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?”

you take your medicine today?”

up at

Tavian from building three is waiting to play chess with

subject of his

meds to Marcel and

Grandpa. Be good.”

bitter pills and pulled a face. “Disgusting! Why are you only getting here now?”

went shopping this morning and had lunch with

kidnapping ordeal. She

that bore? Shopping’s fine. My granddaughter ought to dress to the nines. I’ll

Thanks, Grandpa.”

ward. “Come on, let’s go

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

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

admiration. Judging the player by the play, Marcel’s

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

was not having it. “Who needs

you kick the bucket or not.

play. I’ve got to settle a

and bowed to

smile vanished, replaced by a chilling aura. She sensed the presence of an assassin. It seemed the Cerulean Whale

out

the Schnabel

burst through the door, flinging herself at Sienna who was tending

bad news!! saw Noella being

watering can crashing to

you talking about?”

the study with the four Schnabel

Noella a castle in when

on the

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

ran home to tell Mom and Dad.”

to a shopping spree, a nice meal, and a full–blown skin pampering session, all to be in tip–top shape

his phone

at three in the afternoon? What the heck have you

that supposed to mean, Jasper? Of course. I was at the hospital taking care