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

say she was on her way?”

did you take your medicine

lit up at the sight of Noella.

building three is waiting to play

the subject of his medicine. She gave

handed over the daily meds to Marcel and said,

Grandpa. Be good.”

pills and pulled a face. “Disgusting! Why are you only getting

went shopping this morning and had lunch with Beckett.

the kidnapping ordeal. She could

My granddaughter ought to dress to the nines. I’ll send you some jewelry to play with,” beamed

Thanks, Grandpa.”

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

lose at chess all the

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

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

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

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

if you kick the bucket or not. My word carries more

Noella, go play. I’ve got to settle a score with this geezer!”

to Tavian before

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

emergency corridor, pulling out her

the Schnabel

at Sienna who was tending

saw Noella being taken away!”

her $3 million watering can crashing to the ground

you talking about?”

out of the study with the four

country to buy Noella a castle in when Yvonne’s

on the

that? Why didn’t you call us? Why didn’t you call the police first? What if something happened to Noella!”

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

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

whipped out his phone and

at three in the afternoon?

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