Chapter 2

Fun & Games

Isabel's POV

I went back to the roof of the church I slept at. I climbed up the tower and laid out the blankets. I laid there, looking at the stars when I heard laughter. I sat up and the Auditore brothers climbed up.

"You again?"

"I happen to sleep here, Auditore."

"Isabel there are other places you can sleep. I know of a few places that would welcome you and it would be warm-"

"Graci Federico, but I'm fine here."

He nodded.

"Well we really should be getting home now."

"Wait!"

Auditore looked over his shoulder and I saw a light in one of the windows.

"Ezio, let Cristina sleep." Federico said.

"There will be time enough for that- later."

Federico waved him off and then left. I looked at him.

"Are you really planning to sleep with her?"

"Yes and why not? She's beautiful." He snapped.

I shook my head.

"There's more to a woman than beauty Auditore. Much more."

I turned away and closed my eyes. I heard him leave and then had an idea. I wanted to see how this would go. I followed him silently and I heard him call her name.

"Who is it?"

"Me!"

"Oh, Ezio. I should have known."

"May I come in?" he asked.

I noticed the seductive tone to his voice and rolled my eyes.

"Fine, but only for a minute."

"A minute is all I need."

"Indeed."

Held back my laugh.

"Wait….that came out wrong."

I had to laugh, I really couldn't help it. I heard her moaning his name and immediately looked away and covered my ears. When they fell asleep I decided to have a bit of fun.

Ezio's POV

I woke up to these words.

"Figlio d'un cane! (Son of a bitch!) What is this?!"

That was my queue to leave. I quickly dressed but my pants were gone. I had no choice but to leave without them. I ran as fast as I could toward my home and my father was waiting for me. He had my pants.

"These were delivered for you a few minutes ago. Put them on, now!"

I did as he said and then looked at him. He looked upset.

"Is something wrong?"

He looked at me.

"Do you think me blind and deaf, son? I know all about your fight with Vieri de' Pazzi last night. And then this little visit to Cristina. Your behavior is unacceptable. It…it…It reminds me of myself when I was your age!"

I smiled.

"But father, who exactly delivered this?"

"Federico's lovely friend. Isabel Ferrari."

I clenched my fists.

I knew it! I'll be sure to return the favor.

"I assume these misadventures won't interfere with your work today."

He walked ahead.

"No padre. Avete la mia parola." (No, father. You have my word.) I said.

I followed him into his office and he handed me some papers.

"I've prepared some documents here for Lorenzo de' Medici to review. I need them delivered to him."

"With haste father."

He smiled and I left. As I turned the corner, Isabel was there. I glared at her.

"It was not funny."

"I think it was. But you had better be careful. Vieri is a sore loser and he is looking for you. He has his friends looking as well. The safest way is by rooftop. Where are you going?"

I narrowed my eyes.

"None of your business. I can handle it on my own."

She gave me that little smile and shrugged.

"As you wish. Careful now, Auditore."

She blew me a kiss and then left. I started think that maybe-

NO!

I shook my head and kept walking.

Isabel's POV

I watched him walk away and shook my head. I stood up and walked back to my tower. I could almost see the whole city from up here. I also saw many things. Along with Federico, I knew Claudia. A very sweet girl but her lover had been unfaithful to her. I saw her run home crying and I growled. I went through the streets looking for him. I found him and his new girl by the church. I slowly walked forward as she admired a ring he gave her.

"Father said I could do much better than an Auditore."

I grabbed him and pinned him to the building.

"How dare you break Claudia's heart! A sweet and innocent girl like her is too good for you, not the other way around. What was it for? Is it because she would not sleep with you?"

I threw him to the ground and cracked my knuckles. He glared at me as he got up.

"Did you come to do something about it, Ferrari?!"

I smirked as I looked over his shoulder.

"Yes, but now I'll let him take care of you."

He looked confused until Auditore grabbed him.

"Ezio, my friend."

I leaned against the wall as he punched him.

"You insult my sister, parading around with this puttana (whore)."

"W-What are you talking about?"

The girl ran off and took the ring off as she did. I smirked.

"I saw the gift you gave her. Heard the things you said. And seeing Ferrari throw you to the ground only confirms it."

"Maybe your sister shouldn't be so stingy with her-"

Ezio's POV

"Maybe your sister shouldn't be so stingy with her-"

He wasn't allowed to finish. Ferrari threw herself at him and hit him in the face. There was a lot of blood so I assumed she broke his nose.

"So you need an orphan girl to fight your battles?"

She picked him up and looked at me.

"The rest is yours."

I smirked and grabbed Duccio. I hit him hard in the stomach and he fell.

"Stay away from my sister!"

He ran off and I looked at Ferrari.

"I suppose I should thank you…"

She shook her head.

"I didn't do this to be thanked. I did this for Claudia. She's a sweet and innocent girl. She doesn't deserve any of this."

I gave her a half smile.

"You know, maybe I was wrong about you."

She chuckled and then looked to her left.

"Pazzi. Follow me!"

I followed her up to the roof and then she took me back home. She looked down where my sister sat in the courtyard. She looked at me again and smiled.

"Go on then. Claudia will want to know what you did."

"I can't take all the credit. You helped me and for that I'm thankful. Thank you Ferrari."

She winked.

"Always happy to help Claudia."

I jumped down and when I looked back she was gone. I smiled to myself.