"It's only extortion if I haven't earned it," Aria pointed out easily; obviously she thought she had. "If you don't think the time and effort I've devoted to obtaining and protecting this 'vital resource' is worth recognising then that's your prerogative."

She wasn't surprised Boyd was objecting to this - he was a sharp man and one who didn't like to be beholden to others, which was smart given that that was the way power imbalances started. Sadly for him he didn't have much leverage in this situation. She wondered if he realised this.

"So. The choice is yours."