Little Phoenix (The Census Book 1)

by Willow Dean

  There are only a few more corridors between us and the exit when voices and the sound of a radio in one of the rooms to our right forces me to stop. Pushing Deac against the wall, I move nearer to the door to get a closer look.

  Damn! Micah wasn’t messing about when he said they were apprehended. Only Micah and Linc are missing from the group as the other three are positioned on their knees in the middle of a sparse room. All three restrained.

  There are two larger guys in the far corner who look as though they’re having a quiet conversation with their backs to the door. Not that anyone can hear it over the radio in the background.

  The other four guys must have only just got back in the room as they stand at the threshold, discussing something and talking into the mics.

  I hear them over comms ordering other patrols to be on the lookout for Linc in the corridors near the labs as the team who were looking for me call out to say they’re heading back to re-group.

  There’s no choice between my team and the hostage. My team can handle themselves, I have to assume that the hostage can’t.

  Before I turn to leave, I notice a small circle in front of each of the guys that flickers intermittently. The same circle appears in front of the two guards in the far corner too.

  My boys are so clever!

  A grin spreads across my face. Micah really out did himself this time. I signal over to Deac to follow me. As I lead him away, he peers into the room and shoots a concerned look my way.

  “Are you just going to leave them?!” He hisses, clearly not happy with my choice.

  “Nope. They are fine, right where they are,” I say confidently. His frown changes to one of confusion and maybe a little disappointment, but he doesn’t argue.

  Following in silence, we finally make our way to the front of the complex. Stopping by the front door, I prepare myself to scout it out when a shadow of bunny’s ears plays across the wall to our right, directly opposite the open front door.

  Dropping my head to my chest, I try my hardest not to giggle.

  Can that boy ever take anything seriously?!

  Deac chuffs before shaking his head at me. “What?!” I ask in bewilderment. “I’m not his keeper!” The grin plastered across Deac’s face widens at my sarcasm.

  Cutting his amusement short, I encourage him to move through the door with a hand on his shoulder. The guys surround me silently as we creep across the foreground of the complex. The sound of an owl hooting signals our retreat.

  Surrounding Deac and sticking to the shadows as much as we can, Jax moves over to the electric panel by the gate and gets to work. He has it ready to go in less than a minute, but we have to wait for the canine unit to pass around the corner of the complex before opening it and setting out.

  Making our way stealthily across the clearing, we are about half way across when I hear one of the groups over the comms.

  “Gunner reporting from the basement. They have the hostage. I repeat, they have the hostage-”

  I don’t bother trying to hear the rest. As long as we make it to the extraction point, we are in the clear.

  “We’ve been made! Step it up boys,” I whisper-shout as I break into a sprint, keeping one hand on Deac at all times.

  “Defense formation. Defend the hostage. Micah, Linc, take point. Aus with me,” Rick orders calmly. Micah and Linc sprint up to scout ahead as Rick and Aus fall back to cover our backs. Jax and I run with Deac sandwiched between us.

  I hear the whisper of gunfire behind us but I ignore it. Extracting the hostage safely is my priority. My job. Nothing else.

  The sounds of gunfire get closer as the sound of the canine units joins the cacophony of sounds.

  Just a little more…

  One of the dogs sounds like it is mere meters away as we finally make it to the extraction point and the simulation drops around us. Everyone stands there for a minute, doubled over and panting, until Micah breaks the silence.

  “We did it, Sayuri! We did it!” He exclaims, picking me up and spinning me. I laugh, rejoicing in the happy and joyful energy he exudes.

  Lowering me to the ground, the guys swarm us as we all congratulate one another.

  “Well done, Alpha Race. You are the first team to successfully complete the simulation. You did remarkably well.” I freeze at the deep timbered voice, recognition hitting me like a freight train.

  I don’t want to turn around, but it’s not like I have a choice.

  The memories flood me and sweat breaks out across my skin. Jax steps to my side and places a gentle hand on my shoulder as I lift my head to regard my team. Everyone but Rick, who is standing directly in front of me, looks to the person behind me.

  Meeting my frightened gaze, Rick gives me an encouraging nod. Taking a deep breath, I turn to face one of two people I’ve been desperately trying to avoid.

  “Hello, Trick. Or should I address you as father?” My voice drips with sarcasm and disdain. His smile falters. A flush of anger creeps across his face as he snaps his head Lachlan’s way.

  “Lachlan didn’t tell me anything. I figured it out when I was told I was adopted. You really need to learn to be quiet around patients who are trying to recover. It’s not nice to be disturbed when you are floating in such a peaceful slumber.” Condescension drips from my words like venom from a fang.

  Recovering from his emotive impulse, he stands up tall and straightens out his suit jacket.

  “I’m sorry you found out that way. I was trying to meet with you before today to fill you in on…the circumstances. However-”

  “I did not acquiesce,” I interject. “There’s a reason for that.”

  Trying to establish his authority, he puffs up his chest and delivers his next line with a tone of finality. Delivering it as more of a command than a question. “Maybe we could go somewhere private and talk things through?”

  My blood boils and I clench my fists, trying to breath normally. He thinks he can just hide away and hold onto secrets about my life for all these years and then just waltz back into my life like he never left?! Right after my parents are murdered nonetheless.

  I understand there may be circumstances that lead to the decision him and Kaye made, and that they most likely did what they did to keep me safe, but I’m still not over the loss of my family. The family that raised me since I was a child.

  I’m still trying to come to terms with everything that has happened and I need more time to process before I even think of attempting to reconnect with them. They’re strangers to me after all, and I need to be in a good headspace to tackle the emotions that threaten to drown me when it comes to them.

  “I appreciate the offer. But, like I told Deacon, I can’t handle that right now. I’m still struggling to-” I swallow with difficulty as my throat thickens. Emotions swirl around in my head causing the edges of my vision to darken. A warm hand takes its place on my lower back as another gently clasps my right shoulder.

  Inhaling deeply, I stand up tall and soak up all the silent reassurances from my new family. “I will come to you in my own time. I need time to process things, and right now, I need to focus on my training and completing these simulations. I’ll contact you through Lachlan when I’m ready.”

  I manage to maintain eye contact with him when I deliver my last sentence, but it’s swiftly broken as Rick steps in front of me, effectively cutting him off from my view.

  That doesn’t however stop Trick from peering over Rick’s shoulder to try and get my attention. He starts to say something to me when we are called over for the simulation with Lance Crew.

  Aus moves his hand away from my back to place an arm around my shoulder. Wrapping my arm around his waist, I lean into his side and allow him to steer me in the opposite direction towards the refreshment table.

  “Come on Lila, let’s go kick some ass.” Aus’s gruff words soothe me and I manage a little chuckle as he gives me a gentle squeeze.

  With my guys by my side, I know everything will turn out just fine.
No matter what happens, they will always have my back.

  After all, that’s what family is for.

  35 Mila

  “Alpha Race! Alpha Race! Alpha Race!” Everyone joins in the chant whilst we dance around to the music blaring out of the surround sound system.

  Micah passes me another shot with a cheeky wink and we clink glasses before knocking them back and continuing to dance stupidly around the living room.

  Although our sim with Lance Crew wasn’t successful, we worked well as a combined unit and excelled in all areas of scoring. Needless to say, both Alpha Race and Lance Crew passed and have been given the go ahead to start missions.

  Only three of the twenty teams who were assessed didn’t pass. Funnily enough, the all-girl squad were included in that three. They were pissed to say the least.

  Miss Prim and perfect attempted to take her frustrations out on me when everyone was gathered around after. I was so caught up in a hysterical laughing fit that I choked on my own spit. Reika was all set and ready to perform the Heimlich maneuver, which only worsened my situation.

  Our guys found it extremely amusing too. Micah and Sam were even munching on some popcorn left over from the refreshment table as they watched on with big grins on their faces.

  Rick also made sure a serious discussion was held with Deac and Lachlan regarding the negligence of the agents involved in the sims, especially after me and Micah had filled him in on our concerns.

  After watching the footage back, they wholly agreed with our assessment and sent word out to the those involved. All teams -aside from the team that we were pitted against for our joint team assessment with Lance Crew, who actually took things very seriously- were required to partake in further training.

  Word quickly spread about people’s discontent towards Alpha Race after they received their new schedules. But hey, that’s just what happens when you become lazy and complacent!

  Really, they only have themselves to blame. If anything, they should be thanking us.

  If they were to act like that in a real-life hostage or prisoner situation, they would have ended up a lot worse off. They certainly wouldn’t just get a telling off and a slap on the wrist from the enemy, that’s for sure.

  Besides, they deserved some punishment after their crude words about Lachlan. I’m glad we tanned their asses for that. Although, I do wish we had gotten free reign to punish them how we saw fit. But that’s probably just my repressed anger issues screaming to be let out.

  Oh well, they got into enough shit for letting us succeed. I’ll just have to make do with that. For now.

  I also got put in the dog house for going against Rick’s orders and changing the plan. Can’t say I didn’t warn them though. I was always open about being a loose cannon and not being good at taking orders.

  Regardless of my pre-dispositions though, any changes I make to a plan will always be for the good of the team. No matter what, I would never willingly put someone else in danger.

  I did concede that maybe I needed to communicate things better next time. Maybe by warning them in advance and deferring to Rick as team lead, to ensure I got his confirmation first. Situation permitting of course. No use in waiting on his confirmation to save my life if he ain’t there.

  Rick was happy with that. Needless to say though, the sims had really lit a fire under my butt. I absolutely cannot wait to start missions.

  The only downside is, that although there are only another couple of weeks left of normal college before we graduate, we still have to maintain the façade of attending, despite not being able to use any of the qualifications we obtain.

  Unfortunately, that means we have to complete college, alongside attending next tier training sessions and completing missions on the side. Starting tomorrow morning. Our strict schedules just got even stricter. Fun!

  To maximise time and efficiency, Rick divided us up into pairs according to our timetables and roles in the upcoming mission. Jax and I are partners as are the twins, which leaves Aus and Rick to pair up.

  As it turns out, the guys have already been working on this assignment for a while now and it sounds like most of the hard work is already done.

  “Mila! Mila! Mila!” Micah chants as he lifts me onto his shoulders and dances around the room with me.

  Throwing my hands up in the air and enjoying the view, I eye Rick with his glass of whisky. With one leg crossed over the other, he relaxes back with his arm draped across the back of the sofa.

  When he sees what we’re doing, he shakes his head disapprovingly. When in reality, I know he’s enjoying our unusual moment of peace, freedom and relaxation. The smile gracing his face and the softness in his eyes belies his true feelings. He’s far more content than he lets on.

  Jax and Aus stand at the breakfast bar, smiling and chatting away with drinks in hand. Linc, as usual, acts like a mother hen and hovers around Micah and I, making sure he’s there to catch a falling Mila, should the need arise.

  Both me and Micah are fairly intoxicated, so I suppose I should be thankful that he takes it upon himself to ensure that we don’t injure ourselves. Always our silent protector, I muse.

  Throwing him a cheeky smile, I jokingly tip backwards on Micah’s shoulder. Jumping forward with his hands ready, he gives me a nasty glare once he realizes I was just playing with him.

  I crave more time like this with the guys. Aside from our movie night, we don’t get much down time together as a team. Paladin is kindly keeping an eye on things tonight so we can relax and enjoy our success before the hard work truly begins.

  When the guys talked about Paladin, I honestly thought it was an online security system not an actual person. I met him today for the first time and bejesus, is he big! When I say big, I mean gigantic. Colossal even!

  Paladin is a massive Scotsman who likes to pack muscles on top of muscles. Paired with his tattoos, gruff red beard and a full head of bright auburn hair, he makes to be a very intimidating man.

  He is also the perfect example of never judging a book by its cover. Beneath that surly, masculine exterior he’s just a big, soft and squishy cuddle bunny inside. He cooed over me the entire time we were there.

  My heart was set on him from the minute we walked in the room. Not in a romantic way of course, but a familial way. Yeah sure, he’s like twenty years older than me, but being greeted by him felt like a warm welcome home.

  He spent the majority of the afternoon teaching me about all the different security systems that Census uses. Even though pretty much all of Census’s employees have security systems at home for one reason or another, not all require someone to monitor them around the clock.

  Fortunately, or maybe unfortunately -due to my circumstances and unique parentage- our systems are monitored around the clock. The guys take it in turns when they are at home, whilst Paladin oversees it the rest of the time.

  I had some quite deep and meaningful chats with Paladin during our short time together. It seems he doesn’t have any family, choosing to put all of his free time into work instead. It saddened me at first, but as I watched him work away, I could see the fulfilment and purpose that his role gave him.

  To him, work is everything. It’s his love, passion and joy. His workspace is his living space and that’s how he prefers it. Each to their own as the saying goes, and just in case you can’t already tell...I have a huge soft spot for my Little Fire Ant.

  I bet you’re asking yourself, did she actually call him that? Yes. Yes, I did.

  The guys lost all of their color and I swear, they nearly had a fit when I used his new nickname. Petrified, they practically jumped out of their skin when he let out a thundering belly laugh that near enough brought the place down on top of our heads. Honest to god, the foundations were shaking!

  Paladin responded to his new nickname by pulling me into his enormous embrace and nearly crushing me half to death. Promptly informing the guys that they couldn’t have his Chocolate Bunny back. Perplexed by his nickname for me, he ju
stified it by saying I have chocolate brown hair and the energy of a duracell bunny.

  Palming it off with a small shrug and more cuddles from my Little Fire Ant, I let it go. It was cute. For a man as intimidating and as manly as him, to use such an adorable nickname for someone he literally just met was astounding and somewhat comforting.

  He’s like my very own personal giant. My overprotective big brother...or one of six now, should I say. Lachlan had to step in at the end as he actually refused to give me back.

  Afterwards, the guys explained that Paladin usually keeps his emotions close to his chest. Only interacting with others when necessary, and even then, his interactions are usually only a couple of words at most. Hence why they were so surprised with how easily he took me under his wing.

  Despite his surly and threatening appearance, he apparently doesn’t anger very easily. Although, when he does, he decimates everything in his path. It’s no wonder he has such a mountainous physique, you’d need a quite large surface area to store up all that repressed anger!

  Paladin’s control and penance to work continually began to make sense once the guys enlightened me on what had happened when he was a trainer.

  Heading up a mixed group, much like Deac, he was once one of the best instructors in the organisation. That all changed though when he found one of his female students being assaulted in the male changing room by a couple of his students. One of them, Paladin had even vetted and promoted himself because of his aptitude.

  The male changing room was completely destroyed by the time Paladin had finished with them. All of those that were involved were hospitalised. Benches were smashed, tiles littered the floor and lockers were upended and crushed. Everything, irreparable.

  One of the dudes ended up with a broken femur, shattered shin bones, plated jaw and several rib fractures. He had to undergo multiple surgeries and was in hospital for over four months recovering. Taking a further sixteen months for rehab just to walk properly again.

  The injuries the rest of the men sustained were extensive and mainly pertained to the appendage that was in full use at the time that Paladin walked in on them.