All That Matters

For a few seconds no one moved, stunned by what was happening. Released, as one, from their paralysis, they rushed to rescue Victor before Vladimir beat him to death.

Luke Peterson was six feet five inches tall and weighed two hundred and fifty pounds. Because of the time he spent in the gym, he had a body built of solid muscle.

Calling off the dog, he grabbed Vladimir by the scruff of his neck and threw him against the wall. The handcuffs he always carried were soon holding the drunken man's hands behind his back.

Watching all this from the doorway of their room, Natalia began screaming, "That girl is a filthy slut. She has always wanted my husband."

She grabbed Anika's hair and tried to pull her to the floor. Bobby stepped in, pinning the out-of-control woman's arms behind her back.

"Call the police," a struggling Natalia demanded.

A shocked look quickly replaced her outrage when Luke pulled out his badge. He stuck it in her face.

"I AM the police. Now STEP BACK and SHUT UP."