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Caprino shrugged. “One or two. But to be an assassin requires a certain fortitude not found in every man. A thief is different. Easier. Not as profitable but…” He trailed off. “How long would you need this thief, my lord Andreas?”

Andreas went still. “You know me also?” His voice was dangerously soft. “Does my name, too, shine in the firmament?”

Caprino’s hand tightened on the hilt of his dagger.

He could feel a bead of moisture dampen his temple as he realized his mistake.

He had judged Vasaro to be the threat. A stupid error.

In his experience most soldiers, even condottieri, had none of the skill and subtlety Caprino admired.

But he shouldn’t have let his contempt for the profession overshadow his judgment of the man.

No, that was not entirely true, Caprino admitted reluctantly.

His instinctive revulsion at Andreas’s overpowering virility had also contributed to the blunder by keeping him from a serious study of the man.

Now he discerned the intelligence, as well as cynicism, in Andreas’s brilliant dark eyes which were fully as merciless as those of Vasaro.

Caprino moistened his lower lip with his tongue.

“Your fame has spread over all Italy, my lord. An illustrious condottiere such as yourself must expect to be recognized and—” Caprino broke off.

“I had no idea your visit to our city was in secret. If you wish to go unrecognized, then it goes without saying that I never have seen your face, never heard the sound of your voice, never even heard your name pronounced.”

“And who did pronounce my name to you?” Andreas asked silkily. “And on what subject? I asked Giulia to tell no one I was in Florence.”

“You know how careless women can be, Magnifico . When Madonna Giulia summoned me here, she mentioned your name but nothing else. I swear this, my lord Andreas. Would the Madonna have sent for me if I wasn’t a man of discretion and honor?”

“Lorenzo?” Andreas’s gaze never left Caprino’s face.

Vasaro’s voice was hoarse and scratchy as a wooden coffin pulled over flagstones. “He will betray you for a price high enough. Shall I dispose of him?” Lorenzo asked as casually as if he’d inquired about throwing out the dregs of the wine in Andreas’s cup.

Caprino leaned forward in his chair, prepared to spring, his dagger at the ready for a—

“I think not,” Andreas said. “He doesn’t know enough to hurt me, and I’d find it inconvenient to search out another procurer.”

“A wise decision.” Caprino’s grasp on his dagger relaxed. “A man should always keep the long view in mind. Now about this thief?”

“Just this moment I have thought of a quality he must possess,” Andreas said, looking down at his heavy leather gauntlets on the table. “I must own him.”

“Own?”

Andreas’s long, broad index finger rubbed at the brass riveting of the gauntlet.

“He must be mine body and soul. I’ll not have him running back to you with tales you can sell to the highest bidder.

” Andreas smiled. “Of course, I could have him removed after he finishes his task, but I dislike rewarding good work in that fashion. Not an intelligent way to proceed.”

“I can see that.” Caprino’s uneasy gaze darted to Vasaro.

Rumor had it that Vasaro had accepted service with Andreas when the condottiere was a boy of seventeen.

How had Andreas managed to hold such a skilled assassin all these years?

Did he own him body and soul as he wished to own the thief?

It was something to ponder, for who but Satan was capable of possessing a demon?

“Such men aren’t easy to find. How could I—”

“You must know ways.” Andreas pulled a purse from his belt and tossed it on the table to Caprino. “Greed, revenge, a woman. We both know the weapons to bind a man. Use them.”

Caprino opened the pouch and counted the ducats. “A fair price.”

“A princely sum for one insignificant thief, as well you know, but a small price for the soul of a human being.”

Caprino smiled. “I’m sure you’ll discover shortly whether or not that is so.” He paused. “I’m to keep this?” he asked as he tucked the purse inside his belt. “I’m honored by your trust.”

“I can afford to trust you, Caprino. I know where to find you, if you disappoint me. When can I expect you to send me the thief I’ve paid for?”

“I’m not sure.” Caprino stood up and edged toward the door. “I must consider and de—”

“Tomorrow.” Andreas’s tone had not changed, but his smile held the gleam of a feral creature. “No later than three. I’m an impatient man.” His gaze searched Caprino’s face. “You already have someone in mind. Bring him to me.”

Caprino was startled. “But, Your Magnificence, I must study and think upon…” He stopped. How had that whoreson Andreas managed to read him so easily? “I do have someone in mind who might meet your requirements, but there are difficulties.”

“Overcome them.”

“I may need many more ducats than this pouch holds in order to do so.”

Andreas’s lips tightened. “I have an aversion to being preyed upon by the greedy. It would be wise to remember that.”

Caprino lowered his lids to veil his eyes. “I’ll not be beggared to obtain what you want. I’m worthy of my hire.”

“If I slip a dagger between his ribs tonight, tomorrow there will be another Caprino in the streets of Florence,” Vasaro said with little inflection. “Perhaps a man less greedy to deal with, Lion.”

Caprino felt a chill quiver through him but carefully kept himself under control. He nodded. “Tomorrow or the next day or the day after that. I’m not so foolish as to think I’m irreplaceable. But Your Magnificence is impatient, and I’m the man who can help you today.”

Andreas was silent for a moment during which Caprino tasted the sourness of fear.

Then Andreas made an impatient gesture. “I must see the skill of your light-fingered villian.” He paused. “Tomorrow.”

“But it’s too soon. I can’t—” Caprino stopped. He had gained a valuable concession, and it would be best not to push too hard at this juncture. “As Your Excellency bids me. I will move heaven and earth to do as you wish.”

“I’ll be at the Piazza of San Michele tomorrow at two with another purse containing an equal number of ducats,” Andreas said.

“If your thief can claim it from my person, the purse is yours. If not…” He shrugged.

“Then I will be most unhappy with you. So unhappy they may end up fishing you out of the Arno.” He waved a hand of dismissal.

“Good night, Caprino. Why don’t you see the gentleman to his home, Lorenzo? ”

“It isn’t far. I have a house near the piazza.” Caprino moved quickly toward the door. “Good evening, my lords. Until tomorrow.”

Andreas smiled mockingly. “Do accompany him, Lorenzo. The streets are so dangerous for a man with a purse full of ducats.”

Andreas was toying with him, Caprino realized with a surge of rage.

He turned at the door and smiled through clenched teeth.

“You test whether I’m afraid of Messer Lorenzo?

Well, I do fear him. I’m not a brave man, but it’s not courage that’s made me what I am.

You might consider who has called the tune this night.

” His index finger tapped his left temple.

“Up here. That’s what counts.” He bowed. “As you shall see tomorrow.”

The door swung shut behind him, and the breath immediately rushed from Caprino’s lungs in a soft explosion of sound as the tension eased from him.

He straightened his short scarlet cape, meticulously adjusted his velvet cap at the angle he preferred, and started down the stairs.

He gazed appraisingly at the painting of Venus in all her naked glory on the wall beside the stairs.

The painting was new and exceptionally well executed, but the Venus was not overly beautiful, a circumstance which did not surprise him.

Giulia would never permit anything or anyone to overshadow her own charms in her own casa .

“Buona sera, Caprino.” Giulia Marzo met him at the bottom of the stairs. She smiled sweetly. “All is well?”

Caprino shifted his cloak to reveal the purse.

She held out her hand palm upward. “A joy to work with you, Caprino.”

“Tomorrow,” he said as he tried to edge past her.

“Now.” Her smile never wavered. “Or I’ll tell my lord Andreas you have no intention of fulfilling your promise to find his thief and even now are hurrying toward the city gates. I doubt you would ever reach that splendid house paid for by the ducats stolen from your whores and thieves.”

He stopped short and turned to look at her.

He should have known Giulia would have been listening to everything taking place in Andreas’s chamber.

It was not only the slut’s golden beauty that had caused her to rise from one of his own brothels to own this fine casa .

He reluctantly opened the pouch and pressed five ducats into her palm.

“Someday, when I lose patience with you, I’ll have you brought back to me,” he said softly.

“And I’ll strip you naked and stake you out in an alley and sell that sweet-smelling flesh to every man who walks by.

How do you think your fine lords will like you after a few weeks of such use? ”

“You don’t frighten me.” She shrugged. “You cannot hurt me, Caprino. I have the protection of many powerful men here in Florence.”

“Like that bastard up there?” Caprino jerked his head in the direction of the door at the top of the stairs. “Andreas has no power here in Florence. He rules only in Mandara.”

“At present.” Giulia’s gaze lifted to look at the door he’d indicated. “Lion could rule anywhere. Men such as he are rare.”

Caprino’s gaze narrowed on her face. “Do I detect a trace of lust, madonna mia? Be careful, or you’ll lose your one weapon in Cupid’s battle. A whore must never lust; she must only be lusted after.”