A second scream followed the first.
Bianca's cry was almost animal, doubling over, clutching her stomach, curling into a heap on the floor. "AH! Isla, you b***h!"
In that split second, Isla had made her choice.
She'd struck fast a shallow strike to the hostage's shoulder, twisting the blade as she pulled it free, just enough to break his usefulness without going further than necessary.
He crumpled, clutching his shoulder, all his earlier bulk suddenly meaningless.
Blood splattered across Isla's face as she moved the same motion deflecting the pipe swinging toward her head. In the same breath, she kicked out with her good leg, catching Bianca and sending her sprawling.
Everyone loses something in this exchange.
The bald man and his remaining three men surged forward, then froze at th
