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

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

Imperial West Hospital was pretty decent too; might

the CEO’s

a wrinkle to be seen on his shirt,

“Mr. Schnabel, we’ve dug up everything on

“Let’s hear it.”

paid out. Last year, she got a measly five hundred for the whole year, nearly had

the Lamberts, grew up with Noella. She pulls in five grand monthly, raked in thirty thou last year, mostly under–the–table cash from

the rage

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

all orchestrated by the Lamberts. They were hoping

assistant was shaking

rotten bunch!

pen in Beckett’s grip

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

the epitome of composure and refinement; his assistant had

you at the bar tonight

lips curving

2/5

12:22

I’ll be right over.”

“Got it.”

At the bar.

the bar was a blaze of flashing lights with thundering music that rattled the senses and soul.

stepped in than she felt a few deliberate bumps

close, his towering frame casting a protective shadow over her.

with

with Palmer’s icy

her face pressed against his shirt, she noticed he seemed to be wearing a sandalwood–like cologne, subtle, filling her senses,

Noella held her breath, about to step back when Palmer’s hand

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

stiffening as she followed Palmer’s nod towards a booth. And sure enough, there

crossed paths with Thorpe and knew his mug.

pat, which to any onlooker might have seemed

and the Toxic Monarch’s got over fifty goons with. him. Wouldn’t be surprised if there are more drug lords lurking

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

smelled good, making it a little hard for him to let

cool to keep Toxic Monarch and

like, talk about

3/5