"Don't make me explain it."
The laugh around the mat was different this time.
Bennett heard that difference.
His expression hardened.
He attacked.
Fast.
For real now.
A left hook toward Sarah's head.
She entered instead of retreating.
Her forearm intercepted his biceps before the strike fully developed. Her right hand controlled his wrist, her left shoulder touched his chest, and her hip shifted beneath his center of gravity.
Bennett's eyes widened.
His feet left the mat.
He landed on his back.
Not violently.
Precisely.
The entire gym gasped.
Sarah released him before he could react.
She stepped away.
Bennett sat up.
His expression went blank.
That was the first crack.
Then the crowd murmured.
That became the second.
He stood too quickly.
Sarah saw his breathing change.
"Stop."
Bennett raised his gloves.
"Again."
"No."
"Again."
Sarah looked toward his squad.
"This was supposed to be all of you, wasn't it?"
Bennett flushed.
Somebody laughed.
Wrong time.
Bennett turned.
"Who was that?"
Nobody answered.
Sarah said, "Cole."
He spun back.
"What?"
"You're done."
He stared at her.
Nobody called him Cole here.
Sarah had never done it before.
The use of his first name made the sentence personal in a way rank didn't.
Bennett's jaw tightened.
He charged.
This time, Sarah didn't wait.
Her lead hand redirected his shoulder.
Her rear foot hooked behind his ankle.
She stepped through.
Bennett hit the floor again.
Before he could roll, Sarah was beside him.
One knee pinned his upper arm.
Her hands controlled the wrist and elbow.
She applied pressure.
Bennett froze.
He knew exactly what would happen if she added another inch.
His shoulder would fail.
Sarah looked down.
"Do you yield?"
Bennett stared at her.
Someone in the crowd inhaled sharply.
He didn't answer.
Sarah increased pressure almost imperceptibly.
Bennett slapped the mat.
Once.
Sarah released him immediately.
She stood.
No celebration.
Bennett stayed down.
The crowd remained silent.
Sarah untied the belt.
That should have ended it.
Then one of Bennett's men stepped forward.
Staff Sergeant Nolan Price was nearly as large as Bennett.
He looked less arrogant.
More angry.
"That wasn't boxing."
Sarah folded the belt.
"No."
"You used a joint lock."
"Yes."
Price looked toward Avery.
"That's not the drill."
Avery replied, "There was no drill."
Price glanced at Bennett.
Then Sarah.
"He challenged her."
Avery nodded.
"Exactly."
Price looked uncomfortable.
The distinction landed.
This had never been an official evaluation.
Bennett had turned a gym full of service members into his audience.
Sarah put the belt beside her gear.
Price said, "Still doesn't prove you could handle all of us."
Marcus Reed muttered, "You've got to be kidding me."
Sarah looked at Price.
"No."
He seemed surprised.
"No?"
"No, it doesn't prove that."
Price folded his arms.
"So?"
"So nothing."
Sarah crouched to collect the items Bennett had kicked across the floor.
Tape.