[A/N]: Reviews/notes/PMs are always welcome!

Please feel free to return to Chapter 1 for some clarification on the story and a general author's note.

Chapter 4

"Culo," Rosa called Ezio as he took her knight. The advantage was now clearly his.

"Oh," her opponent paused as he held her knight over the pile of other pieces he had taken from her. "Would you have me leave it alone to decimate my forces?"

"I would have you show me a little mercy. I haven't played in years!"

"Merda," Ezio thought out loud. "Come to think of it, neither have I."

Ezio used to play with his brother, Federico. Their father never had the time to teach his boys the game, but Federico had learned from his friends, and in turn taught his younger brother. The two attempted to get Claudia to join, but her mind was too often occupied with concerns of courtship and marriage. They had resolved to teach Petruccio when he was older.

His mind wandered back to that familiar place. He considered where he would be right then if that day had been different. Certainly not in Venezia. Perhaps he would still be chasing girls. Or MARRYING one! The thought almost made him chuckle. Perhaps he would have been a banker like his father.

Then again, his father wasn't really a banker, was he? Perhaps Ezio's path was destined to go awry at some point. Would his father have ever told him the truth? Why hadn't he?

"You don't strike me as the type to sit down and play chess," she responded, once again interrupting his thoughts.

"I could say the same of you."

"And you'd be correct! So why did you purchase the game board and pieces?"

"I am making an attempt to keep you in your bed."

She glared at him.

"But lately, no, I have not played much," he mused aloud. "I have been too busy with my work."

Rosa leaned back and folded her arms across her chest.

"And what is it exactly that you do?" she asked.

"It is…complicated. I seek justice for my family," he told her.

"Justice? For what?"

"A conspiracy took the lives of my father and brothers four years ago. I watched them hang in Firenze."

Rosa looked down. "I'm…sorry. I didn't know. That must have been difficult."

"Time has passed. That memory still haunts me, but that is why I seek out those responsible."

"And kill them?" Rosa asked, stern but curious.

"Si."

"Then what does Antonio need from you?"

"I am going to help him infiltrate the Palazzo della Seta and kill Emilio Barbarigo."

"Cazzo!" Rosa threw her arms in the air. "We tried that already! You saw the result!" She pointed to her leg. "What does that stronzo think we'll accomplish if we try it again?"

"You don't have faith in me?" Ezio teased.

Rosa looked at him and sighed. "It won't be easy, Ezio. Besides, what are you getting in return?"

"Emilio is on my list."

Rosa was puzzled. "But he only controls the Venetian merchant district. Didn't you say you were from Firenze?"

"The conspiracy was….is….complicated."

"Evidently. No wonder you've been busy."

"And yourself?" he asked.

"Scusi?"

"What is your tale? How did you end up here? Surely your parents do not approve," he jested.

The thief shrugged. "I never knew my parents. From what I heard, my mother was a prostitute. I don't know what happened to her."

"And your father?"

"I can't imagine he knew about me."

"Were you raised in an orphanage then?"

She shook her head. "No, I lived on the streets."

He smiled a little. "So it was only a matter of time before the thieves found you."

She laughed. "It was my fault! I once tried to pickpocket a man in the Piazza San Marco. Instead of turning me in, he taught me a few tricks. Now I work for him."

It took Ezio a moment to realize what he meant. "Uno momento," he interrupted. "You stole from Antonio?"

"I TRIED to," she corrected. "That bastardo is talented."

"I'll keep an eye on my florins," he promised.

A knock came at the door.

"It's open!" Rosa yelled.

A thief entered. "Forgive my intrusion," he said. "Antonio would like to have a word with Ser Ezio."

"Is it important, or can it wait a bit?" asked Ezio.

"He didn't say, signore. But that usually means it's important."

"Va bene. I'll meet him in a moment," Ezio said as he put on his robes. "With luck, perhaps he's figured out a way for me to help prepare for the attack."

"I suppose I'll wait here then," sighed Rosa.

Ezio turned to her. "Cheer up, amica mia. We'll return to our game when I return."

"Why bother? You've already won," she said as she began to rearrange the pieces to start a new game.

"Then perhaps I'll go easy next time," he suggested.

"Fottiti" she laughed halfheartedly as he closed the door.