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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12:22

Vocalist hit in the head during some missions or what? She’d just mentioned Thorpe and Toxic Monarch joining forces to wipe them out, and

pretty decent too; might be worth getting Vocalist

the

wrinkle to be seen on his shirt,

in a sharp business suit, stood by respectfully. “Mr. Schnabel, we’ve dug up everything on Noella’s time with the

“Let’s hear it.”

rough with the Lamberts. Her pocket money was 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 to fork out

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

the rage bubbling

player. The Lamberts wanted Briony to marry into the Rosenbergs. so they kicked Noella to the curb. When the old Mr.

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

assistant was shaking in his boots.

a rotten bunch!

pen in Beckett’s grip

just great! Those damned Lamberts! It would’ve been okay if they were just nice to my sis, even if they were broke. But to torment her like

usually the epitome of composure and refinement; his assistant

you at the bar tonight for a

curving

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12:22

Tobin I’ll be right over.”

“Got it.”

At the bar.

the bar was a blaze of

floor was packed. No sooner had Noella stepped in than she felt a few deliberate

grabbed Noella’s hand and pulled her close, his towering

with

flirts, faced with Palmer’s

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

Noella held her breath, about to step back when Palmer’s hand pressed against her spine.

voice low and tinged with

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

Thorpe and knew his mug. The unfamiliar

to any onlooker might have seemed like a cozy

of thirty hitmen, and the Toxic Monarch’s got over fifty goons with. him. Wouldn’t be surprised if there are more drug lords lurking around here.” Noella did a quick. headcount of the crowd.

– how did she figure out Thorpe

smelled good, making it a little

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

like, talk about

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