Beneath The Mask

ey called him "The Hawk," a nickname that had evolved into a symbol of authority. It wasn't a name he had chosen for him

like many of Franco Rinaldi's men. Rather, Dominic preferred to work quietly, his watchful eyes analysing every strategic move on the figurativ

y with Vit

ke" Romano. Romano's nickname was well-earned; he was a sly and unpredictable adversary with a

ers who paid loyalty to Franco. But it quickly escalated, wit

gathered around a table scattered with maps and ledgers. Smoke hung heavy in

pushing too far. If we don't put him in his place, we'll lose the

-hearted suggestion, none confident enough to take the

Dominic. "What about you, Hawk? You

p. "Romano's bold, but he's reckless. He's testing our limits, tryi

ed. "And how do you

's targeting. Make it look like we're retreating. Romano will take the bait-he'll

t as everyone absor

e's winning?" one of the older men as

ut flinching. "No. I'm suggestin

"Let's see if the Hawk's insti

ing th

r Romano's men to claim. As Dominic had predicted, Romano interpreted this as a sign o

tions and identifying the weak points in his supply chain. Enzo Mancini, always

sed, leaning against the tabl

finished," Dominic replied

, shaking his head. "No wonder Franco t

small smirk. "Trust isn't

ear the docks. The operation was swift and precise. While Romano's men were busy guarding the territorie

co was still in control, and Romano'

Afte

Romano, humiliated and weakened, retreated to lick hi

o raised a glass i

g his lips. "You didn't just win us back our territ

ement, offering Dominic cong

on the shoulder. "That was brilliant, Do

. He couldn't shake the feeling that this victory had c

reased tension within the family. Clara, now ten, noticed the shifts in her brother. She

, he found Clara sitting at the dining tab

ic asked, tossing hi

ze as she diligently took not

om her, observing her as she

" Clara rep

ed. "What's b

're never around, Dominic. Mama doesn't say anything, but I kno

is chair. "I'm doing this for

head. "Papa woul

nched his jaw, working to control his emotions. "Pap

want you to end up like the peop

e stood and placed a comforting hand on Clara's shoulder

watched him go, her sma

t of Le

it. Rival crews viewed him as a threat, and even within Franco's organization, m

olled home from a meeting, a group

anking Enzo behind a stack of

guys?" Enzo yelled, pa

ic replied, his mind racing as

towards a narrow alley.

paused, Dominic

iding the bullets. Once in safety, they halted to

inic asked, checkin

ed, his voice shak

said, though his han

ot nerves of steel, Dom. No w

zing over the city below. Though the streets were quiet, he se

ions he had made. Each victory seemed to come at

Dominic silently vowed: He would do whatever was ne

ith a persistent question: H

k and Hi

the ability to predict his opponents' every move, while Enzo contributed a vigorous energy and unwavering loyalty that balanced Domin

o: Two Halves o

anding. Dominic was propelled by a quiet resolve shaped by tragedy; the loss of his father had shattered

rmo's underworld. While Dominic preferred lurking in the shadows, observing an

throwing an arm around Dominic's shoulders. "An

remark, acknowledging the gr

, Enzo established himself as Dominic's devoted confidant. He wasn't merely a followe

less," Enzo noted one evening as

ic replied, swirling t

. You've got Franco in your pocket, and e

you? Everyone knows you're t

s glass in a toast. "To

gainst Enzo's, the faintest

t of Fr

appreciated Dominic's rise to power. Some of the older men, who had spent years earning the

veteran enforcer, Moretti had built his reputation through brute strength and fear.

rest of us, don't you?" Moretti s

ink there's a better way to run things, Morett

Hand" aptly reflected in the loud thud. "You're just a k

could respond,

, his tone dangerously calm. "You don'

able, but Moretti backed down, m

lked home, Domini

ve to do that,

We're in this together, Dom. You'v

gratitude flashing in his eyes. "

gger P

m greater responsibilities. One significant task involved negotiating a deal with a

s he handed Dominic the details. "But

villa outside the city, where the supplie

on his untouchability. He greeted Dominic

" Ferrara remarked, his gaze

rust," Dominic repl

o you ask. So, what leads you to thi

rom the rest. We avoid unnecessary risks and keep our word. Partnering with

this, his expre

air and added, "And if you choose not to, well... you

but the comment achieved its purpose. Fe

reciate that. Fine-I'll work with you. Bu

lute expression. "You won't be dis

Hawk

at the pinnacle of Franco's organisation. They had transcended their roles as mer

ges, and Dominic understood that the pat

d building with Enzo by his side,

e beginning," Domi

friendly pat on the back.

ds of D

im unshakable. Dominic, in turn, had done everything in his power to protect and provide for his family after their father's sudden death. But as the years passed, the bond that once felt unbreak

. He was "The Hawk," a man whose sharp instincts and ability to anticipate his enemies had earned him a fearsome reputation in Palerm

ole of protector and provider. At first, Clara admired him for the sacrifices he made to ensure their family had enough to eat and a roof over their heads. But as she grew older, she b

ed past her without a word, heading straight to the bathroom to clean himself up. Clara, then only fifteen, followed him, her

've been doing?"

he mirror, his expression guarde

, her voice steady despite the knot in her th

inst the sink. "I'm doing what I have to do to tak

them fall. "Papa wouldn't want this," she said, her v

believed in a world that doesn't exist anymore," he said, his

ter a long pause. "I don't un

From that moment, Clara began to pull away from Dominic. The brother she

an the tension at home. Clara threw herself into her studies, often staying late at the library or waking up before dawn to finish her assignmen

Clara's progress. One evening, after Clara had gone to bed, Elena approache

" Elena said, her voice filled with pride

yes betrayed a flicker of sadness. "

Elena said softly, her tone ting

into his glass for a long moment, the

Elena, who had always known her daughter's passion for justice. But for Dominic, the news was more complicated. He coul

w?" Elena asked Clara on

Dominic before answering. "Because I

his expression darkened

r bed, Dominic knocked on her door. She opened

ominic said, leaning a

ed. "That'

oice remained guarded. "Do you rea

face. "At least I'm trying to make a difference. W

ed to find a response. "I'm trying to protect

tment evident. "You're protecting u

e nodding and stepping away. "Good night, Cla

working as an intern for a prosecutor's office. The work was demanding, but Clara thrived,

d by one of Franco Rinaldi's men. The man tipped his hat

man said, his voice calm

"What do you want?" she asked,

n eye on you," the man said with

on't need his protection," she snapped.

inic in an argument that would c

e?" Clara shouted, her voice shak

're safe," Dominic replie

hot back. "Do you even hear yourself? You're t

ce wearing thin. "You don't understand ho

t understand. I don't want anything to do with your worl

lamming her bedroom door, leavi

n further into her work, eventually earning a scholarship to study law at a prestigious university in Paler

nzo asked, leaning ag

ud," Dominic repli

t look happy," En

didn't

th Dominic. On the day she moved out of the family home, she packed her belongings into a small car while E

efest of moments. He raised his hand in a silent goodbye, but Clar

ow, staring at the empty street long after the car had dis