Too Young (The Jewel Project #1)

Chapter 22.1 - The explosion

Chapter twenty two

The explosion

"How are the boys going to find us?" Christine moaned. "This rope's really biting my wrists."

"You actually believe Snitch Gravel didn't leave them some clues? It's them he wants to get rid of, not us." Kay's voice sounded strained, as if she was trying work her way through something.

The hut was nothing but a wooden cube with one door and a small window placed high up. Cobwebs hung from the ceiling and mounds of mold covered the floor.

"You just wait, Christine. It's going to be some heroic rescue," Alice said smugly. "I can't wait to see Jimmy burst through the door to save me." She swooned.

Alice giggled. "Hit your head hard, spy girl? There'll be no one coming to save you. Tut-tut. It's sad when no one likes you."

Jessie got to her knees. If her wrists and ankles weren't tied up, she would have lunged at Alice and socked her. She knew Alice was only trying to wind her up, but she was doing a good job.

"What is this, the roaring twenties?" Kay asked, rubbing her wrists together in an attempt to loosen the rope. "We should be getting ourselves out, not wait for the boys to do it."

"Yeah, I tried that." Christine nodded towards Kay. "It didn't work."

"You're just saying that because you don't have a guy to take care of you," Alice cooed.

Jessie stared at her dumbstruck. What the hell was Alice doing?

"You know, Kyle actually taught me how to take care of myself." Kay didn't even look at Alice, but her strained voice showed she was getting annoyed.

"Hmm, he seemed pretty determined to protect me."

Kay's eyes shot to Alice. "What are you talking about?"

"Didn't Kyle tell you that he asked me out back home? And not just once. But I didn't feel it appropriate. I was working for his father after all..."

Everyone in the hut stared at Alice with wide eyes. Well, her flawless work ethic went to hell when Jimmy showed up, didn't it? But Kyle asking Alice out seemed impossible either way.

"Kyle can't stand you," Kay said between her teeth, stating the obvious.

"Ever wondered why? It's because I rejected him so many times. But when you're not around, he's still trying to—"

Jessie watched Kay as her face became redder with each of Alice's words. She had gotten to her knees, and Jessie got the feeling she was about to throw herself at Alice. And that was not good. Besides, it was obvious as daylight that Alice was lying her skinny little ass off.

"Hey, Alice. Flirt queen," Jessie called out, distracting both Alice and Kay from their fight. "Care to explain how we ended up here? You were supposed to be on guard duty. What were you doing while Snitch Gravel's goons entered camp? Begging Jimmy for attention?"

Alice scowled, positively bearing her teeth. "You filthy little traitor! I don't have to beg anyone for attention. Unlike you, I'm a part of this group. People actually pay attention to me. And you can drool all you want over Jimmy. He couldn't care less."

"I'm not drooling over anyone, you pathetic, slobbering—" Jessie stared furiously.

"Quiet!" Tina called. "I think I can hear something outside."

They all fell quiet. A shuffling sound reached them, but it could've been the wind. Murmurs from outside reached Jessie and her heart seemed to tighten with nerves. The door handle lowered, but the door remained closed. More murmurs, then...