​"A problem?" I echoed walking over to her. 

Glancing into the room I almost threw up; a total of twelve girls were inside bound and gagged. Melody went over to what looked like the oldest while I stood guard. The girl started to struggle but Mel was able to calm her down. ​

"Hey, hey it's okay. We're the good guys, we're going to get you guys out of here."

 The girl started crying in broken English the second the gag was gone.

 ​"There's more, in the basement and down the hall, please." 

Melody squeezed her shoulder in comfort. 

​"It's okay, it's over." 

I stepped out into the hall and whistled not seeing the others. Sam poked his head from around the corner, obviously clearing the floor.

 ​"We good?" 

He nodded and holstered his gun. ​

"We're good, LAPD will be here in a few seconds and...where's Melody?"

I spun him around to show the girls. ​

"Oh boy," he muttered taking in a calming breath. ​

"The girl said there's more down the hall," I informed him. 

He nodded and called Jason back. ​

"Where's Cody?" ​

"Taking pictures," he answered as our friend appeared. 

​"I've got things handled in here," Melody announced stepping over. 

We nodded and went down the hall checking the offices until we came across a large conference room. Opening the door I was met with loud cries of fear. Turning on the dim light I could see multiple children, boys and girls, bound and gagged. The worst part was the chains each one had. 

​"Sammy?" I whispered forcing myself to turn away. "What did we stumble onto?" 

His answer was drowned out by the sound of sirens wailing. The walls felt like they were getting closer, I needed to get out for a minute. Going downstairs I met several deputies pointing their guns at me.

 ​"Freeze! Hands up!" 

I rolled my eyes; I was so not in the mood for this. ​

"Hey I'm the good guy here. My wife, the real pretty brunette sharpshooter, is the one that called you. Now if you nimrods will be so kind, put those peashooters away. The building has already been cleared except for the basement. Speaking of that we are going to need two teams of the strongest men you have and tell dispatch that we are going to need more ambulances." 

The officers stared at me like I had grown a second head.

​"NOW!" I snapped turning on my heel to head back up the stairs. 

I didn't need to watch to know that they were racing to do as instructed. Cody met me as I turned down the hallway and I could tell something was wrong. 

​"Hey Buddy, it's okay," I whispered grabbing him by the shoulders.

 His face was ashen and he was shaking.

 ​"Come on Codes," I said quietly, hoping his nickname would snap him out of this state. 

"We've dealt with and seen much worse."

 I knew that wasn't completely true but I needed him to calm down. ​

"Not like this," he whispered tears threatening to fall. "There's more there has to be, they keep saying basement. Man I'm afraid to go down there. I don't know what we're going to find." 

I sighed feeling the same way but someone had to keep the team going at the moment. ​

"All right, Sam is going to be mad but you don't have to go. However we are going to need you up here to help Melody with the kids. Okay? Melody needs help." 

He nodded and I led him over to where she was. Knocking on the door, I carefully opened it to see Melody with a young five year-old in her arms fast asleep.

 ​"Hey," I whispered getting her attention. "LAPD is here." 

She nodded and addressed the girls. I patted Cody's shoulder and went to help Sam and Jason. Ten minutes later, we had gotten the last of the chains off when a large burly captain followed by two detectives stormed in.

"What do you think you are you doing?" He snapped. ​

"Isn't obvious?" I snapped in return. 

I knew it wasn't the time to be sarcastic but I was done and wanted to go home. The detective reached for his gun but luckily Sam noticed and stood up.

 ​"Look we are all little drained and the basement still needs to be checked. Our lead only said that the kidnapper was here, not all of this. Now I'm going to ask nicely that we go down there and let paramedics up so we can get these kids out of here." 

He took a look around the room before huffing in annoyance. ​

"Snot nosed filthy brats," he muttered quietly before turning to the two officers behind him. ​"Get paramedics up here and get ahold of DHS to figure out where to put them." 

The two nodded and went to do as told and he turned back to us.

 ​"The only reason I'm not throwing you lot out is because the governor would have my badge. You should have called when you got this lead and let the professionals handle it." 

Jason opened his mouth to tell him off but Sam held up a hand. 

​"I did call and was told that there was no way, we had a solid lead and a unit was all the chief would have on stand by. I know that you're hoping that your department will be able to take credit for this but I promise you that is not going to happen. Pictures have been taken and evidence collected. My team is pouring over it right now with the governor's blessing so if you want to stand there and trash us then fine, but know that it took us two weeks to do what you couldn't do in five months. So ask yourself, who are the professionals here?" 

Jason and I shared a smirk at the flabbergasted look on the poor man's face. An irritated Sam was easy to interrupt and talk back to but an angry one, well, I feel sorry for the poor saps. ​

"Paramedics are on their way up. Lead the way, Sir," the detective said stepping to the side. ​

"Thank you," Sam smiled walking out.

 I turned to the children. 

​"Don't worry the people coming up will not hurt you. They are here to help and make sure you guys get to go home." 

The oldest of the bunch opened her mouth only to snap it close. I smiled at her before pulling Jason out of the room and past the detective.

 ​"Come on, let me at him," Jason whispered glancing back.

 ​"Nope." 

Another thing about Jason, he has a temper on him. It used to be a lot worse but after he got saved he vowed to do better. Unfortunately rough situations and dealing with difficult people like the detective still brought that side of him out. That's why we do our best to help when it appears. 

                                                                                           ◆◆◆ 

A short time later, everyone but Sam and Melody were gathered in our conference room trying to process what happened. For once we didn't have music or the news playing. Our hackers weren't even on their computers. 

​"We have saved countless lives in countless countries and we have never encountered something like this," Cody said sitting back in his seat. ​

"Not true, remember Argentina. The prime minister was being held in the same place a massive drug deal was going down. Agencies had been looking for it for years," Riley offered. ​

"Yeah but we didn't know about this. We went in search of the missing children not a sex trafficking ring!" Cody shouted. ​

"Look, we found them, all of them! That's what matters," I interrupted with a glare. 

Everyone sighed as the doors opened. Sam and Melody walked in looking less than enthused. ​

"What's wrong?" Jason asked crossing his arms. ​

"We did good today," Melody started placing a hand on her brother's shoulder. "We not only solved the missing children case, but also busted a sex trafficking ring that spread through the Southwest and Mexico. However that's where the good news ends. LAPD is blaming us for losing Bella Rouge and Greenfield." ​

"What? That was not our fault. Why are they blaming us?" I shouted jumping to my feet. ​

"They said that if we had been working harder, we would have discovered the connections sooner and they would have gotten to arrest him," Sam snarled in disgust. ​

"So it's a pride thing then," I said sitting back down. "The higher ups, probably the ones working with Greenfield, are mad because their boss was killed. Now they are looking to blame someone else to throw any incriminating scents off of them." ​

"Right you are, Mark," Maggie said suddenly appearing. "It is an ego thing with them. I have just come from Christian's office. He said that he is going to keep this new development quiet as long as he can to give each of you a good vacation. He says that you have earned it." 

The air around the room seemed lighten considerably but my mood didn't. After everything that has happened, I felt lost and confused. Cody's right, our team has faced countless enemies but what we faced today was nothing we have ever faced before. 

                                                                                          ◆◆◆ 

That night I laid in bed deep in thought.

Flashback to the basement ​

"Everything all right?" Sam questioned seeing me drag Jason down the stairs.

 ​"Jase," I simply said letting him go. 

Sam nodded in understanding before smiling softly at his friend. ​

"Do you need some help Buddy?" 

Jason looked up briefly before taking a deep breath. ​

"Please."

 Sam placed a hand on Jason's shoulder and gave a squeeze. Bringing their foreheads together Sam quietly prayed over him. 

​"Better?" He asked a couple of minutes later.

 Jason nodded pulling away. 

​"I'm still worried about what we're going to find." 

​"One step at a time," Sam chuckled placing his hand on my shoulder as well. "I'll take the lead and remember watch your movements. Those little ones are down there."

 We nodded in agreement. 

​"All right, let's go." 

By the time we arrived at the basement a squad of officers had joined us and Sam repeated his warning. I couldn't help but wince as the door gave a loud creepy squeak. ​

'Lord please protect us.' 

Going down the stairs I flicked on my flashlight. A sudden cry caught my attention. 

​"Did you hear that?" I whispered.

 Sam nodded and drew his weapon. He flipped on the laser and started scanning the room. Grabbing my phone I turned on the night vision app Riley designed for us and helped look. In a far corner several signatures lit up the screen, as the whimpers got louder. ​

"Sam." 

He turned and glanced at my screen.

 ​"Stay on guard." 

Stalking forward the pit in my stomach grew with intensity. Taking another look at my phone screen the signatures were still there, but a new and much taller one was trying to hide in the shadows. ​

'Can't hide from me,' I smirked noticing something else. 

The signature was lifting something small that looked an awful like... ​

"Get down!" I hissed shoving my friends down. 

No sooner did we hit the ground that a loud bang erupted and a bullet embedded itself into the wall. ​

"You think you are so smart," a smooth voice called from the dark. 

The three of us shared a look. Sam turned off the laser and quietly got to his feet. Jason and I did the same and I watched the night vision screen. ​

"Greenfield! This is Agent Lane, Guardian Angel Task Force. We know you had a hand in kidnapping the children. You don't want the bill to go through because you will lose your main supporters but it doesn't matter. You can come out quietly or we will take you by force. The choice is yours." 

​"How about you go home and let the big boys play, huh? I was doing just fine until Liven decided to put you kids on the case. They knew it would be a matter of time before you cracked the case so I sent Nathan to get Woodman's brat."

 ​"It doesn't have to end like this. I know that he took your daughter and most likely made you say the things you did about us but we can help you." 

I heard the insanity in the Senator's laugh. ​

"Made? Boy you really are dense. I haven't liked your team since day one and by the by I gave my daughter to him. She overhead Nathan and I talking and needed to be taught a lesson." ​

"That's sick," Jason whispered. 

Having enough of Greenfield's attitude I quickly handed the phone to Jason. ​

"What are you doing?" He asked. "Why can't I shoot him?" ​

"Whose the sniper here? Me or you?" 

I could barely see him roll his eyes. ​

"Besides I need you to tell me when he lifts the gun toward Sam."

Jason nodded and watched closely. I flipped the night vision switch to my scope and put the man in my crosshairs.

 ​'Lord please don't let it come to this.' 

​"Senator please, I'm going to ask you again to surrender and no harm will have to come to anyone," Sam pleaded. 

Through the scope I could see him laughing.

 ​"Are you kidding? They're just brats, in fact I think I'm going to start with little Ian just to get his dear Mother's attention. Don't change things to try and make the lesser people better. It's bad for business." 

He wouldn't.

 ​"Dude!" Jason hissed. 

He would.

 As the man lifted the gun to fire, I beat him to it. My rifle discharged and I watched as Allen Greenfield jerked and collapsed never to move again.

 Present 

I sighed deeply putting my hands under my head. ​

"Someone's distracted," Riley whispered watching from the doorway. 

I rose up slightly before giving her a slight grin. ​

"I don't know what you're talking about." 

​"Yes, you do," she said coming in and sitting down on the bed. "I know today was hard." ​

"I just don't understand," I started, sitting up fully. "I don't understand how someone could do that. I get that there are a lot of sick people but I just...I just...arrrghhh! Don't you ever wonder if..."? ​

"If this job is even worth it?" Riley interrupted. "All the time." 

​"So why are we doing this?"

Riley chuckled looking me in the eyes. 

​"Because dear, even though it doesn't seem like it, we are making a difference. Do you know that when things get tough, I think about what life might have been like if this task force hadn't been created. I think about all of those lives that we have saved and...well you get the picture." 

I groaned and face palmed. ​

"Those kids didn't deserve that."

 ​"No, they didn't and I agree with you I'm having a very hard time with not breaking down myself. However the way I see it we made sure that they got to go home. Those men are dead so they can't hurt anyone else. Unfortunately this investigation is not over because people are going to want answers but the bad guys are stopped, that's what counts." ​

"How do you know what to say and at the right time?" I smirked leaning in for a kiss. ​

"It's a gift," Riley answered putting a finger against to my lips. "The boys are waiting for their daddy to come in and say goodnight." 

I laughed and rolled off the bed. ​

"You know," I said stopping at the door and looking back at her. "I love you and no matter what, nothing will change that." 

Riley smiled and held up the sign for I love you. Shaking my head, I signed back and made my way out the door. Walking into a small room, I noticed my baby boy standing up in his crib, small hands gripping the bars. 

​"What are you doing up?" I chuckled at the infant. 

At eight months-old Matthew Josiah Crenshaw had dark brown hair and big blue eyes like his mother and unfortunately he had my mischievous grin and attitude. ​

"Your Mama said you were waiting for me, is that true?" I asked leaning against the rail slightly. ​

"Ahhh, ahhh, baah," Matt babbled reaching a hand out to place it against my cheek. I smiled and lifted the child up and sat down in the rocking chair cradling him close. 

​"You know Buddy, we had a really bad day today. We found the kids, you remember I told you about them?" 

Matt blew a small bubble, giggling as it popped. ​

"I'll take that as a yes," I chuckled and continued to rock. "Anyway we found them but got any even bigger surprise. Turns out there were other kids that had been taken and were going to be forced to do really bad things. That hit hard Matt; when I saw them I couldn't help but think of you and your brother. I even asked your Mama if this task force is even worth it and you know what she said?" 

​"Aaaah, bahhh," Matt answered. ​ 

"She said yes because even though today we had to make some hard choices and a few people lost their lives, we are making a difference but I don't know Buddy. I need to pray on it and I need you to go to sleep," I said smiling at my son. 

Matthew grinned before letting out a small yawn. 

​"Yeah," I whispered slowing my movement and moved the boy so I could rub his back. "Lord, please watch over my little boy. Let his dreams be peaceful and to wake happy and healthy. In Jesus's name, Amen." 

Matty snuggled into my shirt and closed his eyes, falling asleep a few minutes later.

 ​"I love you Matthew," I said kissing his temple getting up and placing him in his crib. 

Once I knew it was safe enough for me to leave, I quietly made my way over to Damion's room. After repeating the process and making sure that my son was off to dream land, I made my way back to my room only to find Riley reading. 

​"The boys asleep?" She asked glancing up. ​

"Like a rock," I replied flopping down face first. 

Riley rolled her eyes and closed her bible.

 ​"That's good," she said placing it on the nightstand. ​

"Yeah, but Lord only knows long for Matty." 

 Switching the light off, Riley turned on her side facing me. ​

"Give him the benefit of the doubt, he'll sleep; unless you told him something you shouldn't have." 

​"I am offended by that statement," I commented lifting up to glare.

 "I only tell him the simple stuff. I hope by doing this he will always want to talk to me, no matter what." 

She smiled sadly reaching out to stroke my cheek. 

​"I know things between you and your dad aren't great but don't worry. You are a different person and no matter what happens, you and Matty will be able to work out any problem."

 I flopped onto my back sighing loudly. ​

"How did I get so lucky?" ​

"Probably because I asked first since you were fumbling over your words," Riley teased. 

Turning my head, I looked out the window listening to noise below.

​"I love you," I whispered.

 ​"I love you too," Riley responded closing her eyes. "Tomorrow is another day." 

                                                                                             ◆◆◆ 

Surprise, surprise, I couldn't fall asleep. Every time I closed my eyes I could see the events of the day. After tossing and turn for what felt like the thousandth time I grabbed my phone to check the time. 

12:30 a.m.

 That's just lovely, it's only been two hours. Deciding that I wasn't going to be getting any sleep, I got up and went into the kitchen. Grabbing a bottle of water, I headed for the living room. After we had gotten married and moved in, Riley insisted that we have a study of some sort. Nothing fancy, just a place to do paperwork or use it as a quiet space. When Damion entered the picture we turned the study into his bedroom and moved the study into the living room. Going over to my leather recliner, I grabbed my bible from the side table's drawer. 

​"Maybe some reading will help," I muttered sitting down and picking up where I had left off. 

Unfortunately I didn't get far because my mind kept wandering off with thoughts of home. Growing up in the small town of Prairie Rose, Texas wasn't always easy. My Grandfather, Josiah Crenshaw was the town's sheriff and a former Texas Ranger. When I was ten, my Mom was murdered and the case never solved. After her death, my Dad gave up being a Texas Ranger and became a pastor of the local baptist church. 

Needless to say I became the stereotypical preacher's kid. I had a really good heart and would do anything to help someone but I also had a reckless streak, which hasn't vanished with age apparently.

FLASHBACK ​

"Wow!" I whistled sitting on my tailgate. 

I had just arrived in the city and was amazed at the hustle and bustle. I pulled into a park so I wouldn't get hit watching it. A sudden tenseness formed in the pit of my stomach. Taking out my wallet I counted the cash and was worried to find I only had a hundred dollars left. ​

"Maybe this wasn't such a good idea," I sighed placing my wallet back in my pocket before grabbing my phone. "Maybe I can call home and straighten things out." 

However I froze over the speed dial. With a growl I shoved the device back in. ​

"NO, I'm not going back until I've proven myself." ​

'I'm just not sure how.'

 Deciding that I should probably go find something to eat, I jumped off the tailgate and closed it. Only before I could move to get back in, I felt my shoulder being roughly grabbed spinning me around to face a man in his late twenties, early thirties. ​

"Well, well, well, looky what we have here boys, a little cowboy. Haha, I wonder where his horsy is?" I gave him a cold stare trying not show how panicked I was. ​

'God help me.' 

I don't know why I did that but a sudden calm came over me. Turning my attention to his buddies but keeping an eye on the guy to my right, I was able to tell that they were carrying a weapon of some sort. 

​"Sorry gentlemen, but you obviously have me confused with someone else," I stated backing into the trailer hitch. 

It hurt but it gave me an idea. The guy to my right laughed and lunged forward as I jumped onto the ball. Using the leverage I was able to kick his chest hard and catapult myself into the bed. Heh, I'm so glad Mom made me take gymnastics all those years ago. The other four men stared at me in shock for a few seconds before becoming angry. 

​"You're gonna regret that," one of them stated. 

I smirked knowing I had the higher ground but I couldn't get cocky. One wrong move and they would kill me. Taking a deep breath, I released the latch letting the tailgate down and attacked. Five minutes later all of them were on the ground, out cold. Letting out a shaky breath I was startled to hear clapping. Glancing up, I saw a short Hispanic woman clapping and big smile on her face. I really hoped I didn't have to fight her too. ​

"That was incredible," she said once she was close enough. 

I just stared wide-eyed, not sure what to say. How long had she been standing there? ​

"Sweetie?" She called touching my arm. "Are you all right?" 

I couldn't help but jerk away from her hand. Why was I so shaken? I've gotten into fights before. ​

"Whoa easy," she soothed taking my arm once more. "Let's get you sitting." 

Before I could protest she led me over the curb and gently pushed me down. ​

"Here," she said handing me a bottle of water. "I called the cops when the fighting started, so they should be here shortly. I'm Margret Hernandez, but you can call me Maggie. What's your name?" 

I looked at her trying to gather my thoughts. ​

"Mark," I said a few moments later. "Marcus Crenshaw, I just arrived here from Texas."

 ​"It's nice to meet you Mark, are you here to go to school?" 

 I shook my head slowly. I didn't know why but I found myself telling her about the fallout with my dad to how I made it here and having no idea what I was going to do. Maggie smiled and patted me on the shoulder, saying if I was interested she might have an idea.

Present 

I huffed a quiet laugh thinking about that day. Feeling my pocket vibrate, I removed my phone and checked the caller ID. Speak of the devil. 

​"How do you always know when I can't sleep?" 

​"Call it intuition Love," Maggie insisted.

 I rolled my eyes letting out a soft snort. 

​"I knew you were going to have trouble sleeping after what happened today. I just wanted to check and make sure you were okay?" 

​"To be honest, no, no I'm not. Every time I close my eyes, I see those kids; I can hear Greenfield's confession. I worry how easy it is for something like this to happen to Matt or Damion. Then I get angry because the higher ups are blaming us for doing our jobs. I just don't get it. Why..."

​"Mark," Maggie's stern voice seared through my ranting. ​

"Sorry," I apologized. 

​"Honey, what's this really about? Cases, even ones with surprises never rattle you this much."

 I sighed rubbing my eyes. 

​"I've been thinking a lot about Prairie Rose lately. Maggie, I think I want to go home." 

It was silent for a few moments.

 ​"Maggie?"

 ​"I'm here. I'm just a little surprised is all. You said you didn't want to return home."

 ​"I know," I sighed. "I just...I just need to, you know. It won't be permanent." 

I could hear a slight mumble and I knew she was trying to understand what I said.

 ​"Mark, are you sure?" 

​"No."

 I knew if I was being truly honest with myself, going back to Prairie Rose could result in disaster.

 ​"Then sleep on it. Trust me, you'll have your answer in the morning," she said. 

​"Sounds good," I yawned. "Thanks Maggie." 

​"You're welcome, now go to bed." 

With that the line went dead. I rolled my eyes with a smile. 

​"Good ole Maggie," I whispered.

 My phone buzzed a second later with a text message. ​

'I heard that.'

 Quickly putting my phone down I turned my attention to the book in my lap.  

Be still, and know that I am God. ​

                                                                                                                            Psalm 46:10 

That's strange; I could have sworn I was reading in Luke. Sure enough my bookmark was where I left it. Rubbing my eyes, I closed my bible and put it away. Standing to my feet I looked up at the ceiling. ​

"I don't know what you're up to, but I'm gonna trust you." 

                                                                                             ◆◆◆

 The following morning I was awaken to series of beeps and the smell of coffee. Rolling over I grabbed my phone and checked the time. 

6:30am 

Getting up I went into the kitchen. ​

"Morning Baby," I yawned. ​

"Morning, coffee is ready if you want some," she said not looking up from her bible.

 ​"What are you reading?" I asked making small talk. ​

"The story of the prodigal son," she answered.

 I was so in shock that I dropped the spoon with a loud clang. 

​"Mark? What's wrong?" She yelped worriedly. 

I hate it when I scare her. 

​"Have you made it to the part where he comes home?" I asked not turning around.

 ​"Yeah why? Please turn around and look at me."

 I slowly turned and stared at her seriously. 

​"My question just got answered." ​

"What?" 

Shakily I walked over to the table and sat down.

​"Last night, I couldn't sleep so I went to do some reading. Maggie called and we talked awhile. I told her how I've been thinking about home and feeling this urge to go back. I'm just scared, you know. I couldn't tell if it's umm..." 

​"Hey," she whispered reaching across the table and grabbing my hand. "You couldn't tell if it is God's urging or the devil tempting you; am, I hitting it on the head?"

 I nodded looking up. 

​"Its God, I'm sure of it now. It's just, I promised myself that I wouldn't go home until I had proved myself."

 ​"And have you?" She asked giving me a smirk.

 ​"I don't know."

 ​"Then let's go find out."