felt quite sure he knew who was behind the Halloween debacle, or at least, he’d let his own bitterness assign blame without a second thought. This…this was exactly what he’d always wanted to avoid after aligning himself with The Enterprise. He just cared about the work, about the casinos. And now? Everything around him seemed to suggest that the organization he’d pledged himself to cared about everything but the work– assuming his hunch was correct. Spotting Elliot making his way past the stationed cops and caution tape, he gave a small wave, though the warmth of his smile didn’t quite reach his eyes. He was too annoyed– too pissed off– to even pretend to be anything otherwise. “Elliott,” he greeted, raising his glass to his lips, “Care to join me?” Link asked, simultaneously reaching for a clean glass. “You know what? Thinking about keeping the caution tape, if these pricks ever give me the greenlight to open up the doors again. Kinda clashes with the decor, but then again, so does a fucking raid and tear gas,” he muttered, not even bothering to disguise how frustrated he still was.

[lincoln-riley]

“I understand that,” Lincoln started, head tipping to the side and features pinching as though there was a little bit more that needed to follow. And so it did, “A little bit of faith goes a long way, though. The Rileys have been nothing but loyal to the cause– that doesn’t change just because I disagree on certain points,” he pointed out, tone light and candid as it often tended to be. What he was saying wasn’t even a lie. He was loyal to the cause, just not necessarily to the man at the helm of it. Lifting a brow as Giovanni answered him about Roman, Lincoln gave a thoughtful hum to signal that he was listening, but truth be told, he was shocked that Giovanni would even divulge that much to him. “Fair enough,” he mused aloud, a shrug of indifference effortlessly rolling off his shoulders. Watching as the other man stood, Lincoln couldn’t help the way he had to fight back a scowl at Giovanni’s parting gift, his little tidbit of wisdom. “I can assure you, I’m seeing clearer than I ever have, Giovanni,” Link informed him, flashing a soft, curt smile. While he hardly believed the man actually looked forward to the board meeting, Lincoln still nodded, keeping up friendly appearances, “As do I. Take care– I’ll see you then.”

( END. )

"My apologies, Lincoln. We move in the shadows with our work, so it's hard to differentiate friend from foe." It also didn't help that as The Enterprise -- and in turn Giovanni -- grew more powerful, the more paranoid the older man became of anyone who might attempt to take his throne from him. He'd been working all of his life to earn the respect and praise of those he'd had to work under for decades, and he'd be damned if he let someone sneak their way past him to the top. "No, he did not. He was caught red-handed on CCTV, so there was no need to approach him with questions. He would have lied to my face, as he had been doing since he returned." Standing from his seat, he buttoned his suit jacket up again, preparing to depart. "I'll let you return to your work, but I'll leave you with this," he began, turning his gaze up to meet Lincoln's once more. "Roman was blinded by his grief and he made fatal mistakes because of it. I don't want you to suffer the same fate. Let his ending be a lesson." He smiled. "I look forward to our next board meeting."

[lincoln-riley]

“Much better now,” he murmured softly, dark eyes peering down at Aria and wondering how he’d captured the attention of a woman who had the power to captivate an entire room simply by walking into it. He felt lucky, needless to say, and naturally, he wanted to tell her that every chance he got. But what happened had the casino had shrouded nearly everything in such a negative light, Lincoln was struggling to crawl his way out from under it. She was helping, though, even if he didn’t know how to talk about it, or if he even wanted to. “Don’t really know what to say, honestly,” he admitted, reaching down to run his hand through her hair, tucking a few strands behind her ear. “Sadly, I think that’s how we’ve come to measure events here, yes,” he chuckled, head shaking. Sure, at least no one had died– wow, imagine that being the standard. Nodding along as she spoke, Link only found himself growing more troubled as the minutes passed, “Of that, I have absolutely no doubt,” Dante being very dead, that was. He felt sure that was the case, if only because this whole thing smelled like Giovanni Ricci. In fact, he wouldn’t be shocked if the man had staged the whole fucking thing at the casino. Catching her apology, he shook his head, smiling gently, “No, it’s fine– you’re right. Something nasty is brewing.” And he figured he knew exactly what it was– that was what guilted him the most, knowing where all of it probably stemmed from and not being able to tell her any of it. In a lot of ways, he felt like he was lying– that was what truth by omission was, right? A lie? “We should take off,” he said with a start, mostly because the nagging guilt in his brain all but begged him to think of something else, “You, me, and D– just hit the road and never look back. What do you say?”

location: aria's home tag: @lincoln-riley

"Feeling better?" Smiling against his chest, she presses a lingering kiss to his sternum before settling back enough to look at him. "We can talk about it if you want." The event, that was. They hadn't really said much in that regard and Aria just wanted to know if it was something that was weighing heavily or not. "Positively speaking, nobody died, so that's something, right?" At least she thought so. Sure, Katy Perry might have left with a little trauma but hey, no blood was spilled. "It's just this town lately, something really nasty is brewing to a boil. Pretty sure everyone can sense it now. I don't think the ADA has been located, he's probably very dead. Negatively speaking now... Sorry." She hummed, not meaning to ramble on with her thoughts, she was only trying to encourage him to do the same.

[lincoln-riley]

“But of course,” Lincoln replied, giving her waist a gentle squeeze. The hour and every hour after that one belonged to Aria as long as she wanted that from him. “Careful– keep talking like that and it’ll go straight to my head,” he teased, beaming a bright grin down at her. “No? I mean, I did see a bat when I walked outside earlier– definitely made me pause and wonder if you had anything to do with it,” Link chuckled, enjoying the playful banter. It was a nice change from all the fake pleasantries he’d had to put on for the other partygoers. Here with Aria, it was one of the few moments that he could just genuinely be himself, and he relished it. “No doubt,” he assured her, head nodding gently just moments before a smile so full of mischief formed on his lips, “I’m sure I could pencil you in.” Leaning down, he met her halfway for a kiss, and paused there– in no hurry to pull away, at least not until he laughed against her lips and fell into a natural, warm grin, “This is nice,” he murmured, lifting a brow at her, “Guess this means you’re okay with going public?”

"Sure, and every other hour, of course." She jests, settling her hands on the front of his shirt. "I'm good with being whatever you need me to be. I assumed that polite was one of them, you'll be happy to know I haven't turned anyone into a toad yet." Grinning back at him, it was difficult not to. Hearty smiles and toothy grins weren't usually part of her aesthetic, so to speak, but he seemed to bring them out in her and she didn't mind one bit. It had been a long time since she'd felt this happy and appreciated. "Why thank you," she chuckles, dipping her eyes only to bring them back up, something of a renewed mischievous sparkle lightening them up. "You think you could spare enough time for me?" a shrug of her shoulder, she dances the tip of her finger up his chest. "I'm no five-minute meeting and onto the next." Aria teased, barely able to wipe the smirk off her lips, though she did pause just to tip her head up and steal a kiss from him.

[lincoln-riley]

Lifting a brow as Giovanni mentioned the younger man’s recent disagreements, Lincoln scoffed up a humorless chuckle and shook his head. Naturally, he’d been wondering when it would come up and if Link was being honest, he was surprised it had taken this long. “A knife in the back isn’t really my style, Giovanni,” he assured him, a curt smile tensing at the corners of his mouth, “I may disagree with the way certain things go down, but I’m hardly rallying the troops.” The fact that he’d asked did clear up a few questions Link had silently been pondering though, particularly when it came to the timing of Roman’s death, the manner in which it had happened, and Dante’s fall from grace. “Did Roman get one of these visits too?” He asked with a rush of boldness. It was his way of telling Giovanni about his suspicions, as well as asking if he was the next target on his list, “Just wondering if I should watch my back, is all. I do have a son to consider.”

A measured response, but Giovanni couldn't deny that he had also had his own oversights when he'd admitted to them only minutes ago. Although he intended to ask Sullivan the same question the next time they spoke, he figured they would have similar stories. If there was one thing that could be said about the Riley brothers it was that they would go to hell and back for one another. "I'm glad to hear that," Giovanni finally replied, offering a tight-lipped smile in response. "I know you've been more vocal about your disagreements as of late, so I wanted to make sure you weren't attempting to sabotage from the inside."

[lincoln-riley]

“Maybe,” Lincoln murmured, shrugging his shoulders. After the way the last few town events had gone, he wasn’t so sure he wanted to be the man of the hour. “But that kinda makes you the woman of the hour, right?” He pointed out, figuring if he had to accept the title, at least it came with that perk, “I mean, assuming you’re good with that.” Grinning, he stepped closer when she did, letting his hands come to rest on her hips, “You’re perfect,” he murmured, chuckling softly as she batted her eyelashes at him. “Special attention,” he repeated back, as if pondering the thought, “I mean, I do have a private office here, so that can be arranged– can’t have you upset, after all,” he teased, flashing her a wink.

"Hey," she mimics, a soft smile gracing her features. "Please, you're the man of the hour, you don't need to apologize." Shaking her head, she wasn't pressed about it, she'd known it would most likely be like this. "Actually, it's quite nice. Seeing you in your element, working the crowds." Aria smirked, choosing not to elaborate more than the devilish glint in her eyes. Something about a man in control, it was hot. "Yes, but you can say it again, by all means." She stepped closer to him with a feigned innocent batter of her eyelashes. "You can make up for abandoning me later. I mean, I'm really not upset about it, but if it'll get me special attention then I'll happily pretend to be." She teases.

[lincoln-riley]

WHERE: Two Kings Casino WITH: @genevievericci

Part of having the charity ball at the casino meant that Lincoln, as a co-owner, had to make his rounds and find a moment to speak with everyone– which ordinarily wasn’t an issue for the youngest Riley. He was sociable, possessed enough charisma to hold a meaningful conversation, but still, he couldn’t deny the idea that he wasn’t particularly looking forward to speaking with Genevieve Ricci. It wasn’t a knock on her, not really– it stemmed mostly from Lincoln’s distaste towards her husband, and the way he’d casually suspected Link of trying to sabotage him. He couldn’t help but wonder if his wife shared those suspicions or if she wasn’t the paranoid old fuck that Giovanni was. Taking up residence beside her at the bar, Lincoln offered up a curt smile and nodded, “Mrs. Ricci,” he addressed, keeping his tone light and even, “How are you enjoying the ball? Tried any of the house wine?”

[lincoln-riley]

WHERE: Two Kings Casino WITH: @ariana-cruz

Lincoln was already exhausted and the night had only just begun, but he tried not to show it as he wove through the crowd, stopping and speaking when he had to– which was far more often than he wanted to. There was really only one person he wanted to talk to and once he spotted her, Link made a beeline right for her. “Aria– hey,” he called out, coming to a stop beside her, “Sorry I keep disappearing on you.” Sighing, he gestured around at the party, “Duty calls.” Shoving the thought aside, he grinned down at her, dark eyes shamelessly giving her yet another once over, “Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?” And every night, just for the record– but the way the two of them wore their matching gold tonight made a statement, the kind that had his heart fluttering in his chest.

[lincoln-riley]

“Nothing wrong with that at all,” Lincoln chuckled softly, his warm gaze running over her features, marveling at her. He was hard pressed to remember a time when he was this captivated by someone. It was like he was hanging on the end of every word she said, soaking up every detail. “You gotta teach me how to say a few things,” he prompted, lips curving into a mischievous grin as he peered up at her, shamelessly enjoying the closeness. Hands washing up and down her sides, he couldn’t help but notice just how right it felt, like how the lines of her body seemed to perfectly align with his. He’d never felt that way before, not with anyone. The more logical part of Link’s brain warned him not to read into it, but the hopeless romantic he’d always been only pushed him to lean into it. Right now, he wanted to throw caution to the wind and side with the latter. 

“I love that about you,” he murmured, lightly knocking his nose back against hers and leaning in for a kiss. Really, if he was being honest, there were tons of things he’d come to admire about Aria after learning more about her, but the way she didn’t give or take any shit was near the top of the ever growing list. As she eased back, Lincoln settled against the back of the couch, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Good to know,” he murmured, winking up at her, “I’ll start listening to that instinct more often, then.” Which meant he wouldn’t be so shy about kissing her now. As if to prove that point, he stole a quick kiss, teeth lightly grazing her bottom lip in a silent ask for more. 

Tipping his head to the side, he leaned into the palm she pressed against his cheek, relishing the contact. “We should see where it goes, then,” he suggested, more than happy to keep exploring this with her. Knowing that they both enjoyed each other’s company and had each other’s attention? It was all Link needed in order to feel comfortable diving in. “I wanted you too,” he admitted, seeing no point in withholding that truth from her, “You had me right off and that never happens.” Leaning into her kiss, he found his hands slipping beneath the hem of her shirt and settling against her skin, wanting that contact, “Same. I wanna know everything about you– the good, the bad, the ugly.” He wouldn’t shy away from any of it, not when he felt so confident in whatever they had between them. If anything, he just wanted to see where it could go.  “Thank you for agreeing to it. I know it’s not the most conventional date in the world, but I think we needed it,” Link chuckled, feeling quite lucky that he got to experience Aria like this. It was lowkey, yet intimate, but more than that, it was safe. They could get to know each other without any eyes on them, without any sort of pressure. It was just them, sitting on the game room floor, with nothing but possibility out ahead of them. It was a good feeling, one Lincoln hadn’t felt in years– if ever. Snorting a soft laugh at her question, he tipped his head to the side, pretending to debate it. “I got a couple of ideas in mind,” he offered, one hand twisting itself in her shirt while the other cupped the side of her face in his palm, “We might be a little overdressed for all of them, though.”

"Yes, I heard you," she laughed softly, shrugging both of her shoulders. "I just liked the idea of watching you melt a little, is that so wrong?" Aria blinked her eyes, feigning pure innocence, though the mischief in the curve of her lips spoke more volumes. "Oh, sounds that good, huh?" She grinned. "For the record, that's not what I said. I asked you if that would be a bad thing, and clearly, it isn't."

It was curious how comfortable she felt seated on his lap, almost as if she was meant to be there. It felt nice, intimate in a way that made her blood warm underneath her skin. Chemistry, it was there and it was obvious.

As she speaks, she watches the way he listens to her, his gorgeous dark eyes, the alluring curve of his lips. Fuck. The closer she was to him, the more she noticed just how incredibly flawless he was. "No shit and no bullshit either," smirking, she hovered close to his lips, brushing her nose against his. Almost like she was tempting him into kissing her, which, she absolutely was. "You don't have to overthink anything with me. I think," she pauses, leans back a little just because what she wants to say is genuine and she doesn't want it to be tainted by her attempt to lure his lips to her own. "If you think it then say it, if you feel it then express it, and if your instinct is to do something, then listen." Smiling softly, she tips her head to the side, settling her hands on the sides of his ribs.

"Well now you've got the green light to cop a feel," she teased, lifting a hand to his cheek. "I don't want to mess this up either. I really enjoy being around you, that only seems to grow the more that I am." Aria nods, not shy to admit how she felt. "You know, I think there was a part of me that wanted you the second you walked into my store. You had my curiosity and attention with a hello, and that..." Pausing, she dips forward to press a lingering kiss to his lips, "has not changed. The more you share with me, the more I want to know you. I've never really felt like that before, honestly." Something about him just made her soul feel like it was breathing happy sighs, like maybe this man was who she'd been waiting for without even knowing it. "Thank you for tonight," letting her see the softer aesthetic side of her actually felt quite liberating. "It's been nice to stay in and be comfortable," Aria adds, giving him a soft smile.

"So, what would you like to do now, mi amor? We could play another game?" She grins, reference to the video games but within that, perhaps a taunting hint toward something else.

[lincoln-riley]

“Friendly isn’t the word I’d use,” Lincoln corrected, shrugging a shoulder, “I hardly knew the man.” He’d just known of him in the grand scheme of things, but he’d known that Roman had been a valuable asset to The Enterprise once upon a time. Keeping his expression even, he figured there was a point to this little walk down memory lane and as Giovanni approached it, Lincoln hummed thoughtfully, sensing where this might be going, “You recall correctly. He was a good soldier, and loyal from everything we’d seen up until that point.” Sure, Link had expressed his concerns to his brother, but they’d both given Roman the benefit of the doubt– something he figured Giovanni was labeling as a mistake, especially upon hearing what Roman had allegedly been planning. “No, I wasn’t,” he answered honestly, head shaking gently, “Though I can’t say I blame him– grief has a way of straining those loyalties.” Sighing softly, he offered up a soft, apologetic frown, “An oversight on our part– surely you understand that, though.” After all, hadn’t it been a similar case when Giovanni had put his faith in Dante?

Given the go ahead, Giovanni smiled, though that never reached his eyes. "You and Sullivan were friendly with Roman McNulty, correct?" he asked, folding his hands in his lap. He already knew the answer to his next question, but he wanted to receive the confirmation from the other man's words. "If I recall, you two were the ones who advocated for him to return to the ranks of the organization when he re-enlisted recently. Were you aware of his plans to infiltrate our systems to search for information on his sister's untimely passing?"

[lincoln-riley]

LINCOLN RILEY.- fire & ice charity ball attire.

@tonopahtribune

[lincoln-riley]

"You'd be assuming correctly," Giovanni responded, offering up a courteous smile to the younger man. "It was an unfortunate oversight on my part to give Dante that level of responsibility, but I trust everyone else has been doing what's expected of them. I'm glad to hear that things have been going well here, though. I always knew you and Sullivan had the potential for the same levels of greatness as your father. Your mother would be proud." Now that Link had reached his thirties, Giovanni could see much of the young man's father within his features. Jacque was around his son's age when they'd first met, and the rest was history. "I do have a few questions for you, if you don't mind my curiosity." Keeping his expression even, Lincoln did well not to let his distaste show when Giovanni essentially confirmed that he’d be around a whole lot more. It meant more eyes, more opinions being inserted where there were already far too many. He wasn’t quite sure what to make of that, or the fact that here Giovanni was, essentially admitting that he’d been wrong about Dante. Lifting a brow, he leaned back in his seat, dark eyes trained on the man in front of him. “It happens,” Lincoln supplied, his tone light and nonchalant– indifferent, almost. He’d never liked Dante to begin with, and so for him to finally be getting what was coming to him? Lincoln couldn’t say he was sad about it. “Seems to be smooth sailing otherwise,” he started, happy to linger on the topic of the casino’s successes. It was perhaps the one bright spot amid all the other bullshit– in Lincoln’s view, anyway. “Well, we had an excellent teacher,” Lincoln murmured, smiling gently. At least whenever it came to Jacque Riley, he could agree with Giovanni. “I appreciate that, though. Thank you.” He wasn’t buying that this conversation was going to stay sentimental though– no, there was no way Giovanni had dropped in just to sit and tell him his mother would’ve been proud of him. So when he said he had questions, Lincoln couldn’t claim to be surprised, but as for what those questions could be? He didn’t have the slightest clue. “Sure– fire away.”

"You'd be assuming correctly," Giovanni responded, offering up a courteous smile to the younger man. "It was an unfortunate oversight on my part to give Dante that level of responsibility, but I trust everyone else has been doing what's expected of them. I'm glad to hear that things have been going well here, though. I always knew you and Sullivan had the potential for the same levels of greatness as your father. Your mother would be proud." Now that Link had reached his thirties, Giovanni could see much of the young man's father within his features. Jacque was around his son's age when they'd first met, and the rest was history. "I do have a few questions for you, if you don't mind my curiosity."