Too Young (The Jewel Project #1)

Chapter 17.1 -The New Plan

Chapter seventeen

The new plan

Jimmy tugged at the bandage around his head. Leave it to Jerry to turn him into a mummy because of a few superficial cuts. It was Kyle who'd received a deep, nasty cut to his left forearm, but Jerry didn't look at that. Tina patched Kyle up instead.

As he walked towards Gina's ex-tent, he tried unraveling the bandages around his arms. It was time for potential-backup girl to get up. Sam wanted to question her, Jerry wanted to leave her tied to a tree somewhere, before she got them into more trouble, Kyle wanted to congratulate her for the fight she put up and he strangely wanted to apologize for knocking her out.

Jimmy entered the tent and jumped back. Orange-curly-haired-girl stood in the doorway. She stepped back too, raising her fists in front of her torso. Out of reflex, Jimmy mirrored her stance. He had no idea if he had forgotten, but she looked even more beautiful than before.

"What happened to you?" she asked warily. She straightened and raised her eyebrows. "Are you checking me out?"

"No." That was exactly what he was doing. "I'm fine. Jerry's just weird that way."

"For a moment there, I thought I did the damage." She twitched her nose.

Jimmy straightened too, watching her curiously. Maybe it was her hair color, maybe her adorable face or her perfectly proportioned body, but for some reason, he couldn't take his eyes off her. Come on, it's not like you haven't seen hot girls before.

"I'm Jessica." She reached out her hand, scaring him half to death.

"I'm Jimmy." He took her hand, but forgot to shake.

She pulled her hand away, her eyes narrowing the tiniest bit. "I know. I heard what Sam said to you. And I have a good memory for names."

"Obviously." He tried to sound casual, but his face got hotter as the mental image Sam had planted was back with a vengeance.

"Um, aren't you going to ask me what I'm doing here or...?" She hesitated. "Honestly, I expected more out of you. I've met Snitch Gravel and I'm not sure the scales are in your favor."

"You're just saying that because of the bandages," Jimmy mumbled, fumbling with them. "You already said you're backup, remember?"

"Well, I am. But you're saying that as if it's a bad thing."

Jimmy stopped unwrapping his bindings. She could be another traitor. Her record so far was against her. "Of course it's not a bad thing. More backup is always welcome. Let's go find the rest of the team." He stepped out before she could argue.

Jessica followed, jogging to catch up. "There won't be more backup. Harry and I were the last of the team. Snitch Gravel still has him. That's how he got me to fight you in the first place."

Jimmy stopped in his tracks and Jessica ran past him. "There were two of you?"

She turned around. "Yes. I don't think the agency sent anyone alone. I know they're bloody morons for sending us so late, but—" She winced as Jimmy grabbed her arm and pulled her against him.

"The last two?" He'd been certain she was a spy, but what she said fitted with what Billy said. She could be telling the truth.

Jessica placed her hand on his chest, over his heart. "You're having a panic attack!"

"Wait, what? No I'm not," Jimmy said, letting her go.

She grabbed his wrists and tried taking his pulse through the bandages, but groaned and gave up. Instead, she placed her ear on his chest again, listening to his heartbeat.