Behind the Lies (Montgomery Justice #2)(38)

Zach bounded up and put his hands around her throat. “What are the three areas?”

“Eyes, throat, groin,” she repeated.

“If you hesitate, you die.”

She nodded.

“Push your hands between his arms. Stick him in the eye with anything sharp. A pin, a stick, but visualize it going to the back of his head. Don’t hold back. Blind him.” Zach took one hand in his and folded her fingers at the second knuckle. “Make the attack surface small. He’s less likely to block you. Shove your knuckles at his Adam’s apple as if you’re punching straight through his neck. Put all your body weight behind it. You’ll break his larynx. He won’t be able to breathe. If he can’t breathe, he’s dead. That’s your death blow. There’s no halfway.”

She closed her eyes. No halfway. Could she do this?

His warm hand cupped hers and showed her the move, past his neck, even with the back of his throat. “Lean forward. Feel it?”

“My weight follows my arm.”

“Exactly.”

“If you go for his balls, you won’t kill him, but he’ll wish you had. At your size, the target should be within easy reach. Grab as much tissue as you can, then squeeze, twist and tear with everything you’ve got.” He twisted his wrist, mimicking his words. “Say it.”

“Grab, twist, tear.” She wrinkled her nose at the gruesome image.

“How do you think I feel? But don’t consider the damage. It’s him or you. Pull the rocks off him. No hesitation. Even through clothes you’ll hurt him. I guarantee he’ll fall to his knees.”

He lowered her hand to his groin. She didn’t even have to bend her knees to reach the vulnerable part of his body. Her hand brushed against him. His body quivered. Zach sucked in a breath.

She dropped her hand and stepped back.

Zach stared her down, his face unreadable. “Like I said, it’s a tender spot. Do it again.”

“What?” she squeaked.

He winked at her. “While I’d love to have you explore me to your heart’s content, we both know that’s a bad idea. I meant, let’s try the chokehold again. Last move. Then we head to town.”

“Come at me,” she ordered.

Zach charged. He grabbed her neck.

“Mommy!”

Sam ran into the room and jumped on Zach’s leg, pummeling him. “Stop. Stop. Stop,” he screamed, crying.

Her heart broke at her son’s desperation. She’d stayed with Brad too long.

Zach knelt to the ground and grabbed Sam. “Quiet, Sam. I’m not hurting her.”

Sam shook his head back and forth, closing his eyes, shoving his fists into Zach’s chest.

Jenna put her hand on Sam’s back. “I’m fine. Zach was helping me.”

Sam slowed his punches, then opened his eyes. “Really?”

He squinted at Zach, his look hopeful, and way too suspicious for such a little guy. Jenna swallowed down the regret.

“Your mommy needs to know how to fight off bad guys, don’t you think?”

“Like the Dark Avenger.” Sam bit his lip. “Yes, but so do I.”

Jenna opened her mouth to protest. Zach shut her down with one look. “You want to be a Junior Avenger?”

“Please.” Sam nodded his head so hard he could very well have shaken it off.

Zach straightened. “Stand in the middle of the mat.”

Her son did and looked expectantly at Zach.

“If a bad guy comes after you, Sam, there’s one place that you can hit him that will really, really hurt.”

“Where?”

“Before I tell you, you have to promise me something. Deal?”

“I promise.” He crossed his heart.

“If someone tries to hurt you or your mommy,” Zach said, his voice serious, “you need to run away.”

“I won’t leave Mommy.”

“Until you’re a grown-up, you need to find someone bigger to help, Sam. Someone you trust.”

“Like you, Dark Avenger.”

Zach ruffled Sam’s hair. “Like the Dark Avenger.” Zach planted his feet in front of her son. “If the bad guy comes at you, and you can’t run, don’t wait. Hit him really hard before he can even grab you, but not on his leg.” Zach pointed between his legs. “Right here. As—”

Sam reached out and slugged Zach.

“Humph.” Zach’s face paled, and he bent over and cupped his groin.

“Like that?” Sam asked.

Jenna winced and squeezed her legs together in empathy. With eyes full of pain, Zach reached out for a high-five from Sam.

Who did that? Once again, he amazed her. He would make a wonderful father.

“Exactly like that,” he coughed. “Good job. What do you do next?” he said, his voice breathless.

“Run away,” Sam said, chest stuck out with pride.

“And go for help,” Zach added.

Sam whirled around. “See, Mommy, I did it. I’m a Junior Avenger.” He ran to her and threw his arms around her.

“Good job, baby.” Jenna kissed his hair then met Zach’s gaze. “You all right?” she mouthed.

“I’ll live.” The words came out slowly with a whoosh of air. He straightened, adjusted himself, then shook his head at Jenna. “Your son certainly knows how to ruin a mood.”