Horribly abused by his mother, Van eventually goes in search of his father. When he finds him, his life is radically changed. His father works for the FBI, and has contacts to a covert group, run by the Old Man, that goes after the worst of the worst criminals. Van is recruited to join both -- and does. Van handles every job he's sent on with cold efficiency, letting nothing stand in his way of gaining the information he seeks and stopping his foes. Eventually, he's offered a team of his own within the Old Man's organization. He accepts, with one caveat -- none of them can be female. Because of his mother, the only woman he has ever trusted is his handler, Makie. His attitude takes a hit when he meets Ginna, a cop, while on a job for the Old Man. When it's over, much to the shock of everyone involved, he requests that she be added to his team if she's willing -- which she is, as long as the organization can promise to keep her young son safe while she's on assignments. Ginna fits in well with the team, and though she is appalled at some of the tactics Van uses to gain information, she finds herself attracted to him. Can she break through the walls he's erected around his emotions? If so, then what? Only time will tell.

A Shattered Life

“Who know it’s more than their lives are worth if they break the trust I’ve put in them. No, Mr. Naggi, this man Ortega-Escobar sent here will not find what he’s looking for, believe me.”


Package in hand, Vance got out of the cab a block away from the motel. From there he made his way around to the back and, after assuring himself he was alone and unwatched, he went up to the second level. It took only a few seconds to gain entrance to the room above his. Then he laid out the contents of the package on the bed.


Three of the guns he hid around the room in places none but the best searcher would be likely to find. The last one he put in the holster at the back of his waistband. The two blades were sheathed, one in his boot, the other on his forearm. With all that accomplished, he set a motion detector on the door and then eased out onto the balcony, locking the door behind him before activating the sensor.


Chapter 10