Free Double Vision (Unknown Identities #2) by Regan Black Page B

Galloway.
    Instead a nother thermal image appeared behind the Cleaner and leaped onto his back.
    "Selena!"
    Adam saw it play out all-too-clearly, in micro-second increments before it actually happened.
    The assassin pulled a one-eighty to slam Selena into the unyielding side of the dumpster.
    Ribs would crack and the breath would be knocked clear of her lungs. Pinned and helpless, she'd panic which would only make it harder for her to breathe. Galloway would relieve her of the watch and have the Cleaner dispose of them, walking away once more with everything.
    Adam wasn't about to settle for that bleak ending to his quest for payback. Not after waiting all these years. Not after sacrificing his identity as well as his normal vision.
    He didn't want to think about the impact for Selena, an innocent bystander caught in the middle of a bigger game, she'd be nothing more than another violent statistic.
    Adam saw one chance to change her fate. As the Cleaner started his turn, Adam caught him hard in the groin with a knee.
    The Cleaner fell forward, instinctively releasing his hold on Selena's arms to protect himself.
    "Come on," Adam barked at Selena, tugging her free as the Cleaner crumpled. With another kick, he propelled the assassin into Galloway.
    Holding tight to Selena's hand, he raced with her toward the safety of the subway, trying to make the most of their slim headstart.
    "We'll be trapped down there," she said, skidding to a stop at the top of the stairs. "There isn't another train for fifteen minutes."
    Shit. He glanced around, but there weren't any cabs in the area either. There was no real cover out here. Racing forward, he prayed for a miracle, but he knew they were screwed.
    A chunk of brick turned bright orange with the heat of a bullet before it crumbled to dust near Adam's elbow, making his point. He glanced over his shoulder as two thermal images, Galloway and the Cleaner, cleared the alley.
    "He's an idiot firing a gun out here," he said to Selena. There were cameras, sound detectors, all kinds of crap that made it a dumb idea. He knew Galloway was determined to get his hands on the nano technology, but he hadn't anticipated this kind of desperation. He should have.
    Hell, maybe he would have if he'd known the man had resorted to kidnapping.
    "This way," Selena said, pulling them right out into the open.
    He blocked her body with his as they raced across the street. By some miracle the next bullet went astray as well, but the owner of the BMW wouldn't be happy with the blown out windshield. Maybe the blows he'd landed managed to throw off the Cleaner's aim.
    They rounded the next corner, reaching the relative safety of the building. "We'll be dead if we stay out here much longer."
    "Trust me," she said turnin g to look him up and down. "You know, you could use some color. Black is too harsh for you."
    Was she serious ? "This isn't the time for a fashion lecture," he muttered, risking a glance around the corner. He couldn't see any sign of them with either his normal or enhanced vision. "Where'd they go? They aren't on the street." Maybe Galloway called off his assassin in favor of a better attack later. He didn't voice the opinion, afraid it would jinx the unexpected good luck.
     
    * * *
     
    "Yay for us," Selena said, appreciating the extra moment to just enjoy the view of the man who'd saved her, repeatedly. He wasn't as tall as her cousins, but she liked that. It put his lips within easier reach. Which was an observation that should wait for a more appropriate time.
    But he'd started it with that kiss. Perfunctory, functional, and with quite a bit of promise underneath. She wanted better next time.
    As much as she enjoyed watching him, she knew they couldn't stay on the street much longer.
    Sirens approached and she exchanged a look with Adam.
    "Tell me you know someplace we can lay low."
    With a nod, she straightened his jacket and mussed his hair, catching his hand when he tried to smooth it