“Danvers?” The shorter one demanded.

“Yeah?” Zachary’s guts shredded. These thugs knew his name? How? The hooker! This had to be some kind of setup.

He jumped toward the bedside table and phone. But he wasn’t fast enough. The tall man kicked the phone out of Zach’s hands.

“What the hell-”

Zach spun. Too late! The tall intruder grabbed Zachary’s arm and wrenched it painfully behind his back. Zach twisted and writhed. Pain screamed up his arm.

“Cool it, you dumb fuck!”

Zach kicked, the heel of his boot connecting with the man’s shin.

Wind whistled between the attacker’s teeth. “You son of a bitch! You lousy little bastard!” The man yanked harder on Zach’s arm.

Agony ripped through his shoulder. Zach heard a sickening rip and his muscles turned to fire.

“Help me out, Rudy!” the tall man ordered.

From the corner of his eye, Zach noticed Sophia scoot backward on the bed. Her face was white with fear as she tried to grab the receiver that dangled from the phone.

“No way, sister,” the shorter man-the one called Rudy said, as he yanked the cord from the wall.

“Please-” she cried.

“Shut up!” the thug snarled.

Zach kicked his attacker again. “Let go of me!”

“No way, Danvers. You fucked up one time too many.” Again he wrenched Zach’s arm.

Agony jarred through his body. Zach screamed.

“You tryin’ to kill him, Joey?” Rudy barked.

“Maybe.” Joey twisted Zach around and slammed his face with his meaty fist. Bones shattered. Pain exploded behind Zach’s eyes. Blood spurted from his nose as his knees buckled.

Rudy stared at Zach’s pulpy face for a minute, then glanced at his partner. “Oh, shit! Hey, man, I don’t think this is the right guy. This one, he don’t look like-”

“You’re making a mistake!” Sophia cried, clutching the blankets around her, her lips trembling.

“I don’t think so.” The big one wasn’t convinced. “Let’s get this over with, Rudy! Quit screwing around!”