The Don of New York

By T.M Jefferson

"In 'The Don of New York,' Ethan Gold's quest for survival and redemption paints a vivid portrait of a man who stops at nothing to protect his family. This gripping tale of deception, betrayal, and ambition is a must-read for fans of complex characters and explosive action."

Ethan

• Language: English
• Publisher: TMJ BOOKS
• Release date: Oct 6, 2023
• ISBN: 9781088042311

T.M Jefferson

TM Jefferson is a American writer and founder of TMJ Books, an independent publisher of fiction and non-fiction. He is a Amazon Bestselling author of nine titles and 2-time nominee for independent publisher of the year. To date, he has sold more than 400,000 books, including digital and physical formats.TM contrives a vividly, detailed canvas out of words that literally spring off the pages. Descriptive scenes, clever plot formation and intoxicating story lines are sure to keep the reader enthralled. Some of his favorite's are Donald Goines, Chester Himes and James Patterson. TM currently resides in Georgia with his wife and son.

Book preview

2: THE BIRTH OF A STREET KING

Concealed in an isolated area of a primitive dirt road lies a mysterious 12-acre compound in which the Gold family resides. It’s called Goldberg and it’s nestled at the foot of the Catskill Mountains in Upstate New York, about three hours north of Manhattan.

The compound exudes an air of secrecy, with high walls enclosing the entire property, surveillance cameras at every angle, and armed guards stationed at the gate. It’s a fortress, a sanctuary, and a world of its own. But this is the world that Ethan Gold has built for himself and his family.

Ethan had always been a visionary. He never settled for anything less than the best, and Goldberg was a testament to that. It was his dream, his masterpiece, and he spared no expense in making it a reality. He had always been a hard worker, starting from humble beginnings in the streets of Brooklyn. But he never forgot where he came from, and it was that hunger and drive that propelled him to success.

The estate was more than just a symbol of wealth and power. It was a place where Ethan and his family could be safe, away from the dangers that lurked in the world outside. But even with all the security measures in place, Ethan knew that nothing was foolproof. He had enemies, both old and new, and they would stop at nothing to take him down.

It was a constant game of cat and mouse, and Ethan had to stay one step ahead at all times. But he was confident in his abilities and the people he had around him. Moose, his right-hand man, was fiercely loyal and had been with him since the beginning. Adara, his wife, was his rock and the love of his life. And Binyamin, his connect, supplied him with everything he needed to keep his empire running smoothly.

But as Ethan sat in his office overlooking the sprawling estate, he knew that danger was never far away. He had made too many enemies along the way, and they were always looking for a way to strike. He had to be ready for anything, and he was determined to protect what was his at all costs. Goldberg was more than just a home, it was a fortress, and Ethan would defend it with his life.

Ethans’ birth mother, Sharon Dunner was a streetwise woman from Danville Virginia. She made her way up north in the year of 1981. Her life was nothing short of a hustle, doing whatever it took to make ends meet. Sharon found herself in the South Bronx in 1982, and that’s when she met Robert Gold. Known as one of the most respected dope dealers in the area, Robert had a way with words that captivated Sharon, and she found herself drawn to him.

A year after they met, Sharon discovered she was pregnant with Robert’s baby. Despite her lifestyle, she was determined to give her child a better life. On June 11th, 1983, at 4:17 am, Sharon was rushed to the Bronx Lebanon Hospital. It was time to give birth. But there was a problem. The baby was due in two months, but here she was, about to deliver.

Push, Sharon!

I’m pushing! Where the hell is Robert? He’s supposed to be here with me!

Don’t worry about him, worry about this baby. If you don’t push, they’re gonna have to cut you open.

Sharon took a deep breath and looked up at her baby brother. David, I’m not lettin’ them cut me op -- ahhhhh!

Push Sharon!

Miss Dunner, you have to push, the doctor told her. I see the crown of his head coming through.

C’mon Sharon, you can do this, David encouraged her. Oh, shit, I see his head! Oh shit… David passed out.

Oh my God! Ahhhhhhhh!

Push, Miss Dunner! Push! the doctor encouraged.

Twenty five minutes later, Sharon was holding her 3 pound 6 ounce baby boy. Due to him being premature, he was thin, transparent and had fragile looking skin. By then, a nurse had come in and revived her brother.

Why does he look like that? David asked.

Because he’s premature, David,. Sharon held her son close to her heart. "He’ll be alright. He’ll be just fine.

What you gonna name him?

I was gonna name him after his father, but that no-good-son-of-a-bitch ain’t nowhere to be found. Fuck him. Sharon forgot all about her brother’s question. Just the thought of her boyfriend Robert made her angry.

I didn’t ask you that, sis. What are gonna name him?

I think I like the name Ethan.

Ethan. Why Ethan? Does it have a meaning behind it?

Yes. It means strength, firmness and consistency.

David nodded his head. He knew how smart is big sister was, he was just upset at the lifestyle she chose to live. He smiled at his nephew. Hey there little guy. I’m uncle David, and I’ma make sure you be alright, you hear me?

Ten minutes later, Robert burst into Sharon’s room. He was disheveled and out of breath. I’m here. Did I miss it? he asked, not seeing the baby in Sharon’s hands.

You’re late. David said.

Get the fuck out, Robert. All I asked you to do was be here when the baby was born. But no… you couldn’t even fucking do that. Get the fuck out! Sharon yelled.

Robert ignored her. Listen, Sharon… this is just as much my child as it is yours. I ain’t going anywhere until I see my son.

Rob, I think you should leave, man.

Mind your business, David. You always got something to say. Sharon, can I hold him. Can I hold my son?

No, Robert. Just get out.

"Get out? I’m not going anywhere. I wanna hold junior."

He’s not a junior, Sharon replied. His name is Ethan.

What? Robert screwed his face. Ethan? That’s some bullshit. We agreed that he would be a junior.

Yeah, we also agreed that you would be here when I had him, but things change, don’t they.

Robert shook his head in disappointment. There was nothing he could do about her decision. The doctor, accompanied by two nurses, came into the room to take the baby for testing.

Is this the baby’s father? the doctor asked.

Sharon looked up at Robert. She wanted to say no, but her heart wouldn’t let her. As much bullshit she and Robert had been going through, she didn’t want that to reflect on their son. She wanted her baby boy to have a father, and she wanted him to know his father. Yes, she mumbled.

Excuse me; I didn’t hear you, Miss Dunner.

I said, yes. Yes, he is the father.

Yeah, I’m his father. Robert assured.

Okay, we’ll bring the birth certificate in and you guys can sign it. Congratulations. The doctor said.

Hey, sis… David got up from the chair he was sitting in and got ready to leave. I gotta take care of some business. I’ll catch you later, congrats again.

What business? Boy, you better be safe out there.

I am, sis. Love you.

Love you too.

A few hours later Sharon received the disturbing phone call from a family member. Her heart sank as she listened to the news on the other end of the phone. Her little brother, David, was gone. The pain was unbearable. David had been gunned down by the NYPD during a routine traffic stop, and Sharon couldn’t believe it. The police claimed that David had fired a shot from his car, but it wasn’t until later that the truth came to light. David had been racially profiled and killed for no reason at all. The senseless tragedy left Sharon shattered, and she struggled to come to terms with the loss of her beloved brother.

One year after Sharon gave birth to Ethan, Robert Gold’s life was cut short due to a drug deal that had gone terribly wrong. The news devastated Sharon, leaving her shattered and unable to cope with the tragedy. To ease the pain, Sharon turned to alcohol and prescription drugs, which soon became a daily habit. One fateful night, she became so intoxicated that she left little Ethan alone in the house. It was her neighbor who discovered the situation and reported it to the Child Protective Services (CPS). Just two days later, Ethan was removed from his mother’s custody and placed into a foster home.

For the next eleven years, Ethan Gold was shuffled around various foster homes throughout New York City due to his birth mother’s struggles with addiction. He lived in different boroughs and developed connections with people beyond his years. On the morning of his thirteenth birthday, Ethan made the decision to leave the group home he was staying in and strike out on his own. He walked out and never looked back.

In the heart of the concrete jungle, where dreams are shattered and innocence is a luxury, Ethan Gold emerged from the shadows of a turbulent childhood, forged by the unforgiving streets of New York City.

His young eyes bore witness to the harsh realities that unfolded before him, as his mother’s addiction held her captive and his father’s absence left a void in his heart. From the age of 13, Ethan navigated the alleys and avenues, honing his craft of pickpocketing with a precocious intelligence that defied his years.

Survival became his sole purpose, and the streets became both his battleground and his classroom. Every stolen wallet, every artful maneuver, and every fleeting escape from the clutches of authority became a lesson. While other children played in the safety of playgrounds, Ethan danced on the thin line between danger and opportunity.

But it wasn’t just his swift fingers that set him apart. There was an aura of leadership that radiated from him, drawing others like moths to a flame. Even in the unforgiving world of the streets, where loyalty was scarce and alliances fragile, Ethan commanded respect. His sharp wit and strategic mind served as weapons in a battlefield where survival meant exploiting weaknesses and staying one step ahead.

As the days turned into weeks, and the weeks into years, Ethan’s reputation as a young prodigy grew, whispered among the hushed conversations of those who knew of his exploits. His name became synonymous with both awe and caution, a symbol of resilience in a city that chewed up dreams and spit them out.

While his childhood should’ve been filled with laughter and innocence, Ethan’s path was paved with shadows and broken dreams. But within the depths of his soul burned a relentless fire, fueled by a desire to transcend his circumstances and create a life that defied the odds.

Now, standing on the edge of adulthood, Ethan carried the weight of his past experiences and the hopes of a future yet to be realized. The streets had shaped him, molded him into a force to be reckoned with, but they had also left scars, both visible and invisible, that served as a reminder of the battles he had fought and the battles yet to come.

In the pursuit of a life beyond the confines of his upbringing, Ethan knew that he had a choice to make. He could either succumb to the cycle of violence and despair, or he could rise above it, carving his own path through the dark underbelly of the city.

Despite his challenging upbringing, Ethan Gold persevered and proved to be a determined individual. He refused to let his circumstances define him and instead, used his resourcefulness to navigate through life. From his early teenage years, Ethan hustled to survive and make a living. He became an expert at scheming, scamming, and politicking, skills that helped him not only survive but also thrive. By the time he graduated from Pelham Preparatory Academy in 2000 with a 3.7 GPA, he had earned the respect of his peers and teachers alike. Ethan was one of the top three students in his graduating class, and had the potential to achieve a 4.0 GPA, had it not been for his relationship with LaToya Holmes, which distracted him from his studies.

LaToya Holmes, a four-year older sophomore at NYU, was born and raised in Harlem, New York. Her parents owned a thriving real estate firm and had been in business for over twenty years, giving her a privileged upbringing that was the complete opposite of Ethan’s. Being an only child, LaToya was accustomed to getting whatever she wanted, but it was not until she bumped into Ethan that she knew what she truly desired.

From the moment they met, LaToya was drawn to Ethan’s captivating eyes and unique charm. His rough exterior and street smarts intrigued her, and she found herself wanting to know more about him.

The screeching sounds of the express train could be heard through the 96th street station, a signal to the harried commuters that their ride home was approaching. As the doors opened, a tidal wave of people poured out, and the anxious throng waiting to board surged forward. Elbow to elbow, the crowd pushed, like pawns in a high-stakes chess match, each vying for a coveted spot on the iron horse.

But this was no ordinary train ride. It was a battleground of wills and a test of endurance. The air was thick with the scent of sweat and the sound of heavy breathing. It was a scene of chaos, a dance of human bodies swaying and bouncing together, like waves crashing against the shore. Amidst the flurry of movement, there was a sense of desperation, as each commuter fought to claim their place, their only chance at escaping the hustle and bustle of the city.

For some, the train represented a brief getaway from the daily grind, a moment to catch their breath and take stock of their lives. For others, it was a prison on wheels, a cramped and uncomfortable space that mirrored their unfulfilling existence. But for all of them, the express 6 was a symbol of the city they called home, a place where ambition and opportunity collided with hardship and sacrifice.

Ethan was no stranger to the daily hustle of the New York City subway system. In fact, he thrived in it. As he elbowed and squeezed his way through the packed train car, he expertly lifted wallets and jewelry from unsuspecting passengers along the way. With each successful pickpocket, he felt a rush of adrenaline that kept him moving forward, always hungry for more.

Excuse me, excuse me, he repeated, a mantra that helped him weave through the tight-knit crowd. He was like a fish swimming upstream, but with each bump and brush against a stranger, he emerged with another prize in his pocket.

But just as he thought he had it all under control, he stumbled over someone’s foot and crashed into a heavyset woman. Her skin was a rich shade of brown and her eyes narrowed at him in suspicion.

Excuse you. She said, pushing him off of her.

Sorry. I tripped over someone’s foot.

Tripped my ass. You were trying to get you a feel.

A what? Ethan laughed, You’re crazy.

Crazy? You’ll see just how crazy I am when the police get here, she threatened, reaching inside her bag.

All eyes on the crowded train were focused on Ethan. Lady, you’re lying. You know I didn’t try to touch you.

Tell your story to the police. You pervert!

Four minutes had passed and they were approaching the next stop. Ethan had already made up his mind that he was getting off, but when he looked up, he saw two uniformed police officers. He watched the uniformed officers squeeze their way through the sea of commuters, their eyes scanning the crowd. He felt his pulse quicken as they approached the heavy-set woman he had bumped into earlier. His mind raced as he tried to formulate a plan. He knew he had to act fast before they caught on to his game.

That’s him right there. The one with the black sweatshirt! The heavy set woman yelled.

Ethan scanned the crowded train car for a way out. The claustrophobic walls closed in around him, trapping him in with the very officers he had spent his life avoiding. He saw no escape route, no exit, no way out of the inevitable confrontation. Panic began to set in, but he quickly pushed it aside, knowing that fear was a luxury he could not afford in this moment. The officers were closing in, their eyes scanning the faces for their suspect.

Sit down. Someone said.

Ethan turned around. A light skinned female with a short bob cut, dressed in a business suit was tugging at his arm.

Get off me. He snatched away from her grasp.

Boy, sit down before you get arrested.

Ethan looked up again and the officers were closing in. The last thing he wanted to do was make a scene. He had over $3ooo worth of stolen goods in his pockets and a desk appearance warrant from the previous year. He knew they would lock him up once they ran his name through the system. His eyes shifted from the young lady tugging at his arm, back to the police officers, Shit! he mumbled under his breath.

Sit down. The young lady insisted, pulling Ethan into the seat right beside her, Follow my lead. She whispered.

The two officers approached. One of them was white and the other was Spanish. Excuse me. Can we talk to you for a second? The white officer asked.

Ethan looked at the two uniformed cops. About what?

The young lady back there says you touched her.

What? Man, I did --

Look, officers, the young lady Ethan sat next to cut in. This is my boyfriend, and he did not touch that lady. He tripped and bumped into her. It was an honest mistake. Besides, why would he wanna touch her when he can touch me all he wants.

The officers looked at the young lady who was speaking and then turned around and glanced at Ethan’s accuser. Well, why would she say you did something when you didn’t?

Because, she’s crazy, and she’s looking for attention. Ethan answered.

Do you know her? The Spanish officer asked.

I never saw that lady a day in my life.

As they assessed the situation, the train slowed to a stop at 149 th street.

C’mon, this is our stop. The young lady grabbed Ethan’s hand and they stood up. Is that all officers?

The policemen looked at each other and shrugged their shoulders. Doesn’t look like anything is going on over here. Y’all have a nice day. The white officer said.

Yeah, you too… the young lady replied, pulling Ethan towards the exit. They inched their way through the crowded train car and onto the platform at 149 th street. As soon as the doors shut, Ethan snatched away from the young lady’s grip.

If I wanted your help I would’ve asked.

If it wasn’t for me you’d be in handcuffs right now.

Like I said, if I wanted your help, I would’ve asked for it. Learn how to mind your business. Ethan replied, walking off.

The young lady caught up to him as he walked through the tunnel. How much did you get?

Huh? He tried to play it off like he didn’t know what she was talking about.

You know what I’m talking about.

Ethan kept walking. Thank you for what you did, but I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about.

Those people you robbed back there. How much did you get from them?

Ethan stopped short and turned to the young woman. How did she know? He thought to himself. Who are you and what do you want from me?

The young woman extended her arm to shake Ethan’s hand. My name is LaToya, but everyone calls me Toya. Nice to meet you.

Ethan couldn’t help but be entranced by the beauty in front of him. Her skin was like porcelain, and her eyes were so piercing he felt like he could drown in them. He had to ask, You a cop? His heart was racing as he waited for her response, unsure if he was about to be caught or if he had just found his way out of trouble.

No, but if I was, you’d be going to jail. Those people haven’t done anything to you. Why did you take their belongings?

Listen, LaToya… Toya… whatever they call you. What I do is my business. Why you so concerned anyway, you don’t know those people.

You’re absolutely right, but I do know what you did was wrong.

It was wrong in your eyes, not mine. I gotta eat.

So you rip people off in order for you to eat?

I do what I need to do to survive.

But you don’t have to live like this.

You don’t know what I have to do. Ethan looked the woman up and down. You got your designer bag, designer labels. I bet you got a great job and house with a white picket fence too. Why don’t you just go on about your business and leave me alone.

LaToya smiled. You’re cute. What’s your name?

Ethan. Ethan Gold. He answered, blushing.

How old are you, Ethan Gold?

Fourteen. I’ll be fifteen in June.

Ethan couldn’t believe his luck. The beautiful woman in front of him was not a cop, but a young college student named LaToya. As they stood on the subway platform, he felt a spark between them. They talked for almost an hour, sharing stories about their lives and dreams. For the first time in a long time, Ethan found himself opening up to someone, truly listening and engaged in the conversation. He was intrigued by LaToya’s intelligence, her passion for her studies, and her warm and welcoming personality.

As they prepared to go their separate ways, Ethan didn’t want the connection to end. He hesitated for a moment, then boldly asked for her phone number. LaToya smiled and gave it to him,

So, when are going to call me?

I’ll call you tonight, as soon as I get home.

LaToya smiled and winked at him. Okay. I’m looking forward to hearing from you. And don’t rob anyone else today. She giggled.

Yeah, okay. Get home safe, LaToya. Later… Ethan left her standing there as he walked up the steps. The only thing on his mind for the rest of the night was LaToya’s smile. He had never encountered an older woman who showed interest in him. Up until this point, he had never had a girlfriend, and he was a virgin.

3: MOVING THROUGH ADVERSITY

As the months went by, Ethan couldn’t shake off the feeling of apprehension. He knew the responsibility that came with being a father, but he wasn’t prepared for it. When LaToya broke the news of her pregnancy, he was caught off guard. Panic set in and he begged her to consider an abortion, but she wouldn’t budge.

Days turned