JP - Riven is just doing his job

“I’m just doing my job…” Riven said with a shrug. “Want to help me check on others? Keep you…distracted.” He did not miss the raw skin.

“I guess.” Bronte said.

“Delilah doesn’t want you being alone right now.” Riven explained.

Bronte flushed and looked down. How much did Delilah know, and tell Riven? “Oh.”

“She didn’t tell me why, dude.” Riven said. “That’s your business. I’m not gonna pry, but she wants me to keep an eye on you, so here I am.”

Bronte stared at Riven, feeling like the wolf man had read his own mind.

"Eh…sorry." Riven grimaced. "I smelled your discomfort and assumed…"

Bronte sighed heavily, wondering how much Riven could smell.

“So, Bronte…if you don’t mind me asking, what’s with the Bella girl?” Riven asked. “The one that ran away. What is she to you?”

“A really good friend. She helped me escape.” Bronte said. “And I don’t think she ran away…I think she was just taking a walk and got abducted.”

Riven nodded. “Sorry,” He said and sighed heavily. “I’ll do what I can to find her, but Delilah wants you to stay here for now. She’s worried someone else will hurt you.”

“It doesn’t feel right to not be part of a search for her.” Bronte said. “If not for her I could still be… still…” He stammered and trailed off.

“Hey, if you can’t talk about it, don’t.” Riven reminded him. “I know you wanna be a part of it, but Delilah doesn’t want anyone else hurting you, okay? She didn’t give me details, but she said you got hurt…you’re like a son to her and she’s kinda protective, dude.”

“I know… I just owe Bella, she really did save me.” Bronte said.

“You can do that by spoiling her rotten when she gets back.” Riven told him.

“I want her to be safe now. MegaCorp treated her really badly.” Bronte remembered the doctor’s reaction to the numbers tattooed on the dog-girl.

Riven nodded. “And we’ll find her for you. I promise.”

“I should be out there looking for her though.” Bronte was restless.

Riven was going to reply, but stopped when the alarm sounded. "Get to your room, Bronte." He said and rushed off to help Delilah.

Bronte was not happy, but he obediently went to his room.