Suddenly a rock flew through the air to slam into the big man's cheek and he sucked in a surprised breath at the pain as another, bigger stone sailed down at them from the damp darkness.
"Damn! It's me!"
The rock barrage stopped and a woman's indignant voice called down to them, "Shoulda said something!"
The big man grunted, rubbing his arm where the second rock had hit. "Jealous, I think. Seen your woman in action."
Marc agreed: Angie was a tough act to follow.
"Come on, Lenore! Did I save 'em from the wolves to feed 'em to the rats? "
There was no sound from above them, and Angela was unable to keep from grinning at the sigh of long-suffering the big man let out.
"Definitely jealous."
"I am not! The rope's kinked up again. Hang on!"
Eyes, round and gleaming in the darkness, appeared in the deeper shadows around them.
Angela's gasp was followed by the man's urgent voice, "Now, woman! They're comin'!"
The trap door slid open and a rope ladder dropped on top of the man's head.
"'Bout damn time. Here!" He grabbed Angela's black sweater and lifted her onto the ladder in one effortless move. As she started to climb, his big hands settled firmly on her ass, shoving, squeezing, caressing.
Angela jerked herself up and out of his reach, her .357 in hand a second later, pointed at his head. "You ever touch me again, your Missus will use your balls for bait!"
The man stopped halfway through the opening, glaring at her.
"Angie," Marc's tone was patient, resigned.
"What?" she snapped, backing up.
"There's a rat about a foot long trying to eat my boot. Let him through."
Angela felt the rage clear from her eyes and reholstered her weapon as she turned to look at the only other person in the big, cluttered kitchen of what was probably a one floor, ranch style home - Lenore.
Dressed in a stained white shirt and an enormous pair of farmer's overalls with the pockets ripped off, the large woman was smirking at her man. A grand beehive of black and white hair hung in every direction like a bad wig and the long, jagged scars on her face and arms told Angela she had fought beside him to protect what was theirs.
"I'm Missus Lenore Codd."
Angela held out a hand to the giantess, the name ringing a faint bell. Wasn't there a fairy tale based on the life of a giant by that name? "Angela. Angie. I hope we won't be a bother to you."