While I Breathe: The Veiðimenn Mob, Book One

Twenty-Nine

NOTE:::: I deeply regret not being able to upload a new chapter sooner than today. I've had a lot going on in my daily life, and wasn't able to do any editing in the process of the tasks that required my attention. Looking forward to hearing what my readers think about this book. Please assist in spreading the word by sharing it with friends and family if you like. :)

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Callum examined his watch as he waited by the door. He felt Declan's presence before he saw him, and turned to greet him.

In these last few months, he had come to enjoy the company of the other man. His jokes were a little lame, but he was still a riot once you got a few shots of Tequila into him. Callum didn't have the best of experiences with others who drank, but he quickly learned that the auburn-haired man was a very fun drunk. Even Trace and Thomas had taken to Declan quickly, drawing him into their group and putting him in the running to be Callum’s official right hand. Rather than fighting over it, David told the others that he was more than happy to split the responsibilities with Declan.

“Have you heard anything from Amber about us getting back together? I messed up this morning regarding Phoenix and sugar. I didn’t know he’d bounce off the walls for an hour then crashed into a dead sleep, but lesson learned,” he commented as Declan stopped beside him.

“Not yet, man,” the other man said as he waved to the little boy patiently waiting his turn near the end of the line. He huffed a laugh, “He’s so nervous that it's almost unbearable to watch. As for what happened this morning, don’t worry about it. You got yelled at, I caught hands for sneaking him one of those little Icy Squares.”

“You caught hands?” The blond asked.

Declan nodded, “Yup. My sister put me on my ass with Tweety Bird circling my head like a vulture that day.”

“So, he hasn’t done anything like this?” Callum scratched his chin, trying hard not to laugh at what the other man was describing.

“He did remote learning because the school officials wanted him put on medication. Five different I.Q. tests later and an official diagnosis from the National Pediatrics Board proved that what they perceived as a medical condition was nothing more than Nix not getting the mental stimulation he needed. He was approved for the Accelerated Learning Program after they determined that he was actually acquiring knowledge at a rate higher than his age group. In other words, your son is a nationally registered genius,” Declan replied.

"Your sister is brilliant, man. As for Nix being a genius, who honestly cares? I don’t. He’s a little different, special even, but that doesn’t change the fact that he’s my son and will be raised like a normal kid. Well, as normal as it can get for a future mob heir," Callum stated.

He stared at Declan for a minute longer, as though he was committing the other man's look to memory. The man exuded confidence in ways others found envious. His auburn hair hung to his shoulders, tied into a ponytail at the nape. His dark blue eyes, pastel complexion, and the light dusting of freckles on his face had almost every female teacher vying for his attention. The tailored threads he wore conveniently hid a lean, yet muscular body.

Callum knew the first day the five of them were in the Underground when one of the older soldiers made a few crude comments to a female cleaner. Declan’s deep-rooted sense of chivalry refused to let him back down once he got started. His father and Ross tried to stop Declan, but when Thomas told them what happened, Hans let his newest trainee have his way. After begging for his life through busted teeth and a bloody mouth, the older man was sent to the hospital for treatment.

“Are you checking me out?” Declan asked suddenly, trying to act appalled. He knew Callum wasn’t, but he wanted to break the ice with him, hopeful they could be friends since their goals in life were quite similar.

“You don’t have the right stuff to satisfy me,” Callum said, falling into the joke quickly. He was grateful Declan was different from Justin, and Callum could see why Ambrosia loved her brother so much.

“No, but my sister does.”

Callum sighed, running his hands through his blond waves. “Do you have any ideas on how to win her back?”

Declan pulled out his phone to check for any missed calls or texts. “I only have one thing to tell you about it, and you’re not like what I have to say.”

“I’ll take whatever you got," Callum groaned softly, "I’m getting desperate.”

Declan nodded, a hint of a smirk on his lips. “I know. I can tell."

"So, what's your advice, bro?" Surprise flashed in Declan's azure gaze as he stared at the other man. It was the first time he'd heard the mafia heir call him by such a familial term.

"Stop pushing so hard to please her," Declan held up a hand as Callum opened his mouth to speak. “Let me finish, please. After being a single mom for eight years, she became even more strong-willed. She’s never been one to give an inch if she can help it, and the s**t she's been through would have broken anyone else a long time ago.”

Callum rolled his eyes, “I know. I was there for some of it, remember? She’s got me wrapped around her little finger, and she has no idea.”

Declan tried not to look at his sister, who was watching from the shadows of the hallway. She David, and Hans had arrived a few minutes ago, but he wanted to show them the truth as he saw it. “Do you love her, Cal? I mean, ready-to-die-for-her love.”

“If she knew how I felt for her, I wouldn't be in the position I'm in right now. See, I did something awful to her a long time ago," Callum muttered.

Declan arched his brow in surprise. "You need to explain that one to me."

Callum swallowed, afraid to admit he’d once thought differently of the girl he loved. “I confess that I wanted to hurt her to get back at Justin in the beginning. I ended up falling hard for her, though. After we were separated, it got to the point where everything reminded me of Amber. There's no other woman I'd rather have at my side, and no woman better suited to my lifestyle than one who can smile while making you wish you were dead.”

“Did she know? About you wanting to hurt her, I mean?” Declan asked curiously.

“I told her everything, and once she knew my history, she understood where I was coming from and forgave me. I love her fire, her fierceness, and how she’s not scared to take a bite out of her enemies.” Callum explained. He laughed, “I once called her a sassy, classy smart-ass. She’s so much more than that now, though. She's an amazing mother, a brilliant doctor, a bravely spirited woman, and I need her in my life.”

Declan laughed, his shoulders shaking quietly. “You have got to be kidding me.”

"What’s that supposed to mean?” Callum stared at him, his brows furrowed in confusion.

“I mean, did you seriously just say that about my twin?” Declan snorted with laughter.

Callum nodded slowly at the question, making the other man doubled over as he laughed hysterically. Turning his miserable gaze to his new ally, Callum frowned, “That’s why I want you to help me.”

Declan turned, his eyes trained on his nephew. He wiped his face of the tears that fell from his laughter. “I don’t know, Cal. I'm a good fighter and all that, but she's part of the reason I had to learn how to fight. I mean, you haven't lived until you’ve had to fight over the last blueberry pancake.”

Callum chortled, "Oh, yes. I remember well how fast she can get hangry."

“Still,” Declan dodged answering as long as he could. Then, using sign language, he told Callum that he would try. Finally, he cut his mischievous gaze to the hallway. “Hello, Master Hans. You’re looking better.”

“All thanks to your sister,” Hans replied smoothly. He had been waiting for the conversation between the two men to turn south, but, thankfully, it didn’t.

Ambrosia cast a suspicious glance at Declan before turning her hardened gaze to Callum. “I wasn’t sure if you’d be here.”

“Why wouldn’t I show up to my son’s first audition?” He answered as he glanced over his shoulder at the stage.

Ambrosia knew he was trying. She knew that he wasn’t going to give up either, but she wasn't sure of herself yet. Not knowing where she stood with the Mafia set her back a little more than she thought possible. Hans was easy. He was straight-forward, and made sure she knew exactly what he thought of her.

Callum was a different story.

It hadn’t been yesterday that they were fooling, and she wondered if he’d ever moved on to other women. She wondered if his words, his promises to her were just sweet nothings or if he meant them to the fullest extent. Could she trust her emotions not to blind her? Or was she headed down a one-way street into a world of hurt? She sat down in one of the chairs and watching her son – their son – taking his place on the stage. She was grateful that they had made it in time to be there for his first drama performance.

The corners of her lips turned upward as the drama teacher smiled widely.

Callum sat beside her. His hands were itching to hold her, even for a moment. She’d snubbed him at the door, making him pause as he inhaled deeply, only to let it out slowly. Come hell or high water, he would find a way to make her his wife, and keep his woman by his side for the rest of their lives.