Extreme Exposure Read Free Page B

eyebrows, and strong jaw. Framed by longish dark hair, it was a face that said, Trust me, I’ll take care of you.
    It didn’t matter what kind of face he had. It wouldn’t help. A lump clogged her throat, making it hard to swallow.
    Go. Leave me alone.
    He said, “You can do this.”
    There was no trace of panic in those brown-black eyes or that deep voice. It was as if he had all the time in the world, as if the cold, murky water wasn’t swooshing around their legs, rising quickly as the seconds ticked by. “We’re in this together. I won’t go without you.”
    When she didn’t say anything, he added with a tight smile, “Hey, I did two tours of duty in the Middle East. If I survived that, I can survive anything. Come on.” He got up, reached a hand down to her.
    A hammer struck her heart. It was emotional blackmail, even if unintended. If she didn’t go, they’d both die. She would be responsible for the death of a war vet. How pathetic was that? Tears stung her eyes. There was no choice. And he knew it, damn him.
    A new idea surfaced, and she snatched it like a lifeline. She would climb to the high-water mark, far enough to save him. But that was it.
    Wiping away tears, she forced herself to her feet, put one hand on the side of the boat to steady herself, and grabbed his hand with the other. She wasn’t sure who she hated more at that moment: him, for forcing her, or herself for being such a coward in the first place.
    “You go first,” he said. When she shook her head, standing her ground, he said, “It’ll be better if you don’t have somebody above you. You’ll feel less closed in. Trust me.”
    Yeah, and that way you’ll make sure I go.
    Matt reached into his knapsack, pulled out a headband, and tied it on. It made him look rough, almost savage. “Once we start going, we’ll get out fast. I’ll shine the flashlight up so you can see.” He grabbed the knapsack, but left his tripod in the boat.
    The first part wasn’t a problem. The hole wasn’t straight up, but steeply pitched, and there was enough room that they could have climbed side by side. She concentrated on finding places to put her feet and hands, and then pulled herself up. Water rushing below was a reminder of the need to hurry. After several minutes, arm muscles sore, she let her legs do the work.
    The wide part ended. Ahead, the chamber veered to the left and narrowed abruptly, like an upside-down funnel. Stomach churning, she stopped, called out over her shoulder, “Why don’t we stay here? Wait for the tide to go out, and then we can climb back down.” The boat, smashing against the rocks, was barely visible in the darkness below.
    “Too risky. Those men can get in when the tide drops.” Climbing up beside her, he put a hand on her shoulder. “I’ll talk you through this. It’s not far to the top and it’s on a slope. We should be able to crawl.” He handed her the flashlight. “Push it along in front of you.”
    “You go first this time.” She wouldn’t get very far, and there wasn’t enough room for him to get past her if she stopped. He had to go first.
    He hesitated, seemed about to argue, then said, “Keep in mind that if I can get through, you’ll have no problem. You’re a lot smaller.”
    After a quick smile, Matt pushed his knapsack into the hole, crawled in. First his head disappeared, then his shoulders, torso, and legs. Soon just the soles of his boots were visible, before they too vanished.
    Her chest tight, she pulled in a deep breath, let it out, then got down onto her hands and knees to follow him.
    You can handle this. Don’t panic.
    After a while, the tunnel narrowing, she had to drop onto her belly and use her arms to pull herself along. It was no longer of any use trying to convince herself she could handle it. She couldn’t. Her heart beat so hard she wondered if this was what a heart attack felt like. Closing her eyes, she tried to slow her breathing, but the thick, putrid smell of