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 and Toxic Monarch joining forces to wipe them out, and

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

Group, the

desk, not a wrinkle to be seen on his shirt, his chiseled

by respectfully. “Mr. Schnabel, we’ve dug up everything on Noella’s time

“Let’s hear it.”

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

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

struggling to contain the

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. Schnabel sent folks to get her, they faced nothing but insults.”

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

assistant was shaking in

rotten

grip snapped clean in

they were just nice to my sis,

the epitome of composure and refinement; his assistant

meet you at the bar tonight for a business talk, and that Milford will be there too.”

curving into a scornful smirk.

2/5

12:22

Mr. Tobin I’ll be right

“Got it.”

At the bar.

was a blaze of flashing lights with thundering music that rattled the

had Noella stepped in than she felt a few

pulled her close, his towering

she’s with

with Palmer’s icy demeanor, Instinctively stepped

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

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

ear, his voice low and tinged with barely–contained delight and allure,

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

crossed 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

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.

– how did she figure out Thorpe and Toxic Monarch’s headcount

a little hard for him to let go.

we gotta play it cool to