Jules swallowed. She hadn’t assumed she could just walk onto the team without proving herself, but this seemed extreme.
“You look surprised.”
“I am. A little.”
“Today’s op was a low-key one. We don’t get many like that. When you’ve got a submachine gun going at you or an RPG headed your way, you’ll appreciate being in top physical condition.”
“Makes sense. What else?”
“After you’ve completed your tests and I’ve seen the results, I’ll contact you with where to go for your implant.”
“My what?”
“Tracker. OZ operatives work deep cover. My people don’t check in with me unless they have intel or require assistance, but I need to know where they are at all times.” He waited a half second and then added, “You got a problem with that, OZ might not be the best fit for you after all.”
Even though what he said made sense, it was difficult to agree to such an invasion of privacy. Everyone, even OZ operatives, had a right to a private life, didn’t they?
“You won’t be the first person to balk at the requirement. No hard feelings if you want to back out.”
Backing out was not an option. She had to have this job.
“I will agree to the tracker, but I don’t have to like it.”
A small smile twitched at his mouth. “I’m sure there will be several things you won’t like.”
“And you don’t care, do you?”
“As we discussed, I don’t have a lot of rules, but the ones I do have are set in granite.”
“Your way or the highway.”
“You get dead or go missing, it’s on me. I don’t like it when that happens, so yeah, my way or nothing.”
A saner part of her told her to protest more. He might be the leader of OZ and her new boss, but the autocratic attitude could get old fast. But she could also understand his reasons. OZ operatives operated in the most dangerous parts of the world. If an operative disappeared, being able to find them quickly could be the difference between life and death.
“What happens to the people who leave OZ? I’m assuming the tracker can be easily removed?”
“It can and it is. But if you have it removed while you’re an OZ operative, you’re out permanently.”
“Understood. What else do I need to do?”
“The physical, skill tests, and the tracker are the biggest issues. The rest we can discuss when you come back.”
“I’ll need to find a place to live close to headquarters.”
“Closest town is about five miles away. You can stay at the op center as long as you need. We have apartments there.”
That would help with the transition, but she definitely would need her own place and space.
“Hmm. Awkward question, but where is OZ headquarters?”
Humor briefly eased his harsh expression. “Montana. I’ll send you a map.”
She nodded. She’d been to Montana on a case once, but that was pretty much all she knew of the state. She’d do some research once she got the location.
“With Gideon out and Jazz on modified assignments, you’ll need to hit the ground running when you get back.”
Jules nodded, but something was bothering her. “You and your team have accepted me awfully easily. I didn’t think it would be this smooth.”