Total pages in book: 141
Estimated words: 130955 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 655(@200wpm)___ 524(@250wpm)___ 437(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 130955 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 655(@200wpm)___ 524(@250wpm)___ 437(@300wpm)
The forester’s lodge was nestled deep in the woods. So deep Yev would have to walk for about ninety minutes in order to reach the village store in Dybukowo on foot, even with those long legs of his. Built in a clearing and surrounded by ancient trees, it was a historic building made almost entirely of dark brown wood, with pale accents of pine. The black slopes of the roof reached below the windows on the second floor, barely covered by snow that must have slid off under its own weight. Radek was surprised to see that the traditional decorative patterns painted around the windows had been retouched since he’d last been here, and there was a fenced-off patch in the back, which would be a herb or vegetable garden in warmer months.
It was almost as if it had been renovated, and when Radek jumped out of the old SUV, he picked up the scent of cooking meat—venison, to be precise—and his mouth watered in anticipation of food he surely wouldn’t be treated to.
Radek had found a dead mouse in a trap at the cabin. He now had it in his jacket pocket, and needed to find a way into Yev’s home so he could plant it in some sneaky place. It would rot and stink up the house until it drove Yev mad, and Radek would be far away, remembering this moment with fondness. He could still not believe that Yev had carried him into the police station like some caveman. Who did he think he was? Yev was a forest ranger in Dybukowo not the Texas Ranger.
He took a deep breath of the cold air and walked straight for the door that had a knocker made of a deer hoof, but it opened before he announced his presence.
Yev seemed taller in daylight, his hair—blacker against his pale complexion, his facial scar—a thick pink line running from his forehead to the cheek. Now that Radek could see him with more clarity, he could place his age somewhere in his late thirties. Not even because of obvious things like wrinkles. There was just something about the way Yev carried himself that told Radek he wasn’t a young man.
Yev raised his thick brows, looking casual in a large green sweater and jeans. Radek didn’t expect the hit of attraction, but it was undeniably there. Which weirded him out, because the oldest guy Radek had ever been with was Emil. And Emil only had his thirtieth birthday two years back.
But there was something about Yev. Something that went beyond masculine features, and the firm arms that had lifted Radek with such ease.
“Hi? I know we started off on the wrong foot, and I feel so stupid about it now. I came to apologize.” He smiled and held out a bottle of cheap wine left over from the party. He’d be saving Emil’s advocaat for himself.
Yev frowned and stepped back, revealing an interior decorated the traditional way—with wooden furniture and blankets. “But I don’t have a cat, so maybe leave that outside.”
“Hm? Leave what?” Radek looked around, getting hot all over.
“The ziplock bag,” Yev said, as if he could see through fabric.
The thought made Radek’s adrenaline skyrocket. Sure, he could sense the dead mouse and plastic, but no one he’d met could smell things the way he did. Forced to avoid looking as if he’d been caught red handed, he smiled and pulled out the bag with a sinking feeling of failure.
“This? How did you know? My mom has cats, so I always bring them mice from traps.” Didn’t exactly make sense, since outdoor cats could catch their own snacks, but it was good enough.
Yev’s mouth stretched into a smile, revealing large teeth, with very pointy canines. “You can bring it to her later. Come in,” he said and invited Radek to the fire buzzing in the back of the hut and filling the space with the scent of natural wood.
Radek had expected to be kicked out over the mouse, so this was going surprisingly smooth. Only that he now lacked the means for his prank and had to think on his feet. There had to be another way to show Yev he wasn’t all that.
“You’re not… angry at me?” Radek couldn’t pinpoint why, but despite the homely interior and pleasant scent, following Yev in felt like walking into a predator’s den. Maybe because Yev was so big? He wouldn’t try to… hurt Radek, would he?
Radek froze when his host pulled his hair back into the shortest of ponytails, revealing his right ear. The upper half was missing, which left the remaining flesh mangled, more like a scrap than what it had originally been. But he took a deep breath, unwilling to reveal his shock to Yev, who closed the door behind them, turning the lock very loudly, as if he wanted to make sure his guest knew he’d been imprisoned.