Chapter 2

M released herself from James embrace and went to stand by the fireplace with her back to him. It really scared him to see her in this state, to see her looking so vulnerable. He got up from his place on the sofa and walked up beside her and put his arm around her. She leaned her head on his shoulder and she accepted a tissue from him and wiped her tears.

"I'm sorry James."

"You have nothing to be sorry about. Who was it that found you when you were attacked."

"Nobody found me. When I got myself together I phoned Tanner and he took me to medical. They checked my ribs and my face and gave me some painkillers."

"You should have had him take you to the hospital."

"I couldn't bring myself to tell him what had happened, I felt so humiliated."

"You have nothing to be ashamed off, this isn't your fault. You need to go to the Police."

"NO, James no I can't. Please don't make me go there, I can't deal with the sympathetic looks and facing him again. I can't do it James."

"It's okay, I won't make you go but I'm telling you something right now. He's not getting away with this."

"Please, just leave it. Don't get into any trouble for me, it's not worth it."

"But you are worth it. You're exhausted, you need to rest."

"I can't sleep, I haven't slept since it happened. I'm terrified to close my eyes…"

"Incase he comes back."

"Yes." M said, quietly.

"Come with me." He smiled.

He slipped his hand in hers and took her upstairs to her bedroom. She followed him to the bed when he gently sat her down on the edge. He knelt in front of her and took hold of her hands.

"Now listen to me, I want you to lie down and try to get some sleep okay."

"James I…"

"I'll be right down stairs, I won't leave I promise."

"Alright, I'll try."

"That's my girl." He smiled, as he stood up and kissed the top of her head.

He pulled a blanket over her as she lay down and he turned off the bedside lamp and left the door slightly open. He walked back down stairs and got out his phone.

"Eve, it's James."

"Hey, how did it go. Did she let you in."

"Eventually."

"How is she."

Eve took note of the long silence from James end and knew something was wrong.

"James."

"You know how you said you thought there was something she wasn't telling you."

"I was right, what is it."

"I'm not entirely sure if I should tell you or not."

"James for god sake, she's not just the Boss. We care about her and we want to help her."

"She knows who it was that attacked her."

"Who is it."

"Someone from her past."

"Well we need to find him and call the Police, we…."

"Eve listen to me, he didn't just hit her."

"What do you mean."

"Jesus, she'll kill me for this.."

"James, tell me."

"He raped her Eve."

"He did what.."

"She didn't want anyone to know."

"Why on earth not. James she needs support through this. She shouldn't be dealing with it on her own."

"She feels humiliated by it. Don't tell her I told you, she begged me not too."

"So why tell me then."

"I want you to get Q to find out a bit about the bastard that did this too her."

"Okay, what's his name."

"Taylor Hunt. All I know is that he studied law at Oxford with M back in the day."

"No problem, I'll get Q on it now. James, what will you do to him when you find him."

"A taste of his own medicine."

"You won't kill him though, right."

"I don't know."

"James, don't. M wouldn't want that."

"M wouldn't want that, you're kidding right. The woman ordered you to shoot me, remember. I don't think she'll be too fussed if I kill the man who raped her."

"James, he isn't part of the job, you can't just cover his death up like the others. You could get arrested for it, please think about that before you do anything and think about M. She's the main priority."

"You know what, you're right. Okay I promise not to kill him but there's no way he's getting away with what he did."

"I do understand, really. I'll go and fill in Q okay."

"Thanks Eve."

"Just take care of her. Night James."

James hung up the phone and leaned back against the sofa and closed his eyes. The next time he woke up, it was the screams from M that had him on his feet and up the stairs to her bedroom in seconds. He ran over to the bed to see her thrashing about, her arms flying about punching the air.

"M, wake up." He said, trying to keep hold of her wrists.

"GET OFF ME, GET OFF. PLEASE DON'T HURT ME." She cried, tears streaming down her face.

"M, M COME ON. WAKE UP, IT'S JAMES."

M's eyes shot open as she heard James voice trying to sooth her.

"James, I…"

"It's okay, you're safe now."

"Oh god, I'm so sorry."

"Come here." He said, gathering her in his arms.

"I feel like such a fool."

"You're not a fool, far from it."

"I hate feeling like this, it's not who I am."

"You're human, you have every right to feel the way you do."

M sat back and looked into James eyes. She saw all the concern he had for her and wished that she'd called him 2 months ago when it happened and perhaps she wouldn't feel the way she did at that moment.

"James, will you stay with me tonight."

"I already told you I would."

"I meant, in here."

"Oh, M do you think that's a good idea."

"I need comfort, you can leave if you want. I'll understand."

"Budge up."

M did as she was told and James came to lie beside her. M turned over but moved into James as he brought his hand around her waist, holding her tight, never wanting to let her go.

To Be Continued…