Ava Bennett has survived the end of the world, an alien invasion, and way too much intergalactic nonsense. She's spent years dodging empire forces, smuggling supplies for the resistance, and talking her way out of bad situations with nothing but a smile and sheer audacity.

But her luck finally runs out when she's captured by Kash'ven, a terrifying Draxian warlord with a reputation for brutality. He doesn't trust humans. He barely tolerates people. And now, he's decided that Ava belongs to him.

Unfortunately for Kash'ven, Ava isn't the kind of woman who accepts being "claimed."

Now, they're stuck together on an empire warship full of enemies, forced to fight side by side. Kash'ven wants to bend her to his will. Ava just wants to drive him absolutely insane.

But the more she teases him, the more his cold, ruthless exterior starts to crack. And the more she learns about the grumpy warlord who barely speaks, the harder it gets to ignore the tension crackling between them.

And when Ava uncovers a secret that could destroy the empire once and for all, she has to decide: keep running, or take a risk on the warlord who might burn entire planets just to keep her safe.