Going into the living, I see Dominic in a suit at the kitchen island with a mug and his laptop. "Good morning, brother," I stated. Making my presence known. "Did someone piss you off last night?" I questioned, seeing that he could throw his laptop out the window.

"Yeah, but it's nothing you need to wrap your pretty head about, Farfalla," Dominic stated. Closing his laptop and putting his attention on me.

"Are you sure, Dom?" I doubted as I saw the tried state my older brother was in.

"Yes, I am sure, Elma." He uses a stiffer tone, not making me push on the topic. Whatever you are doing, fratello. I will find out and help.

Having an awkward moment, I decided to ask Dominic. "Um, Dom? Can we please spend the day together?" I begged with my puppy face.

"Don't you have work today?" He questioned back like a brother.

"I can do it tomorrow, and I want to tell you more about you know what." I hinted that I wanted to talk about my past.

Choosing the path of the underworld to survive. Becoming the Mafia Queen, the ruling power in the mafia world. Showing the world never mess with the Monti family. Protecting innocents from joining the cruelty of the world and getting revenge for my childhood.

Give or take a few minutes. He sighs, saying, "Give me thirty minutes, and we can go to Graphic Falls."

"Thank you, Dom, and right now, you're my favorite brother." I giggled out of the room as I earned a smile from Dominic.

Double checking that I have my knives, gun, both phones, wallet, Mila's leash, and vest. "Mila, Come," I commanded. My black labrador as I put her walking vest and leash on.

"Elma? Are you ready?" Dominic enters my room wearing outdoor clothes.

"Yes, and I hope you don't mind me bringing Mila?" I asked him nicely, hoping to take her on our adventure.

"Of course, you can, and it's a good idea since we are going on a hike, Farfalla." Dominic approved me bringing my happy fluffy black lab.

The ride to the trailhead was magnificent, with the different mountain formations and trees. Who knew that Italy's mountain views are a sight to see and if I am right the view over the water will be more spectacular. Mom, I wish you could see how much I have grown up and how powerful I have become. Even if I do not have all the recognition of my achievements from my family yet... I know they admire me from all the rumors.

"Farfalla?" Dominic snaps me out of my trance, hovering over me from the driver's seat. "We are at the trailhead." I get reminded of our location.

"Oh, thank you," I mumbled, unbuckling my seat belt and getting out with Mila following me.

"There is nothing you need to thank me for, Farfalla." Dominic closes his door and locks it after I'm out.

"If you say so, Dom," I confirmed. Checking Mila's walking harness and looped the leash around my shoulder like a climbing sling.

"Now, why don't we go on our adventure?" A smile replaced my older brother's neutral face as he held a hand out for me.

We walk in silence, listening and observing the nature around us. Mila looks happy, chasing and pouncing on fallen leaves. "Dom, I was rescued when I was ten and was scared to come back," I whispered in shame as I held my head down.

Then my brother stopped and held my head up with his fingers. "A Monti never bows their head." Dominic's statement screams confidence that I rarely see in people. "And remember, Elma, that we will always be for you no matter what love you." A kiss landed right on my forehead.

Then, out of instinct, I hugged my big brother Dominic as I said, "I love you too."

Getting to the falls. It was beautiful, with the rock formations and the mist making it look more magical. Wanting to cool down, we take our shoes and dip our feet in. "How do I start this?" I hestated, not sure what to reveal.

"Wherever you see fit, Principessa," Dominic tells me softly, not wanting to push me.

If I tell Dominic how many lives I live in the underworld. It wouldn't reveal who I am yet, but it would show what life I have built for myself. "Dom, I live multiple lives." I boldly stated, not watching my words again.

"Is that why you work a lot?" His pleasant, soothing voice asked.

"Yea, and that's why I am constantly working to manage the flow." Taking a deep breath. "Also, I know about being The Sicilian Mafia. I am not a nut head to ignore the guns, guards, and wealth." I informed my brother as I kept collecting a pile of smooth-throwing rocks.

"You might be smarter than the twins..." Dominic mumbles under his breath. "Um... If it's ok, I am wondering when you became involved?" Dominic sounded hesitant and nervous asking this since it could have stuck a never with me.

Taking a deep breath, I returned to Dominic and sat with him on the fallen tree. I remember when I got kidnaped by Abelino. At first, he kept me in a cell, claiming I was useless while given barely given any water or food. Then after a month of surviving. He decided to use me as his personal servant. After doing my job for a while, he asked me out of the blue what happened in a mafia meeting. Of course, my first answer was I don't know. Wanting him not to use me as a shadow, I acted like I didn't understand the meeting and that I had learned Bulgarian. But that answer just enraged him instead of him leaving me alone. It annoyed Abelino even more. He asked the question again but held his hand on my neck. Getting the honest answer made him smile, realizing how useful I could be. Because I understood what was going on in the meeting and compared myself to other six years olds. I was a genius to comprehend adult stuff, and never less, it was mafia stuff.

He made me into a shadow of his direct bidding. Becoming a shadow in the mafia was a big wish for most people. Shadows get paid better, and at the same time, they receive the better assignments since they are the assassins of the mafia, the hidden guards, and the spies. "At first, I was a servant until my potential was shown, and then I became a shadow. Eventually, I made a name for myself at ten while escaping." I shared being in a depressed state.

"You know that you're a strong warrior. Who has survived the impossible, Elma." Dominic wrapped his arm around me. Letting me release my emotion of all the pain, pressure, and destruction from my past.

"Thank you, Dom." I cuddled into his chest. "Now, it's your turn." I backfired the question to him. As I sat up, putting my hands on my hip.

"Wow, I see you have turned this against me." He gave me a playful glare with a smile.

"Yep, because it's only fair if you share, too," I whined, letting my emotional guard down to play with my eldest brother.

"Ok, I am guessing you already know that I am papà's heir to the Sicilian Mafia." I nodded back, confirming the information to Dominic. "No one knows this but dad that I'm Alpha Claw."

"What!" I shrieked with utter shock. "You're Alpha Claw! One of the best street fighters in the underworld and the person who has been annoying for the past three years." I ranted with excitement about the news.

"Wait, how have I been annoying you? The only person that got close to me was Queen's shadow, The Butterfly Assassin?" Dominic explained his own answer. Realizing my third identity since The Butterfly Assassin, known for her knife skills and being the shadow of The Mafia Queen.

Crap! My mouth has done it again. "So, I might still be a shadow...," I mumbled, explaining to my brother as the tension in the air got tighter.

"If you're a shadow, whose side are you on?" This time Dominic's voice was harsh and not soft like before. But luckily, he ignored the part about me being a shadow still.

Ug! Why is this so hard to reveal? He is my brother, the brother I vowed to protect. When Natsue brought me back to be his heir, it was now or be silenced. "Although I am a Dragon. I do have loyalties to my family and Spanish." I shared in one breath before I continued explaining. "The Spanish are just finalizing an alliance with you, and the Dragons are gonna ask for one next to create an alliance circle."

Dominic looks at me with a blank face. "So, you truly are still a shadow?" He asked with his hands covering his face.

Please don't leave me... "I'm sorry." I yield, not realizing that I am crying.

"Stop apologizing. When I am gonna tell you that I am proud of you." My brother wiped my tears away and kissed me on the forehead.

Finally, he lets go of his mask. "Your serious?" My crying turns into sniffles.

"Yes, and you know what?" My eyes lock with his. "Alonso is my shadow." Mind-blowing! I never thought in a million years that Alonso, the hot-headed douchebag, would become Dominic's shadow, nevertheless.

"Wow, I didn't expect that." Glazing to the side, I see Mila eating a weed. Seriously, girl, I thought I trained you not to eat weeds. "Mila, Come!" I projected my voice.

Having Mila back on the leash. "Now, do you want to tell me number four, or is that for another time?" Dominic asked me, putting his socks back on.

It's not a good idea to tell Dominic about me being The Ruthless Mafia Queen. And I also think that it's not the right time to share with him. Although he has been cool, keeping his emotions intact, he will blow up this evening in an illegal fighting ring if I am correct. "I understand, Farfalla." Dominic got my message of silence.

"Grazie, grande fratello (Thank you, big brother)." I smiled and gave him a big hug, appreciating what he was doing for me.

"Principessa, thank you for at least telling me something." Dominic kissed me on the forehead, showing his love for his little sister. He has missed for the last twelve years.

"It's easier than telling six brothers and a dad. Who will freak out on every dangerous thing that happens." I made my brother chuckle.

"So, how is college?" Dominic changed the subject seeing that I would not reveal more today.

"It's not been challenging since I have done more challenging stuff," I answered, casually shrugging my shoulders. "You are definitely our sister and a Monti." Dominic expressed after getting a reminder of most of my accomplishments.

"Thank you very much." I did a royal curtsy before moving Mila's black leash onto the red harness and off the thick black collar.

"Elma, I have one more question before we start heading back." Dominic requested, brushing off the sand from his pants.

"Ok?" I hesitate since he is acting like he wants to ask a sensitive and conserving question.

"Are you gonna leave when your eighteen?" He lets the cat out of the bag.

"I am not sure yet, but if they don't tell me... I will definitely leave." I masked my emotions and looked to the ground. I can't live in a place where secrets dwell. Although I am keeping mine, I don't plan on keeping it that way forever.