Free Redemption (The Restoration Series Book 1) by Christina Simpson Page B

authorities.
     -Davis
     I hit send and closed out the program. If I was going to pull this off, I’d need to take care of a few things before the time came. Giving a quick call to Officer Morrison, a local detective, I informed him we’d need to have an informational meeting and set up a raid for tonight. He agreed to meet me at the office with his men in three hours. It gave me enough time to begin my day properly. My truck waited for me outside of the shop, and I bounded down the stairs and out of the shop, hitting the button to unlock it before I gripped the handle. Slipping inside, I roared the engine to life and glanced at the traffic around me, waiting for the right moment to pull away from the curb and head in the direction of my first stop.
     I pulled my truck to a stop on the single lane paved path that twisted across the hills of the cemetery. Fresh flowers rested on the leather seat beside me, and I wrapped my fingers around them as I moved out of the cab, shutting the door softly behind me. This was my routine. For every girl I saved, I renewed my promise to Amanda.
     My feet pressed into the soft green grass as I stepped through the trees and into the area of her grave. Emotions filled me as I held back tears, letting myself remember her image. Her blonde hair sweeping across her shoulders as she turned her head to glance at me over her shoulder, her smile growing wider, eyes dancing merrily as we ran down the soft sand in one of our early morning jogs. I missed her.
     I came to a stop at her headstone, white granite with two angels etched on the front.
    Amanda Salori
    Daughter, Friend, and Fiancée
    June 14th, 1982 – May 5th, 2013
     I cleared my throat as I bent down and pulled the old dead flowers from the small metal holder by the front of the headstone, and placed the new fragrant bunch inside. My fingertips smoothed across her name as I spoke.
     “Hi, gorgeous. I miss you. There’s so much more I want to say and I don’t even know how to begin. Life just isn’t as full without you. I know you’ve been gone for over a year, but since you’ve been gone, I feel as if my heart is missing. I thought maybe I might have had a chance to feel again, but I don’t think that’s going to work out. I’m going back in tonight. I promise to make it out and to pull this set of girls out with me. Ask the big guy up there to make a way for me. I love you, forever.”
     Using the back of my hand, I brushed away a tear as it was rolling down my cheek. After a few more silent moments, I stood and slipped my hands into my pockets, turning down the path toward my truck. I slid into the cab and shut the door before placing my hands on the steering wheel and leaning my forehead down next to them.
      “Lord, protect me and guide me. Give your angels charge over me and grant me victory in your name. Help me to bring these girls to safety and protect my mind and spirit from the evil that surrounds that place.” I breathed the prayer and waited until I felt peace come over me, stilling my soul. I leaned back and reached for the keys, starting my mental preparation as I drove back toward the beach house.
     The office was bustling with my team, the families of the girls, and the officers. As I walked inside, the table was already full and everyone was watching me, waiting for my instruction. At one end of the table sat an older couple in their fifties with graying hair, and a small-boned Spanish woman with dark curly hair that was pulled to the back of her neck. I walked over to them and offered my hand.
     “Hello, I’m Davis. Team leader for Corinth.”
     Mr. Drake stood up and reached his thick arms around my shoulders, pulling me into his embrace. I froze for a moment, but cautiously returned his action.
     “Thank you for risking everything to save our little girls,” he whispered at my shoulder.
     I nodded and released him. “I swear to you, Mr. Drake, we will bring them home.”
     Mr. Drake took his