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

just mentioned Thorpe

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

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

sharp business suit, stood by respectfully. “Mr. Schnabel, we’ve dug up everything on Noella’s

“Let’s hear it.”

capped at two hundred a month. often not even paid out.

Lamberts, grew up with Noella. She pulls in five grand monthly, raked in thirty thou last year, mostly under–the–table cash from Belinda.”

contain the rage bubbling inside and said, “Go

from the Rosenberg family of Tranquility City. 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.

They were hoping to sell her off to some hillbilly backwater,

shaking in

a rotten bunch!

in Beckett’s grip snapped clean in

were just nice to my

epitome of composure and refinement; his assistant had never seen him

meet you at the bar tonight for a business

scoffed, his thin lips curving into

2/5

12:22

Mr. Tobin 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 senses and

in

and pulled her close, his towering

with

faced with Palmer’s icy

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

close to a man, Noella held her breath, about to step back

low and

stiffening as she followed Palmer’s nod towards a booth. And sure

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

back a reassuring pat, which to any onlooker might have seemed like 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 quick. headcount of the crowd.

out Thorpe

making it a little hard

intrusion, but we gotta play it cool to keep Toxic Monarch and Thorpe from