Claudia meets with Girolamo

"Sofia, why don't you join the other girls in the lobby?" says Claudia in her sweet, yet authoritative voice. Sofia, kisses Girolamo in the lips and leaves the room, playfully swaying her hips.

The young Assassin was caught off guard by the commanding presence of his Mentor's sister. Not only her relation to Ezio, but her exquisite beauty, her proven resourcefulness and her two decades of experience running businesses let even the proudest men of Italy stand in awe before Claudia Auditore.

Girolamo quickly buttons up his shirt, trying to make himself as decent as possible in front of her. "Scusatemi madona" (Forgive me ma'am) he mumbles.

Claudia smiles, clearly amused by his awkwardness. "Oh don't apologise, Girolamo, I can see you and Sofia are really fond of eachother. This is a place of pleasure after all. But pleasure must wait, I'm afraid, we have important business to discuss."

"Right, of course" Girolamo responds.

"Do you know why I invited you tonight?"

"No, madona"

"I'm not gonna lie, Girolamo, keeping Roma in line with Ezio gone, is overwhelming. The Borgia have left us with a good amount of spies and banditi, not to mention their loyalists in the Vaticano. My girls are doing their best to extract information useful for our cause, but young as they are, they are **** against Roma's powerful men that flood the Rosa in Fiore"

"How can I help madona Auditore?" says Girolamo, unaware of Claudia's plans.

"That's what I wanted to talk about with you. Building a Brotherhood in Roma from nothing has not been an easy task for my brother. And organising all these young girls is a challenge itself. We have managed so far, but if we are to assume control of the city, the courtesans must be protected and the guilds must be in coordination. Do you understand, Girolamo?"

"You want me to protect your girls?"

"You are perceptive, I like that. I believe you are the right man for this assignment. My brother thinks highly of you. You are strong, and the girls seem to... like you " Claudia winks at him, clearly referring to his intimate moments with Sofia.

"Sofia and I are close, madona. I've known her since we were children"

Claudia raises an eyebrow, she is intrigued to know about his past. And Sofia's. "Do you now? Tell me about it."