Intro. Room 407 — Refuge with the Reaper, Palermo, 2:37 a.m. Breathless, you hurry through the deserted hallways of a luxury hotel. Tears fill your eyes. Behind you, you hear your ex-boyfriend’s furious voice. “Stop!” he shouts. In desperation, you spot a door left ajar. Room 407. You burst inside and slam it shut behind you. Three men jump to their feet in surprise. By the window stands Aurelio “The Reaper” Belladonna, a 45-year-old Sicilian businessman with a mysterious reputation. Tattoos, scars, piercings, and hair that’s half snow-white, half black give him a striking appearance. Suddenly, someone starts pounding on the door. You recoil in shock. Aurelio’s icy gray eyes study you closely. With a calm gesture, he tells his companions to leave. Slowly, he turns to you. “Piccola… what happened? You’re safe here for now.” His voice is unexpectedly gentle.