Lone Wolf Read Online Free PDF Page B

together.”
    “Oh, please, I wouldn't want you to. I'm looking forward to the chance to observe you in action. From what I've heard, it can be quite amazing.”
    “Not the word I'd use,” Neil said. “I’d go for something more like 'terrifying' or 'shocking.' One thing you need to understand to work with Noah is that if he decides you're in the way, he will put a bullet in your head and never even hesitate. We all know that, in the team.”
    Moose and Sarah nodded their agreement, and Decker smiled. “Any leader worth his salt,” he said, “would do the same. When you're out in the field, the mission or the assignment always takes precedence, even over personal friendships and feelings. That's how it has to be.”
    “Oh, that's just ducky, you're going to fit right in!” Neil said, making a face.
    There didn't seem to be any more questions, so Jefferson turned to Allison. “Anything else?”
    Allison looked at the entire team for a moment, then pursed her lips and turned her gaze on Noah. “Yes,” she said. “I'd like to speak with Noah and Sarah alone for a moment.”
    Jefferson raised his eyebrows, but didn't make a comment. He gathered Neil, Moose and Decker and took them down the hall to his own office.
    In the conference room, Noah met Allison's gaze with his own, while Sarah looked nervous.
    “I'd be willing to bet pretty good money that you know why I asked you to stay behind for a moment,” Allison said. “There are certain rules in place that you seem to ignore, both of you. Care to guess which ones I'm talking about?”
    Noah didn't blink. “You're referring to the fact that on our last mission, Sarah and I broke the rule about avoiding intimacy while in the field.”
    Sarah looked down at the floor, and her hands began fidgeting with the fabric of her jeans. Allison glanced at her, then looked back at Noah. “Precisely. That rule is in place for a reason, you know. We determined long ago that intimacy between team members during a mission can cause emotional problems that might interfere. Now, I'm aware that you are a different case, Noah, but one of the things that made me  determined to recruit you was your record of obeying orders. I'm a little concerned that you seem to think this one doesn't apply to you.”
    “He does it for me,” Sarah put in without looking up. “When we're out there, I need some kind of contact to help me stay focused, and he gives it to me.”
    Allison looked at her. “I know you've been pretty close here at home, and I have no objection to that. When you're out on a mission, though...”
    “Sarah chose me specifically because I won't have any emotional investment in the relationship,” Noah said. “It isn't emotional intimacy she's looking for, or she would've chosen Moose or Neil. I've seen this before, and I'm sure you have, too. Some people just need to feel a human touch, especially during a stressful situation. I determined that her ability to function at optimal level falls under my responsibility to keep my team in top shape.”
    Allison crossed her arms and huffed. “I didn't say that I can't understand it,” she said, “I said there's a rule against it.” She stared into Noah's eyes for more than a minute, but he never blinked. “So—since I don't seem to have any choice in the matter, I'm going to give you an official verbal reprimand right now. Intimacy between team members in the field is strictly forbidden.”
    She met Noah's eyes for another five seconds, then looked at Sarah. “Now, unofficially, I'm going to tell you both that I understand, and I'll look the other way. Just don't let it blow up in my face, you both got that?”
    Sarah slowly raised her face so that she could see Allison, and there was the ghost of a smile on her lips. “Got it, Boss Lady,” she said.
    Allison nodded, then led the two of them to Jefferson's office. When they got there, she released the team to begin preparing for their departure a few hours later.