Beneath The Mask

, with sunlit piazzas and ancient architecture coexisting with crumbling buildings and alleys ste

n on every odd job available to aid his mother, Elena, in supporting their family. Each

. The world had stolen his father, and notions

ce Enc

, he caught the attention of a group of older boys loitering nearby. One o

. "What are you, a mule? Car

laring at the boy.

lax, kid. Name Is Enzo. Just saying

crates. Enzo wasn't put off. He followed Dominic to the

e, and you think you're going to save the wo

nic replied curtly, setting

c. "You're sharper than most. You've g

but Enzo's presence

opos

ng a package for a merchant, his small frame navigated thro

id of me this time,"

ime for games,"

you're wasting your talent. Running around fo

t him skepticall

y stuff. People like us? We deserve more than scraps. Sti

edged with unease. Still, the thought of earning

ave to do?"

dened. "Now yo

uit from an unattended market stall. For Enzo, it was child's play, but Dominic felt a rush

tossing Dominic an apple a

nic muttered, thou

rom cares about you? The world doesn't play fair,

ugh he tried convincing himself he w

time schemes: sneaking into warehouses for supplies, acting as a

m after a successful job. "You're quick, sm

pride. For the first time since his father'

Franco

urhood's edge. The café seemed unremarkable, but Dominic not

business happens," Enzo

in his late thirties, was stocky, impeccably dressed, with sharp eyes that missed n

een telling me about?"

nudging Dominic forward. "He's

for a long moment. "Y

plied, meeting Franco's

d across Franco's

o's L

him under his wing, starting with small t

ur mouth shut," Franco told him

first lessons wa

one evening in the café's back room. "Break th

handed Dominic cash to distrib

ing them money?

reminding them who they owe. Power isn'

nco noticed Dominic's ability to s

n't," Franco said. "That'

of Ch

ic and Enzo to the café for a

co said, coldly. "He thinks he can igno

as Franco handed him a bat

on't forget,"

nudge. "You've got this, Dom. J

it alley, middle-aged, worn clo

as Dominic approached.

e man's fear reminded him of his own father, stand

o urged, low

the impact echoing in the alley. He struck twi

Enzo said, pull

llow. He'd passed Franco

Franco greeted them w

tossing Dominic cash. "You

eling no pride in

mber, Hawk: Power comes to those willing to take

weight of his actions pressing down. He'd started a path

in, her soft voice breaking the

ile. "I'm fine, Cla

minic wondered if he

t of

shadows over the faded wallpaper. The faint hum of conversation and the clatter of dishes from the main roo

e carrying a weight that Dominic was beginning to understand

small tasks-deliveries, scouting, running messages-but this was different. Fra

a rival crew. It wasn't just about the money; it was about sending a mess

pread out on the table. "They'll have a guard or two, but they won't expect

hat kind of reminder?" he asked. Franco smiled coldly. "Break something-bone

rin was wide and eager. "We've g

f him wondered if this was a li

Se

ouse near the docks late that evening. Dominic and Enzo arriv

us?" Enzo asked as they crouc

tching," Dominic re

"Then let's g

o to stay low. Two men entered, carrying a large duffel bag between them. They w

d be risky, but he spotted a loose plank on the w

p there. When I give the signal, drop that plank. It

hadows, moving with surprising agility

gnaled Enzo, who kicked the loose plank with a loud crash. The men sp

the duffel bag. By the time the men realized what had

shouted, firing a shot that

thud in front of the guards. He grinned as he sw

zo yelled. "I

nto the night, the weight of the bag heavy in his hands. Mome

pping Dominic on the b

was waiting for them in the back room. He looked

Franco

the heavy thud echoing in the room. Franco op

his tone approving. "But

wanted to hurt anyone, but Fr

ver wavering. "We took care

ty isn't just about what you say, Hawk

He had passed the test, but the cost felt

ced. His younger sister, Clara, was growing increasingly

ss as she waited for her brother to return. She missed the way things used to be

ed into the house after anoth

" she asked, her

nic replied, av

ad things," Clara said, h

er shoulder. "Clara, listen to me. I'm

rong," Clar

imes we have to do hard things

ess further. Instead, she hugged Dominic tight

nal C

elf that he was doing the right thing, that his actions were necessary to keep h

, his choices, and the path he was on. He knew he couldn't tur

e the two halves of his life-the brother who protected h

ne thought lingered in his mind