Little Phoenix (The Census Book 1) Read online

  Little Phoenix

  Census series: Book 1

  Willow Dean

  Copyright © 2020 by Willow Dean.

  All rights reserved. This book or parts thereof may not be reproduced in any form, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means –electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise- without prior written permission of the publisher, except as provided by the United Kingdom copyright law.

  Please note, this book is ONLY for distribution through Amazon. If you obtained this copy from elsewhere, please email the publisher as this is a pirated copy.

  This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, places, brands and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events or locales, is entirely coincidental.

  The content in this book is intentionally written in a mixture of British English and American English. If you have any concerns over quality or content, please email the publisher directly.

  For permission requests or to report errors/quality issues, please write to the publisher at:

  [email protected]

  Created with Vellum

  Disclaimer

  This book is for mature readers, 18+. There is talk of potentially triggering topics within this book with references and/or detailed descriptions of violence, physical, mental abuse, rape and other sensitive topics that some readers may find offensive.

  Whilst there is some information included in the book on coping techniques in regards to low mood and depression, this should not be taken as professional counsel. If you find you have been personally affected by the content or subject matter, please seek out professional advice.

  Contents

  Author’s note

  Prologue

  1. Mila

  2. Mila

  3. Austin

  4. Mila

  5. Mila

  6. Mila

  7. Mila

  8. Mila

  9. Mila

  10. Jaxson

  11. Mila

  12. Mila

  13. Mila

  14. Mila

  15. Mila

  16. Mila

  17. Mila

  18. Mila

  19. Mila

  20. Mila

  21. Mila

  22. Mila

  23. Austin

  24. Mila

  25. Mila

  26. Mila

  27. Mila

  28. Unknown

  29. Mila

  30. Mila

  31. Austin

  32. Mila

  33. Micah

  34. Mila

  35. Mila

  36. Lincoln

  37. Rick

  38. Mila

  39. Rick

  40. Mila

  41. Rick

  Hey, you! Yes...you!

  Acknowledgments

  About Me

  Also by Willow Dean

  Author’s note

  Thank you for giving my very first book a try!

  Fair warning…this book contains mentions and detailed descriptions of triggering topics. It also includes many curse words and a variety of different spellings, in both English and American English.

  If that doesn’t put you off…

  Then I hope you enjoy!

  Thank you LaFringe for continually pushing me to do what I love and for providing me with plenty of YouTube content to keep me going through the hard edits!

  Prologue

  Uknown

  Fuck! Where did she go?! This little bitch is about as slippery as a snake in a vat of oil.

  I don't know how she keeps managing to avoid me, but she does.

  The difficulty is, if I don't deliver her this time, I'm done for. That insane motherfucker probably won't even allow me to live long enough to hear my excuses.

  No. Scratch that. He would let me live. He definitely would. It'd just involve me being nailed down to a chair and stripped down to my bones.

  Not in a perverted way either. Oh no. I would literally be stripped down to the bone, muscle, tendon and flesh alike. I'd be better off jumping in a river of blood thirsty Piranha's.

  Sliding myself behind one of the pillars at the back of the courtyard, I peek my head around the corner to find her sitting underneath a tree in the shade with her back to me. Another girl sitting next to her, talks animatedly by her side.

  Relief hits me as I relish in finally catching up to her.

  I lost her the other day when she went to the mall and I couldn't find her on the walk into the college this morning either.

  She seems to take a different route every day and it's never the same. With the way she keeps turning around in my direction every now and again, I would have thought that she knew she was being followed too.

  The fact that she’s managed to kibosh my first two attempts at retrieving her fits that theory too, although I don't know how she would know she has a tail.

  Having a stalker, or the likes of that, is too far out of the ordinary for your average college student to consider, let alone comprehend and act upon.

  I've spent nearly my whole life playing spy for Pluto. There's no way a meek little girl would be able to see through my guise.

  I'm probably just being paranoid. Death threats and torture can do that to a man after all. We are not immune to the pains of physical violence like women think we are.

  That's why I hate women. All of them.

  They simply exist as warm vessels to be used for a man’s pleasure, to satisfy his needs and to treat him like a king.

  Coincidently, that's exactly what I plan on doing when I get my hands on her. After all the trouble that she’s caused me, I’m going to use and abuse that tight, curvy body of hers before I deliver her right to his feet.

  My orders were to bring her in alive. Nothing was said about what state she was to return in.

  Zoning in on their conversation, excitement builds as I pick up on exactly what I was waiting for.

  "-party at the Torres's. Are you coming?"

  "Let me guess, your playboy’s going to be there?"

  Her friend’s high-pitched girly giggle causes my teeth to grind in annoyance.

  Fucking women.

  Why do they even want this female anyway? Sure, she looks good enough for a quick fuck or two, but that's not why they want her, they have their rings for that.

  No. It must be something else. Not that they would tell a lackey like me anything, but still.

  "I suppose I could come. Just for you," she returns sarcastically.

  "Oh come on, Babe! Cut yourself some slack. You've been on at your assignments and papers non-stop. You deserve a break. Besides, you haven't gotten laid in a while."

  The thought of spoiling her body for anyone else causes my dick to stir in my pants. Sheathing myself in her and choking off her air supply as she begs me for mercy.

  Forcing a quiet groan out of my throat, my head thunks back against the pillar as I palm myself.

  Not long now. Not long until I have you under my thumb, right where I want you.

  They may want you alive, but I'm not letting them have you in one piece.

  1 Mila

  “Come on Mimi, we are going to be late!”

  I love Gem but wow, she can be so god damned impatient!

  “I’m nearly done Gem, hold onto your goddamn knickers!” I shout, pulling my dress over my head.

  It’s my favorite, one that Mum gave me on my eighteenth birthday nearly a year ago now as she sniffled back tears at the thought of me growing up into a ‘beautiful young woman’.

  Stark white and skin-
tight, it stops just above my knees. Sitting off the shoulder on one side and sleeveless on the other, it highlights my slightly overly healthy hourglass figure perfectly.

  It’s a simple design, but dazzling nonetheless.

  I finish adjusting it in the mirror and turn to scoop my pearl earrings and necklace off the dresser. Watching myself in the mirror, I admire the way my long chocolate brown curls hang daintily across my shoulder blades.

  As usual, my perusal is rudely cut short when the door opens to admit my gorgeous best friend.

  Standing at least four inches below my five-six stature, she’s rather tiny, but don’t let that fool you. Gem is living proof of the saying ‘big things come in small packages’.

  Feisty packages full of fire and death.

  Gem’s golden locks spill across her shoulders in soft curls and are beautifully complimented by her dark tan, courtesy of her Italian heritage.

  She doesn’t need make-up to stand out, but heaven forbid if she wasn’t allowed to primp herself on occasion. Gem meltdowns are not a pleasant experience, nor are they something that I wish to repeat often.

  Despite her makeup being light, she applies it expertly to enhance her natural assets. Her red lipstick alone is going to attract a lot of attention tonight, never mind the stunning lavender dress that she’s modeling. Eyes are definitely going to roam with that neck line.

  See, this is why we always get ourselves into trouble! It’s nothing to do with me. It’s all her. I swear.

  “Comeee ooonn. I want to get out and showcase these beauties!” Puffing up her chest and twisting from side to side, she tries to don a sexy pout but just ends up looking constipated instead.

  I try to stop myself, I really do, but I can’t help but explode with laughter. She looks absolutely ridiculous!

  Once I get my breath back, I return to securing my last earring. Looking back in the mirror, her hazelnut eyes meet my amber ones as she gives me a look that screams please be my baby sitter for the night.

  No chance.

  With only four months left of college, I plan on taking all the opportunities I can to party it up and relieve the tension of the looming finals.

  The end is finally in sight and I can’t wait to get them over and done with and move on into the real world. Of course, it would help if I actually knew what I wanted to do with my life.

  None of the career’s the counsellors suggested ever stood out to me. I just hope that when the time comes to make a decision, I’ll actually know what direction to take.

  Gem’s signature pout breaks through my thoughts.

  Not this time biatch.

  Raising an eyebrow and crossing my arms over my chest, I show her just how unwilling I am to acquiesce her silent request.

  “Nuh-uh, I am not being your chaperone tonight. I haven’t had fun in ages and these mock finals are killing me!” The only response I get is a silent, defiant glare.

  Cue the intense stare down that lasts all of a couple of seconds until it becomes too much for both of us and we descend into fits of giggles.

  “Finish your primping girl, we gotta get you a hot one tonight!” She says coyly, throwing me a wink and sashaying out of the room.

  Running my hands down my outfit one last time, I grab my phone and money off the desk and find them a home alongside my ample cleavage.

  I could use a clutch, yes. Would I prefer to…no. It’s way too much effort to carry one around and it only gets in the way.

  Snatching a pair of plain black two-inch heels out of my wardrobe, I head downstairs.

  Mum, Dad and I live in a large four bedroom house. Not that we need the extra rooms mind you. There are no grandparents, uncles, aunties or cousins to share with. Let alone any siblings.

  I always wanted a little brother or sister. Unfortunately, Mum was unable to have children after me. She never likes to talk about it though. Every time someone brings up the topic of children, she’s quick to redirect the conversation.

  Dad said she always wanted a large family, and I know Mum doesn’t see it, but not being able to have children or extend her family has had a bigger impact on her than I think even she realizes.

  I’ve made numerous suggestions about fostering or adoption, each ending in me being shot down rather promptly.

  Neither of them would ever give me a reason as to why we couldn’t do either and it only served to make for an awkward conversation, so I stopped pushing.

  Leaning against the door jamb of the kitchen, I take a second to watch Mum fussing over Gem. Gem visibly glows when she receives attention from Mum, who relishes the opportunity to fawn over another child.

  Gem’s always been like a second daughter to her. She is practically my sister, only separated by blood.

  We were pretty much inseparable from a young age, with Gem spending most of her time at our house rather than at home.

  Her rambunctious and adventurous attitude never sat well with her family. Especially seeing as her sister Florence, is the center of her parents universe.

  As prestigious and renowned researchers, they strive for perfection in every aspect of life. Florence is the epitome of that.

  As an academic, she is constantly researching and striving to learn and develop her skills and is therefore the perfect child in their perfect little world.

  In stark contrast, is our beautiful Gem, who never remains on the same path in life for long.

  Choosing to entertain herself with various men from all walks of life, she definitely does not fulfill the specs required to hold a special place in her family’s eyes.

  Mum’s head lifts as I walk into the room. Her cherry red hair, cut into a soft bob, gently sways around her face as she turns to look at me.

  Stopping mid-sentence, her soft sky-blue eyes light up. Glistening with unshed tears.

  Cue the internal eye role.

  It’s cute that she cares so much, but she always has that reaction to this dress.

  Gem kisses her on the cheek before smiling gently and heading in my direction. “Go give her some love. She thinks you’re growing up too fast and that you’ll leave her behind. I’ll wait in the cab for you,” she whispers on her way past.

  Outstretching my arms, Mum doesn’t hesitate. Enveloping me in her arms , she gives me a good ol’ Mum hug.

  “Go and enjoy tonight, Honey, just don’t have too much fun. Remember, I need you to help me pack tomorrow as your Dad has to work late.”

  Squealing like a little schoolgirl inside, I can’t help the grin that tugs at my face at the thought of going camping tomorrow. I’ve been waiting for this for ages.

  Having a week’s break from college is going to be amazing and it couldn’t have come at a better time. It’s been ages since we last went on a family outing.

  “I know Mum, relax. Don’t worry,” I reassure her, pulling back to place a kiss on her cheek. “I’ll be fine. Maybe we could make some brownies for the trip too?”

  With a nod of agreement and a squeeze of my shoulder, she ushers me out into the hallway. “We’ll see. Now on with you or Gem will-”

  Too late.

  The cabbies horn honks just as I bend down to place my shoes on the floor. Glancing at one another, we dissolve into peals of laughter.

  I wonder how the cabbie is reacting to Gem reaching over the partition and abusing his perfectly good horn.

  To prevent Gem from irritating our chauffeur any further, I rush to put my shoes on and race out to the car, waving back over my shoulder.

  “Have a good time girls. Stay safe!” Mum hollers, watching us from the front door.

  Gem gives the driver the address and he sets off at a steady speed. As luck may have it, the oh shit handles don’t seem to be in need tonight.

  “Soooo…do you think Troy will be there?” She asks as I smirk knowingly.

  “And why would that matter to you? It’s not like you fancy him or anything so it doesn’t matter whether he is there or not.”

  I know full well the extent
of her crush on Troy. She tries to hide it, but fails miserably.

  He’s in most of her classes in college and she has various pictures of him on her phone. Some of which I’m pretty sure would end up in a court case for stalking or indecent exposure if she was ever caught.

  Let’s just say, college shower rooms have easy access.

  “Hardy, ha ha. If you must know, we just so happen to have been partnered up for environmental science and I was wanting to run something past him for our project.”

  “Yeah…you mean the project to determine the most effective method to woo a partner and the multitude of different scientific methods used to create new life forms?! I definitely want in on this project,” I huff sarcastically.

  Dropping her voice, she leans in to whisper in my ear. “Well, if I knew you were up for some triple action, I would have invited you to the party a long time ago.”

  Her voice so sultry that she almost has me falling for her, and I most definitely do not swing that way!