Hidden Away (3 page)

The light woke me and I was alone again, of course I hadn't expected him to stay over but a
goodbye would have been nice, sighing I rolled over noticing that I was still in my running gear but
covered with one of my throws. There was a note next to me on the pillow
Jenna
I have to go away until the weekend, think about us please and when I return we will have that
conversation, like I said Jenna we are inevitable and will be together, work out a way that can
happen and I will keep you safe forever. M

I shut my eyes tight, the feeling I had when he held me was like nothing I had ever experienced and
I knew he was right if I stayed here we would be inevitable, there was no option I needed to
arrange another place and fast. The last thing I wanted was to leave him but it was my one and
only choice. My Uncle usually sent me a pay as you go phone package on the first day of every
month so we could check in with each other and I noted with a jolt he was a few days late, my guts
twisted in four years he had never missed the date, maybe I was being irrational, perhaps he was
on holiday but without him I was stuck here, perhaps as we had decided I could remain here longer
he felt I didn't need the same regular contact but surely he would have told me? The man
following me last night suddenly sprang to mind and I jumped up and looked out of the window,
was someone on to me?, was I being watched?. I was pacing the floor now getting myself in a state.
Mrs Flint had given me a late start but actually what I wanted now was a distraction and friendly
faces so I jumped in the shower dressed and set off.
The walk to the hotel was straight forward I had missed the worst of the crowds, I scanned the
street constantly checking for the man who I saw last night glancing behind me every few steps but
I arrived with no signs of anyone untoward so I guess my imagination was probably working too
hard. My day was pleasant enough, Mrs Flint had me running around looking after all the VIP
guests, that was now my new position handling the difficult and glamorous, I loved every minute
especially when I received an expensive make up bag from a top model and signed photo from a
rock band and some very large tips. Thursday went the same way and my nerves had settled down
a bit, the distance from Morgan had helped but I also missed him rather more than I was
comfortable with this made the lack of contact from my uncle even more of a problem, I had to
move on as soon as I could, I would give him another week then use the emergency only pager to
contact Aunt Theresa this was a last resort. Morgan had been true to is word and given me time to
think, he would be disappointed to find no alteration in my mind when he did return, I wanted so
much to allow the feelings I had for him to develop but I was also realistic enough to understand
the implications if I did, should I allow him to risk his safety to give me the possibility of love? I was
not selfish enough to pursue that option so moving on was still my only safe option.
Friday morning came Tony and I walked in the lobby together discussing the staff night out
“Baby cakes its karaoke this week so get your lungs warmed up” I grimaced singing was a love of
mine as I had vocal lessons as a child but I had never considered singing in public
“err I don't think that's my thing Tony!” he laughed
“Tradition babe new staff get first choice of song, everyone sings bad so don't be shy” I pulled a
face at him and went inside to ask Kate if he was teasing me
“No Jen we all had to do it have a few shots first it makes it easier to bear” she poked me and
laughed when I stomped off to my desk in a flap. All day I was teased about the coming night, but
by the time we were all getting changed I was laughing with them
“Just give me an hour to have a drink then at least, please don't make me first one up!” I wriggled
into my new jeans and top swapped into higher black shoes and let my hair down, it was a bit
fluffy so I had to wet it to calm the curls, a touch of gloss and I was done. Kate was wearing a maxi
dress her sleek blonde hair tied up, she was so pretty and delicate, and she was staring at me
“You are hot girl I wish I had a chest like that can I be cheeky are they real?” I was not offended at
all it wasn't the first time I had been asked that question.
“Yes they are both all mine courtesy of my Italian genes” she looked down at her own and grinned
at me
“my genes are directly from my father I think” we laughed loudly some of the other girls joined in
and we were all in good spirits by the time we entered the bar. Tony grabbed my arm and handed
me a vile luminous green liquid in a shot glass
“babe your vocal warm up” I took the stuff and knocked it back to show good will but then
ordered a sparkling water to keep me hydrated, the song list was shoved at me so reluctantly I
picked Eva Cassidy's “fields of Gold” a song my mother had loved, It was noisy in the bar and quite
busy Tony was well loved by everyone and he was the centre of attention which gave me the
chance to get to know people I hadn't yet spoken to, everyone was intrigued by my new VIP role
and were drilling me for gossip, thankfully nobody seemed annoyed I had been given a cushy job
so soon. The night was fun and my resolve to move somewhere new was wavering but that was
partly the alcohol and the fact Morgan wasn't around to cloud my thinking. Far too soon my name
was called to take my turn at the karaoke, I was dragged up to the stage by Kate and the
microphone was shoved into my hand, I scanned the room it was dark and noisy so maybe nobody
would even notice me singing so my nerves settled a little, as soon as I heard the first few notes my
mind took me back to my home with my mother singing in the kitchen, my eyes closed blanking
off anything but the song it felt wonderful to sing again my vocal coach had always tried to get me
to loosen up and just let the music take me, now I knew what he meant and I sang with feeling
meaning every word. The emotions were overwhelming memories of my childhood flooded back
and I felt tears threatening, my voice cracked on the last note when the song was over all I was
aware of was a deafening silence I looked up and saw that the entire room was frozen all staring at
me some sniffling into tissues and right at the back I saw Morgan leaning against the wall hands in
pockets totally focused on my face with a look in his eyes that knocked my for six I blinked hard as
the room erupted into cheers and clapping, Tony rushed the stage picked me up and swung me in
the air
“Oh My God Jen you are amazing why are you not famous? honey you had us all blubbering” I was
surrounded by people complimenting me and asking me for requests, it was too much especially
after the emotions the song evoked and then seeing Morgan looking at me that way so I made
excuses to go to the bathroom, Morgan had disappeared when I had finally escaped the throng of
well-wishers. I walked towards the ladies room and I noticed Morgan standing at the entrance to
reception in deep conversation with two official looking men, he was talking intently and looked
over in my direction, our eyes met the two men turned and stared at me too, I knew that they
were talking about me my breath caught in my throat, then they were on their way over to me, my
instinct was to run but Morgan motioned to me so I stood rooted to the spot feeling like a rabbit in
the headlights. Morgan spoke first
“Jenna these two men have flown in from the States to find you, they are FBI agents and just want
to talk I have suggested they use my office and I will stay with you the whole time if you wish” my
heart was pounding this meant only one thing it was over
“do you mind if I see your ID cards before I go anywhere with you please” Morgan looked taken
aback but waited for the agents to do as I asked, I examined the cards as I had been shown by my
Uncle, unfortunately these two certainly seemed real of course I was just stalling the inevitable,
agents Hubbard and Tanner followed us as we went up to Morgan's office, he held my arm as he
could feel my trembling he would now be involved in this mess if I let him listen but for once I
didn't want to be alone so I just gave in and decided to let it all play out and then he could decide if
he wanted to run a mile or not. At the door Morgan asked the agents to go inside and to give us a
minute, he waited for them to be safely inside and then turned to me
“whatever happens in that room I will be here for you this is the beginning for us, a chance for you
to let me in, I saw the anguish in your singing tonight and whatever has caused you that pain I will
try and take it away from you, next time I hear you use your beautiful voice it will be singing with
joy, “he kissed me gently
“You looked wonderful up there mesmerising” I was shaking too much to register half of his words
but the sentiment came through and I smiled gratefully at him as we entered the room.
Agent Tanner who was obviously in charge took the lead and Morgan sat beside me holding my
hand in his lap
“ Miss White we have been sent to confirm your identity… by doing so you would be helping us
with our enquiries into a quadruple murder investigation that occurred four years ago” he paused
to gage my reaction, I tried for the poker face but my mind was doing somersaults, it was obvious
they were talking about my family and had information about who I was which means they must
be talking to my uncle which would therefore explain his lack of contact.
“Understand that without confirmation of your identity a man we have been questioning will be
charged in this matter” they had to be talking about Luca but why would he be charged, it was
time to speak I took a deep breath
“My name is Elisa Marcelli, daughter of Antonio and Louisa Marcelli of New York City my parents
were shot and murdered and my brother was killed in our home after a fire bomb attack, to which
incident I was witness, I was also meant to be in the building but by chance I was not, my uncle
Luca hid me away and then arranged for me to have a new identity and come to the United
Kingdom to protect me and keep it secret that I had survived. I have moved home every six months
since the day I arrived and can provide you with those addresses should you need them” I paused
as I felt my hand stroked gently, I looked fleetingly at the man beside me whose face was
registering the information, the murders made front page headlines all over the world and I could
see shock and realisation dawning in him.
“Thank you for being so direct, Miss Marcelli. Mr Luca Marcelli is in our custody and you are his
entire defence against the accusations” I interrupted
“How can he be accused of this when he loved my father and did everything to help me stay alive
why have you arrested him?” the agents looked at each other
“Miss Marcelli we believe your uncle is being set up by the people who did this crime, they
planned to erase the entire Marcelli family and take their place in the business world by
implicating your uncle in these crimes means they can dispose of him also, his wife and daughter
have been in hiding in Italy for the past year as we think they are also at risk” this news shocked
me I love my cousin Carmella and my aunt and so I hated the idea of them being at risk too, I
couldn't bear to lose any more family
“their plan has come unstuck because of you only they do not know that yet, we have to ensure
your survival remains secret as this will give us the chance to set a trap to put the right people
away, we have watched the Marcelli family for many years and although your uncle and father
were born into the Mafia, he and your father went their own way and the wealth they accrued is
purely from legitimate business and they have never broken any laws, the two brothers
embarrassed the rest of the Mafia by choosing a straight path and that is why your family was
removed and your uncle set up in this way” my mind was taking all this in my father was not a
criminal he was killed because he chose a legal path I jumped to my feet and paced the room,
Morgan looked worried
“I can't believe all this, what kind of world is it where you choose good over evil then pay the price
my whole family killed for being good, I can't take it in”, all this time the knowledge my father
brought this upon us had focused my anger on him now I don't know who to blame and who to
hate I sat back down shaking with anger that quickly turned to tears, Morgan stroked my arm and
spoke up
” may I ask how things will now proceed, you have discovered the truth now how do you intend to
protect Jenna after coming all the way here which in itself could now expose her to possible
threats, if you have any leaks this won't be kept from them you do know that “he was angry he
thought them being here may be my undoing. Agent Tanner reassured us that a man had been
following me for my own protection for the past week since my uncle’s arrest, I immediately asked
for a description of him to settle my mind and indeed it seemed that my mystery jogger was the
agent they described. My safety being priority Morgan suggested I stay in the hotel until the case
was over as it would be easier to protect me there, I was touched by his concern but wanted things
to stay as they were I didn't want to arouse distrust with my co-workers now I had found friends
and felt settled for once. The agents left after swapping contact details with us all, Morgan to liaise
with his own security team whose services had been accepted gratefully, we sat quietly after they
left I wanted to let it all sink in. Morgan was quiet and his face a hard mask like he was struggling to
deal with mixed emotions my heart sank I was going to be too much trouble as predicted. When
he did finally speak he was very strained,
“come let’s get you home it has been a long night” tears pricked my eyes again as we stood up I
felt he was drifting away from me, the truth too much for him, he saw the anguish in me and took
me by the arms crushing me into his chest and breathing in to my neck whispering to me
“I am here angel always, I promised and I meant it, I want you so badly the very idea of what you
have been through tears me up inside, you have been so strong and I am in blown away by you, if I
seem angry it is because the idea these animals would come to find you and take you away from
me the thought is abhorrent” I stroked his hair as he talked wondering if maybe now I would not
have to hide, if they knew who these people were then I could stay here with Morgan forever it
was just a fleeting thought.
It was a quiet drive back to my flat Tony was watching through the window as we pulled up
outside he came out to meet me Graham let me out and Morgan me to where Tony stood
“Tony will you see Miss White up to her flat please and then I need a moment of your time if that
is convenient” Tony looked bemused but as the door man his job was security so I guessed he
would have to be let in on some of what was going on, it was a shame as we had become great
friends I didn't want to spoil that. Morgan waited on the steps for him giving me a reassuring smile
“wow he is taking care of you tonight, we all wondered what happened to you did we freak you
out with all the gushing? Girl you can sing we were gutted you didn't do an encore” I smiled
“Next week Tony I promise “he patted me on the head as I entered my front door
“well best see what dark and deadly wants night night” he ambled off back to Morgan I washed
my face and stripped off, my jeans felt hot and I needed to feel comforted so I pulled on my onesie
it was tragic but made me feel like a little girl when I wore it and it had a fluffy lining so it was like
wearing a cuddle shapeless though it was. When my doorbell sounded I was horrified, no one
should see me in my bunny covered monstrosity, I eyed the peep hole and saw Morgan standing
outside patiently,