"You what?"
Anna tilted her head slightly, her tone calm and irritatingly unapologetic. "Relax," she said, tapping her fork against the plate. "I only mentioned that my husband happens to be on my side. It might keep him off my back for a while."
Daniel blinked once. Twice. Then leaned forward, elbows resting on the table, his eyes narrowing with quiet amusement.
"Anna," he said slowly, voice low and smooth with a dangerous edge, "are you telling me you used me as your shield?"
She met his gaze, unflinching. "More like a deterrent."
A quiet, disbelieving laugh escaped him — deep, rich, and laced with something between surprise and admiration. He never imagined his wife could be this cunning. For the first time, he saw a glimpse of the strategist hiding behind that calm exterior.
