Code Blue (Atrous, #2)

by N.R. Walker

I leaned over Jeremy again. “You’re not allowed to leave without me.” He made a face. “Am I a prisoner?” “Yes.”

Maddox linked his arm with mine as we began to walk. “You need to be firm with him so he knows his boundaries. Kinda like a puppy. Oh, and if you’re cooking, make it tofu.” Jeremy came up between us and shoved Maddox away. “He’s my Steve. You get your own Steve.” He linked his arm with mine like Maddox had done. “And I fucking hate tofu.” He’s my Steve. His arm hooked with mine, his hand on my arm.

Jeremy gripped my waist and leaned into me, very deliberately, while looking at Zielinski. Jesus Christ. That was a blatant territorial move. He was jealous. Jeremy Dalton just marked me in front of another guy. What. The. Actual. Fuck?

“Yeah, leave me alone,” Jeremy said. Then, to my surprise, he grabbed the front of my shirt and pulled me close and laid his head on my collarbone. I put one arm around him, not sure just how much I should hold him. He clearly needed the contact. “Say something smart now, dickbag,” Jeremy mumbled. “I fucking dare ya.” He lifted his head and smirked at his best friend. “I have a Steve. He knows six kinds of martial arts, so please, go right ahead and piss him off.”