Page 35 of Waste (Legendary Shifters #4)

Shelley agreed as Wilson offered several other safeguarding directions before he rose to leave.

“I’m aware of your opinion of me, Miss Evans, and it may be merited. However, protecting those I serve is something I never took lightly. I hope we catch Mr Saville soon for your sake.” Wilson offered a chin lift to Liadun and Drew, and, picking up his laptop, left.

“What now?” Shelley asked.

“We draw him out and take care of the problem. We’ll leave his body where Wilson can find it and get closure.

Shelley, you’re going to be bait, but don’t shift on him, and certainly don’t rip his throat out.

We need to kill him in a way that doesn’t raise questions.

Like him falling off a high building after chasing you up there,” Liadun said.

“Not a bad plan,” Drew replied, almost relaxed.

Shelley turned to him in surprise. “I’m shocked you’re so calm about this.”

“Baby, you can shift into a ghoul. You can beat his ass with one finger. The only threat to you I’m worried about is Hunters,” Drew responded, adding a smile.

“And David has disappeared off the face of the earth. I think you convinced them you knew nothing. They hacked your laptop and found the notes to your book, so you did a great job of convincing them,” Liadun added.

“Okay. How do we draw him out?” Shelley asked.

“Easy. I was invited to a premiere. We’re going to attend. Liadun, fancy some shopping?” Drew laughed at Liadun’s expression.

Drew/Ghoul

He was alert as screaming fans chanted his name and screamed. Shelley appeared calm and regal as she walked beside him as he greeted some. Several glanced at Shelley with dislike, but she let that roll off her back, and Drew was proud of her. She spoke to a couple, and Drew saw her win them over.

She looked stunning, and he was barely stopping himself from ripping her dress off and feasting on her.

Shelley wore a strapless black dress, which had a heart-shaped bodice and clung to her every curve.

It was floor length and had a slit up one leg.

The back was held together with straps. She had her hair down and curled, and her makeup was perfect.

Drew had gifted her a diamond necklace, bracelet, ring, and earrings, and they glittered in the lights. Shelley sparkled in more ways than one. His smile was proud, and he loved having her on his arm.

He wore his own tuxedo, which had made Shelley threaten to miss the premiere. But they had to draw Saville out. His PA had dropped the news that he’d be attending the event this afternoon, so Saville had plenty of time to plan.

Drew signed a few more autographs before escorting Shelley inside. Several peers and friendly acquaintances come to greet him, all curious about the beauty on his arm. Drew proudly introduced Shelley as his girlfriend, shocking a good many of them.

Shelley smiled, made small talk, and kept close to Drew.

They headed to the film before making their way upstairs, where the after-event was held. Shelley was relaxed but on high alert, but it was Drew who spotted their target.

“He’s here,” he murmured in Shelley’s ear. Her eyes darted around the room before a tiny frown appeared.

“I don’t see him.”

“By the bar, near the curtains.”

Shelley’s gaze froze, and Drew knew when she recognised him. “Game on,” Shelley whispered.

She touched Drew’s arm and squeezed before making her way towards the exit.

Saville immediately gave chase, although his moves were slow and deliberate, nothing hasty to warn anyone.

Shelley headed for the bathroom, and when she emerged, Saville was waiting.

She offered him a polite smile as she passed, but he grabbed her arm.

“Excuse me,” Shelley said cooly and tried to pull herself free.

“You’re coming with me,” Saville announced and began dragging Shelley away. Shelley struggled as two women came into view. Their mouths dropped open, and Shelley took her opportunity.

“Help! He’s kidnapping me!” she screamed.

Saville cursed and dragged her through a doorway.

Shelley continued to fight, although she held back on using her full strength.

She kept screaming and yelling for help, and after several seconds, she shoved Saville hard enough that he let her go.

Shelley raced for the stairwell and began running up the stairs. As planned, Saville gave chase.

Shelley burst through the door and ran out onto the roof of the building.

“Stupid woman!” Saville hissed as he chased after her.

“You’re the stupid one. Did you think I came this way by accident?” Shelley demanded in a low voice.

“You killed my brother,” Saville accused.

“Nope, the police are looking for you in relation to his murder. They have footage of you killing him,” Shelley taunted as she backed away.

“Liar!” Saville yelled and lunged for her.

Shelley screamed, alerting the people below, who looked up.

Saville grabbed her and attempted to push her over, but Shelley planted her feet firmly on the ground.

Grunting, Saville backhanded Shelley, and she stumbled sideways.

Shouts and screams came from the pavement several floors below as those below watched in horror.

Saville tried shoving her over again, and Shelley smirked.

“You think you’re in control. You’re wrong.”

Saville growled and shoved Shelley hard. She moved, and he went flying over the side. Shelley lost her balance and went over, but her quick reactions allowed her to grab the ledge. She wasn’t frightened of falling as she knew she could hold on for a long time due to her newfound strength.

“Shelley!” Drew yelled as he burst onto the roof.

“Drew!” she screamed, and Drew rushed over to her. She winked quickly, letting him know she was okay, and began sobbing as he reached for her. Other male faces appeared, and several men grabbed Shelley and hauled up to safety. Drew fell backwards onto his ass and yanked Shelley into his arms.

A crowd was gathering as word spread of what had just happened.

In the meantime, Drew and Shelley were giving the performance of their lives.

Shelley wanted to feel sorry for Saville but couldn’t.

A man had died because of her, but Shelley knew him for what he was.

A monster. And Saville would never bother, harm, torture, or kill another woman.

Sirens wailed in the street below them as the onlookers urged Drew and Shelley to come inside.

Drew got to his feet and scooped Shelley into his arms, carrying her back to the event room. People stared as gossip ran riot, and several women appeared offering help.

Shelley let tears leak down her face while answering concerned questions. She was relieved when DI Wilson arrived and spoke to the DS who’d taken charge of the incident. Shelley assured everyone she was fine, but Drew insisted she attend the hospital and was surprisingly backed up by Wilson.

Drew/Ghoul

“Not quite what I had in mind when I gave you safety information. However, it wraps up the case nicely,” Wilson announced to Drew as they escorted Shelley to the ambulance.

Drew shot Wilson a sharp look, but the man appeared calm and had a guileless expression on his face.

“Thank you, DI Wilson, for your help,” Drew said, and Wilson nodded.

“Yes. Well, there’ll be statements to take, but I think it’s obvious what happened. I shall speak to you soon.”

With that, Wilson walked away. Drew wondered if Wilson had guessed more than what they wanted, but Shelley called to him, and he climbed into the ambulance with her.

◆◆◆

The next few days flew past in a blur. Drew and Shelley both had to give statements to the police, and so did other witnesses.

Luckily, everyone was singing from the same hymn sheet.

Witness stated that Saville had tried to throw Shelley over the edge of the building several times before falling to his death.

Amongst Saville’s belongings was a tube of white face paint, and Wilson concluded he painted his face to scare his victims. At Stanley Saville’s home, a diary was found with details of his crimes, which solved several cold cases immediately.

The papers were screaming headlines about Drew Martin’s girlfriend being targeted by a pair of serial killers.

In the meantime, they received word from Pandora, which confirmed that Shelley was safe from Hunters. As far as Drew was concerned, everything wrapped up nicely. And nobody knew any different.

Saville was caught, and Hunters no longer had any interest in Shelley, so they decided not to tell her parents or Charlie about Drew. It wasn’t necessary, so why upset and worry them? Shelley was content with that decision, and if Shelley was happy, Drew was too.

He had everything he wished for, which he’d not been aware that he wanted. Not until he’d answered a woman in distress and saved her life. The Fates hadn’t wished Shelley dead; no, a sick man with a revenge mission had.

Drew could relax for now, he realised as he leaned back in his pool. Shelley was doing something inside, and everything was wonderful for now…

“I’m pregnant!” Shelley exclaimed, and Drew slid under the water in shock. Or maybe not!