Chapter One

“You’ve got to be kidding,” Dani said with a laugh to the man on the view screen.

He smiled blankly at her. “No, Miss,” he replied in a neutral tone of voice.

He was a young man, in his early twenties at most, wearing the livery of the Von’hot household. The Von’hots ruled the system, but Dani wasn’t intimidated by their power. She could tell he was uncomfortable with his assignment, but he tried to cover that unease with professionalism. “His Grace has specifically requested your services for the evening. We’ll be sending a car for you shortly before sundown. Please be prompt, as His Grace appreciates timeliness in all his people.”

“I’m not one of his people,” Dani replied with a tight smile, trying to hide her annoyance at his attitude. “I’m a representative of the Pleasure Guild here on a diplomatic passport. And besides that, I’m retired. I no longer entertain clients.”
The messenger’s mouth gaped. Clearly, he had never heard anyone say “no” to his master before.

“But—”

“Please let Lord Von’hot know that I am flattered by his invitation, but that if he would like professional entertainment for the evening he should consider contacting local representatives of the Pleasure Guild. I’ve met the Guildmistress here in the capitol, and I’ve found her to be a competent and professional woman. I’m sure that she’ll be able to find someone to take care of His Grace’s needs. After all, it would be unpardonably rude of me to simply step in and take a contract in her city. Goodbye.”

Dani reached over and turned off the screen with a decisive click, enjoying the look on the young man’s face as she did so. She had no idea why Lord Von’hot had sent her such an invitation, and she didn’t care. She was on vacation, and no man—even one who owned his own planet—was going to mess up her plans.