Her fist slammed into his mouth with painful impact -- he felt his lip split and blood paint her knuckles and his chin. He was almost surprised -- almost impressed. Almost. Her tenacity was endearing.

Baring his teeth, lower row stained pink, and removed his hand from her throat to grab her bad arm again, wanting to inflict all the pain he could. He could care less if he shattered the bone or made it useless. He drew her away from the window, slamming her back against it, bad arm first.