“I guess. He’s not into the small type. He’s more of a muscle—” My words die out as I push open the kitchen door.
Standing by the center island is Landon, with three cups of tea on a tray sitting on the countertop that his back is pressed to. And in front of him, crowding his space, is Barfred.
Barfred, who towers over Landon by at least two inches, is staring down at him like he wants to punch him and devour him simultaneously.
But what shocks me the most is that Landon is wearing an expression I’ve never seen before—not even while I was fucking him. An expression that makes him look small and submissive; one that makes him appear a little terrified and completely awed. His hands are grasping the ledge behind him so intently that his knuckles have gone white.
Susie makes a small gasping noise of surprise from where she’s peering around me, and Landon’s head whips in our direction, though Barfred never turns his attention from my best friend.
“Shit,” he hisses quietly, sliding to the side to get out from between the island and Chastain Castles’ cook.
“You’reBarfred?” Susie asks. “I was expecting a super old guy, but you’re like, superhot!”
Barfred finally looks in our direction, his expression fading into one I’m more familiar with—kind hospitality.
“Good morning, pleasure to meet you. I’m Nathaniel Barfred.” He extends his hand to Susie, who takes it happily.
“I’m Susie, Julian’s best friend. Well, one of them, but it seems like you’ve already become acquainted with the other.” Her knowing smirk tells me I’m not imagining things—there wasdefinitelytension in this room when we entered.
But why?
Barfred turns his attention back to Landon, who is staring atmenow, his eyes wide and fearful.
“It seems that way,” the cook says. “Your tea is ready, Mister Julian.”
“Thank you, Barfred,” I say, walking around him to grab the tray.
“What were you two talking about?” Susie questions, her curious eyes hopping between Landon and Barfred.
Barfred’s eyes, still fixed on my best friend, narrow slightly as he grins. It’s not a particularly nice grin, but rather one that appears a bit vicious and vengeful. “We were just discussing the morality behind choice, isn’t that right?”
“Uh,” Landon starts, his wide eyes searching my expression. I’m not sure what he’s looking for, but he doesn’t seem to find it.
Susie frowns. “That’s an odd thing to talk about.”
“Your friend here has aninterestingtake on it. Care to share again, little Lanny?” Barfred pushes.
Little Lanny?!
“No,” Landon rushes out. “Julian, let’s go now, okay?”
Barfred’s cat-like eyes brighten, his grin turning more sinister with each passing second that he watches Landon.
“Oh, I see,” he says quietly, and Lan’s eyes finally snap to meet his, as he glares at the cook, who continues to speak. “Good luck, then.”
Barfred turns on his heel and disappears, exiting the kitchen gracefully, considering his large frame.
“What the fuck was that about?” Susie demands.
Landon visibly relaxes, his eyes falling to the floor as he releases a quiet breath. But every few seconds, his gaze returns to the kitchen door, as if he’s terrified or desperate for Barfred to appear again.
“Nothing,” he says quietly.
“Shall we?” I nod toward the door, granting Landon an escape from the tension in the room.
He shoots me a grateful smile, the first smile I’ve seen from him since last night in the bathroom, and follows Susie as she leaves the room. I bring up the rear, the tray of tea in my hands.
I have no clue what Barfred and Landon were truly discussing, or how they became so familiar with each other so quickly, but the concern I felt in the moment fades swiftly.