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

missions or what? She’d just mentioned Thorpe and Toxic Monarch joining forces

neurology department at Imperial West Hospital was pretty decent too; might be worth getting Vocalist checked out when

Glory Group, the

sulted and booted, sat behind his 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

respectfully. “Mr. Schnabel, we’ve dug up everything on

“Let’s hear it.”

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

Noella. She pulls in five grand monthly, raked in thirty

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

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

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

assistant was shaking in his boots.

rotten bunch!

grip snapped clean in

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

and refinement; his assistant had never seen him so angry.

Schnabel, Mr. Tobin from H&Y Corporation wants to meet you at the bar tonight for a business talk, and that

lips curving into a scornful smirk.

2/5

12:22

Tobin I’ll be right over.”

“Got it.”

At the bar.

all of Imperial City, the bar was a blaze of flashing lights with thundering music

No sooner had Noella stepped in

hand and pulled her close, his towering frame casting a protective shadow over her.

with me.”

Palmer’s icy

in Palmer’s embrace, her 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 across her cheeks.

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

there.” He leaned in close to her ear, his voice low and tinged with

she followed Palmer’s nod towards a booth.

back, Noella had crossed paths with Thorpe and knew his mug. The unfamiliar guy sharing his

a reassuring pat, which to any onlooker might have seemed like a cozy embrace

with. him. Wouldn’t be surprised if there are more drug

she figure out Thorpe and Toxic Monarch’s headcount in just

making it a little hard for him to let go.

for the intrusion, but we gotta play it cool to keep Toxic Monarch