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.

1/5

12:22

missions or what? She’d just mentioned Thorpe and Toxic Monarch joining forces to wipe them out, and he’s still grinning?

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

Group, the CEO’s

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

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

“Let’s hear it.”

two hundred a month. often not even paid out. Last year, she got a measly five hundred for the

of the Lamberts, grew up with Noella. She pulls in five grand monthly, raked in thirty thou last year, mostly

contain the rage

player. The Lamberts wanted Briony to marry into the Rosenbergs. so they

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

was shaking

rotten bunch!

pen in Beckett’s grip snapped clean in

were just nice to my sis, even if they were broke. But to torment her like

was usually the epitome of composure and refinement; his assistant had never seen

the bar tonight for a business talk, and that Milford will be

scoffed, his thin lips curving into a scornful

2/5

12:22

I’ll be

“Got it.”

At the bar.

the biggest watering hole in all of Imperial City, the bar was a blaze of flashing lights with thundering music that

Noella stepped in than she felt a few deliberate bumps

his towering frame casting a protective

with me.”

faced with Palmer’s

in Palmer’s embrace, her face pressed against his shirt, she noticed he seemed to be wearing a sandalwood–like cologne, subtle, filling her senses, and causing a slight warmth

her breath, about

there.” He leaned in close to her ear, his voice low and tinged with barely–contained delight and allure, thick with a magnetic

her back stiffening as she followed Palmer’s nod towards a booth. And sure

his

to any onlooker might have

hitmen, and the Toxic Monarch’s got over fifty goons with. him. Wouldn’t be surprised

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

smelled good, making it a little hard for him

for the intrusion, but we gotta play it cool to keep Toxic Monarch

talk about an

3/5