Page 12 of Caged

“He’s off the camera, so close.” Tyler pauses. “He had passengers, so watch for bodies.”

Great.

No getting in Nikolai's personal space today. But, I want to see how he moves.

I’ve learned that I can tell a lot about someone by how they fight.

If they hang back, and shoot from hiding, it usually means they’re a bit of a coward and cautious.

Running forward, but using strategic spots, indicates they have a level head. Not one to take unnecessary risks, but they will get the job done.

Is that a fucking sword?

One of the biggest men I’ve ever seen pushes into the secluded parking lot swinging a machete at the group of bikers.

Another man, wiry with tattoos up the sides of his head jumps into a crowd, arms flailing as he rides the bodies into a jumble.

The only one who fights like I’d expect is the third who has dark curly hair. He moves like a boxer, beating back any that get too close.

It’s interesting that not many firearms are being brandished.

I bet it’s because of the heavier police presence in this town.

But the bloody blades of the beast of the man I’m here to find swing with mighty force, clearing a swath in front of him.

A head flies free from its body and rolls to the ground before the owner’s body slumps beside it.

The wild man gleams a silver tooth before kicking it against the wall.

“Nice one, Niki!” he cackles before running headlong into another throng.

He certainly doesn’t have a style I’ve seen before.

Wild as shit, I’m surprised he hasn’t been killed already.

Nikolai flashes the crazy guy a broad grin.

The first I’ve seen after following him for nearly a week. Of course my mark is the twenty-first century’s Henry the Eighth. The only time I’ve seen him crack a smile is when he’s chopping off heads.

“Are you catching this through my glasses?” I whisper to Tyler.

This Nikolai is like a damn tank, bulldozing through and leaving a wake of dismembered and bleeding bikers in his path.

Crowbars and baseball bats bounce off of him, and he barely blinks.

“How in the fuck am I supposed to torture a guy who is immune to pain?” I can’t even fathom how much he’s taken already, but he looks completely unfazed.

“You did say that Ivan pointed out your ‘assets’,” Tyler laughs through the speaker.

“Screw you. You don’t see how big this guy is.” I bet he has a dick bigger than my arm.

Hmm.

Maybe this won’t be all bad?

“Well, it’s either get close to him, however you can, or Daniil…” He doesn’t finish.

We both know what he’s implying.