The Killer Queen by Noella Briony

Chapter 17

The van jostled along, heading out of the city.

Noella noticed they were headed towards Imperial West Hospital, and thought, “Well, ain’t that a stroke of luck! These goons are giving me a free ride.”

“Who sent you?” she demanded.

The kidnapper let out a sleazy chuckle, his face full of creep.

“Listen, girlie, we ain’t lookin‘ to harm ya, but you had to go and get greedy, eyeing stuff that ain’t yours.” he taunted.

“We’ll just dump ya in some mountain area, and don’t you worry, you won’t be seeing the light of day again! Lucky for you, you’re easy on the eyes. That pretty face of yours could bring in a good chunk of change up in the hills. Pop out a few chunky kids, and you’re golden.”

Noella swiftly reached for the small knife tucked at her waist and conked out a few of the kidnappers, then pressed the blade against the driver’s neck.

“Who sent you? My patience is wearing thin.”

The driver, shaking like a leaf and gripping the steering wheel, stammered out, “Oh please, have mercy! We’re just hired guns! It was Belinda! She forked over a cool hundred grand for us to whisk you away and sell you off in some mountain dump!”

Belinda hadn’t said that Noella could fight!

With a nonchalant “Drive to Imperial West Hospital,” Noella might as well have been the Grim Reaper sharpening his scythe. The driver nearly lit the steering wheel on fire getting her there.

As soon as Noella got out, she shouted at the guards at the door, “They kidnapped me!”

The guards had seen her coming and going from Imperial West Hospital and knew her as the pretty granddaughter of the Schnabel family who was also a chess whiz.

The hospital guards were special forces soldiers pulled from the ranks for duty. They were used to standing guard.

Hearing Noella’s cry for help, the special forces guys stepped up and quickly subdued the bad

guys.

“Thanks,” said Noella.

“Don’t mention it, Miss. Get inside. Mr. Marcel has been fussing over you for ages. We’ve got this!”

They all thought highly of Noella, a real looker who was polite and smart to boot–a true Schnabel family gem.

No sooner had Noella stepped into the ward than she heard Marcel’s robust voice, “Where’s my

13:13

say she was on her

did you take your medicine

lit up at the sight

darling. Tavian from building three is

that Noella knew Marcel was dodging the subject

over the daily meds to Marcel and

Grandpa. Be good.”

and pulled a face. “Disgusting! Why are

morning and

to worry Marcel she kept mum about the kidnapping ordeal. She could handle. Belinda’s

bore? Shopping’s fine. My granddaughter ought to dress to the nines. I’ll

Thanks, Grandpa.”

another ward. “Come on, let’s go play some chess!”

all the time. This time he was determined to turn the

games, Marcel’s face was beaming with smiles, Heh, his granddaughter was

second–in–command of Harmonia Country, looked on with admiration. Judging the player by the play, Marcel’s granddaughter was a real

if you ever run into trouble, come to Tavian. I’ll

it. “Who needs your big talk?

or not. My word carries more weight.” said Tavian.

you old fossil! Noella, go play. I’ve got to settle a score with this geezer!”

and bowed to Tavian

She sensed the presence of an assassin. It

pulling out her

Schnabel

the door, flinging herself at Sienna

bad news!! saw

can crashing to the ground

are you talking about?”

out of the study with the four Schnabel sons

country to buy Noella a castle in when Yvonne’s panicked.

on

you call us? Why didn’t you call the police

I ran home to tell Mom and Dad.” Yvonne sobbed, displaying her cracked phone and

a nice meal, and a full–blown skin pampering

his phone

said, “You’re only telling us about something that went down at three in the afternoon? What the