Page 4 of Bounty Hunter’s Match (Vinduthi Captured Mates #6)

BAREK

O ne 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.

The mixer started smoothly enough. Perfect Match’s main space had been transformed with floating lights and strategically placed environmental controls. The twins’ recording equipment hovered discreetly in the corners - or what passed for discreet with those two.

“Timer starts... now!” Risa announced from her perch. “Three minutes to make a connection! Remember - no molecular bonding, no challenge fights, and please maintain solid form!”

I positioned myself by the wall, scanning the crowd. A Merrith engineer sat across from a Renthian trader, their table specially shielded against electromagnetic interference. Two Mondians discussed trading routes while carefully not breaking the reinforced chairs. A Fanaith slipped into an empty seat, their amphibious form rippling with barely contained energy.

“Ready for the next round?” Rina called out. “And... switch!”

The Fanaith shot up, expression confused. “Switch? Like a pursuit chase? A hunt?”

“No, just move to the next-” But the Fanaith had already taken off, surprisingly fast for an amphibious species. “Stop!”

They darted between tables, trailing water droplets. “Is this not a speed challenge? I am very quick!”

“Different kind of speed,” I muttered, moving to intercept. But the damage was done.

“Race?” One of the Mondians perked up. “A competition of strength and agility?”

“No racing!” Camden appeared at my side. “Just conversation- oh stars.”

The Mondian couple had stood, their massive forms towering over the other participants. “We will demonstrate traditional courtship movements!”

“Don’t-” But they were already moving, their version of a ‘gentle dance’ shaking the entire floor.

“Livestream numbers are spiking!” Risa called down. “Quick, get a close-up of the water damage!”

The Fanaith zipped past, still pursuing their interpretation of speed dating. “Am I winning? When do we claim our mates?”

“This is not a competition,” I growled, catching them mid-stride. “Sit.”

They blinked large black eyes at me. “The large striped one said it was about showing strength.”

I turned to see a Nexian flexing all four arms at their startled partner.

“Actually,” a helpful voice piped up from the ceiling, “according to our cultural expert...”

“I am not your expert.”

“According to renowned Vinduthi warrior ,” Rina continued smoothly, “traditional courtship involves subtle demonstrations of capability while maintaining respectful distance.”

The room turned to stare at me.

“When did I-”

“Your interview has over a million views!” Risa beamed. “The part about protective positioning was especially popular.”

“That was about security protocols!”

“Of course it was.” Camden’s smile did things to my chest I refused to analyze. “Maybe you could demonstrate proper courtship etiquette?”

“I do not demonstrate-”

“The Mondians are about to attempt another dance move.”

I swore under my breath. “Fine. Everyone sit. Hands on the table. No molecular alterations, no challenge fights, and absolutely no dancing.”

“But the data suggests physical movement helps forge bonds,” a Sylphid whispered to their partner. Their form wavered dangerously.

“Maintain solid form,” I ordered. “Three minutes. Talk. That’s all.”

“About what?” The Fanaith was vibrating in their seat.

“Shared interests. Future goals. Basic compatibility factors.” I didn’t look at Camden as I recited almost word-for-word from that damn pamphlet. “Form connections through conversation, not combat.”

“Says the warrior who studies dating guides,” Rina stage-whispered to her camera.

I was going to throw those twins out an airlock. After I figured out how they kept getting into secured files.

“And... switch!” Risa called. This time the transitions stayed mostly peaceful, though I had to catch two more Fanaith attempts at racing and a Mondian chair before it completely shattered.

“You’re good at this.” Camden appeared at my elbow, watching the controlled chaos. “Ever consider a career change?”

“No.”

“Shame. The viewers love you. Especially that thing you did with the chair.”

“I am not entertainment.”

“No?” She raised an eyebrow. “The twins’ stream numbers suggest otherwise. Apparently, the combination of tactical gear and relationship advice is very appealing.”

“Bishop.”

“Yes?”

“Stop enjoying this.”

“Never.” She smiled up at me, and for a moment I could only see her. Then a crash from the far corner snapped us both back to reality.

“The anti-grav controls are acting weird!” Rina called down. “I think the Sylphid’s phase-shifting affected the calibration!”

A Merrith engineer floated past, their cybernetic implants sparking. “This is not optimal!”

“I’ll get the controls.” Camden headed for the storage room. “You handle the floating clients?”

I caught the Merrith mid-spin, setting them safely on solid ground. “Stay. No more phase-shifting experiments.”

“But the handbook suggested trying new experiences together,” they protested.

I was definitely burning that handbook. After I finished the chapter on non-verbal cues.

The anti-grav field kept spreading, lifting more clients into graceful spirals. The twins’ cameras swooped through the chaos, capturing every moment.

“Perfect Match presents: Zero Gravity Speed Dating!” Risa announced to her feed. “Watch as our security expert demonstrates proper floating etiquette!”

“I quit,” I muttered, catching another drifting client.

“No, you don’t.” Camden’s voice came from the storage room. “Little help in here?”

I found her surrounded by floating supply crates, trying to reach the control panel. Without thinking, I moved behind her, hands on her waist to steady her as she stretched up.

She went still at my touch. I should have let go. Should have maintained that distance I kept talking about. Instead, I pulled her closer, just slightly.

“This is a bad idea,” I murmured against her hair.

“Horrible.” She leaned back against me. “Completely unprofessional.”

“Bishop...”

“The controls are right there.”

“I know.”

Neither of us moved.

“Your little lecture said something about this,” she said softly. “About careful positioning and protective instincts.”

“You read it?”

“Research.” Her laugh was shaky. “Very professional.”

I turned her slowly to face me, keeping her steady as supplies drifted around us. “This isn’t professional.”

“No.” Her hands came up to my chest, fingers tracing the edge of my vest where that damn pamphlet was still hidden. “It’s not.”

I lowered my head, breathing in her scent. Her pulse jumped as I brushed my lips against her temple, then her cheek. Just a taste. Just one moment of giving in to this pull between us.

A crash from the main room jolted us apart.

“The Mondians are floating!” Rina’s voice carried through the walls. “Quick, get the anti-grav stabilizers!”

“This is not what I signed up for,” I growled, grabbing the controls.

But I noticed Camden’s smile as she slipped past me. And later, when I found a new pamphlet on my desk - “Non-Verbal Cues: A Comprehensive Guide” - I definitely didn’t read it.

Much.