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no choice but to defend myself.”
    And just like that Akim was on the offensive. He stalked toward her, causing her to back up, something she never did. “He who? Who was in that cabin?”
    The calculated gleam in his eyes warned that he knew the answer. This was a test. He wanted to see if she’d tell him the truth. “Vinton Tandori. I thought those freaks had scattered. Apparently, they only relocated to a less hostile environment.”
    “What did Pyre want with the Tandoris?”
    Milanni agilely sidestepped Akim and barely avoided being pressed against the wall. She quickly put some space between them before she answered his question. “She offered to assist him with the rebels, but he was too paranoid to listen to reason. He must have been holed up in that cabin for decades by himself.” Everything she’d said was more or less true. Only Pyre hadn’t sent the message.
    “How is Pyre going to react when she finds out you killed the man with whom she was trying to form an alliance?”
    Pyre wouldn’t give a damn. The real Benefactor, however, was guaranteed to be livid and she was someone infinitely more dangerous than Pyre. The message had come from Haven Tandori, grieving widow of Javin Aidentar and sister to Vinton Tandori. Oh yeah, and current leader of the Integration Guild.
    Milanni was seriously screwed. “Why do you think I’m here?”
    He was silent for a moment, apparently sorting through the information she’d given him. Likely comparing it to what he knew already. Akim was a ruthless bastard, but he wasn’t stupid. “The explosion destroyed his body. You can simply deny any involvement. Pyre will have no way to disprove your claim.”
    Her heart sank as she debated whether or not to admit the final complication. It was only a matter of time before he found out. It was better if she just came clean. Well, as clean as she was willing to come right now. “There was a witness, some sort of canine shifter.”
    “A canine shifter? That’s a new one. I didn’t realize the Tandoris could shape change.”
    He seemed less concerned with the fact that there had been a witness than that the witness could morph. “She could have been Vinton’s mistress or housekeeper. We don’t know that she was part of Tandori Tribe.”
    His throat made an unintelligible rumble as he rubbed his chin. “I’m already on Pyre’s shit list. I suppose nothing is lost if I allow you to stay aboard.”
    “Thank you.” The tingling rush of relief was half a second premature.
    “However, this is a battleship filled with sex-starved warriors. The only way to guarantee your safety is if one of my officers claims you as his body slave.”
    She tensed, annoyed more than surprised. She’d anticipated this stipulation, but part of her had hoped he wouldn’t be so predictable. She’d built her fortune in the pleasure industry. Bartering with her body was nothing new. “And the cost of your authorization?”
    He smiled, lust gleaming in his dark eyes. “You’re well acquainted with my predilections. As commander of this vessel, I reserve the right to require your services whenever I choose.”
    Akim was a hard-core sadist. He only found pleasure while dishing out pain. Luckily for her, she’d developed a taste for accepting as well as delivering sensual torture. “Will I be expected to make myself available to anyone else?” If he intended to whore her out, she’d rather know now while she still had other options.
    “That, my dear, is up to your protector.”
    “Will I be allowed to choose my protector or will it be up to the officers?”
    He shrugged. “Start with Fyran and work your way down the chain of command. You were one of my best students. I’m sure you’ll find one of them willing to be responsible for you.”
    She accepted the situation with a resentful nod and started toward the door.
    “And, Milanni,” he waited until she looked at him to finish. “Your shuttle belongs to me now. I want to find out