#there are more but I didn't want to difuse the answers so much

[deadliestpieceontheboard]

I've got pools! Which means:

[ofmoonlitmagic]

"Wait, you know him?" Briggs wasn't letting him throw that out there like it was something casual to drop in conversation, "invited to his party know him?" This guy was getting cooler by the moment, and it was as though both were feeding off the attention a little bit. "I mean, I'm a great liar, and isn't that what acting is?"

He had more issues with trusting the older male figures in his life, but there was something about Ellis that seemed so genuine despite knowing who he was married to. "You got it, yeah, that'd be awesome," he agreed, almost eager to go back to where Billie was hiding standing to report back that he was great.

Until. He shouldn't have mentioned that thing about being a great liar, of course he sounded like probably a dozen other people trying to get some hush money out of the politician. He didn't know why he thought he thought he'd be believed or that this guy would be on his side. He'd let his guard drop, that was on him. "Forget it," he mumbled, closing up fast. The question, innocent enough for a fact-finder, brought more pain than he would realize. It was never something Briggs wanted to acknowledge, but now he had to. "Technically, she's 22, I guess, but she was born 24 years ago." He took a breath, glancing around to see if he could find where Billie went and whether she was in earshot. "Take your minute, I'll give you whatever facts you want. As long as they aren't Bill's to tell."

He nodded, almost trying to difuse the other's tension, while thinking he knew the place, "I know where Gianna lives, I've taken Billie over there. I can get you there undetected." Despite the disheartening response, Briggs was a man of his word too, and he'd already said he would help. He would honor that. "If you'd rather not face Gianna yet until you have your facts, I know some hotels too." A short nod to confirm, jaw clenching briefly as he murmured, "she's been fucking with her head, but yeah, you can call that talking to her if you want." He shook his head before he could find words for that answer, "no, she looked for a long time, but Gianna hired someone, found her--a couple years ago actually but didn't show up until now." He exhaled, "listen, I would love to be wrong, Ellis, probably as much as you'd like me to be. The OEA has made it clear Billie has value to them, and I wouldn't put it past her to lie to get ahold of someone she sees as powerful. So if Gianna is lying, if she's not really Billie's mom, please tell me. If 24 years ago, Gianna was not pregnant and you know that, tell me."

Ellis’ smile was becoming wider by the second, “he’s great guy, for the record” he added as if it was the most nonchalant statement in the word. “Knows how to throw a great party too." As their conversation flowed with a freeing ease, he asked "hey, how’s your acting? – I’ll save you a role”, and he was finding himself thoroughly enjoying their interaction. 

Holding up his hands, palms facing Briggs, Ellis shrugged; smile still intact, “I’m a man of my word” he couldn’t say much about that being the Madden family slogan, but for him it was true. “Pass me along your details and i’ll handle the rest”. nodding with sincerity, he added “it’s the least I could do.” 

Despite the calm beginnings of their interaction however, the overall mood soured fast, but despite the anger – Ellis could practically reach out and grasp the disappointment. His brow soon furrowed and he took a slightly clumsy step backwards, “– hold on, just hold on a minute...” His mind was reeling, but still the possibility of there being any kind of truth to Briggs’ statement seemed impossible. “How – how old is – Billie?” There could be something said for his marriage to Gianna, as he practically excelled in defusing tension. “Alright, just – take a beat, i’m not” shaking his head, he released a slow breath “I’m not calling you a liar, son. I’m just, I need a minute. Or at the very least, some more facts.”

Tension had since flooded his jaw, but he was working on releasing that before speaking again. “Home, I was headed home.” To the empty penthouse he didn’t occupy with Gianna – except that wasn’t common knowledge. Releasing a sharp breath, he adjusted that statement, “guess now I won’t be.” Narrowing his gaze, his hand lifted to run his palm across his features, another breath being forced from his lungs. "Gianna she's ... she's been talking to" he couldn't quite bring himself to say her daughter, "Billie? Did you wife find her, or --?" New Orleans had allegedly been their destination for business. Who's to say that it still wasn't?