wildhearted

Her role with the department was new. It fit like a new skin— uncomfortable for the time being until she stretched it out and got more secure. While she'd expected that it would set a line in the sand with many people in her life, she hadn't expected how significant the shift would be until she found herself facing people she hadn't seen as 'opposite' until the weight of a badge and gun hung from her belt.

“I’m sure this’ll come as a shock to you,” Rio started, cutting a sidelong glance over at the lawyer, “But you’re actually not the first person to ever call me that.” Stupid, that was. No, he’d heard it often enough over the last fourteen years that it felt like just another word now. It was ironic, though, considering how he could remember a time when everyone around him thought the opposite– thought he’d go on to work at NASA and actually do something in the world. Shaking his head before his mind had a chance to wander too far down that dangerous road, Rio eased out a long sigh then rolled his lips together into a thin line to keep from interrupting Azra’s berating. No, it was better to let her finish– he’d learned that the hard way. “I just reacted, okay? All this shit’s new to me,” he offered, shoulders shrugging lightly in defeat. He felt chained, even after the literal shackles had fallen from his wrists. “Help yourself,” he muttered, having little use for the drink anyway. Rio should hook head, “It’s fine– just hammered me with the same questions over and over, but phrased ‘em different every time,” he explained, raking a hand through his hair, “It’s like they were trying to get me to slip. Nothing to slip over, though. I’ve been here the whole time, fucking cameras can prove it.”

"So you choose to be an idiot. You shouldn't be allowed to make any decision without supervision." It was a blessing and curse. On one hand, she wouldn't make half the money she did if the people she represented were all smart enough not to act out and get themselves in trouble. But that also meant she had to deal with them. Just reacted. She could have smacked him. "That's always the problem. Reaction and no thinking." The brunette sighed and peered towards the officers. Luckily the sheer amount of suspects were on their side but there was no denying they'd pay closer attention to Rio who'd just gotten released from prison. He could be an easy fall man. "They are trying to get you to slip or to say something that can be incriminating— true or not." They were pigs and they had their own tactics, luckily she had hers as well. But she needed to be present to use them. "If hear that you spoke to them without calling me, I'll run you over with my car. They're going to bring you back in, it's just a matter of when so you have to keep your hands clean. Even passing a red light is an excuse to stop you."

Azra rolls her eyes before she's even in the room and that's all to do with the shit eating grin that's on tobias' face. "Smug idiot." If she wasn't paid as much as she was, she'd have half a mind of turning around and leaving him to talk his way into a prison cell. "I was in the middle of a deep tissue massage when I got the call to come down here so don't piss me off, tobias. I'll leave your ass here. Orange wouldn't look half bad on you. Get me up to date." She needed a cigarette and a coffee with something stronger than dark roast right about now.

"Something tells me you would get bored. Plenty of other opportunities that would be way more convenient." It wasn't meant to be a challenge. A quick fix was far more easier than the long game that she mentioned. Time was precious after all. "If your mind's made up - probably nothing I can do to change that course. But, if you're into playing games you probably shouldn't have warned me. Now I am prepared." It was an effortless observation. But he rose his brow in turn. "If money's what you're after - just a little spoiler, this is probably the only suit I own. I am blue collar, so we get paid way less than what we deserve."

She peered at him with a small laugh. "I like a challenge and I'm sure that I can still catch you by surprise." Men were men. Most of the time they couldn't think with both heads so she felt like she could still get one over on him if she needed to. "It's a nice suit. But that just means you aren't using your skills right. Perhaps I can help with that." She wouldn't, but she also wasn't fully convinced he was as low on luck and money as he claimed to be.

"A criminal who needs their lawyer to get them out of trouble every other month." The brunette said with a slight lift at the corner of her lips. She was willing to bet that if she pulled out her phone log, she'd see a call from him in a similar pattern, whether it be about him or another member of the club who'd gone too far.

Andi peered around and then laughed some because she doubted there were many people who came to the casino with a limit in mind. The whole ambiance was rigged to make sure people fell for temptation, and Andi had done just that. At least she'd stopped which was better than the alternative. "Your solution is to make me play more in hopes that I can win." It was what had got her in this trouble to start with but it wasn't her money to lose so she could at least try and turn her night around. "Are you going to watch me or leave me to my own devices? I might not be able to stop." Of course now that she said it aloud, she wanted to prove to herself that she could but she'd felt the rush of winning and understood why people got sucked into it. "Never mind, I don't need a babysitter. I'd advise on keeping more cash on you, though. Two dollars feels reckless."

players could find other players anywhere and both sena and rosa were adept players in their own right. that young girl was the same and despite how she'd already snagged the man first, there wasn't any law on her getting her own share. she did work for it by sliding her hand in his pocket. "i think you're absolutely right. the two seem like they'll be cozied up for a little bit so they shouldn't notice anything missing anytime soon." she'd seen his casino card in hand and the bar was free so no reason to take out credit cards until they left. "i love when i'm around someone who sees the value in hard work." her own hard work, that was. as opposed to someone who had a straight and narrow moral compass. "i think we should do a few online orders while we're at it, too."

"Is there a difference?" He could decide to step in for a thousand different reasons based on a thousand different scenarios. They couldn't cover any, much less all of them in this instance, so she felt that she had it right that he would— or was likely to— if something broke out. It was as close to being figured out as she could get but she let that go because Andi wouldn't dare voice those thoughts aloud.

WHERE // Gold Rush Casino & Resort WITH // Azra Dogan @wildheartcd

She knew before he'd spoken. Not because she'd witnessed him being taken by the officers but because she recognized the look that was on his face. A worried expression that she'd seen when they'd gone to court, when his sentence had been appealed, and now— after an interrogation. "You are so stupid," Azra hissed under her breath. It was the only show of annoyance as she did her best to keep her features neutral. The authorities were like vultures and they were watching to see who was anxious or worried. The last thing she needed was to provide further work for herself by looking angry with Rio after his line of questioning. "Have you learnt nothing? The first thing out of your mouth should be the word 'lawyer'. I don't get paid as much as I do to look pretty and if you don't help yourself, how am I meant to help you." An exhale escaped, peering at him after he took a sip. "I need this more than you." Azra reached for his drink before she forced a smile. As fake as it was deadly. "How bad did it go? Tell me you were in the company of someone for the majority of the night. They'll check the cameras. Did you leave or go outside at any point?"

"I prefer to just mind my business." It was more of a survival method than anything. But he wasn't going to elaborate on those details. Like her pick pocketing the wallet, it was a means of survival. Everyone had their own way of making money or taking their power back. "Not really, afraid I don't believe in that whole traditional style where the guy has to be the breadwinner." He nodded though at the introduction. "Tomas. Though, if you are trying to charm your way into another wallet - I didn't bring mine just so you know. But I applaud you for using beauty as power. It holds that more than you think depending on the audience."

"A modern day man, that's a shame." Rosa didn't mind winning more money when she didn't have to share or be the one paying the bills. Certainly she could buy presents and pay for date nights to her own liking but it shouldn't be something she had to do for their shared livelihood. Men left. At least in her past so she knew better than to give more than they deserved. "Well, Tomas— I'm sad to hear you didn't bring yours but I think you're too smart for me to pass a quick one on. I'd play the long game with you." She'd get close, find something she wanted, then she'd bail. "That's a compliment, by the way." Perhaps he wouldn't understand why but he didn't need to. She only took her time with people she knew would have more hidden away or because she felt like she may enjoy their company enough to play it out.

A lawyer is a person who writes a 10,000-word document and calls it a ‘brief'. There was nothing brief about it. Ramiro's best move was just not to counter with anything, it would be like a merry go round. Never ending. "I'm sure a little slap would be the least worrisome." Bigger and more chaotic things were bound to happen that those cameras were to catch with everyone gathered around in one room. "You're demanding even off the clock." But he listened. Hues eyed it's target from the bar and when whoever was manning it had their back turned, Ramiro took his chance. Then securing a bottle of top shelf Tequila. She didn't give any suggestions to what her preference was, or he didn't leave the chance for her to. It was a win-win. After securing the bottle he walked back to her casually. "I hope you like Tequila."

"It would be to someone who doesn't have a full schedule." Was there anything on her schedule currently? Not quite but the simple to-do list of shortening sentences could change and be charged with twenty additional things after a simple night out when it came to the club. They weren't known for keeping their hands clean or making the best decisions. Plus, risking never hearing the end of it if she had to be bailed out wasn't worth it. "It's a skill that I'm proud of." Being demanding, annoying, an handful. She prided herself with being all those things. The bottle wasn't what she would have picked but she knew that he'd walk away if she had to force him to fetch her something else. "Poor choice but I suppose it'll do the job. Ask for a glass and follow me."

he kind of watched the whole thing happen, chuckling to himself quietly. a reminder of why he wasn't the biggest fan of people like that. "guess that depends." chip said with a shrug, looking back at the poor soul who was fucking oblivious. "he doesn't look like a guy who'd miss it." and he wasn't above doing that in that case. "but are just settin’ me up? is there gonna be some asshole cop right outside the door or somethin' waiting for me to say yes?"

she didn't immediately agree with the man because she didn't know if he had an eye for spotting an expensive suit and jewelry. the tailored suit and expensive watch had been enough to confirm that the risk of plucking his wallet from his pocket was well worth it. "that's a risk you're going to have to take— but do you think that i'd really do that to someone? don't i look like a good, innocent girl?"