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

you take your medicine today?”

up at

three is waiting to play

Noella knew Marcel was dodging the subject of his medicine. She gave the nurses

knowing look and handed over the daily meds to Marcel and said, “Take your

Grandpa. Be good.”

face.

this morning and had lunch with Beckett.

worry Marcel she kept mum about the kidnapping ordeal. She could handle. Belinda’s antics on her own.

to the nines. I’ll send you some jewelry to play with,” beamed Marcel

Thanks, Grandpa.”

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

chess all the time.

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

with admiration. Judging the player

chuckle, Tavian offered, “Noella, if you ever run into trouble, come to

not having it. “Who needs your big talk? I’m still

kick the bucket or not. My word carries

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

bowed to

chilling aura. She sensed

the green–lit emergency corridor, pulling out her

the Schnabel

herself at Sienna who was

bad news!! saw Noella being taken

stunned, her $3 million watering can

are you talking

hearing the commotion, came out of the study with the four

discussing which country to buy Noella a castle in

on the

asked with a stern face, “Where did you see that? Why didn’t you call us? Why didn’t you call

tell Mom and Dad.” Yvonne sobbed, displaying her cracked phone and bruised knees, the

dirty work, she even strolled around Rising Glory Mall treating herself to a shopping spree, a nice meal,

out his phone and called the police.

down at three in the afternoon? What the heck have you been up to?”

“What’s that supposed to mean, Jasper? Of course. I was at the hospital