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

you been with Vander?”
    I inhaled deeply, trying not to let my annoyance with him get the better of me. “A few months,” I lied. He didn’t need to know anything about my relationship with Knight. As far as I was concerned, that subject was off limits.
    “ I was in upper management,” he answered coolly.
    “Okay, that’s a good start. And where would you say you ranked in the pecking order?” I inquired, trying to understand exactly what role he played.
    “Right below my boss,” he answered with little interest. “I was one of the big guns.”
    “And who was your supplier?” I speared him with my narrowed gaze, trying to ascertain if he were being honest with me. “Or were the potions created in-house?” That was an interesting question. If their potion ring had purchased the contraband, he could possibly tell me what other rings were involved, if any. Well, if he was willing to part with that information, that is.
    “You’re asking me to divulge all my secrets,” he said with a sly smile.
    “Yes,” I answered, frowning. “I thought that part was obvious?”
    “But if I tell you everything, you’ll have no reason to come back and visit me again,” he explained with a shrug as he glanced around the small cell. “And I can’t imagine what else there is to keep me occupied in here.”
    I sighed. “I know you don’t know me, but the first thing you would know about me, if you did, is that I detest game-playing.”
    His smile broadened. “And I know you don’t know me, but the first thing you would know about me, if you did , is that I believe life is a game.”
    I scowled at him while shaking my head as I tried to deal with the burgeoning anger inside me. “You do realize, don’t you, that you can’t have it both ways?”
    “What do you mean?”
    “You’re asking us to protect you against the numerous threats you fear, but in return, you are required to give us information. It’s not a one-way street.”
    He shrugged. “I’ve given you information already; and I intend to continue giving you information.”
    “But I have to play by your rules,” I finished for him.
    “You catch on quickly,” he smiled, his flirtatious nature in full effect. “Any last questions before we retire for the day?”
    I thought that was bizarre: him calling an end to our meeting when it was pretty obvious to both of us he had nothing else to do for the rest of the day. But I didn’t argue. Instead, I took it as an opportunity to foist more questions on him. “Do you know who is responsible for the hits currently contracted against you?”
    “I don’t, but I imagine everyone involved does. You can’t just retire from smuggling illegal potions without pissing off lots of people.”
    “I’m sure you’re right.”
    “I usually am,” he agreed, nodding, before his attention drifted to his fingers. He started to inspect his nails before facing me again, and his eyes suddenly began dancing. “Did you know I’m a Loki too?”
    “I do.”
    “Do you wonder how I’d compare to your man?”
    “No.”
    “Liar.”
    “I’m not lying,” I said with a quick laugh of derision. It puzzled me why his candor didn’t offend me like it should have. Yep, I’d definitely have to be careful with this one. His carefree, easy manner was undoubtedly masking a calculating, manipulative agenda. But, luckily for me, this was just another stroll in a very familiar park.

FOUR
    That evening, I called Knight. I wanted to compare the information I’d pried from Jax with whatever Knight already knew about him.
    “I can’t talk long, Dulce,” Knight said as soon as our hellos were out of the way. “I’ve got a meeting with Caressa in a few minutes.”
    “Okay, then I’ll make it quick,” I answered. No, I didn’t appreciate how Knight basically had zero time for me lately, but the situation was what it was. Although I did understand it, that didn’t mean I liked it. “I talked to Jax a bit today,” I