Too Young (The Jewel Project #1)

Chapter 10.3 - Backup

Sam shuddered as Eye Patch dragged Carlos out of the pile and forced him to the ground. This couldn't be happening! He stared at Snitch Gravel intently, trying to determine him to tell Eye Patch to quit showing off and put Carlos back. Or better yet, let him go.

Snitch Gravel held his gaze, a defiant smile stretching across his face. And at that moment, Sam knew that he wasn't going to stop Eye Patch.

Carlos raised his head with dignity even if he was on his knees, his wrists tied behind his back.

"Don't do this," Kyle said. "He has absolutely nothing to do with this. He has a family to go back to."

"Perfect." Snitch Gravel didn't take his eyes off Sam. "Then this will be a great lesson for you. Life is violent, life's not fair."

Sam's stomach squirmed and bile rose to his mouth. He wished he could shut his eyes, close his ears and magically free Carlos. He actually wished he could take it upon himself. "Kill me instead," his mouth said.

"Oh, no. You will learn nothing that way."

Sam glared at Snitch Gravel, holding the gaze of this cold-blooded murderer. Maybe, if he didn't blink long enough, Eye Patch wouldn't shoot Carlos after all. His heart was thumping so hard, it was a wonder Snitch Gravel couldn't see it through his chest. His eyes became watery from not blinking for too long. Snitch Gravel appeared to have noticed this and grinned. He raised his arm and lowered it almost immediately.

The sound of the unloading gun made Sam flinch. He shut his eyes and lowered his head, his fists clenched, his pulse racing. This couldn't be happening. He could hear the girls crying, cursing, shuffling of feet, could feel the rope straining, but he couldn't move. He didn't want to open his eyes to this new world.

"I hope you didn't wet yourself."

Snitch Gravel's mocking voice broke through and Sam's eyes shot open, narrowed with hatred.

"You sick bastard! He was a good man! He had nothing to do with this!"

"If you think about it, neither do you. I'm doing all this because of your miserable father. But that won't stop me killing you," Snitch Gravel replied, all mockery and amusement gone from his voice.

Sam stared at him for a second and then lunged towards him. The rope didn't let him move, and for the first time Sam wished he could attack. He felt able to tear Snitch Gravel apart with his bare hands.

"I think we've had enough fun with them." Snitch Gravel raised his arm again and Sam focused on Eye Patch, to see what his boss wanted. Eye Patch didn't move. He was pointing his rifle at Jimmy again, Carlos' body bleeding at his feet. Sam was grateful that he couldn't see the guide's head. Or what was left of it. Eye Patch's clothes had blood splatters all over them

Three men headed towards Snitch Gravel. As they passed Kyle, he kicked the legs from under the first in line. The others tumbled over one another.

Von Crooken pointed his pistol at Kyle and Kay. "They should go first. He's too much trouble."

"Just try and touch me, asshole," Kyle said between his teeth.

Von Crooken stared him down. Two men came behind Kyle, grabbed Kay, and dragged her towards the edge of the cliff. Kay sunk her heels in the ground and tried to twist out of the men's grips, mumbling curses under her breath.

"You mistake of nature, your fight's with me!" Kyle yelled, getting to his knees.

"I know. That's why it's your little girlfriend that's getting killed," Von Crook said, rubbing his hands. "Throw her in!"