Page 22 of Waste (Legendary Shifters #4)

Shelley

S helley didn’t mention what she’d observed in the mirror, and neither did Drew.

But she knew he’d seen it and wondered why Drew was keeping quiet.

Shelley had witnessed Mary Worth in all her horrific glory.

But Drew acted as if he hadn’t noticed anything.

They were once again on a plane, but this time headed to Drew’s home estate.

Shelley was a little tired of travelling.

They’d been to two different countries in the space of a fortnight; now they were returning to England.

Drew had a secure place in the English countryside, and he was taking her and Charlie there.

That had caused a huge fight with her parents.

Gail and Jake had insisted that Shelley come home, and Drew highlighted their lack of security measures.

Gail had verbally attacked Drew, asking what good his were.

In return, he had pointed out that Shelley would have been dead if not for his efforts, and Gail burned silently.

Shelley was aware Gail hadn’t finished. Gail wanted Shelley home, but Shelley believed she was safer with Drew. He was breaking his back to protect her. If the attacker had got to Shelley in her parents’ house, they wouldn’t have stood a chance.

“I’m aware that you can hear me. Thank you for saving my life. Mary, I don’t know why you did, but it’s very much appreciated,” Shelley murmured to the bedroom mirror.

Shelley waited in vain for a response, but there was nothing.

“Mary Worth, I’m not afraid of you,” Shelley stated. “And if you ever need aid, I’ll do my best.”

Shelley rose and hobbled out to meet Drew and Charlie.

She checked her scarf was in place before she left.

The bruising around her throat was dreadful, and Shelley was worried about people seeing it.

Every time Charlie and Drew had looked at her, they’d winced, and guilt had crossed their faces.

She was using soft, dressy scarves to hide the contusions, but Shelley understood how bad they were.

Drew’s friend, Killian, had been beside himself, and they’d learned on their arrival back in England what had happened.

The assailant had been driving a food-delivery van.

The original driver had been discovered drugged and bruised but alive.

Using false identification, the fake driver had delivered the goods and then parked up behind a bushy area and stalked Shelley.

Killian assured them that all footage had been sent to the police, and the police were actively searching for the man. Shelley remained unaware of who might be responsible. None of it made sense. As she approached the living room, she heard Charlie and Drew arguing and paused.

“Shelley’s strong, but not that tough. This will upset her!” Charlie snapped.

“Charlie, I’m aware of your sister’s limits; she can handle this. Jesus, what a bitch move,” Drew said, and he sounded tired.

“Just give Shelley a few days. It’s only been two since her attack, and with everything else, she doesn’t need this. Shels is maxed out,” Charlie replied.

“I agree, but I think she’ll surprise you. And if Shelley stumbles across this? It’s all over the blasted media,” Drew responded, and Shelley heard guilt.

“This isn’t your fault.”

“Yes, Charlie, it is. I should have considered how my fame might harm her. This is on my shoulders and mine alone. Damn it! Why do such venomous and spiteful people exist?”

“What’s happened?” Shelley demanded, having heard enough. Both Charlie and Drew jumped, and Drew looked stricken with guilt while Charlie was worried.

They exchanged glances, and Charlie let out a sigh.

“There’s been another newspaper article, and it not only names you, but it’s incredibly unpleasant,” Drew explained as Shelley waited.

“How so?” Shelley inquired, limping to the sofa. She sank into it and stared up at the two overprotective men.

“Jo,” Charlie spat the word out, and Shelley felt her stomach sink.

“No,” she murmured. Surely, Jo wasn’t so unprofessional as to give an interview.

“Yes. My PA and manager have contacted your company and are requesting that Jo be dismissed. The interview is a blatant violation of privacy and your personal security,” Drew continued.

“Let me read it,” Shelley demanded. Her unease grew as Charlie and Drew exchanged glances. This was going to be bad. Shelley steeled herself as Charlie reluctantly handed over his phone.

“My solicitor is hitting her with a gag order,” Drew said lamely.

“It appears to be too late for that,” Shelley replied after a few minutes. She ground her teeth together. What a damn bitch!

Jo had detailed how she worked with Shelley in the coffee shop and had at first thought Shelley was a nice person.

She mentioned Shelley kept herself to herself but had an air of mystery, which intrigued men.

Jo continued to claim that Shelley flirted with male customers, often to the detriment of her job.

“Jo’s describing her own work ethic.” Shelley laughed with a little bitterness.

She hated her hard work and friendly efforts being lied about.

Seconds later, she caught her breath as John Saville was mentioned.

Jo claimed Shelley had flirted so much with a customer that he’d taken her at face value and had tried to meet with Shelley.

During that meeting, John was killed, and nobody knew what had happened.

Jo neglected to mention that John had beaten Shelley or attempted to kill her.

Instead, it read like Shelley had murdered John.

Shelley’s hand flew to her mouth, and she gasped.

Her eyes filled with tears. Was Jo really this spiteful?

It appeared so as the article continued mentioning Drew’s name and how Drew had offered Jo his number.

Jo claimed Shelley had kept interfering in Drew’s efforts, as Jo was too shy to accept Drew’s advances.

She stated that she believed Shelley had caused her own car accident after discovering the route Drew took home and trapped him into a relationship.

“Oh, my word,” Shelley exclaimed in disgust.

“Dad’s solicitors are also involved,” Charlie said, sitting by her.

“Doesn’t matter, does it? There’ll be people who’ll believe this nonsense. Especially Drew’s fans. How could Jo harbour such spite, such cruelty? Most of this is lies or Jo transferring her own actions onto me.”

Drew shook his head. “She’s a vile woman, petty and jealous.

I’m so sorry about this.” “This isn’t your fault, Drew.

Nobody could have seen this coming. Well, Jo got her fifteen minutes of fame.

I hope it was worth it, because Jo won’t have a job by the time Dad finishes.

Our solicitors will shred Jo’s reputation,” Charlie stated.

Drew nodded. “My PA, Charlotte, is putting together a press release refuting a lot of Jo’s claims, but that story is out there.”

“Perhaps I should contact DI Wilson. This could get messy with John Saville’s family,” Shelley mused.

“Possibly. Charlotte has asked permission to mention Saville stalked and beat you, injuring you badly,” Drew murmured softly.

Shelley guessed he didn’t want to upset her further. Jo had caused enough problems.

“Sure, as my life is out there for anyone to dissect,” Shelley muttered.

Drew and Charlie flinched.

“How are your fans reacting?” Shelley asked suddenly, and Drew winced. His reaction told Shelley everything she needed to know.

“Damn. Guess they think you’re the victim in this mess. Can’t say I blame them after Jo’s hatchet job.”

“My fans will calm down once my PA releases my statement, and my solicitor moves to sue the pants off of Jo. This is libel, and Jo will pay the price for that,” Drew responded.

“In the meantime, I’ve got masses of rabid fans after my blood, someone trying to kill me, and two broken limbs. It’s going great for me,” Shelley replied sarcastically.

She immediately felt guilty when Drew and Charlie both winced. “Sorry, I’m so angry. I don’t understand why this is happening. Hell, I just want a quiet life. Yes, Charlie, we don’t always get what we want.”

Charlie smirked, but there was an undercurrent of concern.

“I shouldn’t have asked you out in front of Jo. I’ve had a lot of experience with women like her. I should have guessed how she would react to rejection. Shelley, I was more worried about ensuring you felt safe and didn’t consider the surroundings,” Drew said guiltily.

“This isn’t your fault, Drew. Jesus, why does Jo involve herself in everything? It’s crazy. Jo’s so desperate to live the life of Riley, it’s unbelievable; she’s a total narcissist,” Shelley replied.

“She needs a short, sharp lesson and will be getting one,” Charlie stated.

“Too late to think about my privacy. I’ll be all over the media.”

“Excuse me, this is Charlotte,” Drew said and stepped away.

Drew/Ghoul

He listened carefully to what Charlotte Madden had to say.

His PA was an older woman and highly efficient.

She’d had Drew’s solicitor draw up papers and was submitting them to the court.

Should they be approved, Jo would be issued a gag order before being handed documents stating that she was being sued.

“Okay, that covers future damage, but what about the present problem?” Drew asked.

“Well, I’ve prepared a release statement.

Please check your email and respond as soon as possible.

We have to control the narrative. We’ve also contacted the police, who refuse to comment, but we would require Shelley’s permission to mention that John Saville had attacked her.

Your fans are all over social media. Some believe Jo; others don’t think you’re so gullible.

But Shelley is taking a pounding, which we need to resolve,” Charlotte said.

“The situation is escalating,” Drew stated.

“Yes. The Mirry Moor interview is also being re-shared, but more around Mirry being snubbed by you. Most of your fans don’t like her,” Charlotte replied.