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

Didn’t they say she was on her

did you take your

lit up at

building three is waiting to play chess

dodging the subject of his medicine. She gave the nurses

handed over the daily meds to Marcel and

Grandpa. Be good.”

the bitter pills and pulled a face.

and had lunch with Beckett.

about the kidnapping ordeal. She could handle. Belinda’s antics on her own.

bother eating with that bore? Shopping’s fine. My granddaughter ought to dress to the nines. I’ll

Thanks, Grandpa.”

another ward. “Come on, let’s

chess all the time.

was beaming with smiles, Heh, his

player by the play, Marcel’s granddaughter

run into trouble, come to Tavian.

having it. “Who needs your

the bucket or not. My word carries more weight.” said Tavian.

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

and bowed to Tavian before leaving the

by a chilling aura. She sensed the presence of an assassin. It seemed the Cerulean Whale had

pulling out her silencer–equipped pistol and disappearing into the shadows.

the Schnabel Mansion

herself at Sienna who was

saw Noella being taken

stunned, her $3 million watering can crashing to the

you talking

came out of the study with the four Schnabel sons

discussing which country to buy Noella a

almost fainted on the

a stern face, “Where did you see that? Why didn’t you call us? Why didn’t you call the police first? What

so scared and I ran home to tell Mom and Dad.” Yvonne sobbed, displaying her cracked phone and bruised knees, the unfortunate

even strolled around Rising Glory Mall treating herself to a shopping spree, a nice

out his phone and called the police.

about something that went down at three in the afternoon? What the heck have you been up to?”

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