Tail in Two Cities- Book 37 in the Action! Series

By GA Hauser

In this latest Action! Series book, we resume the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend where the last book left off.
As the guests enjoy the estate, gorge on gourmet food and play naughty games together, reality starts to set in.
Eventually the friends and lovers will be apart, at opposite ends of the state. Alex and Billy struggle with the temptation of staying permanently, but the LAPD lieutenant isn’t prepared to leave SWAT.
Jack Larsen and his husband Adam Lewis, also grapple with the notion of leaving their home in Malibu and living in Paradise, but, that isn’t the answer for the two men either.
Yet, the individual with the greatest looming conflict in their life is Tadzio Andresen-Miller, Steve’s new husband. With the prospect of being away from Alexander, Tadzio goes on a sexual tear, battling his own insecurity and self doubt.
And after the four days of joy, love, and family, the mansion becomes a desolate empty space.
Come back to Mark and the boys for tales of their two cities; Los Angeles and Sacramento, California, as they struggle with love, life, and loss.

• Language: English
• Publisher: GA Hauser
• Release date: Dec 1, 2018
• ISBN: 9780463286166

GA Hauser

About the AuthorAuthor G.A. Hauser is from Fair Lawn, New Jersey, USA. She attended university at The Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC, and has a BA in Fine Art from William Paterson College in Wayne NJ where she graduated Cum Laude. As well as degrees in art, G.A. is a Graduate Gemologist from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). In 1994 G.A. graduated the Washington State Police academy as a Peace Officer for the Seattle Police Department in Washington where she worked on the patrol division. She was awarded Officer of the Month in February 2000 for her work with recovering stolen vehicles and fingerprint matches to auto-theft and bank robbery suspects. After working for the Seattle Police, G.A. moved to Hertfordshire, England where she began to write full length gay romance novels. Now a full-time writer, G.A. has penned over 200 novels and short stories. Breaking into independent film, G. A. was the executive producer for her first feature film, CAPITAL GAMES which included TV star Shane Keough in its cast. CAPITAL GAMES had its Film Festival Premiere at Philly's Qfest, and its television premiere on OutTV. G.A. is the director and executive producer for her second film NAKED DRAGON, which is an interracial gay police/FBI drama filmed in Los Angeles with the outstanding cinematographer, Pete Borosh. (also the Cinematographer for Capital Games)The cover photographs of G.A.'s novels have been selected from talented and prolific photographers such as Dennis Dean, Dan Skinner, Michael Stokes, Tuta Veloso, Hans Withoos, and CJC Photography, as well as graphic comic artist, Arlen Schumer. Her cover designs have featured actors Chris Salvatore, Jeffery Patrick Olson, Tom Wolfe, and models Brian James Bradley, Bryan Feiss, Jimmy Thomas, Andre Flagger, among many others.Her advertisements have been printed in Attitude Magazine, LA Frontier, and Gay Times.G. A. has won awards from All Romance eBooks for Best Author 2009, Best Novel 2008, Mile High, Best Author 2008, Best Novel 2007, Secrets and Misdemeanors, and Best Author 2007.G.A. was the guest speaker at the SLA conference in San Diego, in 2013, where she discussed women writing gay erotica and has attended numerous writers’ conventions across the country.

Book preview

TAIL IN TWO CITIES

an Action! Series Book

By

G.A.HAUSER

Smashwords Edition

Copyright © G.A. Hauser, 2018

TAIL IN TWO CITIES

Book 37 of the Action! Series

Copyright © G.A. Hauser, 2018

ISBN Trade paperback: 978-1729-41730-0

© The G.A. Hauser Collection LLC

This is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or business establishments, events or locales is coincidental.

All Rights Are Reserved. No part of this may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

WARNING

This book contains material that maybe offensive to some: graphic language, homosexual relations, adult situations. Please store your books carefully where they cannot be accessed by underage readers.

First The G.A. Hauser Collection LLC publication:

December 2018

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This Action! Series Book

is dedicated to

PARADISE, CALIFORNIA

Los Angeles vibrates…

while Sacramento

purrs…

Where were we? Oh, yes, Thanksgiving weekend…

Chapter 1

Steven Jay Miller loved running in the meadows at the base of the Sierra Mountains. He’d been a runner since his stint in the army, oh, so long ago.

On this delicious Northern California Friday morning, ‘Black Friday’ without the chaos of shopping, Steve jogged to the tree line, which was at least three miles from the mansion. As he caught his breath, he turned around.

LAPD SWAT lieutenant Billy Sharpe, his husband, superstar Alexander Richfield, and Steve’s Swedish model husband Tadzio Andresen-Miller, had kept up with his pace. The four of them gasped for air deeply as they waited for the rest of the group, which was formidable.

Included in this running mass of men were Mark’s second husband Stan Charles Richfield and his New York Attorney General dad, Michael Bergman, the talent agent Adam Lewis, the two LAPD detectives Jeff Chandler and Mickey Stanton…Lifeguards Josh Elliot and Tanner Cameron, firemen Blake Hughes and Hunter Rasmussen…

The two late-night cable TV celebrities, Carl Bronson and Keith O’Leary, Steve’s brother-in-law a UCLA professor Barry Kowalski, all slowed down to recuperate after the run, which was a halfway point.

Steve dabbed at his dripping sweat and tried to see into the grassy field. Yo, Sharpe! Did Stan’s friends drop out?

The big police lieutenant gazed out in the distance. I think we lost them.

Tadzio, his long blond hair tied up in a ponytail said, Yes. They drop to laze in the grass.

Barry used his shirt to wipe his face. Are we heading back?

Steve gestured to the woods. Unless you want to see the incredible waterfalls.

Fuck yeah. Alex, his long brown hair wild from the running, climbed the trail between overgrown shrubs and ferns.

Waterfalls? Michael asked. Sounds refreshing. He dabbed at beads of sweat running down his temple.

Alex? Steve called from behind the men, Do you know where it is?

I’ll find it! Alex scrambled into the undergrowth.

Leave it to Alex to barrel through a forest fearlessly. Josh caught up and held onto Tanner’s hips as the climb grew steep.

Steve allowed everyone to go ahead of him, looking once more in the direction they had come to search for Stan’s four friends; Antwon Jackson, Lou McFadden, Oswald Black, and Fred Chew. Nope. They must have stopped or returned to the mansion.

Steve felt a touch to his hand. Billy gestured for him to keep going.

They climbed over the boulders and trampled ferns towards the sound of crashing water.

By the time Steve and Billy made it to the base of the towering falls, the men were gazing up at it, standing on flat stones which created a platform.

Wow. Tanner craned his neck to the rushing water.

Anyone jumping in? Blake asked, his T-shirt drenched from the run.

And jog back with wet socks and a damp ass crack? Alex expressed his comic distress.

Lookie there! Jeff pointed to the stone under his running shoe.

What is it? Mickey wiped his face as, he too, dripped in sweat.

On the smooth, flat granite stone were etched carvings; one, older, was a heart with Mark and Jack’s names in it, dated from the nineties. A second heart was newly scratched right next to it; Tadzio and ‘Steffen’.

Steffen? Jeff laughed at Steve.

Iz joke. Tadzio smiled and hugged Steve.

Christ, that’s funny, Josh said, laughing.

Poor Jackie. Adam gazed at the heart. He never did get Mark.

Stan cleared his throat uncomfortably and peered over at his dad.

Steve noticed Stan’s father appear a little concerned. Trying to defuse any controversy or resentment, Steve said, Mark’s where he should be.

Alex laughed. Yeah, with Jackie at the cemetery.

Is that where they went? Jeff choked. Milt and Leslie’s graves?

As if the conversation was upsetting him, Stan said, Dad? Are you ready to run back? I’m hungry for breakfast.

Sure. Michael and Stan returned to the trail.

Barry followed, giving Steve a concerned look. He whispered, Is Mark okay?

Yes. Steve touched his brother-in-law’s shoulder.

Blake and Tanner crouched by the crystal clear pond at the base of the falls to splash their faces.

Billy stood next to Steve as the men returned to the bridle trail and their run across the meadow. He asked, Why didn’t you or Stan go with Mark?

Because he asked Jack to go. Steve gazed at the names scratched into the stone. Sharpe? Jack knew Milt. Neither Stan nor I got to meet him.

Lucky Jack, Billy said sarcastically.

As they waited for the last man to head to the trail, Steve and Billy joined them once more for the return run back to the stately home.

~

Alex and Tadzio paced with Stan and his dad- Michael. On the run to the mansion and a fabulous breakfast buffet, Alex glanced behind him at the men working out. It was so damn cool.

Nearly twenty men were jogging together. It really did feel like a military exercise at boot camp. It may be the end of November but the air warmed nicely. The crisp evenings morphed into mild sunny days.

As they jogged the same bridle path they had come, Alex spotted Stan’s four young friends pop up from where they were relaxing in the flowering meadow.

They hadn’t managed the pace or distance, but had hung out for the return trip. Tadzio laughed heartily as Lou and Oswald pretended they’d been with them the whole time, while Antwon and Fred chuckled and raced out front, ahead of the gang.

Whooping and shouting came from the four millennials as they drew closer to the barn and the back of the estate.

Alex and Tadzio slowed down, catching their breaths. Alex held his chest, trying to recover, since he had lousy lungs after a bout of pneumonia a while back.

Michael, also breathing hard from what ended up being a sprint to the finish, asked Alex, You okay?

Yes. Alex gasped as he breathed, Just trying to gain air.

Michael waited beside Alex, looking concerned. Michael and Alex had run together in Central Park in Manhattan. Alex and Stan had filmed their on location scenes in New York for their movie Lover Boy, and they had stayed with Stan’s family in their brownstone during the filming.

Because of that, Michael was aware of Alex’s bad lungs.

I’m okay. Alex nodded to Michael as his breathing became easier.

He got a sweet pat on the back from the refined man.

Alex looked up from the paving stones to see his dad. He was so excited Mark was back, he rushed to his arms and grabbed him, holding tight.

~

Hullo, baby. Mark kissed Alex’s hair and caressed his dewy face. Did you have a nice run?

Awesome. Alex glowed from the exertion as the men behind him slowed to catch their breath. How was the cemetery visit with Jackie?

As expected. Not nearly as fun as this. Mark was delighted to see the group bonding. Jack exited the back of the house and stroked Mark’s hair lovingly.

The wind was calm, and the distant mountains and meadows were turning green from the winter rain. After the summer fires, the rain was welcome.

The women, who had waited patiently before hitting the buffet, left the kitchen nook to step outside and admire the spectacle of men.

While Alex held Mark tight and rocked him, resting on Mark’s shoulder, Mark petted his son’s hair and enjoyed the silliness of the women. They were whistling and catcalling at the handsome men.

Steve’s sister Laura and her daughter Chloe were playfully teasing Barry as he huffed for air and wiped at his brow.

Stan’s mom, Ali was an attorney like her husband. Stan’s sister Leslie and her friends Maxine King and Manuela Espinoza were going to law school together in Manhattan. They whistled and hooted at the men playfully.

Becca McKenna, Mark and Stan’s surrogate, was also outside with Natalie Cushman, her girlfriend who was Adam’s assistant, appearing thrilled by the event.

While noisy banter was exchanged, Mark laughed heartily at the controlled chaos. As he was about to mention the men cleaning up to eat the wonderful breakfast buffet cooked by Sierra, their chef, Mark noticed Steve’s dad, Dick Miller, a disgraced LAPD sergeant, sitting behind the wall of glass in the breakfast nook, gazing out. The old man seemed chronically irritated and angry, overtly uninterested in the action going on outside.

Mark drew the men’s attention. All right, lads! Sierra has breakfast ready in the smaller dining room, buffet style.

Wooo! Stan’s friends barreled into the house, pumping their arms and hooting.

Alex kissed him and raced inside.

Mark stepped back while scantily clad men, sweating and delicious, formed a line to get inside to clean up.

As each man approached him, he got a kiss on the lips.

Oh, my. Mark loved every second of it.

Barry and Michael cracked up as they made their way to the open back door behind the two handsome firemen.

Michael asked, Is a kiss the magic password to get inside?

Blushing at Stan’s father’s comment and Steve’s brother-in-law’s mischievous smile, Mark shook his head. No.

Michael and Barry exchanged wicked looks and each kissed Mark’s cheeks, like bookends, simultaneously.

Stan, Billy, and Steve roared with hilarity at Mark’s expression of shock.

Mark touched his cheeks and felt his skin heat up.

Tadzio stood in front of Mark to smile devilishly. Straight boyz…mmm.

Go, you naughty thing. Mark nudged Tadzio into the house.

Steve, Stan, and Billy mauled Mark together, getting Mark coated in their sweat.

Oy! Mark laughed and nudged them away. Bad boys! All of you!

After everyone had entered the house, Mark wiped his face and arms, shaking his head at the silliness.

He entered the kitchen and found the ladies laughing while they lingered in the smaller dining area where the buffet was set up.

Mark noticed Dick Miller still gazing outside, a full cup of coffee going cold near his elbow. Mark took a seat across from the old, bitter man.

The ‘nook’ was a bench seat in the kitchen area, with a grand view of the stables, pool, tennis courts, and mountains.

Dick didn’t acknowledge him. But, to Mark, it didn’t feel like a snub it simply felt as if the man was lost in his head. He’d seen his own father when he was ill. When his dad, Milt, had a stroke, Mark was called from Los Angeles to his bedside in the hospital, where his dad died.

His father hadn’t been a health nut. Far from it. He smoked cigars, ate what he chose, drank cocktails every day, and never exercised. Mark recalled his father right before he had the stroke; he had snow white hair, a full head of it, and a belly that protruded over his white belt and green golf pants.

Dick? Mark said quietly.

It took a while for him to acknowledge Mark.

Dick’s eyes were cloudy, as if a film were covering them. His skin was ashen, very gray, like his thinning hair. He hadn’t shaven, since it was a holiday weekend, but, his face hair was patchy, and not growing in a uniformed beard.

Dick? Can I get you anything? Mark asked sweetly.

Dick blinked and looked around the kitchen. Where’s Susan?

I believe she’s in the dining room with Laura and Chloe.

Appearing bewildered, Dick turned towards the dining area. Laughter and women’s voices filtered out of it.

Mark asked, Can I take you to get some food for breakfast?

Dick gazed at the full cup of coffee in front of him, then up at Mark.

Trying to be kind, Mark smiled.

When’s Steve’s baby due? Dick asked, his hands shaking as he moved the cup and saucer away from himself.

Steven’s baby? Mark became upset that Dick was indeed, losing his grip on reality. Dick? Steven is not having a baby. I am…with Stan, my husband.

Dick seemed confused and stared in Mark’s direction, but looked right through him. That pretty blonde lady. Tadzio. She said she’s going to have a baby.

Oh dear. Mark stood from the nook’s bench. Why don’t we get you something to eat?

Dick managed to scoot out of the bench seat. Mark didn’t touch him, but gestured to the smaller dining room, trying to show him where the food was. Dick scuffed his worn heels and followed.

Mark led him to the buffet as the women found seats at the table and were enjoying the good food.

Dad? Laura said, Come sit with me. She stood from her spot and took over for Mark.

Ten-year-old Chloe said, Grandpa! The eggs are really good. Cheesy!

Mark exchanged worried looks with Laura and left the room.

~

In their guest bedroom in the mansion, Jack crossed his arms as he watched Adam clean up after the run.

Adam had showered in their private bathroom and didn’t shave either. None of the men seemed to be interested in shaving this weekend.

Adam dried his back with a large white bath-sheet and then hung it up and checked the toiletries Mark had supplied in each room. He picked up a bottle of moisturizer and coated his skin with it.

It smelled terrific, musky and masculine.

Adam glanced at Jack in the mirror’s reflection as he finished up. How was the cemetery?

Miserable. Mark broke down.

Adam paused for a moment before he rinsed his hands. Really? I thought he hated Milt and Leslie.

Jack shrugged. Time is a good healer.

Adam’s expression darkened. More like a liar. He finished grooming and stepped out of the bathroom to get dressed.

Jack sat on the bed as Adam picked out good jeans and a cotton shirt from the closet where he’d hung his clothing. Adam.

The handsome talent agent tucked his shirt in and sat to put on socks and shoes. What.

How long have we been married? Jack touched his wedding ring.

Uh…almost a decade. Adam finished dressing and faced Jack on the bed; a bed in Mark’s fabulous mansion, in a room which was like a hotel suite with a sitting area, balcony, and large picture windows.

Jack tried not to sound angry. What happened to your parents?

A wash of emotion -rage- raced over Adam’s dark eyes and expression. He interlaced his hands on his lap and stared into space.

Really? After all this time? Can’t tell me? Jack was stunned. He knew they were ‘murdered’ but that was it.

As if carefully deliberating his decision to talk about it, Adam ran his hand over his damp, conservatively-cropped, brown hair, exhaled loudly a few times, and then faced Jack, tucking one leg under him. Fine.

Jack turned towards him, studying Adam’s expression. Pain. Pain so obvious, it was hard to witness.

I was thirteen. Adam battled to get it out. We were living in Vancouver then. You know…where I’m from.

Jack did know Adam was born in Canada. He nodded, keeping his mouth shut.

After uttering ‘fuck’ quietly, Adam said, I was in my room. It was late. I wasn’t asleep yet though. My parents were in the den watching TV together.

Jack thought about offering to hold Adam’s hand, but didn’t want to interrupt him. It had taken Adam ten years to tell him.

I was reading or something. Adam stared at the floor. I was in bed, in my pajamas but still up. I heard noise downstairs.

Jack battled to keep from touching him.

My parents didn’t exactly have friends drop by late like that. They were respectable business people. My dad worked in finance, my mom was a teller at a bank. Adam rubbed his hands together nervously. My sister, who was ten years older than me, lived in Quebec at the time. She was attending university.

Jack noticed Adam’s eyes fill with tears.

Josh poked his head into the room. Hey! You guys coming down for breakfast?

Tanner leaned into the room behind him.

Adam cleared his throat and stood from the bed.

Jack turned to address the two lifeguards, We’ll be down in a second.

You okay? Tanner asked, Was the cemetery visit lousy?

As Adam tried to escape, Jack grabbed his wrist. No. It was fine. We’ll be down soon.

Tanner nodded and led Josh out of the bedroom.

Jack tried to keep Adam from leaving. What happened next?

Adam waited for the two men to vanish from the doorway and covered his face.

Jack stood and pulled him into his arms. What happened?

Three men shoved their way into the house when my dad opened the door.

Jack winced and closed his eyes.

They shot him in the face and then found my mother, shooting her too.

Oh fuck no. Jack cringed and felt sick.

Adam’s respirations heightened as he began to relive it, holding onto Jack. I had no idea what they wanted, but I freaked. I tried to find a place to hide after I heard the gunshots.

Jack felt his throat