Page 10 of Bounty Hunter's Match

With that, he strode out, leaving the twins practically vibrating with excitement.

“Exclusive Embassy details and courtship protocols in one interview!” Risa bounced in her seat.

“Plus evidence of certain security personnel studying human customs,” Rina added with a knowing grin.

I shook my head, but I was smiling too. “Just edit out anything that might compromise security. Or dignity.”

“Speaking of dignity,” Rina’s ears twitched mischievously, “MIRA’s been running some interesting compatibility calculations...”

“Don’t start.” But I was already wondering what chapter three of that pamphlet actually said about hand-pressing gestures.

MIRA’s crystals rippled. “Would you like to see the statistical analysis?”

“No.” I gathered my notes for the next client meeting. “And stop encouraging them.”

But I noticed she didn’t delete those calculations.

BAREK

One week before the Valentine’s Gala.

One week before I could get off this station, get back to my regular life.

But somehow, I couldn’t stop staring at the innocent-looking pamphlet in my hands. “Romance for Warriors: A Practical Guide” read the title in flowing script. Who left this buried under supply crates in Perfect Match’s storage room?

The twins. Had to be.

Not that I’d been spending my off-hours memorizing a chapter on cross-species social cues. Or highlighting the sections on human courtship rituals. Purely for tactical purposes, of course.

My sensitive hearing picked up footsteps approaching - Camden’s distinctive stride. I shoved the pamphlet into my vest, knocking over a stack of decorations for tonight’s mixer.

“Everything okay in here?” Camden stepped through the doorway. “I heard-”

“Fine.” I grabbed for the falling items, managing to catch most before they hit the ground. A string of heart-shaped lights wrapped around my arm.

“Need help?” Her lips curved up at the sight of me tangled in party lights.

“No.” I extracted myself with as much dignity as possible. “Just... checking security protocols.”

“For the fairy lights?”

“Could be weaponized.”

“Right.” She moved closer, reaching past me to grab a box of name tags. Her scent brushed my senses. “And that data chip you just hid in your vest?”

“Security protocols.”

“Of course.” But her smile said she knew exactly what I’d been reading. “The twins mentioned they left some... educational materials in here.”

I growled. “Those two are-”

“Incorrigible? Meddlesome?” She shifted another box, her arm brushing mine. “Currently setting up twelve different camera angles to capture tonight’s chaos?”

“Chaos?”

“Speed dating. Multiple species. What could go wrong?”

Everything, as it turned out.

---