The Killer Queen by Noella Briony

Chapter 24

The little black car smoothly rolled out of the Imperial West Hospital grounds.

“That gal you just saw? She’s not my girlfriend.”

Noella didn’t respond.

“She’s my secretary.”

Noella was like, what’s the deal with her?

Running the show as one of the big three on the deep web, it’s no surprise Palmer’s got a few secretaries, especially when that secretary looked like she could seriously kick some butt probably a real whiz at her job.

“Not bad.” said Noella.

Palmer went on to clarify, “You can’t replace the standout abilities and shining moments that women bring to the table at work, so yeah, I’ve got a good number of ladies on my team.”

Noella nodded in agreement. “Totally get you. My big bro’s company is chock–full of women too. He always says no one falls for the boss just because of the job at hand; integrity and skills trump gender every time.”

Palmer chuckled, “Your brother and I are on the same page.”

“Guys can fall for their boss just as easily. It’s got nothing to do with gender.”

That’s not exactly what Palmer meant!

Palmer touched his nose, trying to mask the stiffness around his lips.

“You’ve heard about Thorpe entering the country, right?”

“Yeah, Thorpe’s probably here to touch base with Toxic Monarch.”

Thorpe, the big cheese of the Cerulean Whale Organization, cozying up with Toxic Monarch in Harmonia Country’s Imperial City – that’s quite a meet–up!

“What’s your take?” asked Palmer.

Noella shot him a look and said coolly, “Toxic Monarch’s after the Harmonia market, and Thorpe’s gunning for us. They’re just teaming up for a quick minute.”

Being both seasoned foxes in the deep web game, Thorpe and Toxic Monarch’s combined craftiness could run circles around the planet, with not less than eight or ten sly tails trailing behind them.

When Palmer heard her say “us,” the corners of his mouth curled up ever so slightly, a wave of indescribable joy sweet as honey flooding his heart.

Noella, catching the smile on Palmer’s face, was a bit speechless.

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head during some missions or what? She’d just mentioned Thorpe and Toxic Monarch

West Hospital was pretty decent too; might be worth getting Vocalist checked out when they get the chance.

the

sat behind his grand desk, not a wrinkle to be seen on his shirt, his

“Mr. Schnabel, we’ve dug up everything on Noella’s time with

“Let’s hear it.”

capped at two hundred a month. often not even paid out. Last year, she got a measly five hundred for the whole year, nearly had

in five grand monthly, raked in thirty thou last

the rage bubbling inside

family of Tranquility City. But the Rosenberg heir’s a player. The Lamberts wanted Briony to marry into the

nabbed – all orchestrated by the Lamberts. They were hoping to sell her off to some hillbilly backwater, never to

was shaking

rotten

grip snapped clean in

would’ve been okay if they were just nice to my sis, even if they were broke.

composure and refinement; his assistant had never seen

Mr. Tobin from H&Y Corporation wants to meet you at the bar tonight for

lips curving into a

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12:22

Tobin I’ll be right

“Got it.”

At the bar.

Imperial City, the bar was a blaze of flashing lights with thundering music that rattled the senses

in than she

hand and pulled her close, his towering frame casting a protective

she’s with

faced with Palmer’s

wearing a sandalwood–like cologne, subtle, filling her senses, and causing a slight warmth to spread across her cheeks.

close to a man, Noella held her breath, about to

his voice low and tinged with barely–contained delight and allure, thick with

followed Palmer’s nod towards a booth.

crossed paths with Thorpe and knew his

to any onlooker might have

be surprised if there are more drug

aback – how did she figure out Thorpe and Toxic Monarch’s headcount in

little hard for

but we gotta play it cool to keep Toxic Monarch and Thorpe from spotting

was like, talk about

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