Chapter 116
They could hear something up ahead.
It sounded like rushing water.
"People, be aware. It narrows, and we have no clue how high up we are." Miguel pointed out the obvious. “Acardi, single file behind Miller.”
It grated, following. But he was still going in blind. Miller and Miguel were his strongest chance of getting to Madison before Newcomb hurt her even more than whatever he had done to her by now.
The thought that Madison could already be in the water terrified him.
But he just kept going.
Then they entered a small cavern, and the sound of people moving around ahead had him stopping.
He had no choice.
Miguel had stopped in front of him.
"Acardi, stick with Miller. Watch yourselves. It's not stable here, and we do have open shafts, people. Miller, left side, hug walls, people. But be careful. Ore chutes are along that wall there. Be ready to act on my call."
Dom almost said something to confirm.
That's when he heard it.
Someone yelling.
Telling someone he was a no-good sleaze, who deserved to be eaten alive by cockroaches. Feasted on by worms. Fed to the cavefish. Ripped to fucking pieces.
A woman’s voice.
He would recognize his little shrew anywhere.
Relief went through him, for just a moment.
Even in the pitch-black darkness underground.
She was yelling.
Cursing.
She didn’t sound hurt. Madison sounded pissed off. He had heard that same tone from her at a lot less volume thousands of times now.
Usually directed at him for something.
Damn it, he adored that woman.
Nothing had ever sounded better to him.
Until he heard the sound of falling rocks.
"There. Up ahead. I see two on thermal,” Miguel said. “One is definitely smaller. But not by much. We may have a problem. Acardi, you and I aren't going to fit. Unless we can turn and hug the walls, but I don't know what we're going to face going in."
"Madison and Newcomb fit," Miller said. She was so close to where Dom stood the knit hat she wore brushed his chin. "I'll fit. I'm right between the two of them in size."
"That might be our only option. Remember the plan. Take him down without firing.”
As soon as Dom had her safe, he was going to tear that bastard to shreds and leave him down here to rot. It was better than what Newcomb deserved.
“Everybody hold now,” Miller said, harshly. “We have incoming. And I think she’s in front. Nobody move or make a sound.”
Dom froze.