CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY ONE – FROM THE OLD LIFE

The man froze, his eyes widening in shock. "Joan? Is that really you?" For a moment, they stood in stunned silence, the busy Sicilian street outside fading away. Trent was the first to recover, quickly shutting the door behind him and approaching the counter. "What are you doing here?" he hissed, glancing around nervously. "Do you have any idea how dangerous this is?" Joan's mind raced, searching for an explanation. "I... I'm just working here. It's temporary. How did you find me?" Trent ran a hand through his hair, clearly agitated. "I didn't. I'm here on business. I had no idea... Joan, you need to leave. Now." "What? Why?" Joan asked, though she already feared she knew the answer. Trent leaned in close, his voice barely audible. "Scipione's men are still looking for you. They've expanded their search to Sicily. It's only a matter of time before they find you." Joan felt the blood drain from her face. She gripped the edge of the counter to steady herself. "How... how do you kn