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

take

up at the sight

three is waiting to play chess

Marcel was dodging the subject of his medicine. She

the daily meds to Marcel and said,

Grandpa. Be good.”

a face. “Disgusting! Why are you only getting

and had lunch with Beckett.

about the kidnapping ordeal. She could

Shopping’s fine. My granddaughter ought to dress to the nines. I’ll send

Thanks, Grandpa.”

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

used to make Marcel lose at chess all the time. This time he was determined

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

with admiration. Judging the player by the play,

if you ever run into trouble, come

needs your big

you kick the bucket or

fossil! Noella, go play. I’ve got to settle a

to Tavian before leaving the

she stepped out, her smile vanished, replaced by a chilling aura. She sensed the presence of an assassin. It seemed the Cerulean Whale had sent their hitman.

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

Schnabel Mansion

at Sienna

it’s bad news!! saw Noella being

stunned, her $3 million watering can crashing to

are you talking about?”

the commotion, came out of the study with the four Schnabel sons in

just discussing which country to buy Noella a castle in

fainted on

see that? Why didn’t you call us? Why didn’t you call the police first? What if something happened

so scared and I ran home to tell Mom and Dad.” Yvonne

Mall treating herself to a shopping spree, a nice meal, and a full–blown skin pampering session, all to be in tip–top shape

his phone and called the police.

frowned and said, “You’re only telling us about something that went down at

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