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

Thorpe and Toxic Monarch joining forces to wipe them out,

Imperial West Hospital was pretty decent too; might be worth getting Vocalist checked out when they get the

Group, the CEO’s office.

booted, sat behind his grand desk, not a wrinkle to be seen on his shirt, his chiseled

assistant, dressed in a sharp business suit, stood by respectfully. “Mr. Schnabel,

“Let’s hear it.”

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

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

his brow, struggling to contain the rage bubbling inside and said,

up, the big shot Milford from the Rosenberg family of Tranquility City. But the Rosenberg heir’s a player. The Lamberts wanted Briony to marry into the Rosenbergs.

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

was shaking in his boots.

a rotten bunch!

Beckett’s grip snapped clean in

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 that!”

of composure and refinement; his

wants to meet you at the bar tonight for a business talk,

thin lips curving into

2/5

12:22

I’ll

“Got it.”

At the bar.

watering hole in all of Imperial City, the bar was a blaze of flashing lights with thundering music that rattled the

No sooner had Noella stepped in than she felt a few deliberate bumps against

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

she’s with

with Palmer’s icy demeanor, Instinctively stepped

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

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

his voice low and tinged with barely–contained

flushed even redder, her back stiffening as she followed Palmer’s nod towards a booth. And sure enough, there was Thorpe,

paths with Thorpe and knew his mug. The unfamiliar guy sharing his booth must be the

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

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

how did she figure out Thorpe and Toxic Monarch’s

it a little hard for

for the intrusion, but we gotta play it cool