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 way?”

did you take your

up at the sight of

from building three is waiting

that Noella knew Marcel was dodging the subject of his

handed over the daily meds to Marcel

Grandpa. Be good.”

pills and pulled a face. “Disgusting!

and

Marcel she kept mum about the kidnapping ordeal. She could handle. Belinda’s

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

Thanks, Grandpa.”

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

lose at chess all the time. This time he

Marcel’s face was beaming with smiles, Heh,

the second–in–command of Harmonia Country, looked on with admiration. Judging the player by the play, Marcel’s granddaughter was a

if you ever run into trouble, come to Tavian. I’ll

not having it. “Who needs your

doesn’t matter if you kick the bucket or

go play. I’ve got to settle a score with

just nodded and bowed to

as she stepped out, her smile vanished, replaced by a chilling aura. She sensed the presence of an assassin. It

the green–lit emergency corridor, pulling out

the Schnabel Mansion

the door, flinging herself at

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

was stunned, her $3 million watering can crashing to the ground

you talking about?”

of the study with the

were just discussing which country to buy Noella a castle in when Yvonne’s panicked. words hit

almost fainted on

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

Mom and Dad.” Yvonne sobbed, displaying her cracked phone and bruised knees, the unfortunate result of her

around Rising Glory Mall treating herself to a shopping spree, a nice meal, and a

his phone and called

telling us about something that went down at three in the afternoon? What the heck have you been

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