The Killer Queen by Noella Briony

Chapter 61

Noella clammed up, looking a tad awkward! She had been up to her eyeballs these days with the whole former Polaris Star mission and whipping up remedies for Grandpa Sexton. She really hadn’t had a sec to think about Palmer,

Plus, he was a grown man for crying out loud. Did he really need her fussing over him?

Palmer caught the vibe from her face and knew what was up. He let out a chuckle, low and husky from his chest, that kind of laugh that tickles your ears and you just can’t help but itch. “Ah, forget it, you heartless little thing. Just don’t forget to miss me, okay?”

“Got it.”

Palmer grinned, satisfied, swaying with her in the dance hall. The cruise ship’s party was lit up like a Christmas tree, swarming with who’s who from all over, yet they all stepped aside to give Palmer and Noella the center stage to dance!

Off to the side of the cruise, a young woman in a sharp suit was helping an old man with snow–white hair to his seat, super careful–like.

“Take it easy. Mr. Horwich, I’ll go grab you some grub.”

“No need, I’m good just sitting here.”

This old–timer was none other than Merrick Horwich, a literary legend with a rep that crossed borders, bagging every top lit award you could think of. His name weighed a ton in the literary world.

“Who’s that dancing? Looks familiar, doesn’t she?”

“No clue, but if you’re keen. I’ll go snoop around.”

Merrick shook his head, but his eyes were glued to Noella who was dancing, her green dress fluttering like a sprite, every move a piece of art, a downright masterpiece!

The more Merrick watched, the more pumped he got. He ordered his Secretary, “Invite her here. would you? I wanna know if this young lady would be up for being the muse for my new book!”

“You got it. Mr. Horwich.”

Merrick couldn’t get enough. Seeing Noella seemed to pump him full of life and youth, like a blast from the past, breaking through his writer’s block in a snap!

“Miss, Mr. Horwich would like a word. Got a moment?”

Noella, a bit taken aback, looked over at Merrick bathing in the moonlight by the window.

week? That’s her grandad! Sienna’s folks had bolted abroad for some health R&R, so they missed

12:46

Chapter 61

and, hand in hand

it’s been a

you’ve got the big bucks! I’ll take you down

a war correspondent, so you bet he’s got a

said, “Grandpa, how

Merrick was shocked.

the phone! What did this little rascal just call him?

like your mom back in the day! Good thing you didn’t take after your dad, or it’d be game over. Your brothers, especially Stirling, are as unfortunate–looking

even though Stirling’s got the spitting image of Tristan, his face is the talk of Tinseltown for all

munch on. The Pollack kid can stand; he’s probably no good, just like

Oran tried to keep a straight face, apologizing to Palmer, signaling him not to get. worked up over

miss? I’ll get

I already ate.”

all smiles, his wrinkles nearly vanishing.

name for you? Just by hearing it, I know you’re a

waved him over. “Sit down, why don’t you? Standing there like a sore thumb. Is

you, Grandpa Merrick.”

a match for his own grandpa’s, and with his engagement to

over a bit; Merrick’s

messing around and doing Noella dirty, he’d break his

what brings

“He did.”

Merrick, the view’s not half bad on the high seas. Thought I’d take Noella out for some fresh air, plus let the world

approving nod with

back. I’m sorry that I missed your birthday party. Don’t be mad,

looking well, Grandpa.

grandma’s been buried in some big

to tell his wife about bumping