Brenda jerks back not quite fast enough, not even having time to shriek before his hand is around her throat and squeezing inward. His voice is Paco but oh god his eyes are NOT and adrenaline slams through her as she struggles for breath, for the dizziness to go away so she get free.

He's got her in a pinch hold, right over those major blood supplies to the brain. She remembers, far and away now, the way they both glued themselves to the discovery channel, fascinated to learn how few seconds it takes to knock someone out with a choke-hold like this.

She remembers him saying something that warranted it, what doesn't matter...

Brenda reels one fist back and clocks him in the face as hard as she can manage.