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

“Please sir, don’t shoot me,” a kid’s voice said fearfully.


Vance immediately holstered his gun. “Now why would I do that?” he asked quietly, still trying to find the source of the voice.


“Because I shouldn’t be spying on you?” The bushes rustled and a young boy of about nine or ten stepped into the yard.


Vance chuckled. “I only shoot spies on alternate Thursdays and today’s Wednesday.” He beckoned the boy closer. “What’s your name kid?”


The boy shook his head as he carefully crossed the lawn. “I can’t tell you,” he whispered.


“That’s okay. You should never tell a stranger. So what are you doing in my neck of the woods?”


“Walking?” The boy looked down at the ground, scuffing the toe of his sneaker in the grass.


“Well, welcome to Casa Montgomery. Do you want a soda?”


“Sure. Have a seat,” Vance pointed to the back steps, “and I’ll get you one.”


After a moment’s hesitation the boy complied, sitting down gingerly on the middle step.


Chapter 17