Anatu stood stock-still. He thought he saw her tremble before she lifted her head high.
She took another step back. "You will not shake me, and you will not tell me how many hours I do my job or call me stupid. I am free, I have inside thoughts, and I am a person."
Inside thoughts? He gave her a lopsided smile. The one he only used on women. It once even got him out of trouble with his temperamental, diva, Russian grandmother, and that woman didn't have a forgiving bone in her body. "You're right, Anatu. I apologize. I was worried about you." He took a step toward her and cupped her cheek. "I would never call you stupid. You are the most intelligent woman I know."
She didn't look like she believed him, but she didn't try to evade his touch. "You poisoned me, and you didn't say sorry."
