“Shit, we have to let Krista know about all of this,” Watson said.
“No, what we need to do is end the threat right here. Right now. We have what we want.”
When those words landed on Nomad’s ears, he knew what he had to do.
CHAPTER 20
Nomad ran the options through his head, thinking about the terrain ahead. He’d walked this same route countless times before, but never under guard with his hands tied behind his back.
At least the light from Watson’s flashlight allowed him to see one of the tougher spots a few yards ahead and to the left—The Hedge. It wouldn’t have taken much to stumble into it and disappear over the edge and into the abyss below.
“On second thought, Watson, I think it might be time to head back and get the shovel and pick I saw in the corner by the crates. Our friend has some digging to do,” Wicks said.
Nomad stopped his feet but didn’t turn around.
“Looks like someone is not as stupid as I thought,” Wicks said.
Nomad turned to face Wicks, but used a subtle reverse walk in order to position himself against the cave wall, his hands coming to rest on the edge of a protruding rock.
Watson’s hand began to tremble, making the flashlight dance in an up-and-down pattern.
Wicks raised the gun. “You know, I could just shoot you where you stand. Save a lot of time.”
Nomad held his shoulders still as he moved his hands left and right in a tight pattern, angling his wrists so the paracord would scrape against the rock behind him. “Yeah, but what fun would that be? Come on, Wicks, use the knife. You know you want to stick it in me and twist it around. See what’s going on in there. Man-to-man.”
Wicks nodded, albeit slowly. “Ask and you shall receive.”
“Boss?” Watson asked.
“No matter what happens, hold your position.”
“But sir?”
Wicks gave his pistol to Watson. “That’s an order. This asshole is all mine.”
Nomad had hoped Wicks would stow the gun back in its holster. It would have made things a lot easier.
A change in plan was needed, Nomad decided, continuing to rub the paracord on the rock, increasing the pressure and speed as Wicks took out his knife, pulling it free from its sheath in a slow, drawn-out manner.
Wicks took a methodical step forward, his eyes energized with more fire than before. He twisted the blade in his hand, opening his fingers and closing them, making a leathery, squeaking sound across the grip. “I’m going to bleed you slow, boy.”
Nomad kept his chin firm and eyes forward, tracking the man’s distance and speed. “Do what you gotta do.”
“And here I thought you were some kind of hero. But you’re just another asshole with a death wish. Fine, I’ll be your huckleberry.”
Nomad steadied himself, figuring Wicks would take the shortest route to a kill, despite his promise to bleed him slow. He knew his timing would have to be perfect; otherwise, the glistening blade would find its way inside.
Wicks lunged with the knife, aiming for Nomad’s torso.
Nomad took a quick step to the side, turning his body in a flash so the blade would miss, then brought his hands out from behind his back, having just freed them with the cutting motion along the rock.
Wicks’ eyes flared as Nomad brought his arm up and around before chopping down on Wicks’ wrist to make sure the blade didn’t get redirected.
Nomad followed that motion with a stiff jab of his other arm, using his elbow as the blunt instrument. The blow landed on Wicks’ chest, making a thumping sound.
Wicks gasped, then took an awkward step back, his face indicating he’d been taken by surprise.
Nomad whirled and took a step forward, landing another sharp blow on Wicks’ throat. He missed the man’s Adam’s apple, but the impact stunned the giant regardless.
More gasping came from Wicks as he bent over for air, his legs not maintaining his balance. When he leaned against the wall, Nomad circled around and flew into the air, feet first, clamping his legs around Wicks’ back, just above the waist.
When Nomad’s weight took over, the force brought Wicks away from the wall in a tumbling spin to the ground.
Nomad felt the man’s body flatten into the dirt with a sudden thud as Nomad rolled with him, ending up on top as he’d planned, his knee pressing into Wicks’ chest.
Wicks tried to bring the blade around, but there wasn’t enough room, allowing Nomad to latch onto his wrist with both hands.
Nomad bent the man’s thumb back, leveraging all his weight to force it free from the handle, then twisted his hands to liberate the knife from Wicks.
Wicks groaned as Nomad spun the knife around in his fingers, like a drummer on stage at a rock concert, then pounded Wicks’ nose with the flat end of the handle in three rapid-fire blows. The third whack brought blood to the man’s nose, sending it dripping out of his nostrils.
Nomad spun the blade around once again, this time bringing the tip down to the center of Wicks’ throat, pressing against the skin but stopping just short of penetration.
Wicks froze with his arms out in a surrender position as Nomad leaned in, bringing his eyes down to Wicks in a dead-man stare.
“Is this what you’ve been drooling for, Wicks?”
Wicks kept his arms still. “Easy now.”
“No, you’re not getting off that easy,” Nomad said with his most intense voice. He withdrew the knife and shot off the man, taking three steps back.
Wicks turned onto his side and ran his hand across his face, taking some of the blood with it. He got to his feet and turned to face Nomad, his nose beginning to swell. Wicks aimed his eyes at the knife in Nomad’s hand. “So much for a fair fight, huh?”
Nomad paused for a moment, then decided to toss the knife over the rock ledge known as The Hedge. The weapon bounced off the far wall and disappeared into the cavern below.
He then put his right arm out with his palm up and gave Wicks a come-hither finger motion like he’d seen done in countless action movies back in the day.
“Gladly,” Wicks said, shooting a look at Watson, who was still flatfooted and watching the fight from a distance.
“Then bring it,” Nomad said, kicking a rock the size of a softball away from his feet.
Wicks charged, this time letting out an ear-piercing, deep-toned yell as his legs drove his feet through the dirt. He brought his arm up and around, unleashing a full roundhouse punch.
Nomad ducked the man’s fist and spun sideways as Wicks’ momentum took him forward and out of control, obviously expecting some form of resistance from his punch hitting the mark.
While Wicks fought the momentum, Nomad brought his arm up and grabbed Wicks’ wrist, then shoved it high over his head before turning the man’s hand upside down.
Wicks caved in, as expected, to stop the pain, allowing Nomad to use his strength to leverage the man’s arm down, flipping Wicks onto his back like a Karate master.
Yet Nomad didn’t stop there, bringing his free elbow around in a whirl of his body, letting his weight drop while landing a powerful blow on Wicks’ jaw.
The impact stung Nomad’s arm, but his adrenaline wouldn’t let the pain inside. Nomad could have landed more blows, but he wanted to extend the fight, rolling off the man once again. He backed up and took a fixed stance several yards away.