Hidden Away (8 page)

Morgan wasn't happy leaving Elisa down stairs and was pacing waiting for her to return five
minutes she had said, his arousal was uncomfortable but seemed to be a constant when he was
with her. She had bewitched him that very first night when he was driving back to the hotel, he
saw this delicate woman doing kung fu manoeuvres to disarm an attacker, he had jumped out of
the car knowing rescue was unnecessary as she was doing fine on her own but he wanted to check
on her, as he had approached her he remembered being knocked for six by her, dark hair dripping
with rain droplets that were trickling running down her beautiful face, her top was so wet it was
see through giving him a view of the most soft curvaceous breasts he had ever seen he had forced
himself to raise his eyes and that was when he had fallen for her, she had startlingly pale blue eyes
full of strength and fury and as their gaze had locked his heart had practically jumped out of its
long slumber, it was like they connected and she could see into his soul, no woman had ever
affected him so quickly and so deeply. His mind had been whirling as he walked her home she was
shaking and he wanted to wrap her in his arms and make her feel safe reluctantly he let her go up
the flight of stairs to her building the sight she left him with was breath-taking her skirt had torn all
the way to her crotch and he had a perfect view of her amazing legs and the bare flesh at the top
of her stockings was just begging for him to touch her, a tiny glimpse of the curve of her arse
almost had him running up behind her to take her there and then. It was the night he knew his life
changed forever someone was now more important to him than his own life and even more so
when she gave her innocence to him and let him in to her life, he was totally in love and wanted to
make it official as soon as she became Elisa Marcelli again. Ten minutes had gone and his phone
buzzed It was Mrs Flint frowning he answered sharply
“Mrs Flint where is Jenna?” she stuttered at his abruptness
“Mr Drake two of the Ambassadors men arrived this afternoon to make sure everything is in place
for his arrival, they don't speak any English so were waiting For Miss White to return as they
wanted to look at alternative exits, Miss White asked me to let you know she would be with you
shortly she was just taking them down through the store to the back entrance to see if that would
be the best way for the Ambassadors wife to avoid the press” Morgan was puzzled
“How did they know to wait for Miss White?” she hastily replied
“They were with the Ambassador last time so they have already met her” that made him feel
better
“Thanks Mrs Flint” he hung up and set about unpacking putting his sexual desires to the back of
his mind for a while. Half an hour later and he he'd had enough of waiting and decided to go down
to fetch her himself, after walking the length and breadth of the building he started to panic where
the fuck was she? On a hunch he telephoned the Ambassador, Roberto and he were on good terms
“Bonjourno Roberto sorry to disturb you I need to ask if you have contact numbers for the two
security men you sent ahead of you, they appear to have commandeered my employee and I want
her back” he spoke with good humour but the bottom fell out of his world when Roberto replied
“Morgan I have sent no men before me what are you talking about we are all travelling together”
Morgan almost dropped the phone
“There were two men with you on your last visit, they are here and they have borrowed Miss
White for a tour of all our exits are you telling me they are nothing to do with you?” Roberto's tone
changed at Jenna's name
“I replace my men every week I use an agency if it is the same men they have come without my
permission, why would they want our Jenna?” Morgan snapped at that point
“They don't want Jenna they want Elisa and I've just fucking delivered her on a plate, shit”
Roberto was confused but after a brief explanation he was horrified
“ I am familiar with the Marcelli name I will be there tomorrow you can use my own security to
help do what you can I will see you then and help as best I can” Roberto had come to think of Elisa
as a friend so was anxious to help. Morgan was frantic Tony walked in the hotel and saw
immediately by the look on his face something was wrong, pandemonium broke out Morgan called
Tanner first
“Tanner get your arse across here they have my woman and if she is not returned to me in perfect
condition I will be holding you responsible, you better have some idea of who has taken her or I
swear I will fucking kill you myself” Tony and Morgan went directly to the security room to look at
CCTV to replay tape from the time she disappeared, Morgan stood with him as they scanned the
images
“there she is, what the hell is the gate doing open?” they both gasped as they saw one of the men
stab something into her arm, his heart almost broke when he saw her face as she turned round
giving them a perfect view of her distress, he saw her body start to sag and he almost broke down.
The image of her being thrown into the van like trash made him punch the wall
“Fuck” Tony put his head in hands but then spoke quietly
“We can take some comfort in the fact they didn't kill her” Morgan looked like he was about to
land one on him
“wait think about it we assume they want her dead well that could have happened easily there
but instead they have drugged her which means they want her alive, that gives us half a chance to
get her back “ Morgan thought about it but a tiny morsel of hope took place in his heart
“ you could have a point they could have shot her and left her but they didn't, we need to track
that van as it leaves, we can't see the plates are there any distinguishing marks we can use?” they
scanned the screen it was a plain white van but Tony spoke up
“broken mirror look!” they could just about make it out, Morgan rang the FBI agents who were
searching the grounds and then he made another call as he knew it was time to involve the police
there just wasn't enough of them to do this without the professionals.
The police arrived and Morgan sat with two officers and the agents, they gave them all the
information they had between them, a press conference would take place, at first he was reluctant
but the sooner they could get her face out there the more chance of someone spotting her if she
was still in London. The staff were all told before it went public some were in tears and most in
shock but there was a unity amongst them to help her, she had affected them all in such a short
time it made his loss feel more real she had come into his life and turned him inside out he was
damned if he was going to let her go and leave him with a gaping hole that would destroy him.

I was trying to work out how many days I had been here in this windowless room, the dark and
claustrophobic feelings were hard to deal with but they had kept me drugged for the first couple of
days so my awareness of time was totally lost. Small things meant a lot at least I had a toilet and
sink but the damp smelly mattress was gross and every time I woke from the drug induced sleep
the smell next to my nose sent me stumbling to the toilet to vomit. This was the second day I had
been left drug free so I was again pacing around enjoying the movement in my legs I stretched
them out and did lunges to try and strengthen my weakened muscles I hadn't been fed much so
my stomach felt hollow and I was afraid to lose my strength which would be imperative to escaping
here as soon as I found out who the hell was behind all this, as they were most likely the killers of
my family. I was in a small office type room so I was guessing this was some kind of abandoned
warehouse or factory my guards were the two that had tricked me at the hotel, they took shifts
both armed with a Glock 22mm and Carlos hid a sheath knife on his ankle.
My weapons training meant it would actually be quite simple for me to disarm either one of them
and I was not going to blow it. The guards arrived in cars as I heard the engine when they changed
shift so I was obviously out of the way somewhere most likely disused industrial estate or similar,
Surely it couldn't be much longer before they made a move, I wasn't dead which means they
needed me that was the only thing that kept me going apart from the knowledge of Morgan
hunting me as I know he will, my heart throbbed when I thought of him, I missed him like crazy.
I heard the car pull up outside which meant Carlos had arrived to swap shifts with Leonardo, there
were raised voices in Italian I could make out some of what was being said apparently Morgan had
kicked up a media storm so it wasn't safe to take me out of the country yet which meant the boss
was having to fly here instead he was apparently on his way to see me today! That was music to
my ears and I sent Morgan a silent thanks. Carlos opened my door and threw a bag in told me to
wash and change and then he would bring me food, I emptied the bag and found clean pants (no
bra) a pair of joggers that were obviously a teenagers and a tiny t shirt
“you have to be joking you pair of pervs “ he shouted back at me to do as I was told and I did as he
asked putting my old clothes in the bag hopefully they would wash and return them soon, I
wriggled into the clothes they weren't too bad a fit actually, I must have lost almost a stone at a
guess while I was here and in fact the stretchy fabric would make taking them down easier more
manoeuvrability for my kicks unlike the pencil skirt from my last attempt at self-defence.
An hour later I heard another car and some commotion outside I sat on the rickety chair in the
corner and waited this must be it, the door opened and at first the light hurt my eyes and I could
barely make out the man who was stood in the doorway, he greeted me, there was something
familiar about him and as he stepped into the room I gasped, I knew him he was family, he had
been to my grandparents’ home in Italy, I played with his children for God’s sake,
what the hell was
going on here?
I stood to my feet about to demand answers when he back handed me to the floor
“sit down and shut up Elisa, you have been the thorn in my side for too long now it’s my game so
listen” I stumbled back to my chair my face still smarting
“I know you don't I?” he raised his hand again I shrank back
“ I am your fathers cousin” the puzzle clicked Uncle Gino bad sheep of the family on my
grandmothers side, he carried on talking to me so I made myself pay full attention, I needed as
much info as I could to pass it on to Tanner when I got out of here
“ My own father hated me but worshipped your precious dad and Luca he admired the fact they
were turning their back on crime, in other words he was a pussy, I tried all my life to please him
but he never even glanced my way and then when he retired he passed the business to the
Marcelli brothers and cut me out, the bastard is dead and he cut me out of any inheritance apart
from his damn rolex” I could see the hate burning in his eyes I understood his feeling betrayed by
his father but murder?
“ so Elisa I am fighting to get back what I am owed and restore the Vincenzi name to its former
glory, I will succeed Miss Marcelli you have held me back too long” I blinked at him connecting all
the dots
“So how can keeping me here do that?” he grinned
“we tried to blow you up but you avoided it twice slippery bitch so now its plan b Uncle Luca is on
his way riding to your rescue, paper work at the ready to return the Vincenzi assets over to me but
then it will be back to plan A and kill you, frame him this time the evidence irrefutable as you shoot
back in self-defence he bleeds to death all lose ends dealt with, then as next in line I get the
Marcelli wealth too” that was unexpected news my uncle was on his way which left me little time
to escape, I knew he was being followed by the FBI so at least he has back up and I hoped by now
they had some idea of what was going on
“What about my Uncle Luca’s family surely they will inherit if he is killed?” I didn't really want the
answer to that as I saw it straight away in his eyes he frowned at me
“when they turn up from their hiding place I will make sure she is too scared to fight me I will give
them enough to live don't worry your pretty head over them” deep down I knew he would kill
them too I needed to think but he carried on talking
“This is a lovely family reunion isn't it? But we are missing someone my son wants to reacquaint
himself with you Ricardo! “a weedy looking version of Gino walked in
“Son remember Elisa? I will leave you to say hello” Ricardo stalked the room openly appraising me
like a piece of meat and I was suddenly very aware of my tight fitting clothes so folded my arms
across my chest, he walked over to me and stroked his hand down my face and down to my breasts
I couldn't stand it so stood up and shoved him away hating his hands on me, for my trouble I
received a back hand to the other side of my face
“Jesus like father like son” he kicked me in the gut sending me to the floor my rib injury flared up
and knocked my breath away
“Is that any way to greet family bitch he dragged me up and shoved his hand into my pants
between my legs
“If I want this cunt I will have it but maybe later” he sniffed me
“A wash may be in order before I touch you bitch” his fingers dug into me causing me to draw
closer to him
“I bet you love it rough don't you?” he licked my face so I punched him, he swung round ready to
knock me out when his dad bellowed from the door
“Ricardo stop playing with her Luca wants her unharmed come we need to go” he threw me a dirty
look and marched from the room holding his bleeding nose. I collapsed on my chair panting my rib
smarting and face too, I would have to get out tonight before my nightly injection that was my only
chance I knew the guards carried phones on them so then I could alert Morgan and get the FBI
here I had to stop Uncle Luca from being hurt.

I heard Gino and his bastard son leave shortly after so it was just me and whichever goon was on
duty, it must be almost time for my jab so I sat on my chair ready I positioned it closer to the door I
decided on chair over mattress so I could reach down and remove the sheath knife from his ankle
first it would be simpler than trying for the gun, I prayed he had the mobile on him. I could hear
feet outside so I leaned back as if I was tired, my door opened Carlos walked in he was the stockier
of the two which was unfortunate
“ Di notte Elisa” (night time) I held out my arm obediently as he took the cap off the syringe and as
he bent to administer I used my other arm to slide out his sheath knife just as he noticed and
started to straighten up I managed to plunge it into his thigh he let out a scream of pain
“cagna” (bitch) he yelled at me I kicked out as he tried to lunge for me blood spurting from his leg I
thrust the knife again this time catching his arm then I span round kicked with all my strength and
connected with his head he fell like a stone, I picked up the chair and cracked him over the skull
with it grabbed the Glock just in case the other goon was lurking around then I felt around for his
phone and ran. The building turned out to be an old airplane hangar, that meant Luca would be
flying straight here without the authorities tracking him good plan for Gino but not for me, the
other problem was is it was miles from anywhere with little cover for me to hide I knew I could run
a marathon in normal condition but my body was affected by drugs and a rib injury I had no clue
how far I would get. I needed to make the phone call and then dump the phone in case Gino was
able to track me with it, running and dialling on a touch phone was extremely frustrating and the
only number I had memorised was the hotels so God knows who I will end up talking to it was
answered after two rings and to my relief it was Kate
“Kate it’s me Jenna get Mr Drake now!” I could hear Kate screaming that Elisa was on the phone
which meant they all knew my proper name now, lots of crashing about and footsteps later I heard
the phone snatched
” Elisa thank Christ are you hurt where are you?” I stumbled over a rock and fell forward the phone
jolted from my hand
“Shit shit” I grabbed it ignoring the cut on my knee I could hear him screaming at the other end
“ Morgan I'm here I fell, I am at an airfield of some kind I managed to get away from the guard and
stole one of their phones but I don't know where I am going this place is huge and they will be
after me soon, tell Tanner the man that did all this is my dad’s cousin Gino Vincenzi my uncle is on
his way here they were going to set him up with my murder, he will probably land here in his jet so
he won't be on a normal flight” I gasped for breath noticing an wooded area close by I headed in
there
“Elisa are you hurt?” the question was a loaded one
“Only my pride and a few bruises but it would have been worse tomorrow” the after effects of the
drugs were taking their toll on me
“I have to destroy the phone Morgan or they will find me, there are some tree's at the side of the
runway I can hide in there I don't know how far this is from London they drugged me so I didn't see
how long it took to get here, I am sorry I can't help you more than that but hurry please, I don't
know if the guard will wake up and come after me”I could hear that Morgan was barking orders
“ the police are following your signal as soon as they have a lock destroy it and hang tight baby I'm
coming to get you, I love you so much” I started sobbing then
“Hurry please hurry they will find me I can't go back there” I could hear car doors banging
“we are on the way 40 minutes tops now smash the phone Elisa and stay where you are” I didn't
want to stop hearing his voice
“I love you Morgan” I threw the mobile against a tree then stamped on it. Now I was alone again
and it was dark I had no idea when Gino was returning or if Carlos was dead, I knew I had a few
hours until Leonardo came to change shift but if they can't make contact with Carlos would they
come sooner? I shivered nights were cold in April and a flimsy top wasn't enough to keep me warm
I nestled down in the undergrowth close to the edge of the trees so I would hear the cars arrive
but my body let me down and dragged me into sleep.