Chapter 146 Fired up

Chapter 146 Fired up
Regina's eyes met Eloise’s across the grand hallway, and a smug, predatory smile curved her painted lips. She moved closer with that signature sway in her hips, her presence filling the space.
“Lovely to see you again, micina,” Regina purred, her gaze roving slowly over Eloise from head to toe, making her skin crawl. “You look… different.”
Eloise bristled at the nickname but kept her expression cool, refusing to give the woman the satisfaction of seeing her irritation. “Don’t worry,” Regina continued with a cattily sweet laugh, “I only came to discuss some… important things with Massimo.”
“You’d better be off, then,” Eloise replied, her smile turning coy and sharp. “My husband must have been missing me all day.”
The smirk slipped from Regina’s face for a fraction of a second. She recovered quickly, tilting her head. “You know… I always forget you aren’t some timid little mouse.”
Eloise’s smile never wavered. Then Regina reached out suddenly, tucking a loose strand of hair behind Eloise’s ear with deliberate intimacy. The touch sent a jolt of revulsion through her.
Regina seemed absurdly pleased by the reaction.
“How’s college, by the way?” she asked, her voice dripping with false sweetness. “I hope you’re having fun… while some of us have real work to do.”
Eloise’s temper flared hot and bright. Fuck this bitch. The insinuation was unmistakable. Regina was useful. Regina mattered.
Meanwhile Eloise was merely playing student, useless to Massimo. It struck somewhere painfully close to home.
“Now you listen to me, Regina,” Eloise seethed, stepping closer until they were nearly nose to nose. “Maybe you can deceive Massimo with this act of wanting to help him. But know this—I don’t trust you. I don’t fucking trust you.”
Regina’s composure cracked, just slightly.
“And if you fuck us over,” Eloise continued, her honey-golden eyes blazing with a lethal fire, “if you fuck him over… I will personally hunt you down and end your shitty, miserable, pathetic fucking existence.”
For once, Regina had nothing to say. Her jaw tightened, hate burning in her eyes, but her usual confidence had been stripped away.
“Do I make myself fucking clear?” Eloise demanded.
Regina’s voice came out tight. “Yes, Mrs. Caputo. I hear you loud and clear.”
“Good.” Eloise stepped back. “Now get the fuck out of my house.”
Regina gave her one last bitter, venomous smile before turning on her heel and sashaying out, the click of her heels echoing like retreating gunfire.
Eloise let out a shaky breath. “Bitch,” she muttered under her breath.
She turned toward Massimo’s study and froze.
He was leaning casually against the doorframe, arms crossed over his powerful chest. A lazy, devastating smile played on his lips, and his blue eyes sparkled with pure, wicked mirth.
“Damn,” he drawled, his voice low and impressed. “Maybe I should put you in charge of my men.”
Eloise’s breath caught. Her ridiculous, traitorous heart exploding into a thousand tiny pieces.
God. She loved this man.
He looked so fucking good—dark hair tousled, shirt sleeves rolled up, that predatory gleam in his eyes. 
A slow, molten warmth spread through her core. She wanted him right there. Wanted his cock buried deep inside her. Wanted his mouth on her breasts, his tongue fucking her until she came screaming his name.
She walked straight up to him. “Maybe you should,” she whispered breathlessly, throwing her arms around his neck.
Massimo lifted her effortlessly, his large hands gripping her ass as he covered her mouth with a searing kiss. Eloise kissed him back instantly, fingers threading through his thick hair, sighing into his mouth as his hands roamed hungrily over her body. They kissed as though they couldn't get enough of each other. 
He backed her into the study without breaking the kiss, kicking the door shut behind them with a decisive thud.
When they finally broke apart, both breathing hard, Eloise could still smell the faint trace of Regina’s perfume lingering in the air like a bad memory.
“What did she discuss with you?” she asked, a hint of resentment coloring her voice.
Massimo let her slide slowly down his body, making sure she felt every hard inch of his erection before answering. 
“Luca is still gathering support from old Caputo allies. He’s waving the banner of legitimacy like a fucking flag.” of course he was, Eloise thought, to some people, legitimacy still mattered.
His hands stayed possessively on her waist. “Also, the Iron Veil is moving money. Buying guns. Routing them through New Jersey.”
“Regina told you that?”
A humorless smile touched his mouth. “She confirmed what Enzo’s already been watching for weeks. We intercepted whispers about weapons shipments days ago.” 
His hand slid to the small of her back, pulling her closer. “I don’t make decisions based on one person bringing me information, Cara. That’s how people get killed.”
Eloise frowned thoughtfully. “So they’re preparing for war.”
“And war costs money,” Massimo said quietly.
She tried not to let the fear show on her face. “What of Scar?”