Free Spike (Aces MC Series Book 3) by Aimee-Louise Foster Page A

observe his bruises in more detail.
James furrowed his brows and nodded his head, "Do you hurt anywhere else
Tommy?"
"He was complaining of..."
James held up his hand to quieten me, "Sorry but I need to hear it from
Tommy." He slowly lowered his hand as I nodded in agreement embarrassed by
my outburst.
He was right, I didn't know where he was hurting only Tommy knew for sure.
Tommy glanced in my direction, then back at James and I could see him
hesitantly lift his shaking hand towards his groin. I let out a gasp and had to
put my hand over my mouth to try and control my emotions.
"Tommy, are you okay for me to take a look?" James asked in a soft
tone with caring eyes.
My brave little soldier nodded and quickly pulled his trousers and pants down
so that James could examine him further.
James' facial expression didn't change as he pressed around the clearly bruised
area of skin, "Okay buddy, you can get dressed now and go and finish your
lunch."
I assisted Tommy with his clothes and he briskly walked out of the room a lot
happier than when he walked in, closing the door behind him.
James removed his gloves and sat back on his heels to look at me, "What
are the chances of you returning to your husband?"
I shook my head vigorously, "None."
"I'm pleased to hear it. That's a vicious attack on Tommy and I can see by
your face that he was also violent towards you."
I moved my hand to my cheek to the area that Liam had punched me repeatedly for
trying to protect my son.
"Do you want me to take a look at your injuries?" James asked in a
softer tone.
I took a deep breath and silently stood as I looked towards the door.
"We can open it or I can get Amy to sit with you if you would feel more
comfortable?"
I closed my eyes and shook my head drumming up the courage as I pulled my
t-shit up over my head before turning so that he could examine my back. I knew
he would be able to see through the recent bruising at the permanent scars
caused by a belt buckle but although embarrassed I needed him to see it because
as a professional he would hopefully understand that it wasn't my fault, and I
needed people to realise that.
I wanted to start a new life for myself and my beautiful children and not live
in fear or regret. I knew that the first step after that initial decision to leave
would be to accept what had happened to us. It didn't make it right, no person
should ever violate another but I needed to accept it for what it was and move
on.
Revealing my injuries would cause people to question my motives or they would
see me as being weak for letting it happen but I had been groomed over the
years, made to feel useless, worthless, disgusting and that if I spoke out no
one would ever believe me and I may even lose my children. I'd had some low
points, I had even contemplated suicide over the years but it was the love for my
children that kept me going and as they grew older, I grew more confident
knowing that I would one day have the strength to leave him. My only regret is
that this gave Liam the opportunity to hurt Tommy and I would have to live with
that for the rest of my life. There is no worse feeling then not being able to
save your loved ones.
    I could hear James rise to his feet and felt him behind me
as he put on another pair of gloves. James pressed gently around the bruising
and I squeezed my eyes tight as my heart rate increased and tried to compose
myself, chanting in my head that this wasn't Liam touching me.
He must have felt my body stiffen, "Louise it's okay, try to control your
breathing. Do you want me to open the door?"
I hadn't realised that I was now breathing so heavily and on the verge of
hypoventilation.
"No, I'm fine." I whispered as I stepped forward out of his reach to
breathe slowly.
James waited until I had composed myself, "I'm going to need you to lie on
the bed so I can examine you properly."
I shuffled nervously at first by his words but I did as I was asked and laid on
the bed hesitantly, and watched his every