THE INTRUDERS

Shane felt a tight knot in his stomach as he heard the doorbell ring. He had been expecting the clients he had just entertained with his girlfriend. Perhaps they wanted to go another round, he thought with a smile. But his expression fell when he saw two men with masks standing in front of him.

"Who are you looking for?" he asked, trying to shut the door on them. But they were too quick. They pushed their way into the living room, hitting him hard on the chest and sending him reeling. Shane tried to reason with them, but they just searched the place as if they were looking for something.

One of the men spoke into an earpiece. "We need backup to cover grounds." Shane's heart skipped a beat as more gunmen entered the room. They started searching the house, while one of them headed toward the bedroom where Melody was still sleeping.

Shane tried to stop them, but they pushed him aside effortlessly. He knew that he had left his phone with the money the clients had given him in the room, an