While I Breathe: The Veiðimenn Mob, Book One

Forty

Hans stared at Declan before he glanced over at Ross, who nodded discreetly. His friend had pulled the surveillance video from Temperance’s hospital room, and they had watched while Declan tended her and gave her the down-low. Thinking back, Hans realized that Declan never had been disrespectful with any of the women working for the Mafia, either.

“Well?” He pressed, wanting an answer.

“Sir, Callum wants her to work for her keep by watching the children, and the offer was his idea. It was not, nor will it ever be my intention to overstep my bounds, and I really don’t want to make trouble for my sister and her family,” Declan replied. He was numb after being told he’d screwed up for the first time since being inducted into the ranks. Watching Hans, he patiently waited for the blond to lose his cool.

Nodding, Hans eyed him from behind the desk. “Declan, while you did overstep, the action was done in good faith and under my son’s orders. You see, I was good friends with Francis Rubin. He was my street informant, and I was going to be taking them before Cal made the offer. It’s the least I can do for someone loyal to me for more than twenty years.”

“I’m sorry, Sir, but could you clarify for me?” Declan said in a confused voice.

Sliding a folder across the table, Hans watched the young man carefully. “This folder will tell you everything you need to know about the girls. Say nothing about it to them and let them open up on their own. As of now, you are the Rubin girls’ personal guard, specifically Kennedy as she’s nothing more than a child.”

Flipping the cover open, Declan felt his heart breaking. The police report was the first thing he saw, and the words he didn’t want to see jumped out at him. “No worries, Boss. I’ll gladly take the task on. As it is, I’ve offered to put Kennedy in school with Nix. While I work there as their teacher, I can keep an eye on them. On a side note, I’d like to see Temperance and Ambrosia become friends – they both could use the companionship. Is that plan acceptable, Sir?”

Hans sighed, relaxing in his chair. “I was fully prepared to kill you where you stand today, Declan. Yet, despite it all, you’ve surprised me once again. First, you take care of my grandson and his mother, then you befriend my boy and his team. You come into my office with genuine remorse to admit to and own your mistakes, knowing that I could have you killed at any minute. Ross?”

“He’s a brave little bastard, I’ll give him that. Not a single trainee under him complained about anything but sore muscles, Boss. Cal, Trace, and Thom speak highly of him, too.”

“Good to hear,” Hans replied. “Declan, it’s been several months since I uprooted you and your family. Several months since you voluntarily took the mark of my mob. I haven’t felt the need to kill you off, but I still want to see how cruel you can be. I want to know that darkness you have brewing inside you isn’t just waiting for me to drop my guard.”

The auburn-haired man nodded, “I understand, Sir. Anything for family, even if they aren’t blood.”

Ross’ head snapped to the young man, his eyes went wide as he realized that Declan had just literally given them the means to make sure he listened. Little did he realize, they had him right where they wanted him. Yet, the man seemed unbothered. “Would you take a bullet for Callum? Would you die to protect them in the event of an attack, Declan?”

Looking over at the man he enjoyed spending time with Declan nodded. Looking back at the head honcho, he declared, “I never cared that you were a mobster, Hans. I just didn’t want you to assume the same as my mother. In other words, I refuse to be shoved under the ‘Like-Father-Like-Son’ umbrella. I couldn’t stand it when she used that as an argument against my sister being with Callum. That said, thanks for never treating me like an extension of my i***t sperm donor. If I had been the one living in that house with my sister and Callum, I would have killed the bastard a long time ago.”

“And if you were to face him in battle?” Ross, genuinely curious to Declan’s reaction, asked.

Hans breathed deeply, a small smirk gracing his features, “Declan, you pass.”

Blinking, he let his dark blue eyes meet the ice-blues of the mob leader. “Excuse me?”

Hans’ smirk turned into a full-blown grin. He turned to his long-time friend and right hand. “Ross, place him as a family Shield. You just saved your own life without even realizing it, Declan. I have been testing you for months, and this was your first screw up. You willingly walked into the King’s den fully aware and knowing what might happen to you. I’ve noticed that you read situations with caution, reacting accordingly, and you take care of the important things first. I do enjoy having you around, and was rather hopeful that you and I would see eye-to-eye. You’re dismissed to go to the Red Room to handle the manager I left for you. I’ll be down shortly to check in.”

Relief flooded through his mind and body as Declan swallowed tightly. “Thank you for your mercy, Sir. I will endeavour to never cross your boundaries again.”

Watching him leave, Ross walked over to Hans. Pressing his hands to the desk, he glared at the blond. “You knew all along, didn’t you?”

“Don’t glare at me like that, Rossy,” Hans smirked. “Callum’s going to be in the room, so I’ll finally know how he’s going to react to the damage Declan deals out. If he’s as healed as he leads us to believe, it won’t bother him. However, seeing his new friend in action my just turn him against the man.”

“Doubt it,” Ross snickered. “My brother just messaged to ask if Callum spoke to the Victors mob yet.”

Hans snorted a laugh as he got to his feet to leave for the basement. “It’s been nine years since the last time they made contact, Ross. I think you know what to say.”

Getting to the Red Room, he saw David staring into space while Callum was leaning against the wall shaking. Confused, he looked between them until David lazily looked his way, pointing silently to Callum as the young man struggled to control his inner turmoil. “What’s going on?”

“Declan started as soon as he got here. Had a good reason not to wait, too,” David stated quietly.

“Callum?” Hans called out to his son, noticing the twitch in his jaw that said he was fighting with his inner demons.

His son looked at him. “I’m sorry, Dad. I just… the memories. I thought I was over them. I thought I could handle it, but I couldn’t watch that. The guy straight-up taunted him with details of his escapades, and Declan lost it. he just… he gave over to his darkness, Dad. It’s the first time I’ve seen him grin like that while beating someone. He actually enjoyed it, all in defense of the girls the bastard hurt.”

Resting his hand on Callum’s shoulder, Hans nodded. “He’s not his father, Cal. That’s what you really have to remember about this. I have just one question, son. Do you trust him?”

“With my life,” Callum replied. Thinking it over slowly, he finally said, “Takk. I get it now. You’re right, he’s not Justin. Unlike his father, Declan has my back.”

“That’s my boy. Now, let’s go-” Hans stopped as the door opened and closed again. Raising a brow, he looked Declan over carefully as he stepped into the hall. Though covered in blood, there wasn’t a scratch on the man as he sank to the floor.

Shaking his head, he held up one finger as he silently asked for a minute to refocus. Running a hand through his hair and over his face, he breathed deeply. “We are not telling my sister about this. Even while I was beating the prick, he was talkin’ s**t about the girls he sold. His retelling pissed me off, so I made him eat his teeth. I didn’t use a weapon, Sir. I beat him by hand the entire time and didn’t stop until he stopped breathing.”

Dropping to a crouch in front of Declan, Hans scowled. Finally, his subordinate met his hardened gaze, and he was shocked to see tears swimming in the azure depths. “I finally broke you, didn’t I? You finally faced that inner darkness and kept your head when it was over. Now, I’m concerned. Are you alright, Declan?”

Not saying anything, Declan pulled away and stood shakily to his feet. “I need a shower…”

Understanding that the guy wasn’t being flippant, Hans nodded slowly as he eyed Ross, who had just arrived in the hall. “Ross, take him to get cleaned up. David, call in the cleaners. As for you, Callum, go get some air with your boy.”

“What about Declan?” His son asked cautiously.

“He just killed a man with his bare hands, Callum. It’s likely the first time he’s ever done that, and it can be hard for some to come to terms with. Still, I’m enjoying the fact that he’s remained loyal to you all these months. Have you noticed any issues?”

Callum shook his head, “No. He’s actually happy that Amber and I are getting married, and I’m still thanking him for giving me all the tapes he did off. I got to see all of Phoenix’s firsts.”

“Tapes?”

“Yeah, he took videos of everything he thought was important just in case our paths crossed again. I’m glad he did, so that I didn’t actually miss out on the milestones of Phoenix’s life. I’ve already watched them all,” Callum stated.

Hans grinned, excited at the news. “Have them sent to my office. I want to watch them for myself.”