*Sophie’s POV*“The beams are done,” the foreman told Luca and me, “They’re holding nicely, and we haven’t run into any problems with the replacements. This building is sturdier than it’s been since its construction.”I smiled widely at Luca, "Oh, fantastic. We're making better time than we ever could've anticipated. We can finally go upstairs and begin replacing the broken window frames!""There are quite a few things that need to be done upstairs, Soph," Luca began, "I know we're moving quickly, but we still have a lot to get done.""Quiet down, party pooper. You're always raining on my parade. We're killing it, and Mr. Rossi is going to be so happy when he stops to check our progress today," I teased as I walked toward the staircase.I cautiously climbed the rickety staircase, my feet carefully navigating the gaps between the splintered boards. With each step, a weary groan emanated from the dilapidated structure. I envisioned the finished product—a majestic grand entrance with

*Jacopo’s POV*‘What the fuck was that?’ I asked myself as I walked away from the server's building back toward the villa.She was like a witch. I watched, transfixed by Sophia's every move, as our hands had moved in sync. The humid air was heavy with the salty scent of sweat and sanded wood, and it almost felt like foreplay. I knew she felt it too, her eyes begged me to lie her on the floor and feast on her."You okay, Boss?" Luca asked as I approached him. My hair was wild and disheveled, sticking out in different directions as if I'd spent the entire walk there with my hands in it."I'm fine. Sophia and I are going into the basement to retrieve some things she believes are valuable. Then, it'll be sealed. Let the men know."Luca nodded, and I walked past him. I could feel the heat of his gaze on my back as I left, but I didn't turn around to acknowledge it.I stood at the entrance to the dungeon of horrors, waiting for Sophia. The darkness that I knew was down there should h

*Jacopo’s POV*Her face colored beautifully, and she looked at me with a smirk and hooded eyes, "You're incorrigible." I boisterously chuckled, "If only you knew, bella. Let's dig in before it cools down. Enzo is the best chef I've ever known. He could work in Paris in the most prestigious of restaurants, yet he chooses to stay here. Do you know why?" She moaned slightly as she took a bite, "Why is that?" I watched her eat and found myself becoming aroused. She was so expressive and vocal. It made me wonder if she was like that in all facets of pleasure."Love. This is where he met his wife. He worked here when his father owned the business, and he refused to leave when he got older. The memories of them falling in love kept him here. Beautiful, yes?"She nodded, "Very beautiful." Her voice was soft, and I could tell by the way she hid her eyes from me, that she felt the story touched her in a way, just as it touched me.I leaned in slightly, "Do you believe in love, Sophia

*Sophia’s POV*"Come on, Soph. We're going to be late. You were already late yesterday after your soiree with the boss man. Can't afford to do it again," Luca admonished me.After Mr. Rossi took the sketches yesterday, I had researched late into the night to see if I could find a record of them anywhere. Michelangelo's work was reasonably well documented for as long ago as he was alive, and I found mention of them in some articles from over fifty years ago. They were found in Italy when a building was set for demolition. On a whim, the man who bought the property had gone in and searched the rooms first. There was a box that was under a floorboard, and the sketches were hidden inside. After that, there's no mention of where they sold to or who had them. So how did they end up in the painting Mr. Rossi bought for his late wife?Because of the late night, Luca and I were running late getting to the villa. And in true Luca style, he was giving me shit. "Look, we're the bosses. And

*Jacopo’s POV*"Elena, we need to go speak with our father. He's asked for both of us. Sophia, make yourself comfortable and acquaint Luca with the layout of the house when he gets back from his ride to town," I said.I could tell she wanted to talk to me alone, but she nodded her understanding and that made me feel happy.Elena stood and hooked her arm in mine, and we began walking to Alessandro Rossi's home office. A dark, unsettling feeling had lodged in my stomach from the moment I told my father I'd be staying in the mansion as long as Sophia was. I hadn't slept in the building in a long time, and I knew I wouldn't be able to relax."So all we had to do to get you to come back was hire a sexy art lady?" Elena asked."I'm not back permanently. I told you. I just want to keep an eye on Sophia. As soon as her work is done, I'm gone again," I replied."We miss you around here. I know Dad doesn't say it, but a piece of him left the day you turned away from the famiglia," she whis