Chapter Text
Beth inhaled deeply, savoring the scent of success as she stepped into the city council office. The weight of her newfound title, councilwoman, pressed on her shoulders—a constant but welcome reminder of life's unexpected turn.
Her mind replayed the scene at the park bench, Rio's stoic presence, and the unsettling reality of being his boss. While he had delivered on his promise to shift blame to Nick, trust in Rio was a luxury Beth couldn't afford. Today's challenge wasn't Rio, though; it was her sister, Annie—lovely, reckless, and utterly misguided.
At the city jail, Beth faced hopelessness. Annie wasn't cut out for prison, but Beth had to set aside those thoughts. Rio's unexpected visit to her office added another layer of complexity, a yellow-orange envelope in hand.
"Mahogany, huh, ma," Rio's casual voice cut through the air as she flicked on the lights. He lounged with confidence, black Converse-clad feet on her desk. Closing the door, Beth shielded him from curious eyes, his grin acknowledging the weight of her new title.
"Councilwoman looks good on you," he remarked, his unabashed gaze making Beth uneasy in her V-cut blouse. She tugged at her blazer, seeking a shield against his penetrating eyes.
"What do you want?" Her voice found assertiveness as she moved toward her desk, preparing for the day's tasks—laptop, paperwork, and lawyers' list to help Annie. Rio's presence, however, promised complications.
"Just came to see you in action is all, ma," he grinned, fingers drumming on her desk. Beth's hands rested on her hips; with Rio, there was always more. He produced a yellow-orange envelope with a soft thud.
"What's this?" Beth eyed the envelope warily. It wasn't a gun, too small for that, but she couldn't be sure. Rio reassured her, calling it a business proposal. Beth, reluctantly, accepted it, knowing Rio never played by the rules.
"You're the boss now, right?" His smirk hinted at a power dynamic shift. Beth nodded, placing the papers with others she needed to sift through that day.
"I'll look over them," she said, eyes locked on Rio. This might be one of their most civil meetings, but Rio's brown eyes left an unmistakable thickness hanging in the air.
"I'll let you get to that then," he said, standing up, the civility dissolving as he headed toward the door. The perks of being the boss meant Rio couldn't threaten her the same way, but he still needed her.
"Wait," she called out, Rio's hand on the door handle. His nod signaled her to keep talking. She considered asking for help with Annie but resisted. Right now, they were equals, and owing Rio again wasn't an option.
"Just—if anyone asks why you were here, what do I say?" she sputtered out, avoiding the words she truly wanted to speak.
"You'll figure it out, boss lady," he winked, slipping into the bustling office, shutting her door behind him.
As the amber liquid swirled in her glass, Beth contemplated the day. The polished facade of her council position clashed with the bureaucratic entanglements. Rio's business plan, left untouched, lingered in the background, overshadowed by her responsibilities.
Ruby's abrupt entrance shattered her tranquility, an unexpected presence in her living room. Beth questioned her presence incredulously, eyeing the suitcase. The anticipated solitude slipped away, replaced by the weight of unexpected companionship.
Beth poured another glass, offering Ruby a glance that attempted nonchalance. "Why didn't you go with Stan and the kids?" Ruby's glistening eyes held unshed tears, the suitcase a tangible reminder of choices made.
"Beth, I couldn't leave you alone, not without your sister here," Ruby confessed, vulnerability mirroring Beth's struggles. The tension in the air lingered as Beth handed Ruby a cup, acknowledging and evading the unspoken complexities of their relationship.
"Why didn't you tell me Annie got arrested yesterday?" Ruby's voice carried concern and frustration. Beth sighed, revealing the helplessness that engulfed her. "I don't know what I'm going to do. I spent the whole morning and afternoon trying to get a lawyer to represent her."
Ruby's manicured nails tapped against the counter. "Have you tried asking, gang friend?" she suggested tentatively, using the nickname that always carried unease. Beth's eyes narrowed at the mention of Rio, the enigmatic figure in their criminal escapades.
"I can't ask Rio; I don't want to owe him anything," Beth replied defiantly. Ruby's expression revealed she hadn't considered that complication.
Ruby redirected the conversation, "What about someone at city council? Someone there surely has connections, right?" Now, that was a point. Beth had a new set of people at her fingertips, perks of her newly acquired status.
The conversation shifted to Ruby's personal life. "What's going to happen with you and Stan?" Beth inquired, acknowledging the strain Ruby's choice put on her marriage.
"He took the kids and left. I told him I'd join them after Annie got out of jail." Beth's smile held a soft understanding as she reached across the table, squeezing Ruby's arm.
Loneliness threatened Beth, her family scattered after Annie's arrest. Dean had the kids for the week, and with Annie in jail, she was down to just Ruby.
The following day found Beth across from Joshua Goodwin, a lawyer and council member. Dinner stretched before them, Beth meticulously adorned for the occasion. Every detail aimed to coax him into helping Annie.
As she laid out Annie's situation, Beth noted Joshua's lingering gaze, discomfort creeping in. Major details were omitted, revealing them would jeopardize her political career. Joshua, with a clammy hand atop hers, acknowledged the complexity of Annie's case.
"I can't just pull strings, Beth. It sounds like a complicated case," he admitted. Internally recoiling, Beth picked up her drink to divert his touch.
Undeterred, Beth leaned in, turning on the full force of her charm. "Mr. Goodwin, I know you've never lost a case. I need you to help my sister, and in return, I'll owe you." Her eyes bore into his, concealing the lack of intention to repay any such debt.
A hesitant smile played on Joshua's lips.
"I'll see what I can do," he conceded, and Beth reciprocated the smile for reasons of her own.
Leaving the meeting, Beth felt a surge of power tinged with worry. She had to sustain Joshua's interest long enough to secure her sister's release. As he walked her to her car, his hand lingered at the small of her back for just a beat too long. She watched him retreat into the dark sky, grateful for the solitude as she rested her head against the steering wheel, releasing a much-needed breath. Annie would be home soon; she would make things right again.
Then, a ping disrupted her thoughts. Expecting a text from Ruby, Beth found instead those ten digits she hadn't saved but recognized all too well. "My bar in 15." She would have preferred a message from Ruby, but her night now extended with an added demand. Contemplating going home and disregarding Rio's summons, she found herself driving in the familiar direction against her better judgment. She told herself it was better to get it over with on his turf than have him show up at her office again. Plus, she couldn’t deny she looked hot right now; she wouldn’t mind the extra attention that usually came with his presence. Her mind flitted back to that evening in his bar when she’d left Dean at the table and ended up with Rio in the bathroom.
"I trust you looked over my business proposal, Elizabeth?" Rio's words cut through the air as she settled onto the bar stool beside him. Her frown mirrored the annoyance in her voice. "I have actual city council responsibilities, Rio. I'll get around to it, I promise." His long, hard gaze bore into her, his eyes greedily taking her in while his expression remained cold. Goosebumps prickled her skin. "But you had time to meet up with whoever you got all dressed up for tonight, ma?" Rio turned to face her, his tongue darting out to lick his lips. "Darlin', don't tell me you already forgot how you got this new gig in the first place." His eyes dropped to her lips before fixing back on her eyes.
He handed her a piece of paper. "Get your girl a real lawyer, Elizabeth, and get to my business plan by tomorrow night, yeah?" Unfolding the scrap of paper with a number scrawled on it, Beth decided to choose trust over suspicion for now.
Back in her car, she dialed the number, a honey-like voice answering on the other end. "Romanos Law, this is Juliana speaking. May I ask who's calling?" "Elizabeth Boland."
"Oh, Mrs. Boland, we’ve been waiting for your call. Just hold for one second, and I’ll go get the boss."