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Bink’s foot swung again and Agruen’s knife clattered to the floor. He lunged for Bink, his coat flapping up.

Stab quick. Stab up.

Paulette swung and missed.

Agruen turned a shocked look on her and bellowed, charging. She swung again, even as her feet carried her back, and Agruen hit the floor, face-down, with Bink’s bulk landing atop him.

The man twisted and pounded, and Filomena was there, her boot jabbing again and again at Agruen’s face.

“Enough,” a voice boomed.

Paulette’s hands froze around the knife and hope rose in her.

Men swarmed the room, men who were on their side.