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

she was on

take

lit up at

building three is

was dodging the subject of his medicine.

the daily meds to Marcel and said, “Take

Grandpa. Be good.”

pulled a face. “Disgusting!

this morning and had lunch with Beckett.

about the kidnapping ordeal. She could handle.

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

lose at chess all the time. This time he was determined to turn the

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

Judging the player by the play, Marcel’s granddaughter was a real catch. He’d struck gold!

run into trouble, come to Tavian. I’ll fix it

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

bucket or not. My word carries more

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

bowed to

her smile vanished, replaced by a chilling aura. She sensed the presence

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

the Schnabel Mansion

flinging herself at Sienna who was tending

it’s bad news!! saw Noella being taken away!”

was stunned, her $3 million watering can crashing to

are you

the commotion, came out of the study with the

a castle in when Yvonne’s panicked. words hit them.

almost fainted on

call us? Why didn’t you

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

plenty of time to 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 to be in tip–top shape to witness Noella getting the boot from the Schnabel

out his phone

down at

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