Bodyguard: Target by Chris Bradford Read Free Book Online

And
if the attacker has a broken wrist it’s attributed to their own force when
resisting, not through any brutality on my part.’
    He released Jason, who shook the ache
from his wrist and stood back in line.
    ‘For me, this is what makes
martial arts so essential for abodyguard: the ability to control people with the
illusion of minimum force.’
    ‘But what if someone has a
knife?’ asked Blake. ‘Surely we have to do more than a basic wrist
lock.’
    ‘Absolutely,’ said Steve.
‘But the principle of NRP always applies. Any self-defence must be
necessary
,
reasonable
and
proportional
to the attack.
So, if someone has a knife, you haveevery right to break that attacker’s arm.
However, if the potential threat is simply an over-enthusiastic fan, you can’t
go around decking them.’
    ‘That’s a shame!’
Jason remarked.
    Steve shot him a hard stare.
‘Maybe so, but we don’t want any of you appearing on a tabloid front
page with your fist slamming into a fan’s face while your Principal looks on
in horror.Remember, you’re protecting the Principal’s image as well as
their safety …
and
our organization’s covert status.’
    He beckoned Blake to
step forward.
    ‘That’s why I’m going
to show you how to take down an opponent with just your fingertips.’
    Charley edged forward in anticipation
with the rest of the recruits.
    ‘The jugular takedown is an
excellent self-defencetechnique,’ explained their instructor,
‘especially if the aggressor is trying to strangle you from in
front.’
    Steve nodded to Blake to reach up and
put his hands round his muscled neck in an imitation attack.
    ‘First, locate the notch at the
base of the throat, just above the collarbone,’ he instructed, spearing the
tips of his right hand and resting his middle fingeron Blake’s soft
depression of skin. ‘At the same time, slip your other hand behind the
attacker’s neck to gain control of their body. Finally, push in and down,
hard
, aiming towards the ground behind your attacker’s
feet.’
    Steve’s move was so quick and
Blake’s reaction so sudden and extreme that Charley barely had time to blink
before Blake was on the ground, chokingand gagging. It was as if their instructor
had cut the strings of a puppet.
    ‘If necessary, you can follow up
with some disabling strikes before making your escape,’ Steve went on,
mimicking a punch to the kidneys and groin. ‘I guarantee this jugular takedown
will drop any individual, however big or ugly they are.’
    ‘And Blake sure is ugly!’
teased Jason.
    ‘Take alook in the mirror, dingo
head,’ Blake rasped as Steve helped him back to his feet.
    ‘I did but
you’d already cracked it,’ replied Jason, much to the amusement of the
class.
    ‘Cut the banter!’ barked
Steve. ‘Now pair up and practise.’
    Charley felt like a lame duck, standing
alone as the other recruits buddied up. Being the only girl, it seemed she was the
lastchoice, the weakest player on the team. Furthermore, all the other recruits had
arrived with some combat training, whether it was David’s military experience,
José’s street-fighting skills or Jason’s junior championship boxing
title. All she could claim were a few months of women’s self-defence
classes.
    Blake looked at her. ‘Want to
partner up?’
    ‘Sure,’ said Charley,relieved to be asked. She noticed he was still rubbing his throat. ‘Are you
all right?’
    Blake nodded, then snaked a hand behind
her neck to perform the technique on her. ‘I warn you – it’s a
shock when it happens.’
    ‘Fine, I’m
read–’ Blake’s fingers thrust into her jugular notch and shut off
her windpipe. An awful gagging sensation caused her body to fold in on itselfto
escape the crippling discomfort. One moment she was standing. The next she was
sprawled on the floor.
    ‘Effective, isn’t it?’
said Blake, offering his hand to help her up.
    Charley could only nod as she fought
back the desire to vomit. Now it was her turn to