Chapter 10 : Another Close Call

*Sophie’s POV*

Luca and I knelt on the dusty, creaking floorboards of the upper level. We examined the contractors' blueprints as we discussed where to start replacing the worn-through beams with new ones. Our fingers traced along the yellow lines of the plan, lingering over certain areas that seemed too weak to bear any more weight.

"Luca," I started, "We've got to get the beams replaced. Without the strength from the new wood, we won't be able to bring anything new into the villa."

He looked at me pensively, then replied, "I know, I just didn't realize when we started how compromised some of it would be. It's hard to pick a spot when they're all in bad shape."

We both jumped whenever someone cleared their throat above us. We looked up to find Jacopo standing in the hallway, the sun spilling in from outside, making him look like an angel. He stepped forward and knelt beside us, his dark eyes studying the blueprints carefully.

"What are you two looking at?" he asked.

Luca and I