Page 47 of Maid for the Alien Prince

“It was Ges,” Camila said.

I was both shocked and not surprised in the same breath. I knew how aggressive Ges could be once passion had gripped him, but I didn’t believe he was capable of doing something like that.

“Is that what Emma said?” I asked.

Camila nodded. “And it’s not the first time this has happened either,” she added.

Okay, so that did take me by surprise. “Then how have I not heard of this before?”

“Because you’re too distant. The staff report to Ges, not you. And how many people do you think are going to risk losing their livelihoods for another member of staff?”

I frowned. “You have my word that I will look into this. No one should have to work under such conditions. I will speak with Ges and make it clear that from now on, he is not to go anywhere near the female staff.”

Camila folded her arms and looked away.

“It’s not enough?”

“No. It’s not.”

She rubbed at her upper arms as if she were cold.

I got up and moved around my desk and sat on the corner. I wanted to run my hand through her hair, to feel her face, but sensed there was something else going on that she needed to get off the chest.

“What is it?” I asked.

“Do you think it’s okay to beat your Steyatt mate?”

“Of course not! How can you ask me that?”

“Because of your reaction just now. She’s only a female human after all. She’s not important enough for you to take serious action against your best buddy.”

“He is not my best buddy,” I snapped.

“But you wouldn’t be here without him, would you?”

I shook my head and my anger abated. Was that it? Was that the reason for my attention being displaced? That I felt loyal to him and all he had done to me, and it had made me blind to what was happening in my own palace?

I didn’t think so.

“If telling him that he can no longer go near the female staff isn’t enough, what would be a reasonable response?” I asked.

Her eyes rose to mine. “Fire him.”

I threw up my hands.

“He’s beaten many of your servants, many having already left, unable to stay out of fear for their safety. Do you really think someone like that deserves to have the position he holds in your palace?”

“It’s Steyatt. Sometimes things… get out of hand.”

“Get out of hand?” Camila said, incredulous. “Will things ‘get out of hand’ with me one of these times?”

“Of course not!” I said, nostrils flaring.

“Then why is it okay for him to do it?”

“It’s not!” I said, surprised at my own fury. “But without him—”

“You couldn’t cope?”

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