And poor Julian is staring between Landon and me, in pure shock, as if he’s never seen his friend in such a powerless situation before.
“Good morning, pleasure to meet you. I’m Nathaniel Barfred.” I walk a few steps and extend my hand to the girl, who shakes it eagerly.
“I’m Susie, Julian’s best friend. Well, one of them, but it seems like you’ve already become acquainted with the other.” Susie’s knowing smirk tells me shedoesn’tknow what just transpired between Landon and me.
Not at all.
“It seems that way,” I reply, my eyes shifting back to Landon. “Your tea is ready, Mister Julian.”
But I don’t hear his response, as I’m transfixed by Landon’s panicked, fearful gaze as he watches Julian grab the tray from the counter.
“What were you two talking about?” Susie asks.
I can’t help it—I grin, narrowing my eyes at the panicked man as I say, “We were just discussing the morality behind choice, isn’t that right?”
“Uh,” Landon stutters out, his wide eyes still stuck on Julian.
“That’s an odd thing to talk about,” Susie comments.
“Your friend here has aninterestingtake on it. Care to share again, little Lanny?” I push.
He didn’t necessarilysayhis opinion as much as show it, but it still counts. The man is a devious thing, willing to manipulate and brainwash whoever he pleases to fulfill his own desires.
As if he isn’t handsome enough to justask.
“No,” Landon rushes to say. “Julian, let’s go now, okay?”
The panic inside of him is building quickly, his eyes drilling into the attendee pleadingly. He looks… scared.
“Oh, I see,” I say quietly.
And I truly do. I see itsoclearly. Landon is in love with Julian. His opinions and his reactions are heavily important to Landon. Some part of me is immediately irritated. Was he not just batting his lashes at me?
Whatever. It doesn’t matter. Not only is it my job to bring this man to justice—not my bed—but Julian can’t love him anyway. Not when he’s so obviously infatuated with Atlas.
“Good luck, then,” I add as Landon’s eyes snap to meet mine.
He glares, his eyes narrowing on me like he wishes I’d catch a deadly plague or fall off the cliff out back.
And with that, I turn and leave the kitchen, the memory of his blazing stare trapped within my skull.
My phone rings as it’s pressed to my ear as I stare out the window of the second-floor landing, watching Julian and his friends drink tea and talk amongst themselves. Watching Landon.
“Hey, Nate,” Calum answers, his voice muffled.
“Hey. I have someone you need to look into.”
The immediate sound of a keyboard clicking can be heard through the receiver as he says, “Name.”
“Landon. Not sure of the last name, but he lives in California and is insanely entitled. I’d bet it’s a daddy’s money thing,” I explain.
“No last name?” Calum sighs, typing faster. “What does he look like?”
“Brown hair, green eyes, buff. I’d say around mid-twenties.” My eyes linger on Landon as he stands by the cliffside, his hair wind-blown and his hands tucked into his pockets.
I refrain from addinghandsome.
“Did this Landon work for a Burger King last year?” Calum asks, and my brow furrows.
