Little Phoenix (The Census Book 1)

by Willow Dean

  “Thanks, I must have gone over on my ankle when he tackled me,” I grouse.

  Regarding me with a mixture of concern and anger, his grip tightens slightly, but not painfully like Chad’s did. “He shouldn’t have tackled you at all,” he says, shaking his head in disapproval. “I’m Jax by the way.”

  A laugh escapes me at his quick and lackadaisical introduction. His whole demeanor is just so charming.

  “Nice to meet you, Jax. Although, I would have preferred for it to have been under better circumstances,” I jest. “I’m Mila.”

  “Nice to meet you, Mila. So…what happened?” He asks, tilting his head towards the two guys still struggling to subdue Chad.

  He’s slightly bigger in stature than both of the guys, and is nearly outmatching them in terms of strength, yet they continue to hold their ground. For now.

  “We were dancing and I wanted to come outside for some fresh air, so he followed me out. He tried to take me around the back. You know,” I gesture to the side of the house, “where the lights are out.”

  I don’t mention what Chad said to me on the steps. It was standard psycho talk. No need to bother this lovely man with the details.

  Jax attempts to reply when our attention is drawn back to the fight by the sound of flesh hitting flesh.

  Another two guys rush out of the front door. One of them is Rick, who moves to stand beside Jax and I, as the other hightails it down the stairs and into the fray, making it three on one.

  Rick speaks quietly to Jax who nods his head in acknowledgment, before turning back and ushering me towards the front door.

  “Come on Mila, let’s get you back inside and have a look at that ankle,” he coaxes.

  Thankful for his kind offer, I go to follow but it’s a lost cause. Jax tightens his hold on me as I cry out in agony when my ankle gives way underneath me.

  Next thing I know, I’m in his arms being carried bridal style and flushing like a baboon's backside.

  I feel like a proper goddamn princess! A girl could get used to this.

  Instead of turning right to head back to the dance floor where the party is in full swing, Jax turns left down another hallway.

  The extra weight he carries barely seems to faze him as he strides into a second living room that is empty of prying eyes.

  Although the ceilings are slightly lower in here, the architecture is just as stunning. Exposed dark wooden beams span the ceiling as an embellished white marble fireplace sits nestled against the back wall, encasing a raging log fire.

  A beautiful ornate rug lines the floor between the fire and the cream three-seater sofa opposite. Two armchairs are situated on either side of the sofa facing towards one another, separated only by a stunning dark wooden coffee table.

  Setting me down on the sofa, he moves over towards a dark oak dresser in the far corner.

  Lined with various bottles of alcohol, the dresser stands proudly against the stark white wall. Multiple antiques and trinkets that must cost a fortune are displayed proudly across its surface. Showcasing their age and beauty.

  Mental note…stay well away from that corner. Especially drunk…in heels…with a bad ankle. Yup.

  Wide berth, Mila. Wide berth.

  Opening the cupboards at the bottom of the dresser, Jax reaches in to retrieve a first aid kit from one side and an ice pack from the cleverly disguised mini fridge-freezer on the other side.

  Getting lost in the soothing warmth of the fire dancing in front of me, I feel the adrenaline begin to ebb.

  My ankle starts to throb as the dizziness caused by my overindulgence of alcohol comes back with a vengeance. The combination of the two only serves to add nausea into the mix as well.

  Not a pleasant combination.

  Returning, Jax kneels in front of me and goes to remove my heels before hesitating. Looking me straight in the eyes, he asks politely. “May I?”

  Giving a gentle nod, he wastes no time in removing both my shoes before carefully grasping my injured ankle and begins to probe around.

  “Let’s see what the damage is shall we?”

  Smiling at how much of a gentleman he is, butterflies flutter lazily in my chest at the kindness he shows.

  Why couldn’t he have been the one dancing with me tonight? I don’t think I would have minded being led around in the dark by him.

  Glancing away from my ankle, his green eyes sparkle with mirth as if he knows exactly what I’m thinking.

  Almost as if I spoke it out loud.

  Wait…I didn’t, did I? No. He would have said something.

  Right?

  3 Austin

  Why did we decide to do this again? I fucking hate parties.

  What’s even worse, is it’s in our own goddamn house. It’s not like I can even go home to escape. I am home.

  Leaning against the door frame between the hallway and the living room, I watch each and every single person that moves throughout the house. More than ready to get rid of anyone who even attempts to start anything.

  At this point, I’d probably welcome a good fight.

  Just as the thought crosses my mind, a shout draws my attention. My excitement builds and ebbs when I don’t hear anything more.

  It’s probably just a couple getting it on. It is a college party after all.

  Dismissing it, I turn my attention back to the room but I hear it again. A decidedly female call that sounds urgent. My earlier excitement turns to anxiety.

  Following the sounds of distress, I head straight to the front door. A fight between couples isn’t unusual at a party, yet something about this feels different.

  Unexpectedly, as I open the door, I find a bright set of amber eyes framed by soft brunette curls, peering up at me from the floor.

  It’s not her beauty that catches my attention though, rather the poor excuse of a man that has her pinned beneath him.

  Fire licks at my veins when I see how he restrains her. With a fist in the air, poised and ready to strike, he halts his movements and glares at me.

  Looking back at the girl, I expect to see fear dancing in her eyes. Instead, they shine with anger and defiance.

  Memories threaten to drag me under as my sister’s eyes, stark with fear and terror, begin to undo me.

  Rage boils beneath my skin and before I realize it, I’ve tackled him to the ground. The vile excuse of a human being writhes beneath me, putting up a half decent fight.

  But I’m better.

  So focused on unleashing my anger on the asshole in front of me, I don’t bother to concentrate on my surroundings.

  He thought he could attack her and then fuck me over?! He can damn well think again.

  My plan was to deal some damage and then apprehend him, but when his right hook catches my jaw, it all evaporates into thin air.

  Succumbing to the painful memories, I lose all self-control. He won’t mistreat another woman again, that’s for sure.

  Throwing punch after punch until his face is bloody and swollen, I draw my hand back to strike again.

  My brothers however, have other ideas.

  Panting and shouting, I fight against their grip as they haul me off him before my fist can connect with his face.

  The two sets of hands restraining me clamp down harder on my shoulders in response to my struggles.

  “Let go of me! He had her pinned! He deserves a good beating.” Spittle flies from my mouth as I rage at them.

  “Austin, calm yourself. We need to be careful. There are too many witnesses. He’s out for the count. He can’t harm her anymore. Trevor’s already on his way to collect him.”

  Ignoring the calm voice that tries to reason with me, I roar in frustration.

  “Look at him!” Rick bellows, dragging me out of my head and back to the present. Quietening his voice, he leans close. “He can’t harm anyone now. Calm down and go find Jax, he’s with the girl.”

  Ceasing my struggles, I look to the limp body in front of me and it finally registers that he is indeed uncon
scious.

  I scoff at how pathetic he looks. I’m sure as hell not going to feel bad for what I did to him. He deserves that and so much more.

  Taking a deep breath, I allow my coiled muscles to relax. “You can let go of me now, I’m good.” Hesitantly, they release me with a small pat on the back.

  A larger, heavier hand takes their place, squeezing gently. Peering at Rick over my shoulder, he gives me a small nod and tips his head towards the house.

  Taking one last look at the guy, I turn to go as a tattoo on the left side of his neck catches my attention.

  A compass sits atop an anchor. Its traditional directional letters are replaced by Roman numerals as a solitary snake curves around the shank with its head at the tip.

  I’ve seen that tattoo before, but where?

  I only get a quick look as the twins move in to secure his wrists behind his back and disrupt my view.

  Finally leaving them to deal with him, I return to the house.

  Jax, as thoughtful as he is, would have taken her somewhere that was quiet and away from the scrutiny of others. Lucky for me, that just so happens to be my safe space too.

  Passing the stairs on my right, I head towards the second living room.

  Standing in the doorway, I watch Jax take the first aid kit and an ice pack from the dresser.

  Waiting patiently, the girl watches the fire peacefully, completely entranced with the dancing flames and glowing embers.

  The log burning fire is one of the reasons I love this room so much. The flames lick at the grate, burning with fiery intent, eager to explore the world beyond its confines.

  Casting an ethereal glow onto the cream furniture, the sweet smell of wood smoke envelops you as you sink back into the sofa’s embrace. Each cushion wrapping around you like a warm hug on a cold winter’s day.

  The girl turns to watch Jax with reverent eyes before they cloud over in a haze. It’s obvious her adrenaline is beginning to wear off, allowing the pain to slowly creep back in.

  My fists clench and unclench at my sides as I stave off the urge to storm back outside and beat that bastard into oblivion.

  It wasn’t exactly what I meant when I said I’d welcome a fight. God only knows what would have happened if I hadn’t gotten there when I did.

  Jax carefully removes her shoes and examines her ankle, gently rotating it, stopping immediately when she yelps in pain.

  Striding across the room without a second thought, I head straight for the dresser and pour a glass of whiskey. Moving back to the sofa, I silently kneel next to Jax. Holding out the glass for her to take.

  A tear rolls down her cheek as she takes it from me, offering me a grateful smile. Tentatively, she takes a sip before grimacing.

  Slowly, so she can see what I’m doing, I reach over and wipe away the stray tear before placing a hand over the top of hers as she clutches the sofa in a death grip.

  Giving her a solemn smile, I introduce myself. “I’m Austin,” I clear my throat as it constricts with guilt. “I’m sorry I didn’t get there sooner.”

  Retracting my hand, I drop my head so that she can’t see the guilt in my eyes. I jump slightly when she chucks my chin, lifting it so that I have no choice but to look directly at her.

  “It’s nice to meet you, Aus. I’m Mila.” She gives me a mischievous smile and I can’t help but grin at her cheeky banter.

  Giving me a nickname two seconds after she met me…she’s going to be trouble. I can already tell.

  “Thank you for the save, I honestly didn’t think anyone could hear,” she says with genuine gratitude. Not an ounce of anger or disappointment in her tone.

  Her smile dissolves as Jax manipulates her foot again.

  Whimpering, she closes her eyes and clenches her fist. She bites hard on her bottom lip to stop herself from crying out, before downing the rest of her drink in one gulp.

  I chuckle as she shudders, her eyes watering slightly from a combination of pain and the afterburn of the potent drink. She’s definitely not a whiskey drinker, that’s for sure.

  Jax continues to peruse her ankle, which is bruised and swollen to nearly twice its normal size.

  I hadn’t realized that I was clenching my fists until Mila reaches out to loosen my grip. She graces me with sympathetic eyes as I silently curse myself.

  I should be the one comforting her, not the other way around.

  “Looks like it’s just a bad sprain. I’ve put some cream on to help the swelling and bruising, but you should ice it and keep it elevated. Maybe not tonight because of the alcohol, but you should take some painkillers for the pain in the morning and take it easy for the next couple of days. Did you come alone tonight?”

  Shaking her head, she looks to Jax. “I came with a friend,” she says with a small chuckle as her eyes light up. “Although, I think I lost her to a set of twins a couple of hours ago.”

  Our twins?

  “Is she the golden-haired, Italian beauty with the lavender dress?” Micah asks as he saunters in the room with Linc close on his heels.

  No. Not our twins.

  Mila lets loose a melodic laugh that brightens the room as she turns to face Micah. “Yeah, that’s her alright.”

  “I’ll go and get her. I have a feeling I know where she is,” Micah says with a wink as he retreats back into the hallway.

  Rick walks in the room next and gives a small nod.

  Good. At least that’s one bastard behind bars.

  “Lila, did-”

  “Lila?”

  “Sorry, I thought it suits you. I should have asked…” My face heats as I look anywhere but at her.

  “No. I like it,” she says gleefully, peering at me happily over the now empty glass with a twinkle in her eye.

  I give her a smile and clear my throat before carrying on. “Did he do anything to you before…”

  She shakes her head vehemently. “No, you got there in time, don’t worry. Thank you again. All of you,” she says, looking at each one of us in turn.

  “Mimi! Mimi! Are you okay?!” A vivacious blonde, that must be Gem, darts across the room and more or less floors me to get to Mila.

  Chuckling at her friend’s boundless energy, Mila turns to face Gem as she takes a seat.

  “I’m fine Gem, the guys here have it sorted. I’ll fill you in later. Would you mind if we grab a cab though? I’d like to go home.”

  “No cab, we’re taking you home whether you like it or not. No arguments. I think we would all feel better making sure that you both make it home safely. Jax, can you carry her out please?” Rick commands.

  Jax stands and goes to bend down as Mila places a gentle hand on his shoulder to stop him.

  “Rick, thank you for the offer, but honestly, it’s fine.” Handing her whiskey glass to me she attempts to stand.

  Moving out of her way, Jax and I stand close by as she takes a couple of steps forward.

  Mila tries valiantly to hide her pain, but her face contorts in agony every time she puts weight on it.

  She shifts away from Jax when he steps in to help her again, holding a hand up to ward him off. Reluctantly, he takes a step back and respects her wishes.

  Even Gem watches on hesitantly as Mila practically forces herself to endure the pain.

  She only manages a couple of more steps before she realizes the futility of her actions. Heaving a heavy sigh, her facial expressions change from one of a pained determination, to acceptance.

  “Is it too late to accept the offer of a lift?” She asks Rick begrudgingly, looking up at him from under her lashes.

  Rick nods, his jaw muscles twitching as he does his best to prevent a knowing smile from working its way onto his face.

  “Sorry, Jax,” she says sweetly. “I appreciate your help, but I’d like to at least try and walk to the car on my own two feet. If that’s alright?”

  Jax simply smiles, offering his arm for her to lean on, whilst carrying her shoes in the other. A soft smile lights her face as she takes his of
fer of support.

  “Come on, M. Let’s get the two of you home,” Rick says in a soft tone, one I’ve not heard him use before.

  Grabbing my leather jacket off the hook by the front door, I follow them outside.

  Rick brings the SUV around and opens the doors ready. It can easily fit seven people, so there is more than enough space for Mila to stretch out.

  Just as Mila finally gets herself settled and in a comfortable position, she starts to shiver.

  Taking my jacket, I place it around her shoulders and she wastes no time in snuggling down. Drowning herself in the oversized garment.

  Thanking me with a silent smile, she shifts once more, before resting her head back on the window and closing her eyes.

  Lifting her legs across our laps, I notice Jax absently tracing circles on her uninjured ankle. It’s hard not to miss the fury swimming in his eyes as he inspects her injuries.

  It’s unusual to see Jax so worked up. He’s usually the peacemaker and the most difficult to anger out of our group. Not tonight though.

  Despite seeing her around college, it’s weird that we only met Mila properly tonight, despite it feeling like we’ve known her for our whole life.

  It’s not often I feel so at ease with someone new. It takes a lot for me to build trust with a person and let them in.

  Except with Mila, I feel like I’ve skipped fifty steps. It’s strange.

  Even though we only exchanged a few words, it’s clear that all of the guys, including me, are very protective towards her.

  Maybe it’s because she is a female who was taken advantage of, or maybe it’s because of our past experiences.

  Maybe, there is just something about Mila that draws us to her. Either way, I think she’s surprised us all.

  She seems like a very easy person to get along with, especially if Rick has opened up to her enough and given her a nickname. He doesn’t make friends easily.

  Like me, it takes a lot of trust and time to earn his friendship.

  “Where are we going, Gem?” Rick asks quietly, having already clocked that Mila’s asleep.

  “You can just take us to Mimi’s house, if that’s okay? I’ll direct you. I left my car there so it will be easier for me to stay with her. Plus, I have a feeling she may need a little help in the morning,” she says ruefully, casting a concerned look back at Mila.