#tv.event003

Moving away from Mad Dog’s table, Gabe quickly spotted Joanna within the crowd, and for a moment, it gave him pause. He never knew what to do anymore. Did he say hello, did he not? They were cordial even on the worst day, but that didn’t erase the small twinge of tension he always felt when the two of them were in each other’s orbit. His late wife was her sister, and even before Addison’s death, there’d been that pang of something that didn’t feel quite right. But, she was still Tyler and Lochlyn’s aunt, she was still family, and that fact alone saw Gabe making his way over, “Hey, Joanna,” Gabe greeted, giving a little awkward wave. “Finally got a night off?”

It had been a few days since the vote passed, but Cole had yet to reach out to Kathryn to let her know it had swung in her favor. Between organizing gun runs and filtering through countless orders at Reaper Crew, he’d been somewhat distracted, but upon spotting her at the ball, Cole felt it was as good a time as any to make an approach. Grabbing two champagne flutes off a waiter’s tray as he passed by, he made his way over to her. Sidling up beside her, he casually offered one of the flutes her way, “Business or pleasure?” Her reason for being here, that was. In their brief encounters, he hadn’t quite figured out if this was Kathryn’s scene or not. But to be fair, it wasn’t Cole’s at all.

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 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.

“Shot of Jameson, please and thank you,” Rowan announced the moment she settled on the nearest open barstool. Turning to the person next to her, she instantly recognized her as one of the mechanics at Reaper Crew, but to date she didn’t think they’d ever had a real conversation. “Heya,” Rowan started, figuring now was as good a time as any, “You’re Avalon, right? Seen ya a couple times at the clubhouse but haven’t had a chance to introduce myself. Rowan,” she started, holding out a hand in greeting, “You havin’ a good night so far?”

“Umm, excuse me,” Rowan started, pushing her way through the crowd like she was at some sort of heavy metal concert and not some fancy ass gala that had certain…rules about how to behave. Not that it mattered anyway– she’d be exactly who she was in any setting, and right now, she was trying to wade through a sea of diamonds and cologne strong enough to make her eyes water just to reach one of her best friends. Finally finding herself at Taliah’s side, she beamed a bright grin, “First off, you look hot as hell,” she praised, looking her up and down. But really, that wasn’t why she’d rushed over in a flash. She had something else on her mind. “Second– a little birdy mentioned that you might have somethin’ you wanna tell me?” She prompted, waiting half a heartbeat before gesturing towards Cole, “Something about Blondie over there? No wonder you got all smiley when I mentioned the condoms, you little slut,” she teased, a grin pulling at the corner of her mouth.

“Damn, Walker– ya shine up like a new penny,” Cole started, barking out a laugh as he wandered over to where Jensen was standing. Leaning in for a brief embrace, he clapped the other man on the shoulder and grinned wide. In all honesty, Cole hadn’t expected to see him here, but then again, Cole hadn’t expected to find himself here either. “I gotta ask, though– how in the hell did ya get suckered into this?”