“Lexi,” says Nate as he walks into my office. My desk shakes as he slaps a piece of paper on it. “I ordered Hunter’s credentials yesterday afternoon and you need to take a look at them.”

He’s scowling as he pulls a chair over and sits across from me. I’m afraid to find out what has Nate so concerned, and the sheet flutters as I pick it up. I scan through Hunter’s education which is impressive by Eroscian standards. His skills are too. But then I get to the note at the bottom. ‘Convicted of unauthorized access of Eroscian government intelligence. Term extended beyond three months to one year for insubordination.’

My heart stops for a moment. What did Hunter do? Did he steal documents or.... Was Hunter a hacker? Ice floods my veins. I need to talk to Selene, the Eroscian official that forced me to take Hunter as part of the negotiations to bring my friend Mandy back to Earth. “Get me in touch with our contact on Eroscia.” I stare intently into Nate’s eyes, making it clear any comments he has about me marrying an alien criminal are not welcome. “Now!”

He jumps up from his chair and scurries out. He’s only seen me angry a handful of times, but it’s enough to know he’d better do as I say. Pain radiates through my hand when I slam it down. Damn it! Fire simmers in my blood, and I get up to pace my office. No wonder it was so easy for Hunter to spot the security breach. Hacking into computer systems is probably what he was in handcuffs for when I met him. Oh my god. Was he released from prison to come to Earth? My skin begins to crawl with the thought I just spent the previous afternoon and evening sleeping with a criminal. And I married him.

My stomach sinks as my reality crashes around me. My perfect match does more than break the rules. He breaks the law. Laws big enough he was sent to prison. I clench my teeth as I think about what he might have done to extend his sentence. And how did my matching program not pick up on his angry ways? The personality questions are extensive and he should have been flagged before he was allowed to…oh, god. I close my eyes as I fall back against the wall. It’s cold on my spine as I sink down to the floor. Hunter probably hacked his way through my program to get what he wanted, which was me.

I think about how he knew I was a high-ranking government official with the authority to negotiate the release of Mandy and Caiden. He likely wanted to use me as an in to our computer systems. And when I was visibly affected by his physical presence I bet he jumped on it. I recall the electricity between us. Did he make that happen to suck me in and fall for him? Was anything he said to me yesterday real? Tears prick at my eyes but I shove them back, because I’ve got bigger things to worry about right now.

My stomach knots up, because Hunter’s already spent hours with free rein in the code of my program. Who knows what he’s already put into place to destroy the US government. And it’s all my fault. The floor is hard under my hand as I push myself up to stand. I need to get Kiely and her team on this immediately and I need to tell President Stone what I’ve done. But first, I need to be sure my suspicions are right.

I walk over to my computer and open up my video conferencing. I notice the screen open for speaking with Eroscia, which tells me Nate has done what I asked, and I wait for my contact to arrive. Within moments I recognize the stunningly beautiful woman. Selene says, “Hello, Lexi.”

“Selene, it’s nice to see you again.”

“You as well. How can I help you?”

“I need more information on Hunter’s conviction. Can you explain to me what it was for?”

Selene sighs. “He can be a difficult one. Is he giving you trouble?”

“I’m not sure. That’s why I need to speak with you to understand the potential dangers.”

“I see. He was convicted for hacking into a government program to get the results he wanted, but I assure you he’s not dangerous. You have my word he’s not out to overthrow your government or steal money. His motives were purely selfish for petty reasons. But rules are rules.”

So they are, and I’d punish Hunter for trespassing no matter how minor too. “What did he want?”

“Hunter’s problem is he doesn’t like authority. And when he’s forced to follow orders, he rebels.” She smiles sweetly as if I don’t realize she didn’t answer my question. “I’m sure the right earth woman can change him. You have that in progress, right?” She glances down at her nails. “It would be a shame if your friend had to come back to Eroscia.”

Part of the agreement to get Mandy released, was that Hunter would be matched and stay on Earth. If we can’t make it happen within a month, Eroscia gets Mandy back for a lifetime of testing as they explore the breeding of interplanetary children. I think that’s exactly what Selene wants, and likely why she pawned Hunter off on me with the hope a match would fail. Since I won’t let that happen to one of my best friends I reply, “We’re making great progress. Thank you for asking.”

“Wonderful,” Selene says with what I think is a hint of disappointment in her voice.

I add a cool tone to my words as I say, “Thank you for your time, Selene. It’s been a pleasure.”

“Yes, it has. You’re welcome, Lexi.”

The screen goes black when we both sign off. I think about how Selene said Hunter hacked into a program to get the results he wanted. I’d bet everything I own that’s exactly what he did to get me, and humiliation fills me as I think about being used. I’d love to know what he thought he’d gain by marrying me. I’m sure he would have matched with one of the tens of thousands of women in our system and likely been very happy with her.

Selene did say he doesn’t like rules, and I wonder if Nate laughing at the idea of Hunter and me together is what prompted Hunter to pursue me? My laptop clicks as I shut it, and I let out a big sigh. I’m afraid the only way to get answers is to confront Hunter. I may not get the truth, but I can certainly appeal to his sensibilities if I threaten him with legal action when I figure out how to prove what he did.

Fortunately, I don’t think Hunter is after government secrets, which is a relief. But I still need to get Kiely to go into the code and see if she can sort out what he might have done to alter algorithms that matched me with Hunter. My fingernail clicks on my phone as I type out a text to Kiely, and it occurs to me that Hunter had to know his credentials would inform me of his conviction. I wonder why he didn’t hack in to the Eroscian system and doctor them. Perhaps Nate ordered them before Hunter expected. A small smile forms on my face as I think about the fact the alien is not as smart as he’d like to think after all.

And then my smile disappears, because now that my crisis is over, it hits me I’ve fallen in love with a man who doesn’t love me. My chest tightens as my heart feels like Hunter is squeezing it, and tears burn in my eyes. For the first time since the plague wiped out most of the males on Earth, I think I understand why someone would want to eliminate them. Men suck.