Beneath The Mask

ows of deceit. The shop, marked by a simple wooden sign that read Valente Sartoria, was the home of the Valente family. Despite its modest size and

craftsmanship. The rhythmic sound of the sewing machine filled the air as Salvatore skillfully maneuvered the

uthoritative, combining the tones of an educator and a loving father. "A good stitch isn't merely about the materi

phony of sounds that vividly portrayed the essence of life in the working-class neighbourhood. Vendors shouted out their goods, children's laugh

ominic asked, his wide brown

but steer clear of trouble. And don't wander to

shoes clattering against the cobblestones. The outside world served as both

of Co

cent Baroque architecture of the old churches starkly contrasted with the decaying facades of the tenement buildings. T

shortcut and hidden spot where older boys played soccer or traded marbles. Toda

hair and a cheeky grin. Luca, being a year older than

back and forth. Dominic eagerly joined in, his laughter blending with that of the others. Th

wo men in dark suits stood beside it, smoking cigars and speaking in hushed tones. Their presence sharply cont

c inquired of Luca, ge

hat's Signor Ricci and his driver.

oed, confused. "How ca

people. He's in charge of... well, everything.

was something magnetising about Ricci, an air of invincibility that both fascinated and troubled Dominic. He didn't fully comprehen

of the Val

as a woman of quiet strength, equally skilled in the kitchen as her husband was in the tailor shop. With practiced efficiency

mia?" Elena asked, pausing t

a replied, focused on her drawin

xt to his sister, eager to see

r small face scrunched in annoyanc

ed, although his reputatio

on the table. "Dom, leave your sister be. Clara,

es, intending to mock her but instead finding himself genuinely impressed. C

surprising both himself and Cla

nd for a moment, the siblings

ows Lurk

minic into the shop. The boy found his father bent ov

," Salvatore said,

, curiosity bubb

n, setting down his scissors. "And there are ce

head, uncertain o

they operate by a different set of rules. They believe power is derived from fea

Dominic. Easy choices that lead to the wrong path, and challenging choices that keep you on th

ords pressing down on him. He didn't completely underst

softening. "Good. Now, get read

f a Diff

thoughts turned back to the men in the piazza. Ricci's polished shoes

years of hard work, lingered. He couldn't shake the feeling that their lives were on the brink of cha

ined to become known as "The Hawk