Then — a rustle. Behind him. To the left.

A body. Fast. Too fast. An arm locked around his throat from behind, lean muscle coiled tight as steel cable. Steve's hand went to his shield, his instincts screamed to throw her off, to fight back.

He couldn't.

The arm around his neck was trembling. The fingers digging into his collarbone were too thin, the bones too sharp beneath cold skin. Her breath came in short, ragged gasps against his ear. Like an animal. Cornered.