Page 50 of Shadow

“Three hours of driving with federal witnesses in the car.”

“Yes.”

“That’s a lot of exposure time.”

“It’s unavoidable.”

Asher was quiet for a moment. “We need to get our stories straight.”

“I know.”

“When do you want to do that?”

“Now. While we drive.” Daphne pulled out of the parking lot. Headed north. “We have forty minutes. That’s enough.”

“To build a convincing marriage?”

“To build the basics of one.”

“Wow, you’re romantic.”

She glanced at him. “This isn’t romance,” she said. “This is us doing our job.”

“You’re no fun at all.” He smiled. “Sugarplum.”

“You can stop anytime.”

He laughed, that low, dangerous rumble.

They drove in silence for a few minutes, the highway stretching ahead. The mountains rose in the distance, rugged under a clear blue November sky.

“So,” he said finally. “How long have we been married?”

“One year.”

“Anniversary date?”

“November second.”

“That’s last week,” he said.

“Happy anniversary.”

“I feel gypped. No trip to the Bahamas.”

“We work hard, what can we say?” She changed lanes. Passed a semi.

“Where did we get married?” he asked.

“Denver. Small ceremony. Just family.”

“Your family being…?”

Oh. She just shook her head. “Okay, maybe we eloped.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Fine. I’m good with eloping.”

“Courthouse wedding. Just us and a judge,” she said.