"I don't understand why I shouldn't come back? You're in danger there Adalaide. I can protect you if I'm actually there." Adalaide's closest sibling, her brother Francis, had called her exactly forty five minutes ago, and yet they were still on the phone and still basically on the same subject as what he opened with. 

"Francis I will say this one more time and this time I expect you to listen to me. By myself, I am safer than if any member of our family were here. If you were here, instead of focusing on protecting myself, I would be focusing on protecting you and vise versa on you protecting yourself. I need to be here, you do not and by being here you would just put an unnecessary target on your back. Enjoy Milan brother, it's truly a beautiful city and I worry you're not benefiting as much as you could be. I'll keep you updated with this situation, I promise. Give all my love to mother and Aunt Annalise."  Adalaide gave her final word and Francis sighed before giving in to her argument. 

"Fine sister, if you think you know best then I will trust you, but at the first sign you're in trouble I'm coming back to New York and dragging you out of there kicking and screaming if I have to. Do you understand me Adalaide?" Francis and Adalaide managed to get off the phone with the call coming in just under an hour. 

"We've arrived ma'am." Adalaide smiled appreciatively at her driver, Thomas. He had been her driver for 25 years now, and she paid him generously for his secrecy. She also paid him for doing things like knowing when she was about to end a call and arriving at their destination just as she finishes. 
"Thank you Thomas. I don't know how long I'll be so just go home. I'll see you tomorrow." Adalaide smiled at him as she exited her car and made her way to the door of the bar. She flashed her fangs at the guard before entering. She didn't immediately join Anya and what looked like Norman Perry, mostly because she didn't particularly enjoy either of their company. She came because she knew her particular skills would be needed eventually and she wasn't one to avoid the inevitable for an extended period of time. 

After she lingered for a smidge under rude, Adalaide joined Anya and Perry at the bar. 
"Cognac, neat please." Adalaide asked the bartender as she sat on a barstool. She made eye contact with both Anya and Perry. 
"Why am I here? I'm not a fighter, I'm a mediator and if he's here, I have a feeling you're not in a mood to talk with anyone." Adalaide raised an eyebrow at Anya, since she was the one to call the meeting.