Kessa Rourke didn't survive a transport crash to end up somebody's souvenir.

When her escape pod goes down on a border world crawling with mercenaries, the last thing she expects is rescue from a seven-foot alien warrior with a bounty on his own head. Threx Dorn doesn't do rescues. He does damage control — quietly, permanently, and never for civilians.

But something about the furious, sharp-tongued human who won't stop arguing with him gets under armor he's worn for a decade. Protecting her was supposed to be a two-day job. Now every enemy he's ever made knows exactly where to find him.

Kessa didn't ask to be claimed. She's not sure she minds.

As old debts and older enemies close in, Threx has one rule left to break: never let them see what you can't afford to lose.