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

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

might be worth getting Vocalist checked out when they get

Group, the

grand desk, not a wrinkle to be seen on his shirt, his chiseled features exuding a warm elegance, every move demonstrating the polse of high society.

a sharp business suit, stood by respectfully. “Mr. Schnabel, we’ve

“Let’s hear it.”

with the Lamberts. Her pocket money was capped at two hundred a month. often not even paid out. Last year, she got a measly

current darling of the Lamberts, grew up with Noella. She pulls in five grand monthly, raked in thirty thou

contain the

But the Rosenberg heir’s a player. The Lamberts wanted Briony to marry into the Rosenbergs. so they kicked Noella to the curb. When the old Mr. Schnabel sent

nabbed – all orchestrated by the Lamberts. They were hoping to sell her off to some hillbilly

the assistant was shaking in his

rotten bunch!

in Beckett’s grip snapped clean in

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

of composure and refinement; his assistant

from H&Y Corporation wants to meet you at the bar tonight for a business talk,

curving into a

2/5

12:22

Tobin I’ll be

“Got it.”

At the bar.

a blaze of flashing lights with thundering music that rattled the senses and

floor was packed. No sooner had Noella stepped in than she

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

with

Palmer’s icy demeanor, Instinctively

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 to spread

this close to a man, Noella held her breath, about to step back when Palmer’s hand

her ear, his voice low and tinged with barely–contained delight and

cheeks flushed even redder, her back stiffening as she followed Palmer’s nod towards a booth. And

his

Noella’s slender back a reassuring pat, which to any onlooker might have seemed

a posse 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

Thorpe and Toxic Monarch’s headcount in just a split

good, making it a little hard

cool to keep Toxic Monarch and Thorpe from spotting us.”

talk about an unnecessary cover–up!

3/5