IN THE weeks that followed, Billie began to gather unwelcome information about Calisto Bethune, a woman she had never met who, it seemed, had a way of making her mark wherever she went. Calisto trod on toes without fear, she hurt and insulted with constant criticism, she demanded and screamed abuse if she didn't get what she wanted fast enough. Sooner or later, all staff complaints about Calisto ended up on Billie's desk. It seemed to her that every employee who came into too close contact with the gorgeous blonde whom Alexei was planning to marry hated her.
'If you're not prepared to make an official complaint, there's nothing I can do,' Billie told a sobbing stewardess from the yacht. 'Mrs Bethune is Alexei's partner. You'll have to get used to her ways.'
'She's so rude. I'm not her slave! If she speaks to me like that one more time, I'm quitting!'
'You could make this complaint official,' Billie pointed out for the third time.
The stewardess grimaced. 'I don't want anything on paper…you know Mr Drakos has promised my brother a job when he finishes school. I wouldn't want to take the risk of offending him.'
Billie suppressed a sigh, for she had heard it all before too many times. Nobody ever wanted to annoy Alexei. Everyone wanted to stay on the right side of him. It meant that he sailed through life on a sea as smooth and flat as glass, protected from the ripples and storms that lesser mortals endured.
The chef on Sea Queen had already quit after a volley of censure from Calisto over a meal she had disliked. One of Alexei's most choice and favoured employees, the chef had long had secret offers from others keen to poach his renowned skills. When Alexei professed surprise that Billie had not contrived to dissuade his chef from leaving his employ, Billie decided to be more honest.
'Your girlfriend offended him. I tried to persuade him to stay but he wouldn't change his mind.'
'Calisto is very forthright.'
'The chef isn't the only one of your employees with a problem with that,' Billie dared.
Every inch an arrogant Drakos in his bearing, Alexei lifted a questioning ebony brow. 'Are you saying that there have been complaints?'
'Nothing official, but some employees are finding her manner hard to handle.'
Alexei compressed his wide sensual mouth into a forbidding line. 'Then they'll have to learn to be less sensitive. I won't tolerate disrespect towards her.'
'Of course not,' Billie declared, inwardly castigating herself for not having the gumption to warn him that Calisto was a demon with staff and that few would long withstand her vicious temper and verbal abuse. No doubt when people began to leave he would get the message, but there was no way that Billie could bring herself to be more frank right now.
'How are you feeling?' he asked.
'Me?' Billie questioned in surprise. 'Why are you asking me that?'
Alexei released his breath in an impatient hiss. 'Anatalya told me that you've been unwell for quite a few weeks. I would have preferred to hear that from you.'