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

“Meaning this could get down and dirty and who better to call in than me.”


“To be honest, yes. You’ll be dealing with a well-organized group run by a very influential man who has his fingers in several political pies.”


“Fact, but so far unprovable, which is where you come in.”


“Of course,” he said, shaking his head. “Okay, let me see the file.” He nodded to the only thing of interest lying on her desk, an inch-thick folder.


She slid it over to him with the admonition that some of it was going to be difficult reading. “Take it home and go over it. If you think for any reason that you won’t be able to handle the job, let me know.”


“I told someone once that I have one weakness and that’s kids. Someone hurts one and I find out about it they’ll pay, one way or another. So no, Makie, this one I won’t back away from, come hell or high water.”


Chapter 34