Read Online A Midsummer Night's Scream (The Dulcie O'Neil Series Book 7) by H.P. Mallory - Free Book Online

from Jax first. I planned to cross-reference his answers later.
    “I didn’t ask for anything, other than protection.”
    “What is the name of your operation?” I inquired, committing all of this information to memory. After our little interview, I’d be sure to write down everything he told me. That way, I couldn’t forget any of it later.
    “Crossbones,” he answered stiffly.
    I couldn’t mask my surprise. Crossbones was the name of one of the larger underground potion operations in the Netherworld. They were probably right at the top of the list when it came to exporting the illegal stuff and distributing it on the Earthly plane.
    “Turning yourself in was a pretty gutsy move,” I played along, taking a few steps nearer him. “Apparently, you pissed a lot of people off.”
    “Of course, I did,” he agreed with a nod. His smile seemed almost boyish due to the deep dimples on either side of his lips. “But you already knew that—it’s the exact reason I’m standing here having this conversation with you.”
    “Because you wouldn’t be safe in the Netherworld,” I finished for him.
    “If I were still in the Netherworld, I’d be dead by now.”
    I raised my brows, but didn’t comment. Instead, I took the five or so steps that still separated us until we were soon facing each other, only the prison rails separating us. “So why did you want out?”
    “Because crime doesn’t pay?” he asked with a sidelong grin.
    “Cute,” I answered with obvious disdain. “But what’s the real reason?”
    “Can’t a guy just ask for a change of scenery?”
    “It’s not that simple,” I replied as I shook my head. “You’re willing to risk death, or something even worse, by acting as an informant?”
    “Isn’t that pretty apparent by now?” he asked with a chortle. “But, damn, I have to admit: if I’d known how many hits I’d have out on me, I would have seriously reconsidered my decision.”
    “You still haven’t told me exactly why you made the decision.”
    He shrugged. “You’re obviously looking for an answer besides the one I’m giving you. But the one I’m giving you is the truth . I got tired of being a thug. And taking orders to kill people I didn’t even know.”
    “You take orders?” I nearly interrupted him, finding this information interesting because I wasn’t sure where he fell on the food chain.
    “Everyone takes orders,” he corrected me with another smug smile. That was ironic, considering he was the one standing behind bars and wearing chains.
    “I was under the impression that you were at the top of the ladder?” I asked, fishing for information even though I wasn’t under any impressions where Jax was concerned. Sometimes, though, it was better to play the part of uninformed.
    “Everyone takes orders from someone,” Jax repeated, this time, more slowly.
    “So you had a boss?” Truthfully, I was disappointed. Why? Because that meant more work for us. Our main goal was always to get the biggest fish. Silly me for thinking he was exactly that.
    “Yes,” he answered, eyeing me with interest. “How long have you and Vander been together?”
    “I’m the one asking questions here. You’re not interrogating me,” I snapped.
    “Oh. Is this an interrogation?” he rebutted with practiced charm. “And here I thought we were just having a casual, albeit mundane, conversation.”
    “Who is your boss?”
    “I’m afraid that information cannot be disclosed.”
    “Why?” I asked. “If you’re truly on your way out, why continue to cover for someone else?”
    “Because it was my choice. It had nothing to do with him. He treated me fairly. My decision is on me. So I won’t rat him out.”
    “Okay,” I said with a frown. “Then just tell me who runs your organization.”
    “That’s simply a different way of asking me the same question,” he pointed out as he shrugged. “Good try though.”
    “Then tell me who is in upper management.”
    “How long have