Reeve (The Henchmen MC 11)

"Nah. Real men don't shiver. Our bodies have fistfights with the cold," he announced, moving closer to the bed. "You alright?"

"My head hurts," she admitted, eyes small.

"Ah, they will dope you up, and you'll be high as fuck - sorry," he said, looking over at us, not looking the least bit apologetic, "in no time."

"That poor puppy," was her next comment, her eyes welling up a little bit. She had such a big heart, such a soft spot for anything hurting and in need.

"You mean..." Niro said, pulling a strap of a backpack off his shoulder to rest it on the bed and unzip it, "this puppy?" he asked, producing what had to be some kind of small poodle mix, copper fur already half-dry, but he was clearly in need of a heating pad and several big meals.

"You went back for him?" she half-squealed, her eyes no longer swimming, but overflowing down her cheeks.

Niro gave her a small smile at that. "Figured you'd never forgive me if I saved you but not him," he told her, handing her the puppy to snuggle under the covers.

So, yeah, Niro was in love with our little girl.

And we were really, really curious to see how that played out.

Someday.