The Killer Queen by Noella Briony

Chapter 17

The van jostled along, heading out of the city.

Noella noticed they were headed towards Imperial West Hospital, and thought, “Well, ain’t that a stroke of luck! These goons are giving me a free ride.”

“Who sent you?” she demanded.

The kidnapper let out a sleazy chuckle, his face full of creep.

“Listen, girlie, we ain’t lookin‘ to harm ya, but you had to go and get greedy, eyeing stuff that ain’t yours.” he taunted.

“We’ll just dump ya in some mountain area, and don’t you worry, you won’t be seeing the light of day again! Lucky for you, you’re easy on the eyes. That pretty face of yours could bring in a good chunk of change up in the hills. Pop out a few chunky kids, and you’re golden.”

Noella swiftly reached for the small knife tucked at her waist and conked out a few of the kidnappers, then pressed the blade against the driver’s neck.

“Who sent you? My patience is wearing thin.”

The driver, shaking like a leaf and gripping the steering wheel, stammered out, “Oh please, have mercy! We’re just hired guns! It was Belinda! She forked over a cool hundred grand for us to whisk you away and sell you off in some mountain dump!”

Belinda hadn’t said that Noella could fight!

With a nonchalant “Drive to Imperial West Hospital,” Noella might as well have been the Grim Reaper sharpening his scythe. The driver nearly lit the steering wheel on fire getting her there.

As soon as Noella got out, she shouted at the guards at the door, “They kidnapped me!”

The guards had seen her coming and going from Imperial West Hospital and knew her as the pretty granddaughter of the Schnabel family who was also a chess whiz.

The hospital guards were special forces soldiers pulled from the ranks for duty. They were used to standing guard.

Hearing Noella’s cry for help, the special forces guys stepped up and quickly subdued the bad

guys.

“Thanks,” said Noella.

“Don’t mention it, Miss. Get inside. Mr. Marcel has been fussing over you for ages. We’ve got this!”

They all thought highly of Noella, a real looker who was polite and smart to boot–a true Schnabel family gem.

No sooner had Noella stepped into the ward than she heard Marcel’s robust voice, “Where’s my

13:13

granddaughter? Didn’t they say she was on her

take your medicine today?”

eyes lit up at

from building three is waiting to play chess with

knew Marcel was dodging the subject

handed over the daily meds to Marcel

Grandpa. Be good.”

reluctantly downed the bitter pills and pulled a face. “Disgusting! Why are you only getting here

morning and

wanting to worry Marcel she kept mum about the kidnapping ordeal. She could handle. Belinda’s antics on her

Shopping’s fine. My granddaughter ought to dress to the nines. I’ll send you some jewelry to play with,” beamed

Thanks, Grandpa.”

led her to another ward. “Come on, let’s go play some chess!”

day. Tavian used to make Marcel lose at chess all the time. This time he

Marcel’s face was beaming with smiles, Heh, his granddaughter

Judging the player by

offered, “Noella, if you ever run into trouble, come to Tavian. I’ll fix it for

having it. “Who needs

you kick the bucket or not. My

go play. I’ve got to settle

bowed to Tavian before

aura. She sensed the presence of an assassin. It seemed the Cerulean Whale had sent their hitman.

entered the green–lit emergency corridor, pulling out her silencer–equipped pistol and disappearing into the shadows.

the Schnabel

burst through the door, flinging herself at Sienna who was tending to her

saw Noella being taken away!”

watering can crashing to the ground in

you

came out of the study with the four Schnabel sons

just discussing which country to buy Noella a castle in

almost fainted on

didn’t you call us? Why

I ran home to tell Mom and Dad.” Yvonne sobbed, displaying

strolled around Rising Glory Mall treating herself to a shopping spree, a nice meal, and a full–blown skin pampering session, all to

out his phone and called

that went down at three in the afternoon? What the heck have you been up

that supposed to mean, Jasper? Of course. I was at the hospital taking care of Grandma. Ever since she’s