Benedict Giovanni is an agent of the Anziani, sendt to observe Ambrogino Giovanni and his activities, particulary the Conspiracy of the Red Sign. He knows that he may be has to kill Ambrogino if his goals are contradictory to that of the Clan, and reports nightly to his superiors. His official duty is to protect Ambrogino as a bodyguard, while Ambrogino is aware of Benedicts past as a hitman of the Clan to depose rogue members.
What Benedict does not know is that his presence is a decoy to diverge Ambrogino's attention, so that the wraith slaves of the Anziani can spy on him directly without fearing his notice.