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 her

you take your medicine

eyes lit up at the

Tavian from building three is waiting to play chess with you.”

was dodging the subject of his medicine.

knowing look and handed over the daily meds to

Grandpa. Be good.”

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

this morning and had lunch with

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

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.”

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

Tavian used to make Marcel lose at chess all the time. This time he was determined

beaming with smiles, Heh, his granddaughter was a champ, winning every game!

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

offered, “Noella, if you ever run into trouble, come to Tavian. I’ll fix

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

you kick the bucket or not.

fossil! Noella, go play. I’ve got to

just nodded and bowed to Tavian before leaving

She sensed the presence of an assassin. It seemed the Cerulean

entered the green–lit emergency corridor, pulling out her silencer–equipped pistol and disappearing into the shadows.

Schnabel

the door, flinging herself at Sienna who was

news!! saw

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

are you talking

of the study with

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

on the

you see that? Why didn’t you call us? Why didn’t you call the police first? What

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

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

phone and

that went down at three in the afternoon? What the

in a pitiful tone, “What’s that supposed to mean, Jasper? Of course. I was at the hospital taking care of Grandma. Ever since she’s been admitted,