Ties That Bind: Book 2

By E.S.J.L.

Troy and his family and friends are five years into their future. Still trying to escape the lifestyle he was born into; Troy tries to navigate his way through relationships and fatherhood.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Hawes & Jenkins Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Jan 17, 2024
• ISBN: 9781637843901

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Ties That Bind

Book 2

E.S.J.L.

ISBN 978-1-63784-389-5 (paperback)

ISBN 978-1-63784-390-1 (digital)

Copyright © 2024 by E.S.J.L.

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. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Hawes & Jenkins Publishing

16427 N Scottsdale Road Suite 410

Scottsdale, AZ 85254

www.hawesjenkins.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Prologue

Troy

Chapter 1

Troy

Chapter 2

Troy

Chapter 3

Troy

Part 2

Chapter 1

Elizabeth

Part 3

Chapter 1

Troy

Chapter 2

Liz

Chapter 3

Troy

Chapter 4

Liz

Chapter 5

Troy

Chapter 6

Liz

Chapter 7

Troy

Chapter 8

Liz

Chapter 9

Troy

Chapter 10

Elizabeth

Chapter 11

Troy

Chapter 12

Liz

Chapter 13

Troy

About the Author

Prologue

Troy

Everyone had gathered for our son's birth. Alex Kenneth was born on Sunday, December 6, at 2:48 a.m. The delivery had gone very well. Alex Kenneth was completely healthy. Ten fingers and ten toes, two beautiful eyes, and the most luminous skin. He glowed from the inside out; Liz was doing very well. She was very strong and very focused during the delivery.

Alex had practically camped out in the hospital while we were there. He said he didn't want to leave his namesake for a second. I wouldn't have had it any other way. Two days after the delivery, we took our son home. Liz had hardly left his side. She watched him sleep, and she held him and rocked him all the time. We loved him so much we could hardly stand it. That was five years ago.

Chapter 1

Troy

Troy! Have you seen Alex's backpack? Liz called from upstairs. I looked around and saw it on the dining table.

It's right here, I yelled back.

It was Alex's first day of school, kindergarten. He was really excited; Liz and I were kind of nervous wrecks. Okay, Alex, Dad found it. Come on, we're going to be late, she called.

Alex came running down the stairs and almost crashed into me. I caught him in a hug. Careful, buddy, here's your pack. Are you excited?

Yeah, I get to play and learn. He giggled.

Liz came down the stairs and smiled. Okay, I think we're ready then.

I gave Alex a hug and kissed his cheek. Go get 'em, buddy. Have fun.

I love you, and I'll be home after work. Liz kissed me, and they both left. I sat down in the living room and drank my coffee.

Liz had gone back to work only a year ago. She wanted to work with Kim at the bank again. I just missed her. I was mainly home alone all the time. I hadn't gotten a job because we just didn't need the money. And I loved being home with my son. Over the last five years, I had managed to stay out of the Mob. Peter was still acting as head of the organization, and Alex was still his right hand. Peter loved our son, and he loved being Grandpa, which was what Alex called Peter. My son Alex was usually called Alex or Buddy. But Alex Zelleta had become Al so we could differentiate who we were talking to. The other development was that Al and Kim had finally gotten married. They had been married two years. Alex had been the little ringbearer. They hadn't had any kids yet. But they were very happy.

My brother Ken was now twenty years old and going to college at NYU. He was studying to be a lawyer. The idea was that he would work for Peter and Al when he graduated.

I was a twenty-two-year-old husband and father, young by normal standards, yet I felt forty years old. I felt so tired and so weary. My mother had passed away from a stroke almost a year ago. Ken hadn't handled it very well. I had become very numb to it. I missed her, but I didn't allow myself to think about her very often. Yet every now and then, it would hit me, the fact that she was really dead. And I would sort of crumble internally. I sat there thinking about my mom, which made me think of my brother. I had tried so hard to keep him out of the business. We sent him to college, but only so he could work inside the organization. So it had been for nothing.

Elizabeth hadn't changed, though; with all the other things in my life seeming to change with the breeze, she had never changed. She still loved me unconditionally, and she still radiated positivity and kindness. I still loved her more than my own life. And she was an incredible mom.

All her fears about her mothering abilities had been laid to rest the first time she held our son. She had been a natural. Honestly, I had been the one who had felt at a loss. I didn't know how to be a father. No one had ever played ball with me. But I was looking forward to teaching Alex how to play basketball. I loved him so much.

It was almost 11:00 a.m. when I snapped out of my reverie. My cell phone rang and startled me. I looked, and it was Al.

Hey, man. What's up? I answered.

Hey, Troy, um, we have a situation. Can you come and get me?

Where? I asked without hesitation.

Pier 39. ASAP, man, he replied.

On my way. And I hung up.

When I pulled up to the rear of the pier, I noticed Al's car parked by the exit. I also noticed a Cadillac across the lot by the water, which was on fire. I ran into the warehouse and found Al with Renaldo Alvarez tied to a metal chair. He had beaten the shit out of him, and now he held a knife to his throat. I nodded. So this is the situation? I smiled.

Al smiled a very sarcastic smile. Shut up, man. Look at this piece of shit. I wanted to give you the chance to say stuff before I kill him.

I walked closer to Alvarez and looked into his eyes. He was afraid and angry, but most of all, he was complacent. He seemed to understand what was happening. I looked deeper into his eyes and nodded. You know what brought you here, don't you?

He glared at me but still nodded. All right, well then, God bless you. I crossed myself, gave Al the go-ahead, and turned to walk out. Once I was outside, I heard a gurgled, muffled scream then the crash of the chair tipping over and the faint thud of Alvarez's body hitting the floor.

I closed my eyes and waited for Al. Suddenly, he came walking out. He had a little blood on his hands, but otherwise, he looked clean. I looked at him, tilted my head, and gave him a sympathetic look. He smiled, of course; he was rarely negatively affected by any aspect of the business.

Come on, Troy. You knew I'd finish that eventually. It took a hell of a lot longer than it should have, he defended himself.

I smiled wryly. Calm down. All I was going to say was thanks. And I'm sorry I ever doubted you—granted, it's not my style, but you demand results, and you get them. So forgive me for ever doubting you or your ability.

He smiled. Of course. Okay, let me clean this up, and I'll call you later.

Okay. And I drove away.

By the time I got home, Liz and Alex were there. Liz was making a snack for Alex, and he was watching cartoons in the den. I walked into the kitchen, and Liz smiled at me. Hey, babe, where were you? she asked.

Just running errands. I had to mail some things. How was your day?

She shrugged. Fine. Busy and they put in a new electronic filing system, so I must learn new software again. She rolled her eyes and smiled. Anyway, it's annoying but okay. I still have other responsibilities that I love.

I nodded. Good. I'm glad, I said as I sat down at the kitchen island. I sat there staring at the marble countertop thinking about Al and what he'd done only hours ago. I wasn't as clean as I had wanted to be or as I pretended to be.

Are you okay? Liz asked.

Sure. I'm fine. How was Alex's first day of school?

Good, I think. He told me that he made an ashtray for you. And a necklace for me. He seemed to love it.

Good. I wonder why an ashtray. I don't smoke.

Liz smiled. I'm sure it's just a uniform thing. Same for all the dads.

I'm sure. I sighed.

Troy, are you sure you're okay? You're so pale.

Am I being a good father to Alex? Am I setting a good example? I asked.

Of course you are. What's this about? she asked.

Oh, fuck, Liz. I don't even have a job. For five years, I haven't worked. I sit here all day and do nothing. Hell, you have a job. You have fulfillment. What do I have? I vented loudly, and Liz flinched toward the end. I immediately felt bad.

I didn't realize you felt that way. I thought you liked being home with Alex. And you told me that you didn't care that I went back to work and…

Okay, stop. You're right. I don't care that you work. I want you to be happy. I'm just annoyed with myself. I didn't do any of the things I said I would do. I said I wanted to get out of the life so I could go to school and get a real job. But I didn't do anything.

You helped raise Alex. He loves you, Troy. Having both of us here with him all the time for the first years of his life, that's the best we could have done for him. Don't you see that?

I shook my head. I don't know, Liz. My dad was the devil incarnate, but he always worked. He always provided for our family. I inherited that work ethic too. You know?

Okay, go to work. I never stopped you from working, Troy. So don't yell at me because you miss the Mob because I know that that's what this is really about. Fuck you, Troy! And she started to walk out.

I grabbed her arm, and she spun around and glared at me. I glared right back.

What, are you gonna hit me now? Are you that desperate to be a thug? she spat at me.

I loosened my grip on her arm, but I did not let her go. I would never hit you, Lizzie.

So let me go, she said flatly.

I stared at her. I didn't know what I was doing. But I felt like I had to say something. When we met, you loved me the way I was. You told me that you did not care what I did or what life I had come from, that you loved me anyway. Has that changed?

She shook her head. Then why all the anger? Why are you so mad that I might miss the only life I have ever known? Huh? Does the idea of me going back to work upset you so much that you wouldn't want to be with me?

Her eyes softened, and I let her arm drop. She looked at me carefully. Troy, I will love you forever. I cannot see that I would ever leave you. But please, before you decide anything, think of your son. Think about you and your brother and your mother, God rest her soul. Don't let your choices destroy your family the way your father destroyed his. You've always told me how much you hated living in that house. Now I know you are nothing like your father. But keep in mind, your father wasn't always so deranged. The life wore him down until he was evil. Can you swear that won't happen to you?

I just looked at her. How would I respond to that? So I just nodded.

I love you. I really love you, Troy. Now please I need to go check on our son. And she walked away.

I stood there thinking about what she had said. She was right of course. I hadn't even decided to go back yet. I had yelled at her for nothing. What was happening to me? Maybe I was already turning into my father. I had to get out of this house. I grabbed my keys and drove to Al's place. When I pulled up, I saw him in his garage working on his Camaro.

Hey, man, didn't think I'd see you, he said as I got out of my truck.

Yeah, I'm sorry. I should have called. I needed to get out for a bit. Is that cool?

Of course. You want a scotch?

Please.

He poured the drinks, and we sat down on the sofa he had in his garage. I took a sip and sighed, laid my head back, and closed my eyes.

What's wrong? he asked.

I shook my head slowly. I fucked up.

How? What happened? he questioned.

I yelled at Liz for no good reason. I questioned her love and loyalty to me. I fucked up.

Okay, why? What were you guys fighting about?

She's terrified that I might want to go back to the life. I glanced over at him. He was nodding slightly.

Do you want to come back to it? he asked.

I can't answer that right now, man. That's part of the problem.

How do you mean? he asked.

I yelled at her because I hate myself. I hate not working. I left the life so we could have Alex and not put him in danger. I was supposed to go to school so I could get a real job. I never did that, though. Five fuckin' years later and I haven't done shit. I feel like a failure.

He sighed himself. I understand the restless feeling, but you are not a failure. You are the best father I've ever seen. You are a great husband. Liz loves you with everything she is. Now I know your work ethic, Troy, so yes, you should work. But not the organization, Troy.

I looked at him dead in the eyes. What are you saying, Alex? I'm locked out of my own organization. Peter would not agree to that.

He shook his head. It's your business. You can take control again anytime. You know that. All I'm saying is remember how much you hated it. Remember how much you wanted out. You were meant for so much more. Besides, Peter will be disappointed if you come back. He's so damn proud of you for leaving, he replied.

I nodded and took another sip. I hate myself, Al. I've never felt this way before, even when we killed my father.

He nodded. What can I do?

Nothing, I'm a fuckup. I may have destroyed my marriage. I could lose my son. And I'd deserve it. I'm glad my mom's gone—this would break her heart.

Do you need to crash here, man? he asked.

Nah, thanks, though. For the offer.

Listen, we're boys for life. Brothers, don't forget that, he said.

Yeah, I know. Sorry I questioned you. I'm all over the place today. My karma's off, you know?

You're tearing yourself apart with indecision. You haven't even actually chosen to return to the life, and yet you're fighting with Liz over it. Just stop, think, relax. Remember how much you love her and how much you stand to lose if you keep attacking her.

Yeah, I hear you. Thanks, man. Gotta go see how much damage I've done.

He nodded, and I left. I drove home slowly at first but then quicker. I needed to see Liz, to hold her and apologize.

When I got home, the lights were out in every room except my den. I went inside and straight to my den. There she was, sitting in my office chair behind my desk, holding a beer. She looked up when I came in.

Liz, I…

"No. Troy, don't. We had a fight, and then you just walked out. You left without even telling me that you were leaving. You didn't say a word to Alex all afternoon. I feel like I don't even know the man I am describing right now. Do you know how that makes me feel?"

I nodded. "Elizabeth, I don't know how to tell you how sorry I am, how ashamed I am. I don't recognize myself either. Not how I behaved earlier tonight. That's not who I am, not who I want to be. I can't believe how I grabbed you the way I did. I would never hurt you physically, Liz, please know that. I can't even stand hurting you emotionally. I don't know what I want to do professionally, but I won't do anything that hurts our family. I