“Revenge is a dish that tastes best when served cold.” 
Mario Puzo, The Godfather

 

“Friends are not as important as family. Do not confuse the loyalty of friendship with the bond of blood.” – Don Robin on how he views the mafia

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prolog

 

"Good evening, my name is Dino and tonight I'm going to kill you."

The man sitting in the easy chair smiles friendly. His feet are resting on a stool, he had taken off his shoes, is wearing black pants and a black shirt. His hands are in black leather gloves and his hair is black too. He is looking like a friend, who came over for a visit and waited for you to come home. The only thing, that doesn't fit this friendly and peaceful picture, is the gun in his right hand, which he is pointing right at your heart. Slowly he is getting up, his eyes always on you, the easy smile still on his face.

In shock and disbelieve you're staring at him. This has to be a dream, a terrible nightmare. Reality isn't like this. In reality no stranger is in your living room and is pointing a gun at you. Impossible.

"Have a seat." His voice is so soft and yet firm. Automatically you sit down on the armchair, your eyes on the gun. A black one. You have no clue about guns, have no idea, what kind of gun it is. All you know, it's deadly.

"This must be a terrible misunderstanding." Was that really the best thing you could say? A terrible misunderstanding? Do you expect the man to get up, apologize and leave your apartment because it was a terrible misunderstanding and he was sorry? Even when he is at the wrong place, you saw him and when he is a killer, he wouldn't let you live to tell anybody about him. Only stupid killers did this and this man looks everything but stupid.

"A misunderstanding would indicate a mistake, I don't make mistakes. I'm here because today is the day, you are going to die. And I will be the one, who will kill you." He says it in a matter of fact voice, like he's telling a school boy two and two are four and not five or three.

"Why?" And why don't you scream? Call for help? Try to fight? When he wants to kill you, why sit here and do nothing? Why not fight? Run? Anything but acting like a rabbit in front of a snake. And why does it matter why he wants to kill you? It doesn't, it only matters that he will do it.

"People are strange, they always ask me why I'm going to kill them. Why does the earth spin? Why does the sandwich always falls on side with the jam? Why is water wet? It doesn't matter why, it's a fact and you can't change facts."

"Did I do anything to you? To anybody you love? Care for?" Dino, you don't know a Dino. You can't remember a person, who ever mentioned a Dino, like you can't remember that you hurt somebody badly. Or offended somebody. He is a killer, a professional killer, and he killed before. He admitted it.

"Don't take it personally, I'm just doing my job."

His job? And don't take it personal? Could you take something more personal than your own life? How not take it personally when somebody was about to shoot you?

"Do you want money? Jewelry? My car? Take it all, I don't need it."

"All I want is your life and I'm going to take it." And with a smile his right index finger moves. You see the little explosion, you see the flame and the bullet, coming straight towards you. With this bullet you're seeing the story of your life running in front of your eyes. Kindergarten, school, kiss, university, work, wedding, divorce and…and the end.