"Not for me." Doug's finger tightened on the trigger.
My muscles coiled, ready to shove Charlie out of the way, and charge at the stupid bastard.
"Stop!" Charlie's shout echoed off the cave walls. "Just... wait."
Doug's attention snapped to her.
"When we get out of this cave and get back to civilization, we can figure out what to do with the jewels then. Together."
"You think I'm stupid?" Doug released a bitter laugh. "You'll call the cops."
"No," Charlie said. "We won't. I promise."
"Your promises don't mean shit."
"You want the jewels?" I asked. "You can have them when you lower the damn gun."
"I'm not an idiot," he yelled so loudly the tendons in his neck bulged.
"Doug." Charlie raised her hands, trying to calm him. "The storm isn't over, and the cave could still flood, remember? You want to navigate these caves alone in the dark?"
Doug's gaze shot to the tunnel we'd come through. Water still echoed from somewhere beyond.
Charlie pressed on. "We need each other to get out of here. All three of us. So, let's just get through the night. Please."
The rifle wavered.
I stayed perfectly still, barely breathing.
Every instinct screamed at me to go for the gun now, before things got worse.
But Charlie's eyes pleaded with me to back down.
Chapter 13
Mitch
* * *
“Put down the gun, Doug,” Charlie begged.
“I will,” he said hoarsely. “But I'm keeping the rifle. And give me the fucking jewels."
"Take them." I threw the pouch at his feet, like feeding a rabid dog.
Doug snatched the pouch, pressing it to his chest with one hand while the other kept the rifle steady. "Asshole," he spat, retreating to the opposite wall, his finger hovering too close to the trigger.
Charlie moved closer to me, her shoulder brushing mine. "Jesus, I can't believe Doug's doing this," she whispered.
"Makes two of us. You okay?"
"I will be when we get out of here."
I nodded. We both would. But it’s going to be a damn long night.
The three of us sat in an uneasy silence. Doug was against the far wall, the rifle across his lap, the jewel pouch rolling between his fingers. His gaze was wild with paranoia and never left us.
Charlie sat beside me, close enough that her arm trembled against mine.