While I Breathe: The Veiðimenn Mob, Book One

Twenty-Six

Declan didn’t realize getting to know Callum would be so easy. Feeling like he already knew the man from his sister’s stories, he’d gotten close to the man over the last few days. He enjoyed the twisted sense of humour, almost immediately falling into a brotherly routine with him.

When it came to Hans, he was made to feel like protecting his family was the best thing in the universe. There was no doubt in his mind his nephew and sister would be taken care of with the mob at their backs. After a solo conversation with the blond and telling him that he’d do anything for his family, Hans offered him a position on Callum’s immediate team.

Days later, once he fully weighed the pros and cons of the decision, he stood in front of the Kingpin with his answer. With his mind clear, his emotions calm, and his stance relaxed, Declan waited patiently to be acknowledged.

“Well? I gave you time to think about it, so what’s your answer?” Hans asked expectantly.

“Hans, what have you done now?” Ross asked as he stepped into the room.

Levelling the black man with a dark look, Declan shook his head. “We were just discussing my joining the mob. My only request is that my nephew and sister are cared for while I get a place where I can train, teach, and live in relative peace. I’ve invested too much time and energy into helping raise my nephew and keep my sister sane, so something I don’t agree with is being separated from them.”

“Your father”- Ross started.

Before he was able to get another word out, the younger man had him pinned to the wall, his arm threatening to cut off his ability to breathe. Anger, pure and true pulsed in dark blue eyes that held zero remorse for his actions. There was nothing in his stance that said the man was going for anything but a decently brutal warning.

His deep azure eyes glittering dangerously, Declan said, “Don’t ever make that comparison. I am not the bastard that sired me, so give it the f**k up. If you want to die today, though, that’s fine by me. just go ahead. f**k around and find out, Ross.”

Laughing, Hans pulled him off Ross and gripped his shoulder. “It’s nice to know where your loyalties lie, Declan. I was quite concerned at first, and assumed that you’d toss your twin under the bus, but I see there was nothing to worry about. Ross, you’re in charge of him when we get home. Don’t go easy on him. We can reassess him within the year. Declan, until I see more of what you’re capable of, you will be strictly monitored, understood?”

“I wouldn’t have it any other way, Sir,” Declan stated.

He snapped out of his reminiscing as he handed Ross another box. "This is the last one for the van. The rest can go in the jeep."

“You really okay with all this?” Ross asked him.

“It’s a huge change for all of us, but it will work out. Nix is far more resilient than others give him credit for, so he’ll be fine,” Declan replied. Guiltily rubbing the back of his neck, he said, “Sorry about earlier, by the way. I hate being compared to that asshole.”

Ross snickered, “No worries. He wanted to know if you were hiding your true self. You see, Hans was sketched out because of your looks, but now he understands that you’re only a threat if someone goes after your family. You’re safe.”

Up in the nearly empty apartment, Hans looked over at the young woman, watching cautiously as his son approached the woman. “Amber, why don’t you take a small rest? Let me handle this, okay?”

Her eyes narrowed on him, her arms crossed over her ample chest as she narrowed her eyes. “Are you ordering or asking?”

Much to his father's surprise, Callum laughed off her threatening demeanour as he pulled her close. He kissed her forehead and sighed, “Can you please go try to relax for a little bit and let me handle things? You were always so bossy and stubborn, and that's why I fell for you when we were teens. I love knowing no one will be able to walk over you.”

Callum walked over to his father as she walked out of the apartment. Noting the amusement in the older man’s eyes, he asked, "What’s so funny, Dad?"

“She's a firecracker. I’m actually glad she waited for you because you seem so much happier,” Hans said.

Callum sighed, “She seems a little distant, though. Not sure what to do about that.”

"People have a tendency to change based on their circumstances, and hers weren’t so different than any other person who struggled to get ahead in life. Take your time with her for now. She’s been thrown into our chaotic world, and needs time to adjust to it," his father replied.

"Now that it’s been a while, I have to ask what you really think of Declan?" Callum pressed when they were alone.

Hans thought back to the first time that he had met the man. It wasn't his nervous chatter that gave the mob leader pause, it was the striking azure eyes he shared with Justin. Thankfully, he was nothing like his sire. “He has his family's best interest at heart, and he seems to get along pretty well with you. He’s agreed to join us if only to remain close to his immediate family.”

Callum shook his head, “You had to, didn’t you? If he’s anything like his sister, what you see is what you get.”

“You could have told me that earlier, you know,” Hans answered as he followed his son down the stairs.

Phoenix ran over to them as soon as they stepped into the bright sunlight. “Dad, do we have everything? Are we ready yet?”

Nodding, amazed and amused that Nix handled the changes in his life with enough dignity and grace to put an adult to shame, Callum laughed. Callum gave a last wave to his father’s retreating vehicle as the armoured car vanished from sight. After making sure his son was safe in his booster seat, he slipped into the driver seat next to Declan. “Music?”

“Depends on your taste,” Declan replied. He pulled out the CD case that was full of mixed music, “We got Linkin Park, Eminem, Beyonce, Kanye West, CCR, ACDC, and some country music.”

Ambrosia scoffed, “Anything but country.”

“I’m with mom on this one, Uncle Declan. Your country music is sappy,” Phoenix huffed. “I don’t want to spend the whole trip listening to some guy being sad over a truck, dog, or woman that they don't have anymore.”

Callum shivered as he glanced back at the woman who had stolen his heart when they were teenagers. Having carried his child, he had to admit she looked good with the added pounds. She was curvy, sure, but he was the kind of man that enjoyed a good meal rather than scraps.

Ambrosia met his hungry gaze, and quickly looked away as heat spread through her body. It was getting difficult to deny that she still loved him. When he kissed her the first night he arrived, it felt as though she was his oxygen, his world. She’d made up her mind to wait before diving into the whole relationship scene with him again, though. The decision seemed to put the other men, including her brother, in a foul mood, not that she cared what they thought of her.

“Just put on a mixed CD, Callum,” She stated.

“Sure, baby. Anything you say,” he said, watching as a shiver stole over her body. Even though she tried to hide it, he knew that she wanted what they had before. When they were around the corner from the airstrip, Declan’s snore startled him, making Nix laugh.

“He does that when mom drives, too,” the eight-year-old explained as he leaned forward and pinched Declan’s arm. The man jumped, cursing he turned to the little boy and gave him his meanest glare. The little boy laughed harder, “I'm not scared of you, Uncle Declan.”

“Don’t bother going back to sleep, Dec,” Callum said as he pulled into the parking lot of the airport. “We're at the airport.”

“Great, maybe I can sleep on the plane,” Declan retorted.

“Jet, actually,” Callum watched as three sets of eyes spotted the huge private jet that belonged to his father. He cut the engine, getting out only to open Ambrosia's door for her. She narrowed her eyes at him, but said nothing as she got out of the vehicle.

Eyes wide, Nix took a few steps toward the huge jet that was waiting for them. He squealed in delight, “Are we really going to ride in that? Who owns it?”

“Your Grandfather,” David answered as he stepped out of the shadows.

Callum bumped fists with the other man and grinned, “Declan’s one of us now, so fill him in when you can get a minute to think. What about Pricilla and Viper?”

“Our bikes are secured,” David reported. “Welcome to the dark side, Declan.”

Shrugging, the auburn-haired man said nothing as he watched the workers load the jeep into the cargo hold and strap it down. “What can I say? I like the cookies.”

Ambrosia laughed at the way the men got along. Turning to Callum, she asked: “You still have that old Ninja?”

“You remember?” Callum glanced at her in surprise. He didn't expect to hear her say that.

She shook her head in disbelief, “Yes, I remember it. I also remember the time you tried to get me on it, and I called you insane.”

Callum scowled. “Yeah, you called it a death-trap on wheels, if I’m not mistaken."

“Oh no, your memory is dead on,” she confirmed.