The Ties That Bind 3 Read online

  Copyright © February 2020 by D. A. Young

  Cover by T. E. Black Designs—[email protected]

  Editing by Little Pear Editing Services—[email protected]

  Formatting by Champagne Book Design

  NO PART OF THIS BOOK MAY BE COMMUNICATED IN ANY FORM OR BY ANY MEANS, ELECTRONIC OR MECHANICAL. THIS INCLUDES PHOTOCOPYING, RECORDING, OR BY ANY INFORMATION STORAGE OR RETRIEVAL SYSTEM WITHOUT THE WRITTEN USE OF THE AUTHOR’S CONSENT.

  All names, characters, places, businesses, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination and have been used facetiously. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, locales or events is entirely coincidental.

  This book is a work of fiction and intended for mature audiences aged 18+ only.

  Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright

  Book by D.A. Young

  Author's Letter

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  About the Author

  WHISKEY ROW SERIES

  SWEET OBSESSION

  NEW BEGINNINGS

  THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS

  PERFECTLY IMPERFECT

  NO GREATER LOVE

  ALL WE EVER NEEDED

  BAYMOOR SERIES

  THE FARMER & THE BELLE

  LOST & FOUND

  TAKE A CHANCE ON ME

  TIME, LOVE & TENDERNESS

  CIRCLE OF FRIENDS NOVELLA SERIES

  SECOND CHANCES

  FOREVER YOURS

  THE TIES THAT BIND SERIES

  BOOK ONE

  BOOK TWO

  BOOK THREE—PART ONE

  BAXTER PARK

  WINNER TAKES ALL (A KISMET COVE COLLABORATION)

  Interested in what I’m doing next?

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  Hello!

  Thank you for your patience regarding this book. I’m aware that it’s taken a couple of years to get back to this series, so I’m ecstatic about finally being able to share Part One of Book Three with you as we move toward the finale! This adventure has been a true labor of love for me. When I began writing, it was so dark, that it didn’t sit well with my spirit. If you follow me on Facebook, you’ll know what I’m talking about. Therefore, back to the writing cave I went. Several times, lol. At times, it was a frustrating process and when that didn’t help, I set it aside in lieu of something lighter to write before trying again. Spirit replenished, I finally accomplished my mission!

  No other adventure has required this much of my time and effort. It’s been a worthy challenge, and I’m grateful that I’m able to learn and grow from this experience. I feel richly rewarded by the end results, and hope you’ll give this adventure a chance and enjoy it.

  Happy Reading!

  To my readers—thank you always for your continued support. Xoxo.

  A special thanks to Little Pear Editing, T.E. Black Designs, and Champagne Book Design. To Phillip and Gavin—thank you for being such rock stars on this journey and allowing me to lean on you whenever necessary.

  Sincerely,

  D. A. Young

  P. S. Book Three—Part Two will have a new playlist for the present. Interested in listening to the series playlist for the past? Click below!

  tttbseries

  1994

  Christmas Eve

  Albuquerque, New Mexico

  Ransom,

  I did it. No sense in beating around the bush. I don’t expect you to understand. Hell, I don’t even get it. Except, nothing hurt in the darkness. I was in my element and felt safest there. Peaceful and free as a fucking bird where no one could touch me. I know that’s the last thing you ever wanted to know about me, but I was never meant for the pearly gates, oh noble St. Ransom. You tried to do the right thing, but in the end, it always backfired with me and cost you. We may have shared a womb, but from birth, our paths diverged. Mine was unchangeable and never yours to walk or understand. Cheer up. At least your life will be easier without me in it, screwing shit up. Believe me; it’s better this way. Especially with Billy. Congratulations on bagging that fine piece of ass, by the way. I hope it tastes and feels as good as it looks.

  I’m kidding! On second thought, fuck you! I’m dead and you can’t do anything about it. With that being said, it might be hard to believe this next part; I love you, man. Forever. Even though, most of the time, I breathed envy instead of oxygen that’s my truth. I was choking on that shit. Not that you give a damn now, but it’s important that you know; more than I ever hated you, I loved you. Tell Slade I’ll see him when he gets here. Yeah, I’m really looking forward to that. Look after Ma. Neither of you deserved the shit I put you through, so do yourselves a favor; forget about me and be fucking happy.

  You deserve it, brother.

  Stay Vertical,

  Harley

  Ransom Lawson was stonefaced as he read the letter until the boldly slanted words blended together. Eventually, they blurred into illegible scribble, and his fingers curled around the paper’s edges as he struggled with the feelings he couldn’t segregate for his deceased twin. Love. Hate. Disgust. Fury. Sorrow. Relief. They were so intertwined that separating them had proved an impossible feat, making Ransom a prisoner to the murky vortex swirling in cyclonic force around him.

  “I still can’t believe that he was capable of such things,” Claudia whimpered, tugging on her ratty ponytail.

  He’d forgotten that he wasn’t alone. His eyes lifted to find his mother still sitting cross-legged on the bed, a fresh cigarette dangling between her fingers. The ashtray on the nightstand was overflowing with butts, and the room reeked of smoke. The garbage was overflowing, and judging from the empty small bottles of alcohol Ransom spotted scattered along the dresser, Claudia had cleaned out the minibar. Her bare face was blotchy and exhausted with shadows under her miserable eyes, physical evidence that she was grappling with an entity that was destroying her from the inside out.

  Ransom struggled for something to say and finally settled on the truth. “He did a lot of things you weren’t aware of. Things you were never meant to find out about, Ma. Things that…”

  “Like what?” The question, filled with trepidation, fell from Claudia’s trembling lips when he faltered.

  “Tell me!” she demanded when her son remained silent.

  Tension wound up Ransom’s spine. It reached the back of his skull and squeezed, polarizing his body. Transitioning from the MC world to mainstream society was a bitch. He thought his life would be on easy street after getting out of the Immortals. However, the remnants of that lifestyle were phantoms destined to haunt him for eternity. Ransom had inherited Harley’s sins, and his past was now banging on the fucking door, ready to kick it in and make him atone for them. He knew Slade had never mentioned the Aztec shooting to Ma. It wasn’t unusual to keep significant others in the dark when it came to the violent aspects of the MC. They understood that things needed to be done for the greater good of the club.

  “I’m stressed about your well-being, Ma. I don’t know what you can handle knowing when all I want to do is protect you from everything.”

  Claud
ia blew her nose and stared down at her chipped nails and the frayed edge of her sweater. “Seems like the time for that has come and gone, baby.”

  When he didn’t reply, she lifted her head. One look at Ransom’s handsome, somber face and a terrible premonition hit her, turning the contents of her stomach into a vat of acid. Like a deer caught in headlights, her predator intuition was triggered. Flight instincts kicked in, knowing he’d give her nothing but more bad news to add to the continuation of this unfolding nightmare. He opened his mouth to speak, and she beat him to the punch.

  “You know what? Forget it! Whatever it is, I don’t want to know, Ransom. Comprendes?” Claudia insisted. “At least, not right now. I was a fool to bring this to your attention. You and Billy are going out, and I don’t want to ruin your night. Go and have a good date! We’ll speak another time.”

  Knowing the pain he was about to inflict on his mother was killing Ransom.

  “You know I love you, Ma? That there is nothing on God’s green Earth that I wouldn’t do in order to protect you? That I’d rather die than hurt you?” His eyes held hers urgently, needing confirmation of those facts before he ripped her world apart. “You do know that, right?”

  Claudia tensed at Ransom’s earnest opening. He was her baby, and she’d always been proud to be his mama. He was the one constant in her life that she could always count on to be perfect and never disappoint her. Except, right now, he looked like he’d rather eat a damn bullet than speak his mind. Claudia had never witnessed this unsure side of him. Ransom was always steady. He was a confident and comforting presence for those around him. Drawing her knees up against her chest protectively, she gave a weighty, bone-weary exhale that made him feel like the devil personified.

  “The peace was a nice respite while it lasted,” she sighed. “Let’s get this over with, I guess. What is so urgent that you look like the world’s about to end, mijo? Of course, I know that about you. I hope you know the feeling is entirely mutual. Now, stop beating around the bush and tell your mama what’s on your heart! It can’t be worse than anything else we’ve endured in the last month,” Claudia firmly reasoned, even though, inside, she was filled with a fear she hoped was irrational.

  Ransom interlocked his fingers at his nape and tipped his head toward the ceiling. He gripped at disheveled strands of hair for support and closed his eyes. “I wish that was the case, Ma.”

  A sound escaped Claudia’s lips. It was high-pitched like a laugh but couldn’t be classified as such since it broke in the middle and fell into a desperate gasp-sob. Upon hearing it, Ransom’s eyes sprang open. He found Claudia ashen-faced with her fist pressed to her mouth as she watched him uneasily.

  “Worse?! How would that even be possible? Please! Just fucking tell me!” Claudia’s nerves were officially stretched to the point of snapping, knowing her damaged heart wouldn’t be able to handle his disclosures.

  It was best to just rip the bandage off and get it over with. Steeling himself, Ransom sat down on the edge of the bed and stared straight ahead at the wall.

  “Ma, it’s about last summer…”

  Claudia dropped her feet over the side of the bed and slumped forward, her face buried in her palms. Her heart felt too heavy to beat.

  “Damn you! You better be fucking lying to me! Tell me it’s a lie, Ransom!” she begged.

  “Ma, I can’t. If I could take it back, you know I would,” he responded helplessly. “I tried to diffuse the situation, but it went sideways quickly! I didn’t know Harley or Slade were gonna start shooting.”

  Her emotions boiled to the surface and spilled over. Jumping up, Claudia rushed him. Ransom was ready and caught her. She slapped at him wildly, punching, and kicking while he caged her, trying to absorb her pain and wincing when her nails threatened to rip through the sleeves of his suit jacket.

  “How could you not know?! You knew who you were dealing with! Garcella was just a baby! How could this happen?! How could you not say shit??! None of you said anything! You looked me in my face every day like nothing had happened! Oh, my God…that poor girl!”

  Ransom held her, allowing her to rail at him and bemoan her family’s loss until Claudia collapsed against him and slid down to the floor at his feet in a sobbing heap. She didn’t stay there long. Holding onto her stomach, Claudia rolled away and rushed to the bathroom. With a grimace, Ransom stood and waited helplessly, teeth gnashing, as her violent retching filled his ears. Five minutes later, she reappeared, wan and slightly more collected; however, the tic by her right eye let him know it was all an act. Fifteen seconds of deep inhaling and exhaling proved him right and she lost the battle for composure.

  “Fuck Slade!” Claudia hissed. “Fuck Harley and fuck you, too, for keeping it from me, Ransom! You’re better than that shit! They were family! I had a right to know! We stood in solidarity and offered condolences and you let me and never said a word!”

  “I know all that!” Ransom snapped, guilt stripping his defenses. “Not a day goes by that I don’t regret what happened! But this was club business! I couldn’t say shit! That would mean putting lives at risk! Innocent lives as revenge, including yours! I also couldn’t carry out what we should have done either, as painful as it may have been, and that’s our reality.”

  Confused by that last enigmatic statement, she searched his hard face. “Ransom, what are you—”

  “Ask me, Ma! Ask me what I wanted to do!” he demanded harshly.

  Eyes identical to his ballooned in understanding, and she shook her head in denial, refusing to go there with him.

  “Look after Harley!” he fired at her.

  Claudia blanched and shrunk back, trying to evade the truth that hit her like a spray of bullets.

  “I was his keeper! That’s what you expected me to be above all else, wasn’t it? Before considering doing the right thing, yeah? Protect him! I did that for you and the club because that’s what was expected of me! I was loyal to a fault. Because of that, I can’t undo it, so I need to find a way to make peace with it. I’m trying to do right by me, you, and Billy, and I don’t want any more fucking secrets between us. I just want a clean slate! Can you understand that?”

  Of course, Claudia could, but this was fresh pain thrown on top of an accumulating pile of betrayal and hurts to her. She needed some time to come to terms with it. Moving away from him, she went to the door and opened it.

  “You should go. I don’t know what I’m feeling right now. Deceived is at the top of my list, followed by heartbroken and furious! Today’s revelations have been a fucking mind-bender. The last thing I want to do is say something I’ll regret later.”

  Ransom stood undecided. Right now, his woman, Willamina “Billy” Stanton, was getting ready for their evening out. They were going to the Christmas Festival, then dinner, and planned to attend midnight mass afterward. He’d left their room, happy and content, after spending the afternoon in bed with Billy. With her deep brown hue that accentuated her boldly unique features and a svelte body sculpted with compelling curves, she was flawless in Ransom’s eyes. In his opinion, he hadn’t spent nearly enough hours monopolizing said perfection. Yet, it went beyond the physical with them. Billy was honest, intelligent, feisty as hell, and had a backbone of steel. She challenged and encouraged him to be the best version of himself and forced Ransom out of his comfort zone. If it were up to him, they’d stay in bed forever, enjoying each other’s company. Nonetheless, her wish was his command, and he’d intended to invite his mother to join them. Claudia had been holed up in her room, and Ransom thought she could do with some fresh air and holiday festivities.

  The last thing he expected to see was her holding a letter that his dead twin had hidden in her purse when she opened her door. One look at his mother’s ravaged face and he was leaning toward forsaking tonight’s plans to try and work out their issues. He didn’t want this to come between them permanently.

  Claudia sensed his turmoil and despite being presently bombarded with chaotic emotions, she
loved her son all the more for it. She jerked her head toward the hallway and begged, “Just go, Ransom. We need some space from each other.”

  After a long pause, he briefly dropped a kiss on the crown of her head and respected her wishes.

  Ransom was late.

  That never happened.

  Billy glanced impatiently at her Swatch watch again. Nearly an hour and a half had passed since she’d last seen him. Granted, she’d only been ready for thirty minutes, but he’d threatened to withhold sexual favors if she didn’t sharpen up her prep time. As there was no heat behind Ransom’s warning, Billy wasn’t even sweating it. She glanced at her watch a third time and shrugged. Now that she’d been afforded some alone time, Billy decided to place a call. Grabbing her address book from her purse, she dialed her friend Angela’s number and stretched out across the unmade bed.

  It rang steadily and she knew that on the other line, her friend was staring pensively at the phone, debating whether to pick up. Billy couldn’t blame her over-cautious approach after what Angela had been through. She wondered how the news that she and Ransom were a couple would be received. There was more than a possibility that her friend wouldn’t be able to separate the brothers in her mind, if ever. It was a risk that Billy would have to take because she wasn’t giving Ransom up for anyone when he’d given up his world for hers.

  “Hello?” Angela answered, timid and unsure.

  Billy responded quickly to dispel her fears. “Hey girl, it’s me.”

  A relieved blast of air gusted into her ear. “Billy! How’s everything? I haven’t heard from you since our last conversation. I was hoping I hadn’t scared you off…” Angela’s voice escalated in panic. “You’re still coming when I finally—”

  “You don’t even have to ask. Just say the word,” Billy confirmed. “How are you feeling?”