Too Young (The Jewel Project #1)

Chapter 16 - Fake

Chapter sixteen

Fake

Jimmy clenched and unclenched his fists. Why was he so nervous? It was nothing but a fight, something he'd done so many times before. And this time it was even possible to get an unskilled adversary. He could do this. It's just another competition. And first price was staying alive. Maybe.

But he couldn't stop the shiver going down his spine when Snitch Gravel walked towards them surrounded by his goons. He tried to count the men, but gave up. It wouldn't improve his state of mind to know exactly how outnumbered they were.

"He's right on time," Sam mumbled on Jimmy's right.

Jimmy gritted his teeth. "Whoopee."

"Good day to you, brats," Snitch Gravel said. With a flick of the wrist he dispatched his men. They rushed away obediently, forming a large circle around what would be the battlefield. Five men remained by Snitch Gravel's side.

Sam imitated his movement. Only Jerry, Jimmy and Sam didn't move from their position. The others mingled with Snitch Gravel's men.

"How many?" Jimmy whispered, leaning towards Jerry.

"Thirty-one, I think. Including Snitch Gravel and Von Crooken. So I guess twenty-nine actual fighters."

Jimmy's muscles relaxed. "That's not too bad." Yeah, just a three-to-one average.

"You're forgetting that four of us can't fight," Jerry said, still sounding worried.

"Did you count yourself?"

Jerry sighed. "Okay, five of us can't fight."

Sam was terrible and he wouldn't count Angie either, though she tried her best. Trying to distract himself from bleak calculations, Jimmy scanned the crowd around Snitch Gravel, wondering which one of them would be his opponent. He doubted it would be Von Crooken or Eye Patch so that left three random men.

"So, one of you three will be doing the fighting?" Snitch Gravel asked as if they were on a picnic, trying to decide on Hors d'œuvres.

"Yep," Sam said, giving Jimmy a nudge forward.

"Why am I not surprised?" Snitch Gravel clapped his hands. "Very well, then. Let's get this on."

"Wait a minute!" Sam raised one hand. "First, I want your men to lay their guns down near that tree." He pointed to a tree at the edge of the fighting ring. "Then, I want to see the ruby."

Snitch Gravel looked at Sam through narrowed eyes. He searched the inner pocket of his jacket and took out the ruby. "See? I have it." He then waved his hands and his men formed a neat line to leave their guns.

Jimmy had to admire their discipline.

Sam stepped away from Jimmy, next to a big boulder. "Put the ruby here." He patted the rock's surface.

Snitch Gravel seemed a bit annoyed, but he put the ruby on the rock nonetheless. He and Sam both returned to their groups. Snitch Gravel turned his attention back to Jimmy and rubbed his hands.

"Now that procedure is out of the way, I'm guessing you're anxious to meet your opponent."

Jimmy nodded curtly, clenching his fists again. Okay, this was it.

"What do you mean Billy's getting the rifles?" Jerry whispered angrily behind Jimmy's back. "He could drop them and blow the whole plan."

"I don't know why you don't trust Billy. He's not that much of a klutz," Sam answered.