The Vixen of the Thieves - Chapter 4 – The Thieves Guild
La Volpe rose to from the bed.
It was not yet morning as he dressed in the predawn light from the window. It was warm and so the windows were open to pick up the fresh breeze from the mainland. He sighed and looked down at the sleeping form of his lover. When he had moved she had turned away and curled into a ball.
He smiled.
For more than a month now, Isabelle Auditore had not only been sharing her room in the Venetian Thieves' Guild, but also had been sharing her bed as well. La Volpe knew he should return back to Firenze, but his own guild was in capable hands of his lieutenants. Antonio was a good host and often yielded to the more senior assassin as well as more seasoned thief.
He sat on the bed and watched his lover as she breathed in her sleep. He loved her. He knew that now, though he could not truly admit his feelings to her just yet. A couple of weeks ago, she had confided her history to him. She was a Borgia bastard. Her maiden name was De' Medici. All her official paperwork proclaimed this. She had never had full documents as to her birth or christening before Lorenzo, her "cousin", bought them for her. With the name De' Medici and Lorenzo's endorsement, no one ever even cared if they were forgeries.
Though not the most gorgeous maiden he had come across, Isabelle had an earthiness to her that transcended her calloused and rough hands from years of manual labor and being cut by a knife while protecting herself and Maria, her mother-in-law, so many years ago outside Monteriggioni when she and the family were attacked after the murder of her father-in-law, young brother-in-law, and husband by Vieri de' Pazzi. Those scars just compounded the scars she bore from her highly abusive childhood. Though La Volpe would not have her any other way. The scars made her who she was and what she was.
Her heart was good and she was the most practical woman he had ever met. She enjoyed his company and his lovemaking else she would have left him long ago. Antonio did not seem jealous of their relationship and he was fully aware of it as was Rosa, though he often smiled at the smiles the pair shared when they thought they were alone. La Volpe once asked him how he felt and Antonio commented that as long as his friend and sister was happy so was he.
He sighed and walked to the guild meeting. It was yet early and he needed to send his spies out to retrieve information. Isabelle appeared as he dismissed his men. He smiled at her. She had dressed and brushed her hair into a ponytail, but she still looked half asleep.
He came to her and brushed a kiss over her brow. "Good morning, Il mio diletto." He said with a smile.
"Amore." She said with a lazy smile.
He chuckled and kissed her softly on her mouth. Everyone in the room well knew she was the mistress of La Volpe and would leave her be as such. They did like her and her children. The twins livened things.
She smiled at him and he took her arm leading her to the back room. He looked back at her. "I will go fetch you breakfast, but I have been thinking…" He looked at her as she looked at him in sudden interest. He had refused to allow her to be part of his spy network, however, he had another plan to use that cunning mind of hers.
"Oh?" She asked.
"This place is in a sorry state of affairs. We are in need of some help." He stepped forward. "No one has cared for the books in a long time. We have no idea the money coming in or going out." He turned around as he stood across from her. "Do you think you could help me and this guild?"
She looked about at the stacks of papers. "It will be a challenge."
"Si." He said coming to her side.
"I like a challenge."
"Oh?"
"Yes. And so do you."
He flashed a smile. "How do you know?"
"Because you have me as a mistress." She said.
He shook his head, but smiled. She smiled and lifted a hand to shoo him away as she turned to the piles of ledgers, coin boxes, and assorted papers. He smiled as he went to get her food.
ZzZ
La Volpe entered the room where she was busily using paper to take notes on what she had found. He offered her some tea and she smiled as she warmed her hands. She had been at the records for two days now and she worked long hours. She seemed to be enjoying it despite it being frustrating at times.
She took the tea gratefully. It was strong and not overly hot. She drank it down seated on a stack of papers. La Volpe watched her a moment before reaching to take the cup. "So how is everything going, my dear?"
"Well enough. So far you have far more money than I would have thought."
"Of course. We are thieves." He smiled as he spoke matter-of-factly.
She smiled and sighed. "Given a few weeks this will be in order."
"I give it four days at the rate you are working." He walked behind her as she turned to lifted a paper from the stack and wrapped his arm about her.
"See here. There are nearly 2000 florins."
He leaned his head on her shoulder. She turned and kissed his cheek as her hand lifted to his face. He kissed her palm as she showed him what she had found. "Do we have this available?"
"Yes." She said pointing to the strong box. "It is there. I have counted it."
"This is good news." He said going to the box. He walked back to her.
"Yes."
He smiled and turned her to him and kissed her. "Thank you, Isabelle." He said. "I will make it worth it to you." He whispered his lips close to hers.
"You had better." She said.
He chuckled and left her to her work taking the tea cup with him.
ZzZ
Isabelle walked into the guild from upstairs where she had been sleeping. She had found over 5000 florins in total that now was in a box in the room that La Volpe had a key for as did Isabelle and Antonio. Isabelle was now in charge of the bookkeeping. She was good at it and it kept her from harm.
Ugo and Rosa were standing together. They all nodded to Isabelle. "Belle. How are you?" Rosa asked.
"Well. How are you?" Isabelle asked smiling at her friend. She had known Rosa for several years now and she liked the woman. Rosa always helped her with her children when needed.
"Can I speak to you?" Rosa asked leaving Ugo, her guild brother to go take care of his daily walk around the guild for security.
"Of course."
Rosa led her into the courtyard. "I have met someone."
"Who?"
"Well we have been together sometime."
"Oh?"
"Yes. He came here in 1478. He saved my life."
"Indeed."
"Yes."
"What is his name?"
"Ezio Auditore. He is an assassin." Isabelle tried to keep a straight face. Ezio had long been a man who took and changed lovers faster than the leaves could fall from a tree.
Isabelle hid a smile as she turned. "I have heard of him. He is a dashing sort is he not? Has he been here much?"
"Not as much as I would like." Rosa giggled and Isabelle joined her.
"Too true." She sighed.
ZzZ
A cheer was heard below and La Volpe went to investigate.
Isabelle was standing facing a wall an arrow notched. She breathed out and then let the arrow fly. It sailed and landed in the target bull's eye.
Another cheer went up.
She dipped her head to Marcino beside her. "That would be another florin. Do you wish to quit?" She asked teasingly.
"No." He smiled. "I will not be beaten."
"Have it your way."
He fired and hit the next ring from the bull's eye. She answered with another bull's eye and winced. She smiled and bowed. "I will take my leave then." She said bowing to him.
"But the fun has just started."
"I have no doubt." She chuckled.
La Volpe came to her. He noticed she was cradling her arm though she was trying to hide it. He took her hand and led her to the bar. "Come let us see the damage you have done."
"I didn't do anything, Gilberto, I…" She cried out as he touched the flesh.
"They did not give you an arm guard." He said simply. He rolled up her sleep revealing the deep bruises from the bow string and a cut where the skin had been flayed from it as well. "This will be tender for a few days."
He took some of the alcohol from the bar and dipped a cloth into the drink he poured. He looked at her, his quick eye warning her not to move as he held her arm in a tight grip and pressed the alcohol to it. She jumped and tried to shift away in spite of herself.
Once the bleeding stopped he called Juliette to him. The courtesan went to do his bidding. She returned with bandages and some herbs. Gilberto was a skilled on the move healer. He had to be. Small injuries were common when running from people or from guards. The knowledge kept him alive.
He bound her arm and then smiled at her. "Come you are in need of rest, my love."
She nodded and allowed him to lead her to their rooms.
She climbed into the bed and he watched her. He came to her side and sat down. His hand gently went to caress her back as he pulled his cowl back to reveal his thick dark hair which he had hidden from the world when he was not in their rooms. It was starting to streak with gray.
She looked up at him. "You seem to have something on your mind, lover."
"Always." He smiled. "But I am thoughtful today."
"How so?"
He sighed. "We have been…together and intimate for a few months now. Though it is not as much protection as I would like to offer you and your children, I wondered if you might consider…"
She sat up looking at him. "Consider what?"
"Being my wife. Your children already call my Papa. It seems a logical step." He looked at her. "It is only a matter of time before a child starts to grow in your womb, beloved." He sighed. He was not the most romantic person and he could see using logic was making that furrow in her brow become visible.
"I…"
"You do not have to answer now. I just want you to think on it."
"Gilberto."
He smiled at her and gently touched her face with his long boned hand. "Be easy. I will not force you. I can see the subject still is one that is hard for you."
"My husband was murdered and you are a thief. If you are ever caught…"
He watched her look away and nodded. "I understand." He said covering his momentary hurt and vulnerability with the flash of a smile. He should have known she would have wanted no part in such things. He would keep her as a lover, love and support her and her children.
He leaned forward and kissed the side of her lips. "I love you. Remember that." He said. He rose. "No rest." He ordered gently.
She nodded and laid back. "I…I love you too. I know I have hurt you. I am…just not ready…" She said. She swallowed. Her children were eight now. She should find someone. She was happy with La Volpe, but still she hesitated. He looked at her, his eyes searching hers. He seemed to accept her answer…for now.
His hand went to her brow. "I know." He bent and kissed her brow before lifting his cowl. "We will speak later when you feel better."
"I am sorry." She said as he went to the door like a soundless shadow.
"I know." He opened the door. "I am not angry." He said and walked out shutting the door behind him. The children were there.
Giana looked up at him and he smiled and pulled her into his arms and smothered her with kisses. She giggled.
"Is Mama all right?" Giovanni asked.
"Yes. She just hurt her arm a little." La Volpe said looking at Giana. Her unruly hair made him chuckle as he deftly removed her hair tie and then pulled her thick curls back into a simple ponytail.
Giovanni nodded. "We are hungry."
La Volpe laughed. "You are always hungry. All right heathens. Let's get you some lunch then." He bent down and they both crawled onto his back. They were almost getting too large for this, but he still enjoyed it and so did they as they held on and he walked down the stairs bouncing them as much as possible and making them shriek with laughter.
Isabelle heard it all as she lay there awake. He was not angry, but she knew he was disappointed. And she felt regret hearing him playing with her children in the hallway.