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

Carlyle’s eyes widened as he took in the amount. “Thank you so much,” he gushed before regaining his composure.


“You’re entirely welcome. Now, about your outreach program. I really am quite interested. Why don’t you explain to me exactly what is involved and how I can be of assistance?”


“The idea, Mr. Parish, is to be as non-threatening as possible. A great many of these kids have run from abusive family situations, have been forced out of their homes by parents who cannot or will not accept their children’s behaviors, or they have been abandoned by their families.”


“I understand,” Vance replied as he and the young woman he’d been paired with moved down the brush and trash covered slopes toward the train and Rapid Transit tracks. Bridges, viaducts, and retaining walls were spaced through the man-made valley, many of them covered with graffiti ranging from gang tags to some very creative and artistic works.


Chapter 35