Stacy's POV:

It's been about a month since that day on the roof with Elliot, and quite a lot has changed. As Enzo promised, he has been a lot nicer to me, especially in this last week. I think it has something to do with the fact that he is spending a lot more time in the gym, almost as much as me.

Ollie and his dad arrived two weeks ago, which was very exciting. The triplets were very happy to be back together. It's been a relief to see Noah and Lily so happy. They have always been my constants, and having them around feels like having my own personal safety net.

Elliot and Matteo started hanging out with the four of us a lot more, almost every day. At first, it was awkward, but gradually, we all found a rhythm. I had also found out that Matteo was gay, extremely gay, which explained some of the tension he always seemed to carry.

Of course, due to the triplets being the British Mafia heirs, we had discussed everything—except me. They still don't know I'm the Donna of the Greek Mafia or that I'm Devil's Blade. They just know that I know about the mafia and sometimes go to underground fights.

They do know who my brothers are, but I have told them that my brothers don't know that I know about the mafia, so they won't talk about it in front of them. We also don't really hang out in public, only on the roof of the school during lunch and at the triplets' mafia base.

We don't need my brothers knowing I'm hanging out with the Russian mafia.

At lunch, the six of us would gather in our usual spot on the rooftop and just talk or smoke some blunts, and after school, when my brothers allowed me to (eye roll), we would head to the old gym that the triplets' parents had refurbished for us.

We'd work out, train, and sometimes just hang out. The tension from our initial meetings slowly melted away, replaced by a tentative camaraderie.

One afternoon, as we were all cooling down after a particularly grueling session, I noticed Elliot watching me with a curious expression.

"What's up?" I asked, wiping the sweat from my forehead.

"Nothing," he replied, shaking his head. "Just trying to figure you out."

"Good luck with that," I said with a smirk. "Even I haven't figured me out yet."

Matteo chuckled from the bench press. "She's a mystery wrapped in an enigma, Elliot. Give up while you still can."

Elliot rolled his eyes dramatically. "Oh please, I'm fabulous at solving puzzles. Just you wait."

We all decided to call it a day and headed out. As we walked, Elliot fell into step beside me.

"So, you really spend all your free time in the gym?" he asked.

"Pretty much," I replied. "It's my way of dealing with... everything."

"I get that," he said with a flamboyant flick of his wrist. "It's my way of keeping this fabulous figure in check."

I glanced at him, amused by the effortless confidence he exuded. "Yeah?"

"Yeah," he said, tossing his hair back. "Plus, it doesn't hurt to be in shape when you're dodging all the drama."

We walked in silence for a while, the comfortable kind where words aren't necessary.

A few minutes later, my phone started ringing. Checking who it was, I saw that it was Francesco. I answered it.

"Where are you? Are you nearly home?" he asked, sounding a bit worried.

"Yeah, I'm on my way," I replied. "Just finished up at the gym. What's up?"

"We need to talk when you get here," Francesco said, his tone serious.

"Alright, I'll be there in ten," I said before hanging up.

Elliot looked at me, raising an eyebrow. "Everything okay?"

"Yeah, just my brother being overprotective as usual," I said with a sigh.

Elliot chuckled. "I get it. Elijah can be the same way sometimes."

We walked the rest of the way in comfortable silence until we reached the point where we had to part ways. I gave Elliot a nod before heading towards my bike.

"See you tomorrow," he called out.

"See you," I replied, mounting my bike and heading home.

As I rode through the city streets, my mind wandered to the changes over the past month. Elliot and I had formed an unexpected bond, and even though our worlds were vastly different, there was a strange sense of understanding between us.

When I arrived home, Francesco was waiting for me at the door. His expression was a mix of concern and relief.

"What's going on?" I asked as I stepped inside.

"We need to talk," Francesco said, leading me to the living room.

I frowned, sitting down on the couch. "What about?"

"It's about the people you're hanging out with,I know your hanging out with Elliot and Matteo " he said, his tone cautious. "I just want you to know that they're... different."

"Different how?" I asked, playing along with his perception of me a naive and unaware little girl.

"I just want you to be careful, Stacy. They're not like us," he said, clearly struggling to find the right words without revealing too much. Everyone knows that the Russians and Italians hate each other, which is why I was so surprised when I realized Elliot and Matteo went to the same school as me.

"I know, Francesco. But they're just friends," I said, maintaining my innocent facade.

"I get that, but I've heard things about their family. Dangerous things," he said, his eyes filled with genuine concern.

"I promise I'll be careful," I assured him. "I won't get into any trouble."

Francesco sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I trust you. Just... don't let them drag you into anything dangerous. You're too young for that kind of life."

"I won't," I said, giving him a small smile. "Thanks for looking out for me."

Over the past month, I had gotten a lot closer to all my brothers. Though I still haven't let them in completely, and I don't think I will ever tell them about me being Devil's Blade, I've started smiling a bit more. It's complicated. Ever since the triplets saved me from the Greeks three years ago, I've found it extremely hard to express my emotions. Back with the Greeks, if any emotions were shown, they were beaten out of me. I learned not to show emotions the hard way.

The little smiles I would subconsciously give out remind me how far I'd come and how much I had to protect. The triplets, my brothers, and even Elliot and Matteo—they were my present, the people I cared about. The past still haunted me, but I was determined to keep it from dictating my future.

As I was making my way up to my room, my phone rang again. This time, it was one of my mafia soldiers.

"Donna," he said.

"Yes," I replied, my voice shifting into boss mode.

"We have been having a few issues with the Irish mafia, Donna," he reported.

I paused at the top of the stairs, my mind quickly switching gears. "What kind of issues?"

"Territory disputes," he explained. "They've been encroaching on our areas, testing boundaries. They've also been trying to steal our shipments."

"Have there been any direct confrontations?" I asked, already calculating my next steps.

"Nothing major yet, just a few skirmishes. But it's escalating."

I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. "Okay. Keep me updated on any developments. I'll handle it."

"Yes, Donna," he replied before hanging up.

I shoved my phone back into my pocket, my mind racing. The Irish mafia have been a thorn in my side for the last year, and their recent activity was concerning. I needed to address this quickly and decisively to prevent a full-blown conflict.

Entering my room, I closed the door behind me and leaned against it for a moment, collecting my thoughts. Balancing my dual life was becoming increasingly challenging, but I couldn't afford to slip up. My family thought I was an innocent, naive girl, and I had to keep it that way to protect them—and myself.

Sitting at my desk, I pulled out a map of our territories, noting the areas where the Irish had been causing trouble. I needed to plan a strategic response, one that would send a clear message without triggering an all-out war.

As I worked, my phone buzzed with a message. It was from Enzo, checking in to see if I was okay. I quickly typed a reply, assuring him that everything was fine. It was strange, really. Despite my guarded nature, Enzo, my other brothers, and hell, even Matteo and Elliot, had managed to chip away at some of my walls over the past month. I trusted them, but I still couldn't bring myself to reveal my true identity as Devil's Blade.

The triplets had saved me from the Greeks three years ago, and ever since, I had struggled to express my emotions and how to trust. Back with the Greeks, any show of emotion was beaten out of me. I learned not to show emotions the hard way. But lately, I found myself smiling more, even if it was just a little. The small moments of happiness reminded me how far I'd come and how much I had to protect.

I pushed those thoughts aside and focused on the task at hand. The Irish mafia needed to be dealt with, and I couldn't afford any distractions. I made a few calls, issuing orders and gathering intel. By the time I was done, I had a plan in place.

As I sat back, I glanced at the clock. It was late, and I had school tomorrow. I couldn't let my double life affect my performance there. Elliot and Matteo had become unexpected allies, and I needed to maintain that connection. Besides, school was one of the few places where I could almost be myself, even if it was just for a little while.

I headed to bed, my mind still buzzing with plans and contingencies. Tomorrow was a new day, and I had to be ready for whatever came my way.
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A/n:

Okkkk sorry if this sucks

We are getting into the plot more!!

Tysm for reading! Don't forget to vote and comment!

Word count: 1747

Also I think I might enter it in the wattys 2024 just for fun...