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"Seriously?" Kacey walked to stand beside Becca. "You know Danny Prescott?"
"Childhood friends," Bryon said, as if it wasn't a big deal.
"How did we not know this?" Xander asked.
"I knew." Carter shrugged.
Becca smiled. There was a lot about Bryon that he'd never talked to the team about. She doubted they knew much about his past or how much money he was really worth. It wasn't something he liked to talk about or show off. Carter knew more than the rest of the team, but that was only because Carter and Bryon had known each other longer and were best friends.
Parson walked over and looked at the framed photos. "He's the one who recently left his recording label and started his own, right? He did a bunch of interviews about the manipulation of record labels and how controlling they are."
"Yeah, that's him. He got a few other singers to join him." Noam wrapped an arm around Kacey's shoulder. "How come you've never gotten us tickets to see him, Bry?"
Bryon laughed. "Because I don't use my friends for favors unless it's an emergency. Like us staying here for the next few days. Danny is in Australia and said we can use the house for a few weeks if we need to. House is secure and his security detail is on duty twenty-four hours a day. If I can have your attention over here," Bryon called from the center of the living room.
Everyone turned and Becca moved closer so Lenora could see around all the tall men.
"This is A.J. Bastion. He's the head of security here at the house. I've already updated him about what's going on. His team will be assisting us in keeping the house secure and with any information we might need since we aren't from the area." He gestured to an older man armed and wearing a security uniform. "Gloria and Maria are also on staff. They are the housekeepers. They're also aware we'll be staying. Behave yourself around them." He narrowed his eyes at Kacey and Xander. "He offered to call his cook in, but I told him we'd be fine. We'll all help out with the cooking. Get with Becca if you need anything and we'll have groceries delivered tomorrow. I'm sending Matt and Xander out tonight to get Lenora some clothes and toiletries, but tomorrow we'll let her do some online shopping and send one of you out to pick it up from the store if they don't deliver. No one will think anything about it as Danny has a nine-year-old daughter. There is an office we can work in, but remember, we aren't home. Be cautious with your computer use. We are dealing with some heavy hitters and Denver is assisting. Dyson, Jeremy, and Marshall have been working all afternoon to gather information. It should be in your email. As of right now, we are researching. We don't make a move until we have a plan. We're dealing with the big boys this time and I'm just not sure how involved we need to be. The priority is to find Lenora's brother and reunite them and find out if there are any family or friends of her family that will take them. Beyond that, we'll see what information we find. We're out of area and without our normal resources. I won't put any of you at risk because of poor planning." Bryon glanced around the room. "I've been told we can use the whole house, but the recording studio in the basement is off-limits. Respect Danny's request. The bedrooms are all down the west hallway. Becca and I will be staying in Danny's room at the very end of the hall and Lenora will have Cassidy's if she wants it. Other than that, you guys pick what you want. There's more than enough to choose from."
"Do we know who we are dealing with yet?" Noam asked.
"The tattoo matches a group run by Ramon Diaz. They are well known in trafficking circles. We won't engage unless we are sure we can be successful. We'll discuss it as we receive more intel."
"I have some sources that have dealt with Diaz before. I'll make some calls," Carter said.
"Dyson mentioned that. Give him a call first and see if he's already talked to them," Bryon suggested. "The Denver team has already done most of the work for us. We just need to gather it and go over it. For now, go get settled in your rooms. The luggage is in the front entry. We'll get situated and I'll have the men meet back here in thirty. We can talk more. As for you ladies, grab your rooms, get a late-night snack, take a bubble bath, and get some rest."
Becca pulled a piece of paper from her pocket and handed it to Matt. "This is the stuff we need so far." She handed him the list of items Lenora would need. "If you can't get it tonight, she can borrow one of my t-shirts to sleep in and I'm sure Danny has a new toothbrush around in one of the bathrooms."
"We'll go tonight, but don't wait up if you're tired." Matt nodded to Lenora. "She's had a long day."
"I'm okay." Lenora leaned against Faith's leg. She looked exhausted.
"You've been so brave." Bryon smiled at her before turning back to the group. "Okay, I'll meet the team back here in thirty. If you have questions about the house, find A.J.. Anything else, I'll be around. Thanks for helping keep the girls safe while we got here." He waved them off.
Becca leaned down to speak with Lenora. "Should we go check out our bedrooms?"
"I want to sleep with Faith. I'm scared to be alone. The men might come back," Lenora whispered.
Faith leaned down and picked Lenora up in her arms. "I don't like sleeping alone in new places either. Let's go find a room near Becca's. Then if you want to take a bath or shower, you can. I have a t-shirt you can wear to bed if Dad's not back yet with stuff for you."
Lenora nodded and rested her head on Faith's shoulder.
Becca followed them down the hall, relieved to be somewhere safe, but nervous that the next few days might bring more problems. She prayed Bryon and the team didn't jump into something they couldn't handle. As much as she agreed they needed to save the kids, it wouldn't do any good if they were hurt or killed attempting to do it. She had spent her life trusting Bryon to make the right decisions, and now, she was going to have to pray he did so again. She just didn't see a way to take on a group of traffickers without planning and resources.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Bryon downed his third cup of coffee as he watched the team gather in the living room. The girls were in their rooms, safe and sound, and Xander and Matt were due back any minute after their quick shopping trip to get Lenora some clothes and personal items. He could have easily waited until morning to hold the meeting, but he sensed the team was restless and wanted information and an idea of what direction they would go from here. They were used to working late nights, so the midnight meeting wasn't going to hurt any of them.
He set the coffee cup down as Trenton and Ben walked into the room. "Glad you made it."
Trenton smiled. "When you said you'd secured a safe house, this wasn't what I expected."
"It pays to have friends in high places." Bryon grinned. "Danny's an old friend. I figured if we needed a secure location, it couldn't get any more secure than here. You going to be okay with helping? If not, you can sit this out."
Trenton shrugged. "We'll see how it goes. If it gets to be too much, I'll step back and let the others figure it out."
Bryon nodded. "Fair enough, but don't force it. If you can't do it, we all understand." After being kidnapped and held by a sex trafficking ring, Trenton hadn't helped the team with any of their stings or research. Bryon didn't blame him. He'd lived the horrors he used to search for on the dark web. What had once been simply searching for evidence had become reality for Trenton. He was still coming to terms with everything that had been done to him while he'd been held by the traffickers. Bryon was glad Ben was there to make sure Trenton didn't push himself too hard. He knew Trenton would want to put saving the kids first, even if it fucked with his recovery. Ben wouldn't let that happen.
