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  “Capitol Love”

  M/M First Time Gay Romance

  Max Hudson

  © 2017

  Max Hudson

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law. If you have not purchased this book from Amazon or received it directly from the author you are reading a pirated copy. If you have downloaded an illegal copy of this book & enjoyed it, please consider purchasing a legal copy. Your respect & support encourages me to continue writing & producing high quality books for you.

  This book is intended for adults (18+) only. The contents may be offensive to some readers. It contains graphic language, explicit sexual content, and adult situations. Please do not read this book if you are offended by such content or if you are under the age of 18. All sexually active characters are 18+.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner & are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. Products or brand names mentioned are trademarks of their respective holders or companies. Cover images are licensed stock photos, images shown for illustrative purposes only. Any person(s) that may be depicted on the cover are models.

  Edition v1.00 (2017.03.26)

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  Chapter One

  A rumble passed over the floor, as if the whole Capitol Building was focused on that tense quiet surrounding Senator Vance Cafferty, from the great state of Wisconsin.

  “It’s time to come to terms with the melancholy fact that the American experiment has failed. Our century, the twentieth century, is passed and gone. The twenty-first century will belong to China, and Russia, who virtually runs this government as it is!”

  An angry murmur passed from one senator to another, congressmen shaking their heads.

  Jack Ballen had never seen such a thing, though he’d only been in Washington for less than a year. But in all that time, Senator Cafferty had been quiet, hardworking, unassuming. For him to be holding the floor, ranting about China, was more than unnerving.

  But as nothing more than Senator Carlton Sommers' personal intern, Jack could only stand against the wall with the other underlings, his boss down on the Senate floor with the other men and women of real power.

  Next to Jack, Tabitha St. Cloud also watched in shocked silence, her natural red hair pulled back in a tight bun. As Senator Carlton’s legislative assistant, she was the senator’s go-to for a variety of purposes. But at that moment she was just as helpless as Jack, or as the senator himself, or anyone in that big, round chamber.

  Senator Cafferty opened a briefcase on the little disk in front of him and handed an envelope to the senator sitting next to him. “Would you give this to my wife please, Pete?” The senator, Peter Schmidt of Pennsylvania, nodded and took the envelope.

  Not far off, Colorado Senator Grant Douglass sat, a sad and nervous expression on his milk-chocolate face, fingers nervously tapping his lips.

  Senator Cafferty handed another envelope to the senator on his other side. “This is for my son.” Senator Cafferty closed his briefcase and set it on the floor. He swiftly opened his desk drawer to reveal a black automatic handgun. He brought it up to his mouth, put it in, and even as those around him gasped and called his name, he pulled the trigger. The bang rang out through the chamber, Senator Cafferty falling to the floor, a whiff of smoke dangling in the air to mark where’d taken his final stand.

  Senators immediately around Cafferty’s body converged on him, several onlookers already calling an ambulance. But Jack knew there was no need for an ambulance; a hearse would be more appropriate.

  Jack turned to Tabitha, who was paler than usual, her mouth dipping open. She turned and tucked her pretty face into Jack’s shoulder, her hand finding his chest. He wrapped his arm around her lithe little body to comfort her, to turn her away so they didn’t have to see the blood spreading across the floor.

  Sirens were faint in the distance but were quickly getting louder. And while Jack knew there was nothing anybody could do for Senator Cafferty, there was still going to be a flurry of activity, and none of it was going to be very pleasant.

  The paramedics and the police were the first to arrive, along with the Secret Service in their black suits and sunglasses. The president hadn’t been anywhere near the incident, but a shooting at the Capitol Building brought out the Feds regardless.

  Jack and Tabitha were questioned, but they knew nothing of the senator’s suicide or how he got the gun into the Capitol, and the authorities moved quickly to another hapless pair of witnesses who would know just as little, if not less.

  The reporters had a good deal more success, finding no shortage of politicians ready to grab up some camera time in such a solemn circumstance.

  Senator Carlton Sommers wore a hardened, bitter expression, brows furrowed under his bald pate. “At this time, all any of us can do is offer our consolation to the senator’s family and loved ones. What could have made my friend and colleague take his own life like this, I can’t really say. I hardly think this is the time to speculate on his private life or whatever other choices he was making which led him to this grim spectacle. What matters is that we all respect his family’s privacy in this trying and difficult time.”

  Senator Sommers took a few more questions, Jack and Tabitha watching their boss with keen interest. Jack couldn’t help but notice Tabitha looking on with more than professional admiration.

  One reporter asked, “Are you still planning your rally for next week?”

  “First of all,” Senator Sommers said, “it’s not my rally. I’ve been asked to participate and I will, as I believe in the cause. But let’s keep our facts straight.”

  The reporter clarified, “The rally against of your own committee’s Fairness in Protection Act, which goes to the floor for a vote just one day after that rally, yes.”

  “The Morals and Values Committee oversees a lot of things. The Fairness in Protection Act is one of them, yes. And anything I can do to further the cause of that act, I will do. If that means appearing before a crowd of antagonists, I won’t be intimidated.”

  Another reporter asked, “But your Fairness in Protection Act declassifies homosexuals, not just members of the trans or pan communities, but anyone who identifies as gay, as no longer being a protected class! It’s going to open the door to discrimination against that community on a widespread and legally sanctioned basis.”

  “That’s only one view of things,” Senator Sommers said. “Really, the Fairness in Protection Act ensures that the people who really are in need of protection, don’t have their provisions exploited by people perfectly able to look after themselves. Discriminated classes should be protected; the handicapped, parents, even minorities. But putting on a dress and lipstick is a choice, whatever your gender is. I don't think dressing a certain way is enough to be considered a protected class.”

  “But it is protected by the First Amendment.”

  “Exactly,” Senator Sommers said. “That’s exactly why these other provisions just aren’t necessary. In fact, as they may ratify the protection already accorded to them by the First Amendment, other provisions may even be unconstitutional.”

  The reporters hummed and murmured, throwing up a litany of questions. Jack and Tabitha looked on,
thrown together and torn apart by conflicting emotions.

  One reporter asked him, “Do you think simply being homosexual is the same thing as putting on an article of clothing? Would you consider it a choice?”

  Senator Sommers glared at the reporter. “Okay, I know this isn't a popular opinion in a lot of circles, but if you can all look past the political correctness of it all, there is a very clear truth which is plain to see: In prisons, men who were not homosexuals before do adopt that lifestyle. Often it is, shall we say, forced upon them, that’s true, but by other men who have made that choice. There’s just no doubting this, I’m sorry to say. And I would venture that human nature is the same inside a prison wall as outside, people don't change that drastically. In there and out here, they eat, they sleep, they work, they exercise; it’s really a microcosm of society in general.”

  “Are you really saying people make the same choices behind bars that they do out of prison?”

  “No, but you said it yourself,” Senator Sommers said. “Do they make the same choices? No, but they are choices. And that means those choices are not the same as the qualities of a protected class.”

  The reporters murmured. One asked “What about religion?”

  “What about it?”

  “Religions are protected against discrimination. But people choose a certain religion, don't they?”

  “People are raised with their religions,” Senator Sommers said.

  The reporter snapped back, “What about born-again Christians? Are they not allowed protection against discrimination because they became Christians later in life?”

  Senator Sommers only glared at the reporter. “Of course not. When somebody is born again, that’s an act of God. It’s still not their choice. And frankly, just the fact that you’d compare a sacred and holy thing like religion to the lifestyle practice of men wearing dresses or women marrying women makes me sick.”

  Senator Sommers walked away and out of the chamber, Jack and Tabitha following behind him.

  But Jack couldn’t help notice Senator Grant Douglass besieged by questions. Jack could hardly make out a single question, but the senator’s answer was clear enough as he held his hands out, palms flat to calm the reporters. The senator’s team was cluttered behind him, including a young man with feathered blond hair and green eyes.

  Senator Douglass said, “I don’t have any comments on Senator Sommers' remarks, no. He has a right to his opinions. I respect the zeal with which he represents his constituents. I am opposing his Fairness in Protection Act, naturally, but this is neither the time nor the place to be grandstanding on that or any issue. A man has died, children have lost their father. I personally have lost a good friend and an honored colleague.”

  Another cloud of questions rose up, Senator Douglass saying, “I do not have any idea why Senator Cafferty chose this course today, none whatsoever. And I wouldn’t want to speculate on such a thing. I’m sure the truth will come to light eventually.”

  Jack turned to see Tabitha waiting for him, her jutting head urging him along. He nodded and followed, but it was impossible to leave the malaise entirely behind them.

  All three knew it would be haunting them for a good, long while. The misery Senator Cafferty’s suicide created, and which created Senator Cafferty’s suicide, was only just beginning to rear its ugly head. Things were about to get much, much worse.

  They walked down the hall, Senator Sommers said in a rasped whisper, “What do you two make of all that?” Jack and Tabitha could only shrug. The senator glanced around. “I don’t wanna get my staff too involved, so let me just confide in you two, but you gotta swear secrecy.”

  “Of course, Senator,” Tabitha said, “of course.”

  “Always,” Jack agreed.

  Senator Sommers explained, “He was one of them, y’know.” Jack and Tabitha exchanged curious, confused glances. Reading their expressions, the senator explained, “One of them … the gays.”

  Tabitha repeated, “Senator Cafferty was gay?”

  “Shshshshsh,” Senator Sommers said, hands out to quiet her. “What happened out there today? That’s what happens —”

  Jack asked, “When you’re gay?”

  “When you’re being blackmailed, Jack! And there’s only one direction such a foul wind could be blowing from.”

  Tabitha assumed, “You don’t mean … Senator Douglass?”

  “Of course! He and his gay mafia knew about Cafferty’s lifestyle and they were using it against him, forcing him to vote against the Fairness in Protection Act.”

  Jack said, “You really think so?”

  “You’re new to Washington, kid, you have no idea how dirty things can get here. And if I’m right, they’ve probably got half the Senate in their back pockets, plus a good deal of the House.”

  Tabitha said, “Is it that big a problem?”

  Senator Sommers said, “It’s worse! Most of this whole town is gay, and that means the government is basically being run by a bunch of degenerates and their puppet masters. You see? It’s about a lot more than one person wanting to wear lipstick.”

  Jack had to nod, though the whole issue was much less important to him than to his boss. However new Jack was to Washington; however, he knew better than to contradict his superiors, especially not his boss.

  Senator Sommers walked on, Jack and Tabitha following. “I want a buffer between me and that lunatic Grant Douglass.”

  Tabitha asked, “You think he’s that bad?”

  “He’s staging a silent coup of the United States government! Only a madman would think he could get away with that. Well, he’s not blackmailing me.”

  Tabitha asked, “How could he?”

  There was a moment of tense silence. “It’s just a cautionary move. We’ve got good men blowing their own heads off, and I’ve got a major bill up for a vote. I’m not taking any chances.”

  Tabitha nodded. “You want me to liaison with them? I can handle that.”

  “No,” Senator Sommers said, looking at Jack, “You, Jack. You’ve got a certain way about you, a reasonableness. I’d call it charm if I wasn’t afraid it would go to your head. You’ll be my go-between.”

  Tabitha glanced at Jack. She said, “With all due respect, Senator —”

  “You’re more experienced,” Senator Sommers said, “I realize that. But I need you to keep things running smoothly around here. Jack’s expendable.” He turned to Jack. “No offense.”

  “None taken. I’m happy to help out any way I can.”

  “Good. Then do what I tell you to, say what I tell you to say, and we’ll all be just fine.”

  But one glance at Tabitha told Jack that this wasn’t so. Things with her were about to take a terrible turn and Jack knew there was little he could do but brace himself.

  Chapter Two

  Tabitha excused herself to the ladies’ room, but Jack knew there was more to her abrupt exit than that. She walked briskly down the hall, heels clacking against the highly-polished floors.

  “Tabitha, don’t be mad at me.”

  “Why should I be mad at you? I’ve been with him twice as long as you have, now he’s sending you out a special liaison while he’s still got me picking up dry cleaning?”

  “Tabitha, it’s not like that at all. You’re more important to running the office, I’m just … sitting around waiting to be told what to do. If anything, I’m the one who should be insulted.” Jack put a hand on her arm, but she pulled it away

  “You just don’t get it, Jack. But you can’t really be that dim, can you? This is Washington, it’s the biggest boys’ club in a world filled with nothing but boys’ clubs. Doesn’t matter what I do, I’ll never get the kind of opportunities you will.”

  “And I’m sorry about that, Tabitha.” Jack finally managed to spin Tabitha around on her angry heels. “If there was something I could do, you know I would. And you know there's nobody in Washington I’d want to see succeed more than you, and nobody who’d deserve it more. C’mon
, Tabitha, we gotta stick together, right? Right?” The moment grew tender between them, Jack’s hands finding their way to Tabitha’s tiny waist. They neared to a kiss, but she snapped out of it and pushed him away.

  “Not here, Jack!”

  “Why not? Everybody in this town is sleeping with somebody … sometimes even their spouses.”

  “Because Senator Carlton Sommers is a family values senator.”

  “But aren't they all? It’s just that some senators have a different idea of what family is.”

  “No, Jack! We agreed to keep it on the DL. It’s better for the senator’s career.”

  But Jack was quick to say, “Your career, you mean.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “The only thing I can’t figure is whether you don't want to be seen as being easy, or if you want more powerful men to think you’re still available.”

  Tabitha looked him over coldly, one brow raised. “What makes you think I’m not?”

  With that, Tabitha turned and stepped into the women’s room, leaving Jack to turn back and take that long walk alone back to the senator’s offices.

  It wasn’t long before the senator pulled Jack aside for a hushed chat about Jack’s new duties and his first assignment. He crossed the Capitol Building toward Senator Douglass’ offices, practicing the message he was told to convey, one that was never written. No communiques would be written down from that time forward, Senator Sommers had been crystal clear.

  He knocked on the door of the senator’s offices and stepped in amid a familiar bustle. Senator Douglass’ staff was no smaller than Senator Sommers', or that of any other senator: chief of staff for the office, his or her assistant, personal assistants, schedulers, office manager, receptionist, computer operator and technician, mail clerk and staff assistant, legislative director and his or her assistant, plus numerous others, including interns like Jack.