Read Online Sapphire by Taylor Lee - Free Book Online Page B

Ian’s concerns.
    “Let’s be honest, Gabriella. You are correct. Almost single-handedly, you pulled off a virtual coup. There isn’t an agency that was involved in the op that isn’t raving about your success. It’s the talk of the insiders who are now all eager to hire you. Given the buzz and the magnitude of the op I’m running, and my need for the best, I approached Ian and asked about you specifically.” Jase paused for effect enjoying the frown that crossed her face no doubt wondering what kind of a recommendation Ian had given her.
    “Ian was as effusive about your skills as everyone else, but he insisted that I watch that damn video before deciding if I could work with you.”
    Sapphire visibly tensed. She hesitated then blurted, “Why did he want you to see the video? So that you would know that I’m…I’m not…” She hesitated then tossed her head and said, “That I’m not your usual agent?”
    Jase laughed. “Hell, Sapphire, I already knew that. I’d seen your picture and talked to a few of my agency confidants. Your physical characteristics were so on target with our needs that you should have been a shoe in. However, as you well know, the reason Ian was concerned was your propensity to go off the reservation, insist on running the op as you think it should be run rather than how it was designed.”
    A flush of heat flared on Sapphire’s cheeks. Obviously annoyed, she leaned forward pressing her forearms on the bar. The move put her closer to him while pushing up her lush breasts. In a lesser woman, a more coquettish woman, Jase would have thought she had done it on purpose. But the anger turning her eyes a stormy dark blue, confirmed that the last thing she was doing was using her feminine assets to make a point. Doing his best to ignore the luscious flesh escaping from the top of her silky shirt, Jase mused that if she ever did want to use those assets, a man, any man, would be hard pressed to ignore them. Her fervent retort drew his attention to her face and her words.
    “Jase, that is so unfair. Look at you. You are an excellent agent. I researched you after we met this morning. I can’t believe the operations you’ve been involved in. My former general said you were one of the most creative and courageous agents he’s known. To me that means you understand that it is the rare mission that goes exactly as planned. Good agents always have to innovate. For God’s sake, who wants a ‘yes man’ or ‘yes woman’ who can’t think outside the box when the mission begins to unravel?”
    Jase held up his hand to stop her impassioned tirade.
    “You’re right, Gabriella. There is no place for sycophants on any mission I lead, yes men or yes women as you call them. However, the time to raise questions and pose alternatives is before shit happens. Working through all the options, knowing what each person is to do when everything starts going to hell, as it always does, is what make a team effective. “
    Jase paused for a moment studying her, deciding how hard he wanted to come down. Knowing how prickly she was and her well-earned “lone ranger” reputation, he concluded he had nothing to lose by being as blunt as possible.
    “To be perfectly honest, Ian’s primary concern was not you, Gabriella, it was me. He wasn’t sure you could work with me.”
    He met her questioning gaze and continued.
    “You think you’re tough, Agent Shaw, and you are. But honey you’re a gooey marshmallow compared to me. Ask anyone who’s worked with me. I’m an overbearing, arrogant son of a bitch who runs the tightest ship you’ll ever sail. I don’t tolerate dissent for dissent’s sake. Yes, I invite discussion, camaraderie, and am open to any and all ideas. But once I give an order, God help the man or woman who doesn’t follow it. I run a participatory democracy, but with blanket and absolute veto power. Ask any former agent who had the temerity to disobey my command about the sorry career path