1

" To kill a monster you need a monster " Mattia stated firmly. " This is the best decision "

He was speaking to his two colleagues who sat across him in the congress cozy hall. They all wore a tailored black suit with white shirts and conservative ties.

" But we are not killing a monster Mattia, we are only trying to get back our stolen package. The government won't spare us if the package wasn't retrieve in three weeks " Carlos replied frustratedly.

He was sweating despite the fact that there is an air conditioner in the room and It was due to the situation at hand. None of his two colleagues were doing great either.

" I agreed with the idea of introducing another monster " Santana said gently. His grey hair was neatly combed and his suit were pressed and neat but that doesn't makes him less sad and downcast. " Who is this man you have arranged to go after Konstantin Dmitri? "

For some seconds Mattia didn't speak as he took his time to reply.

" Maximo Santino "

Stunned totally by Mattia's response, Santana and Carlos shared a horrified glance.

" You are kidding, why would you call in a Mafia Boss into this? " Carlos asked shakily but he didn't wait for Mattia to reply before he continues " Maximo Santino is a wanted criminal in every countries. You can't include him in this ... "

" And who else is more competent? " Mattia yell suddenly, jolting the two other men. He sighed roughly as he pulled off his glasses before he continues smoothly as if he never yelled out.

" Konstantin Dmitri is a Russian Mafia Boss, what is wrong in it if I call in the sadistic Italian Mafia Boss into this? Do you both have any other options? "

Minutes passes slowly without Mattia getting any response. He stood up from the chair he sat on and Walk away from the Long table.

He pace about for more than five minutes before he finally walk towards the chair he sat on earlier and lowered himself unto it frustratedly.

" We can't do this without Maximo Santino's help. He is the right man for the job "

" Do you think he would agree on it? " Santana asked with his face twitched in confusion.

" I can't be sure. I have never meet this man in person. All I Heard about him was that he is as handsome as he is sadistic and he is on his way here as we speak " Mattia responded stunning his two colleagues again.

" But ... But what would you offer him in return? " Carlos asked.

" Money. A huge amount of money. All mafia Bosses are the same, I'm sure he won't decline the offer " Mattia replied nodding.

To his word, Santana Bursted out laughing dryly.

" Maximo Santino won't take the offer. Hell, this man is filthy wealthy. He Worth almost eighty trillion Euros. Has more than twenty thousands men and women at his beck and call. A business man and a Mafia Boss who could Kill anyone just by the slightest provocation and you ... "

Santana suddenly stop speaking when steady approaching footsteps was heard.

" He is here " Carlos announced while sitting right. The three men heartbeat started racing as the sounds of the approaching footsteps drew near and nearer until finally, Maximo Santino pushed open the door and enters.

He stood still in the doorway staring blankly at his three hosts who has a ghostly expression on their faces.

The Beautiful man who just entered understand their plight. Everyone scram under his gaze and presence.

He wore a black suit and a White shirt too but he left few buttons undone, giving him the stylish look.

His golden eyes brim with vigour of youth and determination. He is a slightly built man with black short hair and Mattia was right, he is so handsome.

" Ciao " He greeted in his rich Italian language as he approached them. The three men quickly stand up and smile at him. It was like a dream come true for them.

Even Mattia who invited Maximo never believe he would actually appear but did he arrived alone?

" You are here sir " Mattia said shakily. He extended his hand for a shake but Maximo ignores it. He nodded carefully at the three before taking a seat not too far from them. He crossed his leg gingerly and pulled out a cigar from his breast pocket, lighting it up. Every air about the Young Italian Mafia Boss scream of wealth and prosperity.

" You can all sit and let's be formal. I'm not here for violence " He said before puffing out smoke through his nostril.

He seem relaxed and much more in a good mood. Every seconds the three elderly men would be checking the entrance to see if any Mafia members would storm in. Maximo noticed their uneasiness so he smiles softly.

" It's okay, I brought no one. You said it's about our country. We all know I love Italy more than anything. Now why would three agents from ITC called upon me? "

Mattia cough slightly to keep himself from speaking nonsense. He turn to Carlos who nodded for him to start.

" Uh ... Actually... First of all we would like to welcome you. We appreciate you for coming and ... Uh "

" Go straight to the point " Maximo cut in curtly. He pulled his cigarettes from his lips and secure it between his two fingers. " Time isn't by anyone's side "

" We need your help " Santana suddenly said. He couldn't keep on with the thought of what would happen if any delay occurs anymore " it's about Konstantin Dmitri "

Upon hearing that name Maximo stop smoking. He put his cigarettes out and placed it in the receptacle container.

For some moment no one speak as they honor the silence of the Italian Mafia Boss. They are all aware of Konstantin and Maximo's clash two years ago.

" Konstantin? What has he done again? " Maximo requested tightly. Mattia who was eager to explain quickly smile and stand up from where he sat.

" Konstantin Dmitri has stolen a package from us and we want you to get it back for us "

" And why would I allow you to order me around? "

" Oh no! " Carlos quickly disagree " For heaven sake we have no intention in ordering you around. " He stop to take some breath as he realized, truly, Maximo is their only hope in taking back the package " Please... This case is a very serious one. We won't have call upon you if you aren't our only hope. You are a Boss yourself, no one can order you around "

" How do Konstantin manage to steal a package from here? " Maximo asked carefully.

" He has a spy in here who manage to get the package out without us knowing " Mattia replied this time.

" What is the content of this package? " Maximo asked again.

For some seconds the three elderly men exchange glances. Maximo caught them sending a signal to themselves so he creased up his eyebrows into a frown.

" The Truth " He said while clenching his jaw.

" The package contains a code to control some missiles " Carlos replied.

" When did he stole this package? " Maximo asked in confusion and at the same time wondering what Konstantin wants the missiles for.

" A week ago. We have sent our best soldiers to take it back but all that went into Konstantin's domain never returns. It takes only three week to crack this code. After three weeks without getting back this package, we might as well call our country a dead land " Carlos finished while looking gloomy.

Maximo didn't respond right away as he was so busy with his thoughts. He shut down his eyes for a while before reopening it.

" Quel bastardo! " He cursed in Italian angrily. after a while he calmed down and asked gently " So the package is located in Konstantin's home? "

" Yes " Santana replied.

" Any means to enter there? " He asked.

" No outsider is allowed to enter Konstantin's home except his heartthrob." Mattia responded " Her name is Iris. Konstantin's weakness. She is an orphan whom Konstantin fell Head over heel in love with "

" Did the lady reciprocate the feelings? " Maximo asked curiously.

" No, not when he killed her parents in cold blood when she refused him "

" Bastardo " Maximo swore under his breath in Italian again.

" Iris is Konstantin only weakness. We would have kidnap this lady, use her to threaten Konstantin but our government never approve it. Now you are Maximo Santino, a Mafia Boss. You can walk freely even after doing something illegal. If you can help us to abduct... "

" I can't " Maximo cut in steadily " That's against my principle. I don't hurt women or children, not even men who are innocent "

" But you loathe Konstantin as well, The information about how he killed your beloved friend is known to everyone. Don't you want revenge? " Santana asked.

" No, Franseco made me promise not to avenge him with his last breathe "

The three men were shock and frustrated. Maximo didn't say any words for a while as he only watch them.

He noticed their uneasiness, combined with frustration and fatigues. Without being told, he knew the package is very important to his country and he is in the position to save everyone.

" I will do it " Maximo suddenly announced, jolting the three men who were beside themselves with horror. " Since this is about the welfare of the country, I will bring back the package before three weeks "

Immeasurable relief like never before washed over the three men. It took Mattia's willpower not to go out of his excitement to hug Maximo who only sat still watching them.

" We would only be too glad if you could ... " Mattia began but maximo cut in.

" I want something in return "

Here we go... They thought.

" Please name your price " Mattia said shakily but to his surprised Maximo laughed heartily.

" No, what I need isn't Money. I have had enough "

" So.. so what possibly must... You desire? " Santana asked carefully.

" Freedom. I want all countries to declare me unwanted "

" WHAT! " Carlos exclaimed in shock. He turned to Mattia who couldn't move for a while. Santana who even ask the question has already sag his shoulders in defeat.

" Done! You would be declared as a free citizen of Italy if you get back the package before three weeks. We would support you in anyway possible... Deal? " Mattia asked.

" Deal! " Maximo replied determinely.

***

" It's a suicide mission Boss! " Marco, the underboss of santinos family yelled out in anger. " Those three lousy agent from ITC only wants you Dead. It's definitely a trap Boss "

" Keep your voice down Marco , you don't want to alert the other members of santinos family... Did you ? " Maximo scolded calmly.

" Damn! " Marco gritted out. " I won't allow you to throw away your life this way, you are the lifeline of masses. If anything bad happens to you we all are... "

" Basta! " Maximo suddenly yelled out in Italian. " Enough Marco! Do you have any idea how I have felt when Konstantin killed my best friend in my presence? Miserable! Frustrated! Helpless! I couldn't do anything and now I have the chance to pay him back in a way , do you think I will let it slip through my precious fingers? "

" Francesco doesn't want revenge " Marco corrected gently.

" I couldn't save franseco from getting killed by Konstantin " He turn to stare at Marco who has now stood still staring at him in return " But now I could save the whole country and even get back to Konstantin by taking the woman he loves. It's like redeeming myself Marco. I won't get killed if that's what you worried about because I got a plan "

" A plan? Tell me about it "

" Get me everything about this lady Iris. Her residence and every schedules "

" I already have it " Marco replied eagerly " She reside in New York, living in western Hall rent which consist of six apartments. Her own apartment is on the upper floor. She is an elementary school teacher who only goes to school in the morning and return home in the afternoon. The rest of the day, she spent alone in her apartment but she Usually visit the grocery shop across western Hall rent every night.

" No friends? "

" Aside from her colleagues who never visit her. Yes, no friends "

" Alright... Book a plane right away going to new York and get me the apartment next to hers " Maximo ordered.

" What about the residant ? "

" Take care of him or her " He replies gently. " Let's keep this a secret from the other members. I would not like to Alert them of danger when there's none. "

" And if there is? " Marco asked grimly.

" You will be the first to know "