A billboard showed the vulpine face of Coracan’s most famous courtesan. A face that Aleran Rotaski knew well. It was the face he saw in his dreams. The face that drew him halfway across the galaxy and into constant trouble, Hinata Azul.

It was that same face that led him to an underused supply room where they kept their coupling a secret. Or had.

The door burst open just as Aleran had thrust himself inside her. Hinata screamed as three security guards ripped Aleran off of her. They took turns sending their boots into his stomach before another man entered the room with a satisfied smile.

“Aleran Rotaski, what a pleasure. The snake of Imhara found his way to my venue. I’m giddy as a ballroom debutante that you would honor us so. Although it seems you’ve already honored another here,” the man said with a leisurely gaze at Hinata’s naked body. “But, I must insist that you follow the rules that all our patrons have agreed upon. Otherwise, some might take exception to the unlawful sampling of services.” His smile turned cold as he handed Aleran a printed slip.

Aleran looked at the numbers on the paper in confusion. “What the hell do I owe you 30,000 credits for?”

“Miss Azul is still on the clock. Even if she decided to pursue her work in a … creative environment within my club. That’s the appropriate amount, I believe, for a galaxy-wide wish being fulfilled.” The man gave a wan smile before turning to leave the room. “Do try the front door next time. I’ll leave your name on my reserved list.” The guards hauled Hinata off the floor and gave Aleran one more kick before leaving him with blue balls and a red balance sheet. Aleran could only look as Hinata was dragged away. So much for being a badass, he thought as he lay on the floor.

The trick to being an infamous bounty hunter is to complete jobs that no one else wants— or believes themselves capable of doing. Aleran had a knack for sniping jobs like these from other seasoned professionals— hence the infamous tag. The Rotaski name became synonymous with thievery and lack of honor, but it didn’t stop the jobs from pouring in. Nor did it seem to stop the amorous offerings. Honor, Aleran believed, was a fool’s argument for vain nobility. He’d rather take the credits, whether they came in flesh or platinum form.

Aleran had originally met Hinata on a long trek from the Wenex Quadrant towards Coracan five years ago. He had hardly a credit to his name, but his prowess with his blaster was only short of his staggering self-belief. He believed himself a charming man— and his first interaction with Hinata landed him two sharp jabs to the nose and a satisfying kick to the peaches. Satisfying for Hinata, it must be said. Hinata had been scouted by the man that ran the Coracan Cantina. His name was Dario LeFleur, no doubt a self-styled affection. Dario had steadily built the Cantina into a quasi-arms base, with the attraction being some of the most beautiful beings in the galaxy under his yoke. He took a special interest in Hinata after seeing her perform a traditional dance during the middle of a sanctioned pit fight in the Wenex Prime gardens. She possessed a magnetism that made stomachs churn with desire and unhealthy fear.

Aleran had just secured his first big bounty when he decided to reacquaint himself with Hinata. He wasn’t surprised to find that she’d become the top billing at LeFleur’s Cantina. But he was surprised to find himself barred from the premises. When he pushed for answers— he was told that only premium bounty hunters were allowed in the club. The owner, they said, feared lower-level fare would be prone to mistakes in judgment and inability to cover inevitable damages.

It took Aleran eight months to finish enough jobs to be let into the first tier of the Cantina. Better than being barred but still three tiers away from Hinata. He’d later tell her this as they ate street food in Coracan. She laughed at him for his persistence— especially after he reminded her of their first meeting.

“You’re a fool, Aleran. No one climbs the tiers to have me go eat with them.”

“I did. Look at us now. Two sticks of meat and no indecent attacks. I’d say it was a good plan.”

“What is it you actually want?”

“Besides the fastest ship in the galaxy and a titanium cup? I’d like to keep seeing you without climbing the tiers.”

“You can have two out of those three. Shouldn’t that be enough?”

“I don’t track people for money because it’s enough. I do it because I want to. I want all three. But I’d be fine with just having you.”