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

you take your

at the sight

Tavian from building three is waiting to play chess with you.”

that Noella knew Marcel was dodging the subject of

and handed over the daily meds to

Grandpa. Be good.”

the bitter pills and pulled a face. “Disgusting! Why are you

morning and had lunch

the kidnapping ordeal.

with that bore? Shopping’s fine. My granddaughter ought to dress to the

Thanks, Grandpa.”

led her to another ward.

at chess all the time.

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

Country, looked on with admiration. Judging the player by the play, Marcel’s granddaughter was a

“Noella, if you ever run into trouble, come

it. “Who needs your big talk? I’m still

or not. My word carries more weight.” said

play. I’ve got to settle a score

bowed to Tavian before leaving the

sensed the

green–lit emergency corridor, pulling out her silencer–equipped pistol and disappearing into

Schnabel Mansion

flinging herself at Sienna who was tending

it’s bad news!! saw Noella being taken

stunned, her $3 million watering can

are you talking

out of the study with the four Schnabel sons in tow.

just discussing which country to buy Noella a castle in when Yvonne’s

fainted on the spot!

see that? Why didn’t you call us? Why didn’t you call the

into a van. I was so scared and I ran home to tell Mom and Dad.” Yvonne sobbed, displaying her cracked phone

do their dirty work, she even strolled around Rising Glory Mall treating herself to a shopping spree, a nice meal, and a full–blown skin pampering session, all

phone and called

frowned and said, “You’re only telling us about something that went down at three in the afternoon? What

dabbed her tears and said in a pitiful tone, “What’s that supposed to mean, Jasper? Of course. I was at the hospital taking