Page 13 of Rockwell Academy: The Twist

“I’ve missed her so much. Nobody gets me off like Jenna can.”

I hate hearing him speak of her because Jenna Sloane feeds him drugs and sex as a lethal drug to scramble his mind. Jesse is full on in lust with her and addicted to their situation and it will be up to me to break his habit.

It doesn’t take long before a text comes through and his broad smile tells me she’s intent on carrying on where they left off.

Jesse stands and rakes his fingers through his hair. “Gotta go.”

“Where?” Santi glances his way in surprise, and Jesse taps the side of his nose and grins. “Secrets and sex. The best combination there is. Don’t wait up guys, I have a lot of ground to make up.”

As he springs off the veranda, I watch him go with a thoughtful expression, and Ali’s dark tone matches my mood perfectly. “We should look out for him.”

I’m surprised because as far as I can tell, I’m the only one who is aware of Jesse’s problem, and my gaze swings to Ali along with a question. “Why?”

Ali leans in. “Word is he’s tight with Jenna Sloane.”

“Who told you that?”

This concerns because if Ali knows, it’s probable the whole of Rockwell knows which could spell trouble for Jesse and mess with my plans.

“Jesse told me.”

“He did?”

I’m amazed at that, and Ali grins. “Not in so many words, but I saw a text come through when his phone was left abandoned. It was from her and the picture accompanying it spoke a thousand words.”

“Fuck, what was it?” Santi leans forward, desperate for information.

“It was a work of art, obviously.” Ali smirks. “Let’s just say life drawing may be on the curriculum this semester and she was demonstrating that.”

“No way.” Santi shakes his head and my eyes collide with Jack’s and it’s obvious he shares my concern.

We are distracted when somebody joins us and I stare with interest as Luca slips into Jesse’s vacant seat.

“Sorry to interrupt guys, it’s getting a little lonely in there.”

Jack smiles his welcome.

“How is your room?”

“Good thanks.”

Luca catches the beer Jack throws at him and settles back in his seat, his gaze scanning the group before resting on me.

“Tell me how things work around here.”

“In what way?”

I’m not about to spill the secrets of Rockwell to this guy, who I don’t trust at all, and he shrugs. “I heard someone mention a challenge and I’m interested.”

“You must be talking about The Claiming.”

Santi answers for me and Luca nods, his gaze swinging Santi’s way.

“That’s what I heard.”

“From who?”

I’m surprised because Luca recently arrived and merely walked from the Principal’s office to our house, so I’m not sure where his information comes from.

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